Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 24, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – Christmas Time Again By Peter F. Levine “C hristmas Time Again” was borrowed from my good bud Gary Cherone. Gary was a friend of my family’s way before he became an international pop star. When I say “good bud,” I’m 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 Paul at (617) 387-5457 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 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 HOURS: Open Daily at 4:00 PM Don’t Forget to Book your Holiday Party Early! Order your Holiday Party Platters Now! Join us begining at 4 PM for our NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION featuring Everett’s own... NEW MIKE MATARAZZO ~ www.eight10barandgrille.com ~ 419 BROADWAY. EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 WWW.EVERETTBANK.COM 617-387-1110 781-776-4444 Member FDIC | Member DIF We’ll be closed for the holidays December 24-25th. Wishing you happy holidays and thank you for being both customers and friends. As always, access our ATMs and your Online & Mobile Banking anytime. Enroll at www.EverettBank.com not talking about the guy who wrote a Billboard Number one hit (“More Than Words”), sold more than 20 million records worldwide or commanded the stage at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1991 like he was the boss of all bosses! No, I am talking about the skinny little kid from Highland Avenue who dreamed a dream that actually came true and, in the process, made his mom a tremendously proud woman. That Gary Cherone – pre-stardom – the one with the awkward set shot always leaving his feet too early; the one with a passionate love for Kong Gorilla; the one who never, ever forgot his roots in Malden. With that said, yes – I am biased. I have been a fan since that fi rst time I heard “Mutha.” Yes, I am old. I have been a friend since that fi rst chance encounter in 1979 when he stood outside my house on Charles Street with my brother David and said, “You should come see my band play some time.” Gary had a certain charm. I was all in. Extreme may not have 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 a charismatic front man appreciate that they were always honest and pure with their muThe Grinch and Boris Karloff (Courtesy Photo) sic. Gary’s vocation in life was his music. Music would be his career, damn it! 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 are now/were working in the less than glamorous aspects of the music world, if in the music world at all. He went all in because it always came from his heart. And because he was a little mishigas! Most of those “artists” are! Insert smiley face. Which brings this long-winded diatribe full circle. “Christmas Time Again” was released in 1992 on A&M Records as part of an E.P. single with the song “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 song clocking in at 5:07 that got lost in the shuffl e in the early 1990s that was/is the world of pop and rock n roll. It should not be lost. It should be played every year around Christmas time (even on WJIB!). It should take its rightful place alongside all the other great holiday standards that now 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 that voice as he sings this ode 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! Happy New Year! Councillor-at-Large Craig (Spadafora) hit a grand slam last year with this Christmas memory. He encapsulates the holiday season as well as anybody possibly can. His grandmother Alice MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 7
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