From a musical perspective, this past week was filled with happiness and sadness. Dick Clark and Levon Helm passed away.

Dick Clark, a pivotal icon in the world of music and television.

Levon Helm, drummer and vocalist in The Band.

Dick Clark was pioneer in the process of merging rock and roll with television and delivering it to the mainstream.  New Year's Eve just won't be the same without him.

I enjoyed two extremely fun events this past week: Record Store Day and The 2nd annual, Grateful Dead Meet Up at the Movies. A complete Grateful Dead 1989 Alpine Valley concert was shown in select movie theaters across the country. Record Store Day is a celebration of independent record stores..a shrinking concept in the digital world but vinyl lovers remain and their passion is very real. RSD grows each year and features limited releases and various giveaways.....good times!

The best job I ever had was working in a record store (Wee Three Records) in 1981-1982. I still have all my vinyl singles that I started collecting when I worked there....