RIP John Lennon (1940-1980)

Thirty-four years ago today, also a Monday night. . . I was teaching high school (Earth and Physical Science) in Salem, Massachusetts, site of the famous witch trials of 1692 and 1693.  Relaxing that night, watching Monday Night Football - the Patriots (naturally) versus Miami - when sportscaster Howard Cosell delivered the one bit of news that I would have preferred to have heard anybody but Cosell deliver. 

The next day, I had to try and explain the impact of the event to a bunch of 9th and 10th graders. Words failed.

Chemistry

It appears that I've somehow backed myself into posting a retrospective of favorite songs from long-ago years.  Hearing The Slits (1979) reminds me of undergrad days in Boston, and Wordy Rappinghood (1981) reminds me of being a young man out and about in Atlanta.  Fourth World, Volume 1 conjures up memories of the transitional period - post-grad Boston, before I left for a new life in Georgia.  This is what I remember listening to in 1980 and how I recall that in-between year.