A Song For My Father

Key takeaways

Family and music are deeply interconnected, shaping personal identities and legacies.
Preserving recordings and stories is vital in keeping loved ones’ memories alive.
Music from the 1960s, especially soul and R&B, played a significant role in cultural and personal development.
Creative outlets like band participation, even if brief, can have a lasting impact on individuals.
The enduring power of music allows loved ones to remain present in our lives, long after they are gone.

Summary

The Musical Journey of the Apocalypse and Personal Reflection

This section explores the story of the band 'The Apocalypse,' formed by college students, including the narrator's father, in the 1960s. It highlights the band's musical style, influences, and the importance of their recordings to the narrator. Emphasis is placed on the personal impact of the band and how it shaped the narrator's early musical development, especially after the unexpected passing of the narrator's father. The narrative reflects on memories, the significance of preserving family history through recordings, and the emotional connection to music that bridges past and present.

The Members and Legacy of The Apocalypse

This part delves into the members of the band, especially focusing on Greg Novick, a key figure and bandleader known for his influence and community presence. It discusses the evolution of the band with different lineups, their recordings, and how Greg's later life—including his successful local business—still reflected his vibrant personality. The section also touches on the importance of preserving these recordings and memories, and how the band’s music continues to influence those close to the narrator.

The Influence of 1960s Music and Racial Dynamics in American Music

Here, the podcast explores the cultural and musical environment of the 1960s, emphasizing the influence of Black R&B and soul music on the band members. It discusses how the narrator’s father was affected by the musical landscape of the time, especially artists like James Brown, and how this music became the foundation of the narrator's musical taste and identity. The narrative acknowledges the social context of the era, hinting at the complex racial and cultural shifts that shaped popular music.

Personal Stories and Musical Beginnings of the Narrator’s Family Members

This section shares personal stories from the narrator's family, highlighting the musical backgrounds of individuals like Tony Capuano and John Shorb. It recounts their early musical experiences, the impact of family and community, and how these experiences contributed to their musical journeys. The stories exemplify how music was a formative part of their lives, often rooted in casual or community-based settings, and underscore the importance of music as a connective and expressive tool.

Reflections on Legacy, Death, and the Power of Music

The final section reflects on the narrator’s thoughts about mortality, the enduring presence of music, and the emotional significance of preserving memories. It discusses the narrator’s feelings about their father’s life and death, the recordings that serve as his legacy, and the idea that music and memories continue to resonate even after a person has passed away. The narration powerfully conveys that through music, a person’s influence persists, echoing long after they are gone.

Show notes

THE APOCALYPSE WERE:
Tony Capuano - Guitar, Lead Vocals
John Shorb - Alto Sax
Gene Meros - Tenor Sax
Greg Novik - Bass, Backing Vocals (guitar on Stormy Monday)
Oggie Hamilton - Drums, Backing Vocals

Featuring The Apocalypse playing:

“Good Good Lovin’” and “Try Me” by James Brown
“Hi-Heel Sneakers" by Tommy Tucker
“The Shadow of Your Smile” by Mandel & Webster
"I Don't Want To Cry" by Dixon/Jackson
“Sack of Woe” by Cannonball Adderley
“Think” by Lowman Pauling
"The Midnight Hour" by Steve Cropper & Wilson Pickett
"Shout" by The Isley Brothers
“Stormy Monday” by Aaron ’T-Bone’ Walker
"Song For My Father” by Horace Silver

ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

“Stainless Soul,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Watch Your Step” by The New Apocalypse from Stainless Soul, 1969. Listen via Demir Kelebek on YouTube

"Moanin" by Bobby Timmons recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers on Moanin', 1959

Excerpt from Hot Rod Hulbert's WWIN Show via RadioMaven77

The Herald Times obituary for Ogden Hamilton

The Baltimore Sun obituary for Greg Novik

“Greg’s Goodbye” by Leah Erskin for Baltimore Magazine, 2017

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JULY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Melissa Lucas – Thomas McIlheran – Andy – Lisa Crotty – Rick Keeler – Elizabeth Culver – Robyn Metcalfe – Cesar – Corpus Frisky – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Damon White – Jay Swartz – Rush – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Christopher Miller – Jamie White – Christopher McConnell – David Mascetti – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Melanie Andrich – Jenness Gardner – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Sami Samhuri – Jeremy Dawson – AccessViolation – Dave Florey

JULY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Freddy Freeman – Adam Clark – Stephen – Brendan McLeod – Zach Putnam – Ian Karmel – Steve B. – Worcester – Jim – Jez – Alex Miller – Lottie Aron – RsP – Michael Wisnosky – Brian Rinckenberger – Dan Elias – Hidden Jester – Betsy Barre – Ian Steding – Margaret McReynolds – Alison Dugan – Princess of Whales – Dave Douglass – Suzanne Crawford – PhantomMare – Kym Griffith – Rachel – Aruni Jayatilleke – TB – Daniel Kaberon – Wiggy Hash – Whit Sidener – Julie Kellman – Simon Hellman – Bea – Claudia Carty – Dani – Glenn Jackson – Christopher Selby Spink – Philip Kelly – Daniel Nervo – Kevin Stafford – Lawrence – Sy Jacobs – Irritable – Ian Pidd – Andrew Hofer – Jordan Gatenby – Melissa Kuhns – Ashley – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Kevin Marcelo – James – Michael – Jeff – Dan Cutter – Joseph Romero – Ol Parker – John Berry – Danielle Kriz – Clint McElroy – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Inmar Givoni – Michael Singer – Merv Adrian – Joe Gallo – Michael York – Lauren Knotts – Dave Kolas – Henry Mindlin – Monica St. Angelo – Stephen Wolkwitz – Rand LeShay – Maxeric Sp – Matthew Jones – Thomas – Anthony Mentz – James McMurry – Ethan Laser – Brian John Peter – Chris Remo – Aaron Wilson – Dent Earl – Carlos Lerner – Misty Haisfield – Abraham Benrubi – Lee R. – Dick Morgan – Ben Stein – Grettir Asmundarson – Sean Murphy – Randal Vegter – Kellen Steffen – Kaya Woodall – Robert Granat – Dave Malloy – Alan Maass – Douglas H. Frazer – John Halpin – Peter Harding – David – Kayla Russell – John Bauman – Martín Salías – Stu Baker – Steve Martino – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – Gary Pierce – Matt Baxter – Luigi Boccia – E. Margaret Warton – Tim Sheehan – Charles McGee – Catherine Clause – Ethan Bauman – KenIsWearingAHat – Aaron Wade – Jeff Ulm – David Futter – Jamie – Deebs – Portland Eye Care – Richard Sneddon – Christian Hessmann – Janice Berry – Doreen Carlson – Wendy Gilchrist – Lisa Turner – Paul Wayper – Miles Forman – Bruno Gaeta – Kenneth Jung – Adam Stofsky – Zak Remer – Rishi Sahay – Jeffrey Bean – JRRJ – Ailie Fraser – Rob Tsuk – Josh Singer – Adam W. – Kelli Brockington – Victoria Yu – Mino Capossela – Steve Paquin – Donald Mackie – David Joske – Bernard Khoo – Robert Heuer – David Noah – Geraldine Butler – Jason Pratt – Abbie Berg – Doug Belew – Dermot Crowley – Achint Srivastava – Ryan Rairigh – Michael Berman – Linda Duffy – Bonnie Prinsen – Eoin de Burca – Kevin Potter – M. Shane Borders – Dallas Hockley – Jason Gerry – Nell Morse – Nathan Gouwens – Lauren Reay – Eric Prestemon – Cbalmain – Angela Livingstone – Diane Hughes – Michael Casner – Lowell Meyer – Stephen Tsoneff – Joshua Hill – Pascal Rueger – Randy Souza – Clare Holberton – Diane Turner – Tom Coleman – Dhu Wik – Melmaniac – Eric Helm – Jonathan Daniels – Caro Field – Dave Sharpe – Naomi Watson – David Alexander – Jeff Patterson – Chris K. – Gavin Doig – Tanner Morton – AJ Schuster – Jennifer Bush – David Stroud – Brad Callahan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Bill Thornton – Brian Amoebas – Brett Douville – Jeffrey Olson – Matt Betzel – Melanie Stivers – Richard Toller – Alexander Polson – Justin McElroy – Arjun Sharma – James Johnson – Kevin Morrell – Colin Hodo

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