Rick Wakeman, Ace Andres, Trevor Rabin and Jon Anderson

 

I don’t know how to keep this epic Odyssey short because it really consists of various people and getting to meet 2 Heroes and 2 cents worth of advice on American Airlines.

I’ve flown 200,000 + miles on United Airlines.(In one year) I’m no stranger to air travel.  I’ve flown from LAX to Atlanta and back on American Airlines and wanted to kiss the ground each time I got off the plane.  For some reason, on my recent trip to Las Vegas (Sin City), I couldn’t just fly from Reno NV to Las Vegas NV.  (Like SF to LA or Seattle to Portland) NO!  I had to fly from Reno to Phoenix (2 hour layover) then to Sin City.  The return trip was in reverse. I have a new least favorite airport. (Atlanta being the first) But avoid McCarran International if at all possible.

Viva Las Vegas

There are 3 things I’m annoyed by in airports. (not counting TSA)

Trains/shuttles.  If you need a tram or subway to get you to ground transportation or your gate, the airport is too damn big.
People movers aka flat escalators. If you need a moving track to stand on the airport is too damn big. (Only exception is O’Hare because of the PRETTY LIGHTS)

Last are gates that are a mile apart. In Phoenix, they have two long people Movers to get you from Terminal A to Terminal B.  (Note* don’t touch the handrail unless you’ve brought hand sanitizer with you (3.5 oz. of less)

This works for all destinations. If you have to use a Taxi (Über not withstanding) call the concierge at the hotel and ask what the meter reads from the airport to your hotel.  This way you don’t get “literally” taken for a ride. If the round trip Taxi fee is more than the price of a car rental for the whole time you’re there, rent the car. (Check to see if Hotel parking is free first)

 

Viva ARW

When you get older, you realize time is more valuable than money. (If you have enough money) yes, I know the word “enough” is ambiguous. Some say you can never have enough money. If you can pay your bills and not have to borrow money to do something, then I recommend reading King Solomon’s book, Ecclesiastes.  For you pagan hippies, it’s the book in the Bible the Byrds’ song Turn, Turn, Turn came from . *Hint; It’s in the old testament.

I Posted This on Facebook’s Todd Rundgren Radio on September 10^th 2016. There are only three living Musicians that I would pay to see perform. Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman and Todd Rundgren. In a recent interview shortly after David Bowie’s death, Rick Wakeman talks about recording “Life on Mars”. He said he was really impressed by David’s key modulations.

I had just performed “A dream goes on forever” written by Todd Rundgren (18 chords?) live for the first time. So I asked Rick what his thoughts on “Todd’s” songwriting were.

Expecting to hear tremendous accolades, Rick replied: “Sorry, I do not have any Todd CDs”. Oh well. Most of my songwriting mentors put Todd at the top of their list of best song writers and producers.

 

As you can see I not only met Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin but we posed like the Beatles from the “Meet the Beatles” album (back cover) All of us had fun pretending to be the Fab four.  John made the funniest comment of the night.  When I moved Jon Anderson from the middle of the group to the far right, I said: “OK, Jon you’re Ringo.  Trevor I need you to put your left outstretched hand on Jon’s right shoulder”.  As I moved Rick Wakeman (Who appears to be 10 feet tall and bullet proof) he gave me that look of “How dare you touch me”.  I must confess, I think a few drops of urine came out when he gave me the look.  Rick, however; was cordial when I said: “Rick, you’re Maca and I need you to hold your chin with your hand”.  Jon Anderson then said: “Well who do you get to be”? (Like little kids playing make believe)
I responded: “I’m going to be John Lennon. Wouldn’t you want to be John?”  Jon said: “Well of course”.  I think we all had fun and “Played” like little kids for just a few moments.

Todd Rundgren

Now it’s time to meet Todd. Then who knows?

Michio Kaku

Michio Kaku? The Theoretical Physicist?  He’s a modern day Einstein that believes in the possibility that we are not alone and the “Truth is Out There”.

Meeting Rick was like kissing the King’s Ring. Meeting Trevor was like meeting a long lost Twin. We had so much in common.  It was wonderful to see him on stage using the Slide I gave him that “I” used on my recording of “Sleepwalk”.  To me, they were just performers like myself only much more experienced and polished.

Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Meeting Trevor and Rick wasn’t the spiritual moment I talked about when I wrote the article “Meeting Stephen Covey”. Perhaps it’s because Stephen changed my life and I owe my adult core values and character to the late Dr.Covey. Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin are fellow musicians that I greatly admire. They didn’t change me. It was an honor to meet them. Dr. Covey was a blessing.

If I ever have to go to Sin City again, it will be too soon and I will have to think about it twice.