Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 23, 2022 ~ Malden Musings ~ “A Christmas Prayer” by Peter F. Levine T he year, 1943 – Americans were fi ghting for their way of life, united against a common enemy, Maldonians very much included. We came together as a nation with an indomitable spirit led by what would later be christened (by Tom Brokaw) as “the greatest generation.” The free world would not bend. While the horrors of war raged, we clung to our faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. During these times, our conviction never broke. This prayer offered up by the New York Life Insurance Company in a 1943 Life Magazine full-page ad illustrates what the Christmas Season has meant to generations of Americans through the best of times – and the worst: “Let us pray that strength and courage abundant be given to Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Dennis at (857) 249-7882 for details. Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com all who work for a world of reason and understanding. That the good that lies in every man’s heart may day by day be magnifi ed. That men will come to see more clearly not that which divides them, but that which unites them. That each hour may bring us closer to a fi nal victory, not of nation over nation, but of man over his own evils and weaknesses. That the true spirit of this Christmas Season – its joy, its beauty, its hope, and above all its abiding faith – may live among us. That the blessings of peace be ours – the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others, and to plan for the future with confi dence.” The Extreme founding member, Malden’s very own Gary Cherone, lives for the Christmas season. Gary is the guy who wrote the Billboard #1 hit “More Than Words,” sold over 20 million records worldwide and commanded the stage at the 1991 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert like he was boss of bosses! I’m talking about the skinny little kid from Highland Avenue who dreamed a dream that actually came true, and in the process, made Josephina an “extremely” proud mom (pun intended). Gary was the one with the awkward set shot always leaving his feet too early; the one with an obsessive love for Kong Gorilla; the one who never, ever forgot his Malden roots. With that said, yes – I am biased. I have been a fanboy since that fi rst time I heard “Mutha.” In my life since that fi rst chance encounter in 1979 standing outside my house on Charles Street with my brother David – “you should come see my band play some time.” I was all in. Gary had charisma. Extreme may not have ~ Home of the Week ~ LYNN....Commercial store fronts (consisting of two condos), 6 store fronts - great income, minimal expenses make this property a great investment. Condo fee of $782 monthly includes master insurance, water, sewer, exterior maintence, etc. Centrally located near public transportation. Great money maker, perfect for 1031 exchange, GREAT INVESTMENT! Income and expenses attached. Dominos Pizza $3,500 triple net. Deli $2,000. month. Union Cafe $3,500. month. Sonia Driving School $1,400 - will increase shortly to $2,000 month. Two additional store fronts $3,300. month. Offered at $2,799,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Christmas 1896 Malden Young Men’s Christian Association set the world on fi re. They were not Elvis, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, but the music world and those of us that still have a love for guitar, drums and bass with an enigmatic front man appreciate that they were always honest and true with their music. Gary’s vocation in life was his music. He was all in. Turns out he was one of the fortunate ones. Many came before him (many came after) with that same dream, but the stars were aligned for Amerige Park’s most famous son. He went all in because it always came from the heart. And because he was a little mishigas! Most “artists” are! Which brings this long-winded diatribe somewhat full circle. His ode to the holiday, “Christmas Time Again,” was released in 1992 on A&M Records as part of an E.P. single with “Stop the World.” Gary may not have been the “Shakespeare of rock n roll,” as his ex-bandmate (the late) Eddie Van Halen once proclaimed, but he strived to always make a diff erence with his lyrics – like many of his musical heroes before him. It is a beautifully written, sentimental tune clocking in at 5:07 that got lost in the early ’90s shuffl e that was the world of pop and rock n roll. It should not be lost. It should be played every year at Christmas time (even on WJIB!). It should take its rightful place alongside all the other great holiday standards that have become holiday earworm in our lives. Forget all you know about Extreme. The pretty boy image. The bluster that is Nuno. The ill-advised “heavy metal” label that was thrown at them and stuck. Listen to this song. Listen to the sincerity in Gary’s voice as he sings this composition to his favorite day – the honesty in the lyrics. Listen to what is in Gary’s heart and to a song written from the soul of a man who made art his career. Merry Christmas, G Man, keep on rockin’! Who remembers happier days; Christmas shopping in Malden Square...Jordan Marsh, the Slack Shack, Bakers, Malden Jewelry, Roli Music and Malden Music Center, Sound on Sound, Pandora’s Box, Casual Scene, Sparks, Woolworths, Lady Grace, Gilchrist, Lerner’s, Tom McCann, Moe’s Smoke Shop, Converse Smoke Shop, Headlines, Jordan Marsh, Malden Army & Navy, Jerry’s Army & Navy, Kotzen’s, Boston Leader, Chisholm’s Sporting Goods, Hanlon’s Shoes, Liggett’s? If you do, consider yourself fortunate. Those were special days in our lives – not soon to be forgotten. The Malden of today is an exciting and welcoming place to be living in with potential for even better days. But the generation that remembers buying blueberry muffi ns at Jordan Marsh, shoes at Louie Klane’s, school clothes at Sparks, or rolling papers at Headlines? You’re old! Really old. I kid! We may be old, but we had the best music ever created (as the t-shirts imply). Insert smiley face. And we had the best places in the Square to lighten our load and get our merry on like the Do Re Lounge, Bunkie Klane’s, Jack Haney’s, the Centre Bar & Grille (later Richard’s Pub), the Horseshoe Bar & Grille and the Auld New Lounge. Memories that will remain with us forever – for those that didn’t overindulge in Schlitz, that is. Insert (yet another) smiley face. Ten Christmas/Holiday songs for 10 nights in December, all guaranteed to get you in the 2022 holiday spirit: 1. James Brown – “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” 2. Judy Garland – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” 3. Sonny Boy Williamson – “Santa Claus” 4. The Pogues – “Fairytale of New York” 5. Run-DMC – “Christmas in Hollis” 6. Big Star – “Jesus Christ” 7. Perry Como – “Christmas Dream” 8. Dogmatics – “X’mas Time (Sure don’t feel like It)” 9. The Temptations – “Silent Night” As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – my late mother (Dorothy) left a huge hole in our hearts – hard to believe seven years now. Loved this quote so much when I originally printed it that I am again bringing it back to life for this holiday season, the Christmas Season that she so much looked forward to. As I’ve written in the MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 7
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