1968 Conqueror of American Rock - Chapter 163



Only Noblemtl

163. Share Your Heart (13)

The streets of Sunset Strip, north and south, were packed with people, with no room to stand. As the parade began, cheers and shouts erupted from all over the streets.

People from all over the United States were dressed in a variety of costumes. There was a father holding a child dressed as Santa Claus, and a man carrying his girlfriend on a horse with a camera around his neck.

The concept was different from the parade held in the first week, and the scale was much larger. The number of police motorcycles escorting the parade had noticeably increased, and most importantly, a military band was at the front of the vehicles, marching in line and playing a marching song.

As people on the street corner threw flower petals toward the military band, a truly festive atmosphere began to ripen. The heavy footsteps of the military band in their colorful uniforms and the lively sounds of percussion instruments echoed through the streets.

After the military band’s powerful march ended, a beautiful piano melody followed. Two grand pianos were interlocked on top of a large trailer, and a blonde and black-haired girl were sitting at each piano.

It was Angela and a Korean girl named Christine Park.

James thought that instead of playing MR, he could make an outdoor performance much more lively and impressive by miking the piano and bringing in a military band.

Behind two grand pianos, about 40 artists stood like a folding screen and began singing one verse at a time.

“Honey, is that Siyoon sitting at the piano over there?”

“Oh, that’s right. The girl who plays the piano with me was an American who came with James, hahaha.”

Han Geum-ja lifted her heels to look at her daughter’s face. Lee Deok-ho stepped on a streetlight and climbed high to take a picture.

– Christmas is coming up again this year.

(Christmas is coming this year too.)

– It’s time for us to share our heart.

(It is time to share our hearts.)

“Whoa, that voice is crazy! I came all the way from Texas just to hear Andrew’s cavernous bass!”

“I like the chic and handsome Jacques next to him better. You have no idea how touching their story is. It could be made into a movie.”

The girls were crazy about Andrew and the London smog,

– When we decorate the tree and prepare gifts,

(When we decorate the tree and prepare presents,)

– Somewhere, people are dying.

(Somewhere, people are dying.)

“Yes, this is it. It’s important that we hold placards and protest peacefully, but the power of music is truly amazing. It’s Joan Baez after all.”

“That boy named Bao is a musician who represents the tragedy of the Vietnam War. Man, just looking at those big eyes brings tears to my eyes.”

Human rights groups and anti-war protesters cheered for Joan Baez and Bao.

– They need our love.

(They need our love.)

The four-part harmony sung under the direction of Freddie Mercury was truly heavenly.

– We are one.

(We are one.)

– We live under the same sky.

(We live under the same sky.)

– Skin color doesn’t matter.

(Skin color doesn’t matter.)

– God created us equal.

(God created us equally.)

“Diana Ross and Michael Jackson are the pride of our black people. To be honest, I didn’t like white music, but this song is a song of equality for all races. I think it was a good thing that they came from far away.”

“Michael Jackson is not the type of person to be in a group. I think he would definitely fly better on a solo album.”

Black people were thrilled to see Diana Ross and Michael Jackson singing together.

– But the world we live in isn’t fair.

(But the world we live in is unfair.)

– We can make a better world.

(We can make a better world.)

“I just strangely like that old truck accelerator-like tone. The lyrics fit it perfectly.”

“Wow, how high is the voice of the person calling after that······.”

Tom Waits and Rob Halford both have completely different voices, spewing out the absurdity of the world.

– In the quiet of the night,

(In the silence of the night,)

– Underneath the starry light,

(Under the stars,)

-There’s a melody that calls,

(There is a melody that is being sung,)

– Echoing through these walls.

(Echoing through these walls.)

Click, click.

“Brother, that’s the girl who used to eat ramen a lot, haha. Maybe it’s because she eats a lot, but when she sings, her strength is no joke.”

Lee Deok-ho, who even had a telephoto lens ready, pressed the shutter button diligently.

“Be careful, you buddy. You might fall. It looks like the broadcasting station is filming too, so don’t push yourself too hard.”

Park Cheon-deuk was worried about Lee Deok-ho.

“Hey, Mom. Why are you crying on such a nice day?”

Park Yu-jin handed a handkerchief to her tearful mother.

“I like it so much. I don’t know the exact lyrics, but strangely enough, when I listen to the song, tears come to my eyes······.”

In the chorus, the two pianists’ performances became more intense, and at the climax, the marching floats and military band stood in place and played together.

“Everyone, sing together!”

As Annie shouted loudly, the people gathered on the street all raised their hands above their heads and began to sing in unison.

– Share your heart and sing love.

(Share your heart, sing of love.)

– Let your love take flight on wings.

(Let your love grow wings and fly.)

– In the beauty of the dawn,

(In the beauty of dawn,)

– We’ll find strength to carry on.

(We will find the strength to keep going.)

– Share your heart.

(Share your heart.)

The voices of the 47 artists who participated in the album and the thousands of people gathered in the streets became one and resonated high into the sky.

People gathered on both sides of the road waved their hands to the music, children stomped their feet excitedly, and adults shed tears of emotion.

The sun hadn’t set yet, but the streetlights, shops, and clubs along the Sunset Strip were starting to light up.

Director Robert Smith, watching this scene from above, was deeply moved.

* * *

Michael Lang and John Scher watched the raucous parade from the hotel terrace while drinking whiskey.

“Michael, we made a lot more profit, but I feel strangely uneasy.”

“There’s no need to feel bad. The donations from the concerts will be similar for both us and them. And no matter how much people cry out for equality, nothing has changed much so far. Of course, I’m not a racist. But black people can never forget that their ancestors were slaves. And the gap between the rich and the poor will only widen. We shouldn’t indulge in such sentiments.”

Michael Lang, although he looked like a free-spirited hippie, was a man who thoroughly operated under the logic of capital. The performance revenue was similar, but the revenue from alcohol sales on the southern line was overwhelmingly higher. Also, the revenue from street vendors on the northern line was the self-employed people’s own share.

There’s only one thing he’s worried about.

“We have to film a music video too.”

“That’s right. I heard that Sparkling Ripple’s music video has already been imported from England. It’s even being shown on terrestrial TV stations. I’ll look for a good director. We’ll sign a full-fledged contract with KISS and release an album.”

Michael Lang and John Sher thought their costumes were just a prank to get attention, but KISS was so popular that they thought it was worth a try.

“And the mega festival. I was planning to do it next year, but I thought I should prepare properly even if it takes some time.”

“Yeah, that’s the Michael Lang style. I was wondering why you were in such a hurry. I bet the Woodstock money is already rolling in.”

“I was excited for a moment when I saw the Filton Festival in England. It will take time, but we will prepare properly and make it the biggest and greatest festival in history. It will be the one that no one will be able to catch up to in the future.”

“Hahaha, now I’m back to the Michael Lang I know. That’s great. I’m thinking of starting a music station in the eastern region like KMTV.”

“As expected, John. You and I get along well, hahaha. Let’s have a drink!”

The two toasted and dreamed of a bright future.

* * *

Five!

Four!

Three!

Two!

One!

Happy New Year~!!

The month-long festival has come to an end.

Our CW family rang in the new year at The Age of Rock. There was no set performance order today. Those who wanted to sing while partying took the mic, and musicians who could play came on stage.

The general public was also free to participate. Grandfathers sang with their grandchildren, and rock kids who had yet to experience a band came on stage. Our musicians filled in the missing parts.

The street vendors brought their own food and gave it away for free for people to eat, and they also enjoyed the party.

Mr. Deok-ho brought Koreans to the club. It was the first time for these simple people to come to Sunset Strip, but they quickly adapted to the party where people of different ethnicities came together and had a good time.

“Deokho, I thought only foreigners came to this place, but there are people of all races gathered here, haha.”

“Yes, sir. The company that runs this club is Korean, and they run it well, so the kids can play without worry.”

“But it’s a bit frustrating not being able to smoke.”

“Instead, the indoor air is good, haha.”

The Koreatown Shopping District Association brought home some makgeolli and jeon that they brewed themselves.

“This is Korea Pizza. Good?”

“Oh my god, very good!”

Even foreigners who were trying Korean food for the first time gave it a thumbs up after trying the sweet makgeolli and Korean pizza.

“Thanks to our daughter Cheon-deuk, we can come to parties in the US like this and have a good time. Haha. She’s really raised her children well. I heard your son even got into UCLA on a scholarship this time?”

“Yes, sir. I’m so happy I feel like I’m going to fly. I’m going to have a party for Lunar New Year, haha.”

Our members also greeted the elders by drinking a glass of makgeolli that they had personally brewed.

“Oh my, these young people are amazing, amazing. They are the pride of Korea.”

Annie’s eyes were turned on seeing green onion pancakes, kimchi pancakes, mung bean pancakes, and even pollack pancakes.

“Wow, this looks totally delicious, haha. It’s so delicious!”

“Oh, you look so pretty, you must be eating so well. Eat a lot, the portions are generous.”

In Korea, mixed race people were looked down on as being weird, but here in America, no one looked at them strangely. In fact, Korean immigrants even found Annie cute.

Everyone was shaking their bodies to EGO’s electronic dance style performance, and people were going wild with Michael Jackson’s dancing and singing.

Freddie Mercury, slightly tipsy after drinking makgeolli, went up on stage and played the piano elegantly while singing the sticky blues song ‘Melancholy Blues’, adding charm to the deepening night.

Afterwards, Brian May came up with a classical guitar and sang a new song, ‘Love of My Life’ with Freddie, and everyone raised their hands high and waved them left and right to the beat of the song.

Our team also went up on stage to keep the excitement going and danced to the rock and roll music that thrilled the soldiers during the 8th US Army.

That’s how we welcomed the new beginning of 1971 by shouting ‘Go, Annie, gogogo’.