Philip the Bard's Harappan Blog

It’s friday in Harappa City on planet Kusha. You know what that means . . . Philip the Bard will be playing music tonight at the Two Dogs Tavern. I don’t play as often as I used to, but I try to get in a gig at least twice a month.

Rock and Roll music is still experiencing its second revival. I think  I can honestly and humbly take at least part of the credit.

The beat driven music got its start on Earth in their twentieth century. As the twenty-first century aged and environmental disasters became more prevalent in everyone’s lives Rock and Roll faded and disappeared. Many historians consider The Toxik Idols to be the last great rock band of the first Rock Era. The group inspired a number of parents and religious groups to protest but this did not affect their popularity with their fans. When the band broke up there was nothing to replace them. When the Greenies took over all music was to promote and support their cause.

Several hundred years later on distant planet Harappa, I met my wife Ina and she introduced me to Marcus Johnson’s Earth library. I had never heard recorded music before and had no Idea that movies existed. We lived very primitive lives back then.

For my first Earth movie Ina chose American Graffiti. I liked the movie well enough but what got under my skin was the music. I couldn’t get the beats out of my head. Fortunately the librarians had some ancient Earth guitars and I was given the loan of one and I learned to play the thing. Everywhere I played the stuff it drew a crowd. Soon it was easy to find drummers and bass players.

Now there are all kinds of bands playing rock and roll music. There are Toxik Idol cover bands in most towns. Our local middle school even played “Everyday is Halloween” in their holiday concert last year.

I play with a group of old friends and sometimes get the grandkids involved. Toodle’s son Ricky plays keys and bass and Jaret’s two daughters are both fine singers.

Next week I have more tales to tell about Max Gavaskar. Like; her first date. Max was never one to kiss and tell but history does recall some things about this event and we’ll discuss them next week.

Philip Normer

Kushan Year 87

Earth Year 2479