In getting stoked about my trip, I decided to write a little bit about some famous names that hail from ol' Balti. Here are some of my faves:
David Byrne - of the Talking Heads. Now, although the dude is Scottish, he spent his formative years in Baltimore County. I am a fan of the Talking Heads and of Byrne's other works. Did you know that he has won an Emmy an Oscar AND a Golden Globe? Look it up - I do not lie. Not that he needs trophies to prove he is a great musician - BUT it's nice to be recognized. I love the Talking Heads because of their interesting place in music history. Standing as a bridge between punk rock and new wave - with elements of world music - made it easy for the kid that wanted to run with both crowds. You know? There were definitely other acts that bridged these formats, but we are talking about the Talking Heads. Plus, all the weird avant-garde shit they did?! Love these guys. Not to mention that I have a thing for bands with chick bass players. Okay...fun fact about Talking Heads: One of my favorite bands, Radiohead took their band name from the Talking Heads song "Radio Head."
Tori Amos - of...well Tori Amos. Born in North Carolina, she grew up in Baltimore. Growing up in the 90s, I lived and breathed the 'alternative' music scene. Tori Amos being the soul sister of this era, it kind of goes without saying that I was enamored. If you haven't experienced a Tori concert, you are missing a spiritual experience. For those of you who have been - you know what I am talking about. There is something sexual, sensual, mystical and magical about her on stage. She is like a preacher hypnotizing you to join her cult. And boy can she work that piano. It looks like she is in a relationship with her piano - a loving, intimate, giving relationship. One of my favorite Tori songs is a cover of the Led Zeppelin song "Thank You." It served as a B-side to the "Crucify" single (a true classic) along with a few other cover songs, including "Smells like Teen Spirit." Anyway, "Thank You" is on of my favorite LZ songs. I love it so much. And it can go two ways with cover songs and Tori does the song justice. Duh....
Charles Bukowski - author, womanizer, poet, misanthrope. He did not live in Baltimore during his career, but spent some of his childhood there. One might think it is odd that I am a fan of Bukowski - what with his misogynistic and all. BUT...I am. I'm a huge fan. I think his writing is true and honest. Virtues that go a long way with me. Yes he writes about relationships with women but he also writes about being poor and being a working slave in this country. What I gain from reading Bukowski is a masculine perspective on life in America that I have never realized in other writers. One of my favorite Bukowski quotes: "The nine-to-five is one of the greatest atrocities sprung upon mankind. You give your life away to a function that doesn't interest you. This situation so repelled me that I was driven to drink, starvation, and mad females, simply as an alternative."—Sunlight Here I Am: Interviews & Encounters 1963-1993
Rick Ocasek - of The Cars. That freaky looking dude is married to a model! Can you believe it?! Well aside from being from Baltimore (which as we are learning, makes him pretty cool) but also he is an excellent songwriter and producer. So I guess his model wife likes the 'artsy' type. The Rick Ocasek seal of approval is means for bragging rights in the music industry. And how rad were The Cars? Synth-pop rock at its best. You can't tell me that you don't pump the volume whenever one of their many hits are on the radio. "Just What I Needed" (released in '77) is a perfect example of The Cars' sound. It is definitely one of my favorite songs from that era. "I don't mind you coming here and wasting all my time. 'Cuz when you're standing oh so near, I kinda lose my mind." Those classic lyrics of confused emotions gets me every time. 
Emily Post - Such a lady! Imagine your legacy being that of proper American etiquette - setting the standards for etiquette for generations to come. She is a household name. "How Emily Post of you!" "That was very Emily Post." "Hello, Emily Post!" If you have questions about proper wedding practices and etiquette - there is an Emily Post book for that. If you are unsure about the appropriate Christmas gift for your in-laws - there is an Emily Post book for that. Social graces are such a lost art form. What if the whole world listened to Emily Post? I think it would be a much more proper place. A telling quote on wedding etiquette: “She must not swing her arms as though they were dangling ropes; she must not switch herself this way and that; she must not shout; and she must not, while wearing her bridal veil, smoke a cigarette." Tell that to Bridezilla.
And lastly, my friend Jessica. Now I know she is not famous to everyone - but she's pretty special to me. A California native, Jessica has resided in Baltimore for about 2 years now. A wonderful artist, friend, wife, daughter, sister and citizen - Jessica is a class act. I can't wait to hang out in this rad city with her where other rad people have lived.
Stay tuned for some photos and adventure posts about my fun Baltimore trip!
xo
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