The J5ive.

Had a thought & felt the need 2 bring up the old with the new. 
As a youngster, the enthusiasm for the Jackson 5 with it's music 
 & style made them one of my favorites.  (looking back I find it a bit 
unusual how much of a fan I actually was.)

Originally from smalltown Gary, Indiana, they had an amazing brand & 
made themselves something much bigger than just a local act.
Living only 30 minutes from Gary, I can recall driving through just 2 see the old house they once lived in. 

Big Boy, released on Steeltown Records was a pretty decent indication what was to come. 
Yep, I always hoped the local radio stations would play it due 2
 it being such a rare find. 

Play/Record button locked & loaded. 

After the Jackson 5 were recommended to Gordy by another Motown act - Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers - they were signed to the label in 1969 and left the midwest for the glitz of Hollywood to be pampered and polished as a coming major act. 

By January of 1970 their debut Motwon single I want You Back (which had 
originally been intented for Gladys Knight) & became number one 
on the charts & sold over a million copies. 

J5. from The Weddington Adventures. on Vimeo.

The follow-up ABC did likewise, achieving the distinction of toppling The Beatles' Let It Be from the Billboard top spot. The list of their other hits is enormous and includes The Love You Save, I'll Be There, Mama's pearl & Never Can Say Goodbye 

I mean, before there was a New Edition, Jodeci, 112, Boyz 2 Men, Backstreets Boys, N'Sync, LFO, 98 Degrees, West Life, H-Town, B2K.....(you get the point.)....

there was the J5!!

...They even had the nerve 2 have a cartoon series which I personally watched on a regular.....Ok, enough of the ranting' . Either case, here's my tribute 2 the most influential group in regards 2 music in my lifetime....ok, one of em'....lol

Peace!...with 2 fingers;)

Period!

Peace!...with 2 fingers;)

Hibernated.

Whew!...The winter / cold season is nearly over which 

gives me the liberty 2 dust off my trusty Canon 

& do some long awaiting storytelling. 

It's been months since I've even looked @ 

a camera which makes it a weird

seasonal thing I suppose. 

(It's similar 2 hibernating in a freakin' cave.)

One thing for sure, I'm no fan of the cold.

Anyhoot, as the snow continues 2 melt, ideas continues 2 flow....

So who's down for some video?

Peace!...with 2 fingers;)

Pantha.

In this dire time where human rights are jeopardized & lives seem not 2 matter, I find it appropriate 2 reintroduce a period where people actually fought for what they believed in. The Black Panther Party's bold approach to gun rights & police brutality has absolute relevance 50 years later! Have things actually chanced since then? Depends on who you ask.

1966

- Black Panther Party was founded by Huey P.Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15,1966 

1967

- The first BPP office was open at 5624 Grove Street, Oakland, CA in January

-Denzil Dowell is shot and killed by sheriff's deputies on April 1. Black Panthers respond in protecting the Dowell family. 

-First newspaper is published on April 25 with headlines "Why was Dennzil Dowell Killed?"  

- 30 armed Black Panther Activist go to California State Capitol, on May 2 to protest the Mulford Act which was a bill banning the display of loaded weapons. 

Pantha. from The Weddington Adventures. on Vimeo.

1968 

- On February 8,  Black Panther activists in south carolina at South Carolina State were shot by local police and National Guard 33 were shot, 3 were killed. 

- On February 17, "Free Huey" rally was held at the Oakland Auditorium on his birthday. Over 5,000 people attended.  


- In April New York Black Panther Party chapter is organized.


-On May 6, Bobby Hutton is killed during a shoot out with the police. 

-In March Arthur Morris, was shot and killed by the U.S. government. He was the first member of the Black Panther Party to be killed.

- 6,000 protestors came out and supported Huey Newton on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse in Oakland.  

-On September 28 Huey P. Newton is sentenced to 2 to 15 years in prison 

- In Newark the BPP office was bombed on December 7

- On December 21, Denver police raid Panther office searching for weapons, but none is found. Officers burn food and clothing were to be given to poor during the holidays. 

1969 

-In January the Free Breakfast for Children Program (FBCP) is established at St. Augustine's Church in Oakland.

- In Vallejo, CA, Black Panther Party starts off the Breakfast program with 35 children within one week the number of children increases to 110 

-On March 19, Panthers Bobby Seale and Masai Hewitt visted the Scandinavian countries. Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. 

- On May 4, the "Free Huey" rallies were being held in 20 major cities at U.S. federal district courts.  

-On June 4 the Liberation School, one of the BPP survival programs is started 

-Bobby Seale is kidnapped after leaving the Masai Hewitt and Shirley Neely wedding. 


-In Chicago BPP open a free medical health clinic. Another one of the major survival program on September 4. 

1977

-On July 1st 1977 Huey P.Newton arrives back to California 

1979 

August 22 Huey P.Newton is murdered in West Oakland, California

From my experience in this life history has the tendency 2 repeat itself while learning from previous mistakes & making necessary adjustments. So where do we go from here?

Peace!...with 2 fingers;)