Day 5 of Nostalgic Music Month
Guns N’ Roses by Jon Hilton
Today I am traveling back to the late 80’s and one of the bands that provided the soundtrack for that period was definitely Guns N’ Roses. They helped define the relationships and activities that I was experiencing at that time. There were people that I spent time with then who had a permanent influence on my life, even though I am sure that they don’t know it. Choosing just five songs is a difficult task but I did the best I could to. Each Axl Rose lyric and Slash guitar solo takes me home.
- Paradise City– There was a time in the 80’s when I spent much of my free time traveling to a little town called Alton, NH. It is a beautiful little
village located on Lake Winnipesaukee. I used to head there on Friday afternoons after I got done working my summer job. It was paradise city for me. Take me down to Paradise City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty…….. -
Welcome to the Jungle– This classic guitar is going to hype you up to lift or to have a good time at a party. For me there were a lot of new things to experience at this time of life. I went to two different schools and met a lot of new people, and found my way through the jungle, had memorable experiences but most importantly met great people in the process. When your high,
you never want to come down…… -
Yesterdays– There was a time I thought I knew it all and figured life out. As you get older you realize nothing could be further from the truth. The past is interesting, it shows you what you were and how far you have come, but it is just a thought. All people have regret, about the way you treated those you care about, the things you could have accomplished, but in the end, Time just fades the pages in my book of memories…….
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November Rain– I thought that we got to choose the people that we fall in love with, but that isn’t the case, in 1988 I had no choice. As a young person, I thought I had it figured out and what my future would hold and who it would be with. As Guns N’ Roses said, Nothin’ lasts forever, And we both know hearts can change. And it’s hard to hold a candle. In the
cold November rain Clearly, my lack of knowledge is revealed more and more, even today. Don’t ya think that you need somebody? Don’t ya think that you need someone? Everybody needs somebody. You’re not the only one.
- Sweet Child of Mine– This may be the greatest song ever written. From the most recognizable opening guitar riff, it captured the feelings that I had in those moments. I didn’t know the bumps the road ahead would provide that needed to be navigated or the lessons I needed to learn. The most valuable things are twice as precious when they are lost. I think the lucky people are those who look to the past and feel they did the right thing all the time. I did not, often failing. But…………the memory and the thought is always there still to this day. Now and then when I see her face, it takes me away to that special place and if I stare too long, I’d probably break down and cry…..
Honorable mention: I used to love her, Patience, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Live and Let Die, Don’t Cry, Civil War, Night Train
Aerosmith/ Joe Perry by Mike Martin
Anthony Joseph Pereira aka Joe Perry of Aerosmith was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Joseph C. Perry aka Joe Perry is an American Politician who lives in Bangor, Maine. I have never met either of Aerosmith’s “Toxic Twins” guitarist Joe Perry or vocalist Steven Tyler, but I have known Joe Perry, the politician since we met in a high school football locker-room -the summer of 1983.
In 1983, the original Aerosmith began hanging out-again. During the recording of their sixth studio album “Night in the Ruts. Perry got fed up with Tyler, quit the band, and formed the Joe Perry Project. Joe Perry, the politician, and I have never had any kind of quarrel. Joe Perry, the politician, is a true “Honey”. Me, on the other hand, I can be a bit over the top. I like to think of this as a dose of positive passion.
My spiritual advisor (Jon Hilton) tells me that feelings of animosity, 
resentment, and envy are a bad deal and unhealthy for the person embracing such feelings. Without going into detail, I was holding on to some of these feelings-stubbornly refusing to submit. But, I got over it and I ask you to do the same.
Joe Perry, the politician, is a true leader and a loyal, and trustworthy friend. Just last month, Joe’s Market on Garland Street in Bangor was set on fire by a regular customer. After the lady arsonist was found and 
identified, Joe publicly forgave her and said that he hopes that she finds the help that she needs. Now, this is an extraordinary example of leadership and forgiveness that should be replicated by others in similar positions.
Bangor Woman In Custody, Charged With Arson
Like myself, Aerosmith got over it. They launched the “Back in the Saddle Tour” -a successful comeback in 1984 (the same year Joe and I graduated from high school) and later teamed up with Run-DMC, rereleasing Walk this Way -helping bring RAP to the masses.
After doing some research and reflection about the lives of both Joe Perrys, they have a few things in common. The Joes are Family Men, and like myself- each has an entrepreneurial spirit. This means that we like Livin’ on the Edge.
“If you can judge a wise man
By the color of his skin
Then mister you’re a better man than I”
I love Joe “Honey” Perry like a brother. He’s someone who can always be trusted. I have no doubt that he will be there for a stranded brother. While working at the Maine State-Joe has an admired elected official-myself as a simple page. My Suzuki Samurai (oh how I loved that thing) stopped working-rejecting the subzero frigid Maine winter I reckon.
So, there I sit at the mouth to the Etna Exit on I-95 South. The first two guys that stopped thought I was dead. When I popped my head up from the steering wheel, they both jumped back and said simultaneously said, “We thought you were dead!”
When I refused their help explaining that my brother Senator Joe was about an hour behind me and he would be along shortly to get me to work. They questioned my sanity.
“Have you talked to him?”
“No”
“What if he doesn’t stop?”
“He will!”
“How do you know?”
“I just know!”
They reluctantly left me freezing on the side of the road and sure enough, fifteen minutes behind them was my old friend Joe and everything working out just fine. It’s a good thing too, otherwise, I would have been Cryin’
If you have any questions, drop us a line and please partake in #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and while you are at it take a trip to Greenville, Maine-I understand the foliage is majestic this time of year! #visitGreenville
#OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth #visitGreenville
