Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 28, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – The Power of Music By Peter F. Levine R obert DiGiovanni’s Facebook posts, thy name is brilliance: “Would some of you agree, that our music is a part of our memories of persons, places, and events, etc. etc. from our collective past here in Malden? That these memories are as much of a stepping stone to the places, persons and physical locations, of the older generations to share with the younger ones? I write this with the hope, the people who have expressed their feelings, that music is somehow, not really a part of our collective Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 J& $45 yd. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $40 yd. $3 yd. memories of Malden passed and does not belong on this site, may be missing the point of our memories and our desire to share them with others. I personally feel and hope that others share this feeling that music very much plays a part in our memories and is synonymous with the places, people, and events in our lives, we all shared in ‘Malden Back in the Day.’ I have posted, I thought, was an excellent article called ‘Why Does Music Evoke our Memories’ and its importance to helping us remember the past we shared growing up or living in Malden, that posting of songs/music, to this site, helps to conjure, other vivid memories about Malden, we share about buildings we lived in, worked in or were educated in. Also, the physical events we shared like our Saturday and Sunday high school football games, Saturday night dances, where we may have met the person of our dreams, or we at least thought they were. The many historical buildings and locations, our parades and why we had them. Where, why, or when, a particular song is so reminiscent, it jars our memories, of people, past events, and places. I hope you would agree that songs and music are as much a part of our memories, of the city of Malden and that the older generation can and would love to share these songs associated along with and by our memories of Malden past and present with the younger generation? Please feel free to express your thoughts!” Songs that reach back through the years! I agree 100 percent with Robert. So many songs heard during childhood remind me of a time and a place in Malden. Hearing Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” reminds me of the first group of friends I had, riding our Raleigh ten-speeds from one end of the city to the other even without bike lanes or helmets! Imagine?! “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight brings me back to 1971 Devir Park and meeting Cliff “Mr. Big Shot” Cioffi for the first time. Morris Alpert’s “Feelings” takes me back to my senior year at Malden High School and all the time we spent at the Highland Café. “Train Kept a Rollin’” by the James Montgomery Band in 1973 at the Jenkins Auditorium introduced me to Chicago Jean Knight – “Mr. Big Stuff” (Courtesy Photo) blues. The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” conjures up that night in 1972 at Devir Park when an “underfed long haired leaping gnome” playing “Sympathy” on his acoustic guitar in the middle of the park stood down and continued playing as hundreds of us scattered in all directions as Malden’s finest invaded from all directions, lights flashing with harmful intentions on their minds. I could go on. Thank you, Robert. Let me know your song/memories and I will get them in print. It is said in Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday... In the “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” Department I present to you this dispatch issued by the Malden Police Department just a week or so ago. It involves two dedicated public servants, one of which happens to be somebody I have known and loved since he was an underage prankster sneaking in the back door at the Irish American for Joe Levine’s “Chill Outs.” Take it away, MPD: “If you noticed a large police presence in the area of Harnden Road at Summer Street this morning, it was due to a report of ‘shots fired.’ Malden Police acted quickly and were able to apprehend the person believed to be responsible, thanks to the decisive action of Ofc. George Mackay and Sgt. Peter Mitchell. A loaded firearm was located on the man upon detaining him. One Malden man was placed under arrest and will be charged accordingly. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.” Atta boy, George! Once again just goes to show what living a good clean wholesome life can do for a guy – oh yeah – and marrying (hello Lisa!) well. Malden High School Class of 1978’s Dave Slaine recently made a sizable donation to the Malden Rec Dept. Dave’s done good in life and just wanted to give a little something back to the city he still holds near and dear to his heart. Although he’s been gone for many years, settling in sunny Florida, he continues to keep in touch with fellow Maldonians like Joe Levine, Mike “Buffalo” Byrnes and Johnny Furlong. I had a long talk with Dave recently where we caught up on life after years being out of touch. He mentioned that Furgie was one of the toughest competitors he ever played against back in the day. I agreed wholeheartedly. I assured Dave he wasn’t the only one John torched back then. “Hold hands you lovebirds.” Oh my! How time flies. Happy 51 years of wedded bliss to those two eternal lovebirds, Billy & Donna Spadafora. Fabulous couple – two of Malden’s best! If you see Jack Bello wish him a (belated) happy birthday. Jack turned 87 last week and, of course, looks fabulous. Just goes to show what living a good, clean, godly life can get ya! Oh yeah, and marrying very well, of course. All the best to you, Jack, and your lovely wife, Diane. Guilty pleasure of the month goes to Tammy Wynette/ George Jones for their version of the ill-fated tearjerker, “My Elusive Dreams.” Happy birthday, Dom Fermano; 81 might be the new 61! And by the way, 81 never looked so good! Again, it helps marrying well. Dominic, my friend, always remember this William Shakespeare gem: “The golden age is before us, not behind us.“ Who remembers “Big Lou’s Sub Shop” on Exchange Street? Dave Angelo does. He and “Big Lou” (Riley) were thick as thieves back in the heady “Just Say No” days of the 1980’s! On occasion, after getting a few under his belt, Dave would serenade Lou with: “Big Lou, eyes of blue, six feet two, working the barbecue.” Okay, I guess you had to be there, but it does rhyme. MALDEN TODAY | SEE PAGE 15
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