Song & Memory
Song and Memory: "96 Tears"
JUNE 9, 2007 Listen to this Story
- Anthony Bourdain
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- Anthony Bourdain
- Anthony Bourdain's, "No Reservations"
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- ? and the Mysterians
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Rebel Chef Anthony Bourdain is best known for his raucous ways in the world of the professional kitchen, which he details in his book "Kitchen Confidential." We asked him to put away his pans and think back to when he was a kid -- is there a song from childhood that brings it all back? Bourdain can pinpoint his desire for a rebellious drug- and sex- drenched youth to one song: "96 Tears" by ? and the Mysterians. Weekend America asks him what he loved about that song.
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From NYC, NY, 08/13/2008
I recently had a cathartic experience while seeing the recent Public Theater production of the musical HAIR (July-Aug 2008 Shakespeare in the Park-NYC).
Back in 1968, when I was just 2 my parents had seen the broadway production and must of played the soundtrack on their reel-to-reel machine because I have extreme memories of this music. By the time I turned 5 my Mother died suddenly.
Cut to the 2008 production of HAIR during the singing of the opening song, The Age of Aquarius, I had tears streaming down my face that were uncontrolled. That night, that music triggered some deeply buried treasure of feelings of love and longing (not very different from the lyrics), that I did not expect.
If light and sound travel and incredible speed, in some parallel universe, I believe my Mother and I listened to those songs together again. WOW
One night accomplished more for me then 20 years of therapy!
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