"Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings" by Robert Johnson

Ranking: #22

Original Release Date: 28 August 1990

Genre: Delta Blues

"The Complete Recordings" is a compilation album featuring recordings that Robert Johnson did throughout 1936 and 1937 in Dallas and San Antonio, TX. Most of the recordings were released in 1937 on earlier albums, when the artist was still alive. Obviously, he was not still alive in 1990 - Columbia Records decided to compile all the recordings Robert Johnson ever made on this album. Considering that it wasn't a contemporary album, it did surprisingly well, selling over a million copies and even winning a Grammy (for Best Historical Album, a category most people probably don't realize exists). Although Robert Johnson's career didn't last very long, as he died in 1938 (we'll get to that in a minute), he has been cited as one of the most influential artists of all time. This is the point where I reiterate that ALL rock music is based on the blues music that was coming out of the 1930s South. Countless musicians point to Robert Johnson specifically as being an influence in their own music, including the two musicians who continued to popularize Blues music after Johnson's death - Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. The size of his impact compared to his actual body of work - which is summed up in the 41 songs on this album - has given rise to legends. Or more specifically, an urban legend.

Early this morning

When you knocked upon my door

Early this morning, ooh

When you knocked upon my door

And I said "hello Satan

I believe it's time to go"

Early in his career, Robert Johnson was not particularly successful. He was an itinerant perform in his 20s, moving from street corner to street corner, pool hall to pool hall, with nothing but his guitar and the clothes on his back. When he did play in more established venues, more often he was playing popular tunes of the day, not the blues music he would come to be known for. In 1936, he sought out to record some of his original songs. He was introduced to Don Law, who would help him with the initial recordings. These were done on a pretty low budget - in fact, they weren't even recorded in a studio. The were recorded in Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, TX. I was excited to learn this bit of local lore, especially considering that the Gunter purports to be haunted. I also find it interesting because San Antonio is not known as a particularly musical town, but this critical piece of musical history happened here. Moving on, Robert Johnson would later do a second recording session in Dallas, TX. Since the set up in Dallas was more professional, he would end up doing a lot more recordings. In this session, he was able to do at least two takes of each song, which allows musical historians to do more comparative analysis on his performances than any other blues musician of the time. I know that doesn't sound exciting but, if you geek out about music, it is. After these recordings, he somewhat disappeared from history. It wasn't until 30 years later, when a musical historian was doing research on his life came across his death certificate, that we found out what happened. He was found dead on the side of the road near Greenwood, MS. No cause of death was listed. Some say he was murdered by a jealous husband using poison, but since there was no formal autopsy, there is no way to be certain.

Let's move on to those urban legends now. The most common one is that Robert Johnson's reach has been so monumental because he sold his soul to the demon at the crossroads. As a young man, he had a desire to be a great blues musician. He took his guitar to a crossroads near Dockery Plantation at midnight, where he met a man (i.e., The Devil). The Devil took his guitar, tuned it, and played a few songs before handing it back to Johnson. With the exchange, he bestowed Johnson with mastery of the instrument, all for the low, low price of his soul. As such, he is also the first victim of the 27 Club. For those who are unfamiliar, a pattern has been identified with famous artists, athletes, and musicians dying at the age of 27, usually at the height of the career. You're probably familiar with several of the members - Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. Recently, Anton Yelchin of the most recent Star Trek reboot died in a freak accident, somehow getting pinned between his car and his mailbox after a night out. When the curse comes to get you, it doesn't care how, I suppose - although it must be noted that, in the majority of these cases, the deaths are self-inflicted through long-standing addictions or intentional suicide. Astrologically, the theory for this is the Saturn return, which general occurs anywhere between age 27-31 (Saturn takes approximately 29.5 years to return to the same point in the sky). Since we count the Saturn return as being from when Saturn returns to the same sign in your chart, that usually starts for most people during the 27th year. During this time, Karma comes to collect - Saturn is considered the planet of responsibilities and restrictions. People may experience this as finally settling down and starting a family or it could also mean having past mistakes catching up with you. People often realize during this time that they married the wrong person or that they aren't in the career they want to be in. Regardless, it's usually a period of drastic change for most people. Finally, there is also the urban legend of the cursed record - this one often makes the rounds in popular culture and the artist generally used is Robert Johnson, because of his possible deal with the devil. Essentially, a cursed record brings misfortune to any one who either listens to it or owns it. As someone who plans to have my ashes pressed into a record, this is now a goal I have. According to the company I've researched, my ashes will make approximately 30 records, which I can give to whomever I please. Perhaps it's kind of morbid, but I think it might be a fun hobby to collect records like this. Maybe even start a Record Store of the Dead. Given the recent trajectory of popular culture, stranger things have happened.

Baby, I don't care where you bury my body when I'm dead and gone

You may bury my body, hoo

Down by the highway side

So my old evil spirit

Can get a Greyhound bus and ride

I didn't want to do the astrology of the release day, because I don't think it quite matters for a compilation album. Instead, I decided to look up the chart of Robert Johnson, to understand better the man whose shoulders modern music stands. Looking at his chart, his Sun and North Node were conjunct in Taurus, opposite his Jupiter and South Node in Scorpio. Following his Destiny was an imperative for him but luck on his path might've been more elusive. South Node in Scorpio tends to indicate a certain comfortableness with a chaotic life but it was his Destiny to set down roots and grow something. He never became famous during his lifetime, in spite of his supposed dealings with the Devil. In fact, the impact of his work wouldn't be realized for some time. Johnson was born under Mercury Retrograde. Retrograde planets in a chart is usually indicative of someone who doesn't think the same as the rest of the population. With Mercury Retrograde, it often manifests as an ability to communicate and convey ideas in a way that resonates with people in a special way. A key aspect of Johnson's music is his use of microtonality while singing. Microtonality is using subtle inflections and changes in pitch while singing, which adds emotional depth to the vocals. That's one of the reasons why having multiple performances of the same songs have been essential to studying his style - his performance was different every time because of these changes in inflection. In this age of autotune and remastering, we tend to measure performance ability as the ability replicate studio versions perfectly in a live environment. This does a disservice to the artists, though, because if they are performing live, it should be different. It should be special. Otherwise, you might as well be just sitting alone at home, listening to the radio. Finally, Robert Johnson had Moon in Virgo, which is kind of odd for someone who was a traveling performer. In general, Virgo energy tends to be introverted and prefers controlled environments (cleanliness tends to be especially important). Robert Johnson, when he wasn't performing, was said to be extremely shy and much of the recordings he did in San Antonio were done while he was facing the wall, not the people assisting him with the recording. Of course, he may have also been doing this for corner-loading, to enhance the sound of his guitar. Virgo energy is meticulous and detail-oriented, so being hyper-aware of the angles at which his instrument - his consummate companion - sounds best at would be absolutely on brand.

For today's featured song, I thought it would be fitting to choose "Me and the Devil Blues." I'd also like to plug that Netflix has a documentary on Robert Johnson ("ReMastered"), if you're interested in learning more about this legend.

"Me and the Devil Blues" Video

"Blue" by Joni Mitchell

Ranking: #30

Original Release Date: 22 June 1971

Genre: Folk Rock

"Blue" was the fourth studio album released by Joni Mitchell. Mitchell has a couple albums on the Top 100, if I remember correctly, but "Blue" in particular is considered one of the greatest albums made by a female artist and it's sound marks a turning point in music. Listening to the album, it hearkens back to images of flower children, Woodstock, and the beginning search for freedom that defined the early 70s. As light as the songs on the album feel, they were born out of a rocky period in Mitchell's life. In January 1970, after the success of first three albums, she decided to take a hiatus from performing. Instead, she chose to take an extended vacation in Europe. During this trip, she ended her long-term relationship with Graham Nash and soon started a passionate relationship with James Taylor. Her experiences with these relationships - as well as her adventures through Europe - served as much of the inspiration for "Blue."

Whenever I hear Joni Mitchell, it reminds me of my favorite psychology professor when I was attending university, Dr. Tim Ketelaar. I had several evolutionary psychology classes with him, one of the most fascinating perspectives on psychology in my opinion, and it always struck me how chill he was as a person. He had spent time teaching at better schools than the state university I went to and I always wondered what made him come to New Mexico. Once you've lived in New Mexico, though, you understand. When you get it, you get it. All the stars, too much fresh air, nice weather, and a pace of life that allows people to actually live. Anyway, Dr. Ketelaar has amazing taste in music and I remember one day, during the lesson, he made us listen to "California" by Joni Mitchell. I don't remember what the lesson was that day, but I do remember Joni Mitchell's high, pure voice and the raw power of the lyrics. Mitchell's voice pinpoints the allure of folk music - no tricks, no belting, just straight singing against an earnest backdrop.

Sitting in a park in Paris, France

Reading the news and it sure looks bad

They won't give peace a chance

That was just a dream some of us had

Still a lot of lands to see

But I wouldn't stay here

It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here

As we've established, "Blue" was a turning point in the musical DNA of the time. The early 70s was a hotbed of folk rock, especially the kind that borrowed inspiration from mythology and literature. In June 1971, the United States was still in the thick of the Vietnam War and protest culture was in full swing by this time. This was further exacerbated by The New York Times' publication of "The Pentagon Papers," classified documentation on the United States operations in Vietnam. The Beatles had broken up and the English Invasion was slowly receding. "The Ed Sullivan Show" aired for the final time on CBS and the Fillmore East in New York City closed its doors. Southwest Airlines began their inaugural flights between San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston, giving Americans a more budget-conscious way to fly the friendly skies in Texas. Among other things to happen during this month, Elon Musk, intrepid entrepreneur and architect of the future (however you may feel about that), was born. Yes, he's a Cancer, just like this album. With that, let's get into the astrology.

With Sun and Mercury in Cancer, this album is full of emotion. Not unsurprisingly, Joni Mitchell is a Cancer Rising, so with the Sun entering her first house, there was something deeply personal about this album for her and the lyrics she wrote were heart-centered. Later in her career, when she was reflecting on the album, she said "...there's hardly a dishonest note in the vocals. At that period of my life, I had no personal defenses. I felt like a cellophane wrapper on a pack of cigarettes. I felt like I had absolutely no secrets from the world and I couldn't pretend in my life to be strong. Or to be happy. But the advantage of it in the music was that there were no defenses there either." That's what life is like being a fucking Cancer anything. Sun, Moon, Rising....it doesn't fucking matter. Moving on, with Venus in Gemini, this album has a way of making even sad subjects seem a little lighter. Jupiter also falls in the 3rd House for this chart, the House of Communication. During this year, Jupiter was ruled by Scorpio, the sign of deep transformation. Joni is a Scorpio (in fact, she and The Husband are birthday buddies), meaning that the Sun was in a very harmonious trine to her natal Sun when it was released. Unfortunately, Venus in Gemini would've been square her natal Venus in Virgo - an indicator of the romantic turmoil that this album developed in. And not long before this album was released, her relationship with James Taylor ended quite abruptly. Venus in Gemini was conjunct her natal Uranus in Gemini, indicating unexpected direction changes in love and relationships. And fortunes. Finally, one last thing of note - Joni's Moon in Pisces is conjunct her Midheaven. Success in her career comes through emotional honesty, through sharing the deepest parts of herself. That certainly was the case when she released "Blue."

Then I'm going home to California

California, I'm coming home

Oh, will you take me as I am

Strung out on another man

California, I'm coming home

The featured song for this album is - if you couldn't have already guessed - "California." It's a lot more chipper than some of the other songs on this album. And it really does remind me of California.

"California" Video

"The Doors" by The Doors

Ranking: #42

Original Release Date: 4 January 1967

Genre: Psychedelic Rock

"The Doors" was the self-titled debut album by - you guessed it - The Doors. Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek formed the band in 1965, with Manzarek's brothers. After Manzarek's brothers left the band, they brought on Robby Krieger for guitar and John Densmore on drums. Thus, the Doors lineup was finalized. Jim Morrison was inspired by philosophers and poets, and wrote poetry himself when he was younger, which later influenced the lyrics he wrote for The Doors. He was an intense teenager, having moved a lot as a military brat, and he found solace in the beat poets and French existentialist writings of the time. Through these interests, Morrison and the rest of the band got caught up in the 60s drug culture and Eastern philosophy craze that permeated the Western United States. The band's name is taken from Aldous Huxley's "The Doors of Perception," which is about opening the mind's ability to perceive reality through psychedelic drug use (but mostly, it's just Huxley raving about how good the music tastes). Huxley's book title was inspired by a line in William Blake's "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell," which I'm sure Morrison also read because Blake would be very on brand for him. French existentialism, William Blake fan, a penchant for reading Renaissance-era tomes on demonology - the Lizard King sure was an interesting guy. Of course, I have no room to talk - Morrison sounds like me, if I had been born decades earlier as a man. Holy shit. Maybe I'm Jim Morrison reincarnated! Unlikely, but still an exciting prospect. I did do a chart for his death date (because I'm morbid) - 3 July 1971 - which had the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Scorpio. Suspiciously familiar placements - I won't rule out the possibility at this point. Anyway, the first single on this album, "Break On Through (To The Other Side" did not do too well initially. It wasn't until "Light My Fire" was released in April that The Doors really started to get traction.

Let's take a look at January 1967. An eventful month for the United States. The social program, Medicaid, which provides healthcare to low income disabled Americans, went into effect. Operation Cedar Falls takes place, injecting 30,000 American troops into the Vietnam War in an attempt to drive the Viet Cong out of the Iron Triangle. The Human Be-In occurred in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, kicking off the "hippie movement" in America and the precursor to what would be called the "Summer of Love" (much of which was fueled by The Doors' music). The first Superbowl would take place, with the Green Bay Packers beating the Kansas City Chiefs in a landslide victory. The Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo, was convicted of numerous crimes and sentenced to life in prison. In general, 1967 was a crazy year and a year of a lot of major beginnings and endings. It would set the stage for a lot of the liberation we associate with the next decade. There would be shift in what the nuclear family looked like and the lives that young people imagined for themselves. Women were seeking more opportunities in the workplace, everyone was looking for a less rigid class hierarchy, and the sentiment was growing steadily more anti-authoritarian. This would snap back in the opposite direction in the early 1980s, when materialism became King once more. But for a brief respite in the late 60s and through the 70s, Americans were trying to imagine a freer, more creative society.

The time to hesitate is through

No time to wallow in the mire

Try now we can only lose

And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire

Come on baby, light my fire

Try to set the night on fire

Moving on to the astrological circumstances of this album and the band's enigmatic lead singer. When the album was released, the Sun was in Capricorn and the Moon was in Libra, so already a lot of cardinal energy in the chart. If we work in the ascendant (using noon as the "birth time," which is the standard when you don't have an official birth time), the ascendant was in Aries and almost directly opposite the Moon. To add to that, most of the inner planets and the Midheaven fall in Capricorn. As I said - a lot of Cardinal energy, which is indicative of a lot of forward momentum. As we've seen with previous artists, they often have to release several albums before they get that "big break." That was not the case for the Doors - they basically took off like a rocket once their debut album was released and it didn't stop until Morrison died. That's the power of strong cardinal influence in an election chart, especially when it's Capricorn energy - the energy of hard work, determination, and bringing powerful ideas into the physical. Surprisingly, even though he was born in December, Jim Morrison only has one Capricorn placement - Mercury. As a poet, this brings weight and gravity to his words. When he spoke, there was always a seriousness about him. Combined with his Venus in Scorpio, this added to the intensity of his lyrics and he always had an attraction to dark subjects and art. Also thanks to Venus in Scorpio, he was known as having a very sexual energy to him and he was infamous for bedding the women who came to his shows. He had a magnetic way about him. Scorpio energy, in general, usually has a "faithful" component and although he wasn't sexually faithful to her, he had a strong emotional bond with Pamela Courson, whom people called his "other half." Although he did marry Patricia Kennealy in a somewhat official ceremony, it was Pamela who he went back to in the end and who found him when he died. To be fair, he had Sun in Sagittarius and those placements have a reputation to be kind of commitment-averse in relationships. He had a strong desire for freedom, but it manifested as erratic, hot-and-cold behavior to those who were closest to him. At the time the album was released, the Moon (at 29°50' Libra) was conjunct his Venus (0°22' Scorpio), enhancing the emotional influence of the music he created. Both charts had the Trine aspect as the most common aspect, indicating that fulfilling the potential of those placements came naturally. Finally, Jim Morrison was an Aquarius rising - like a similar musical legend with the same placement (David Bowie), Morrison had a different way of looking at the world. In contract to Bowie, it was darker and more serious, but no less influential.

The featured song is "Light My Fire," the song that catapulted The Doors to the height of American Rock Glory. From the lyrics, it's clear what that phrase means. The singer is trying to convince the listener to have sex. We only have the present moment - resistance is futile and we're already feeling it, so why not? That is my loose interpretation of the lyrics. I believe it is fairly accurate. I chose the official music video/performance. The sound isn't as clean as the album version but watching Jim Morrison perform is an experience. The way he moves is uniquely awkward, but it's still mysterious and sexy.

"Light My Fire" Video

"The Joshua Tree" by U2

Ranking: #27

Original Release Date: 9 March 1987

Genre: Rock

"The Joshua Tree" is the fifth studio album released by U2. That seems to be a pattern so far with the albums on this list - it always seems to be the artist or band's fifth album that leads them to greatness. Their album prior to this one had a more experimental sound, but the band wanted to release something grittier that paid homage to their Irish roots while being influenced by American rock music at the time. The band - and Bono in particular - had a fascination with the "real" America and wanted the album to evoke the idea of America's vast landscape. The imagery for the album sleeve were artistic photographs of the American desert. Hence the title, "The Joshua Tree," a species of Yucca plant that only grows in California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Having grown up in Arizona (with period visits to California), I'm quite familiar with the sight of Joshua Trees. They have a certain spiritual meaning to us desert-dwellers - they represent beauty and strength that grows out of dysfunction. People are always surprised by how much grows in the desert, how much natural beauty there is. There are plants and animals you can only see in the American Southwest, though, and I think that's one of the things that makes it special. And there's something spiritual in that special-ness - the kind of power that attracts rock bands from Ireland.

"The Joshua Tree" was release in 1987, a year I'm already quite familiar with since it's the year I was born (insert joke about it being a pretty good year here). During March 1987, one of my favorite musicals - "Les Miserables" - opened on Broadway to rave reviews. It was the "Hamilton" of its day, quite literally. John Gotti, a gangster from the Gambino crime family, was acquitted of criminal charges (including racketeering) - the first time. The FDA approved the sale of the AIDS drug, AZT. Not a month later, Freddie Mercury - Legend and Ascended Master - would be diagnosed with AIDS. The first National Coming Out Day - a now yearly celebration for the LGBT community - was organized in Washington D.C. during October, in conjunction with a National March for Gay Rights. During Wrestlemania III, Hulk Hogan won against Andre the Giant, successfully defending the heavyweight title. Later in 1987, Andre the Giant would also appear in the beloved film, "The Princess Bride." And the most popular names for newborns would be Jessica and Matthew. Yes, there were a lot of Jessicas born in 1987. And I've met approximately 50% of them - we seem to attract and then orbit each other. Like star clusters. As far as years in America go, 1987 actually was a pretty good year and March was a fairly decent month in general.

See the stone set in your eyes

See the thorn twist in your side

I'll wait for you

Sleight of hand and twist of fate

On a bed of nails she makes me wait

And I wait, without you

Moving on to the astrology of 9 March 1987, it should be noted that the Sun was in Pisces and that's all you really need to know. This album is all about the feels, drowning in the feels, as it includes multiple iconic love ballads. In fact, this album has multiple influential water placements, including the Moon in Cancer (the sign of her rulership) and Pluto in Scorpio (the sign of his rulership). Mercury in Pisces lends a sort of dreaminess to the sound of this album, but with Jupiter in Aries, there's a powerful expansiveness in the rhythms and riffs of the songs, too. The desire and calling for independence and freedom - a theme for this album, as identified by the band - is also a strong hallmark of Jupiter in Aries, which is further enhanced by North Node in Aries. Again, we have another album with Mercury on the Midheaven (in Pisces), which seems to be a beneficial placement for music. The energy of this album is conflicting - the Trine aspect (the most harmonious) and the Square aspect (the most challenging) appear an equal number of times. Venus is also in Aquarius, a placement indicative of detached emotions and a distancing in relationships. The theme is also very prevalent in the lyrics of the aforementioned love ballads. In "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," the singer has done everything to gain the love of his person but there's still dissatisfaction. And in "With or Without You" - well, now is a good time to transition into our featured song from "The Joshua Tree."

I chose "With or Without You," not only because it's one of my favorite songs (I had planned to write about it in December but ran out of time) but it's also one of the most iconic love songs of the late 20th Century. In fact, when people hear it, I can bet it conjures to mind one couple in particular - Ross and Rachel of "Friends." For those who aren't familiar (Shame on You!), Ross and Rachel are the sitcom equivalent of star-crossed lovers. They are soulmates or, as Phoebe so eloquently put it, Ross is Rachel's lobster (because lobsters mate for life - just another thing I learned from TV!). Let's face it, their relationship is frustrating, because it's so obvious they belong with each other, even to them. But the writers always find some way to put a wrench in their plans. Throughout the course of the show, they get together multiple times and break up multiple times, but still remain friends. They also seem to decide they want to be with each other at the most inconvenient times - like right before Ross gets married to his second wife (he says Rachel's name instead of Emily's when reciting his vows). Or right after Ross leaves for China. There's a lot of unrequited (but not really unrequited, because they both feel it, they're just not saying it) energy. Ross had a crush on Rachel since high school but she didn't see him - probably because he was a dork and that's not the type of guy the Rachel Greens of the world are supposed to want. "With or Without You" became Ross & Rachel's anthem when it was played during two critical episodes of the show, when their relationship is under the most strain.

Through the storm we reach the shore

You give it all but I want more

And I'm waiting for you

With or without you

With or without you

I can't live

With or without you

Bono wrote "With or Without You" because he wanted to hear a love song that dealt with "real issues." He's said that it's about a tortuous relationship that one can't (or doesn't want to) escape. He has also said that it can represent any relationship where you love someone but can't be with them for some reason (such as distance or addictions or past hurts), which was relevant to his life. At the time he was writing it, his lifestyle as a musician kept him apart from his wife for much of the time. He was having conflicted feelings about it - on one hand, he wanted to be the responsible protector; on the other, he wanted to live the wild, exciting life of a rockstar. He eventually came to an understanding that this tension between his desires is what made him an artist and he found a balance. He learned how to integrate the shadow with the light. There have been many runs where I've pondered the deeper meaning of the lyrics, particularly the words "You give yourself away." I've come to interpret it as he sees the person he's singing to giving too much of themselves, to everyone, but especially to him. I base this assumption on a previous lyric - "You give it all but I want more." And it makes me wonder - he seems to be aware that he's taking a lot but what is he giving back? Is he able to "give it all" in return? And if he's not, is it really fair for him to want more? Deep questions, indeed. Not surprisingly, like me, Bono's Moon is in Scorpio. Additionally, the cusp of his 7th House is in Cancer. There's a lot of possessive instincts, but with his Venus and Sun in Taurus, he expects it to be one way. He needs his freedom but it scares him to give it to someone else. I have a feeling Bono would be fun to psychoanalyze - there's clearly a lot going on in that head of his.

"With or Without You" Video

"The Stranger" by Billy Joel

Ranking: #70

Original Release Date: 29 September1977

Genre: Rock

"The Stranger" was Billy Joel's fifth studio album. Prior to this album, he had been a modestly popular artist but interest was on the decline and Columbia Records was threatening to drop him if this album didn't succeed. Fortunately for him, it was a success, staying at the top of the charts for six weeks and winning Record of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards. It's considered Joel's breakthrough album, making him a beloved staple of radio stations and piano bars everywhere. Billy Joel is another artist I grew up with and his music is near and dear to my heart. I even saw the musical "Movin' Out," which puts all of Joel's greatest hits to a story that's told through dance. It was amazing. But I'm also a nerd who is entranced by anything even closely resembling a "rock opera," so my opinion may be a bit biased.

Slow down, you crazy child

You're so ambitious for a juvenile

But then if you're so smart, then tell me

Why are you still so afraid?

The album was released in September 1977. It turns out to be an exciting year for science and technology. The space shuttle Enterprise went on its maiden flight atop a Boeing 747 and the United States launched both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. The first personal computer, the Commodore PET, made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show. 1977 would also be the year Apple Computer is incorporated. Of course, there was some weird stuff going on, too. The United States Senate began hearings on MKULTRA, a CIA project that involved experiments on human subjects to test the viability of mind control techniques. These experiments were illegal and unethical due to the undue psychological stress the participants were subjected to. The program also tested the viability of using mind-altering substances in the elicitation of confessions and the erasure of memories. And citizens of Dover, MA, reported sightings of the Dover Demon, a creature with tendril-like fingers and glowing eyes. As far as I've seen, the Demon was only seen for two days in April 1977 and then never again.

Politically, 1977 was somewhat interesting. During 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders. Anita Bryant's anti-gay Save the Children campaign resulted in a key gay rights ordinance being repealed in Floriday, sparking public demonstrations against the Christian pop star. On the other side of the country, Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician, was elected to serve in San Francisco. Several countries signed a nuclear non-proliferation treaty, including the United States and the Soviet Union. But then there were several government shutdowns throughout Autumn 1977. You win some, you lose some, I guess. It was also a significant year in pop culture. Our last featured artist, Elvis - the King of Rock and Roll - died in his home, Graceland, at the age of 42. Led Zeppelin played their last concert in the United States. But, on the bright side, Fleetwood Mac released their album, "Rumours." And balance was restored in the music world. "Star Wars," "Annie Hall," "Saturday Night Fever," and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" were released in theatres.

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?

You'd better cool it off before you burn it out

You've got so much to do

And only so many hours in a day

Let's take a look at the chart for "The Stranger." A few things popped out at me in this chart. First, the Sun is in Libra and the Moon is in Taurus - both very good placements for artistic beauty. Coincidentally, this is almost exactly opposite his natal placements - Billy Joel has Sun in Taurus with Moon in Libra. The moon is exalted in Taurus, meaning that emotions are easily expressed, and at the time of the album release, the moon was conjunct with his natal Sun. Jupiter was in Cancer, the sign of its exaltation as well, indicating that luck was on his side for this release date. However, Venus was in Virgo, the sign of its Fall. Billy Joel has been rather unlucky in love (he's on his fourth wife) and the love songs on this album were written about his first wife. The story behind that isn't a pleasant one - he met his first wife, Elizabeth Weber Small, while she was married to his bandmate, Jon Small, and they started an affair. Joel was so conflicted about the relationship that he attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish. Ironically, it was Jon Small who ended up saving his life. Returning to the chart, Mars was in Cancer, also the sign of its Fall. Mars in Cancer is very passive aggressive energy - like being nice to a person's face but writing a song dragging all their bad qualities. For example, in "She's Always a Woman," he lists all the bad things he's heard about his wife from industry people - as his manager, Elizabeth Weber Small got rough treatment, and although this song was originally written as a tribute to her resilience, Joel eventually stopped singing it at concerts because he had lost his passion for it after their divorce. Finally, Mercury was in the sign of its rulership, Virgo, and it was also conjunct the Midheaven - which is directly opposite his natal Midheaven. Joel's natal mercury is in Gemini, mercury's second ruler. Mercury in Virgo or Gemini means words and ideas flow easily and with placements in both Libra and Taurus, they'll also tend to flow in a poetic or musical way.

But you know that when the truth is told

That you can get what you want or you get old

You're gonna kick off before you even

Get halfway through

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you

I had another song from "The Stranger" picked out to be featured - "She's Always a Woman," which is how I learned so much about Joel's first wife - but then I heard "Vienna" and it struck a chord (pun intended) with me. It called to mind a coming of age montage, one where the protagonist finally decides it's time to grow up. In truth, I was remembering the song being used for just such a purpose in one of my favorite romantic comedies, "13 Going on 30." It was one of those brilliant romantic comedies that came out in the late 90s and early 2000s that they just don't make anymore and it makes me a little bit sad. Everything coming out now has to be gritty or sardonic or cynical to be successful. There's nothing sweet and earnest anymore and I feel like the world is a little worse for it. Anyway, in "13 Going on 30," Jenna Rink (played by the always stunning and surprisingly lovable Jennifer Garner) is a teenager who wishes that she could grow up without going through all the awful, teenager stuff. She gets her wish but, as she learns about who she's become to get her dream life, she realizes it's taken her drastically off the path to what she wants. Including a heartbreaking scene where her childhood best friend, who has always loved her and whom she falls in love with during the movie, chooses to go through with marrying another woman. She gets a second chance to make different choices, of course. It's kind of like "It's a Wonderful Life." Towards the end of the movie, when all of the horrible choices she's made start causing her dream life to crumble, she goes to someplace familiar and comfortable - her childhood home. Her parents walk in while she's essentially having an emotional breakdown. They hug her and tuck her in. And for one night in her crazy world, she can be okay.

I've been reading "Inner Bonding" by Dr. Margaret Paul. In it, she talks about how to re-parent our Inner Child and make more loving choices, for ourselves and for others. Which is exactly why I wanted to get a degree in psychology in the first place - to fix myself and maybe help other people eventually. But, as I read and work through the book, it brings up stuff. The patterns I always knew were there but avoided changing because they made things easier to cope with. "Vienna" sounds like Billy Joel talking to his Inner Child. The song is about a young person who is so eager to grow up and accomplish greatness that they aren't even enjoying being young. And when I stop to think about it, that's the thing that makes me so angry about my childhood - is that I didn't get to have one. I had to grow up so fast out of necessity. It's why I still feel like I'm just pretending to be a grown-up, because I was never really taught by anyone. All of my knowledge about being a responsible, well-adjusted adult is cobbled together from bits of movies and books - I never had a consistent example. And I felt like I had to take care of everybody - a depressed mother, two sisters, I even had to comfort my dad a few times. I got stuck in this caretaker mode, so much so that I will forgo my own needs for others. And they let me. Of course they let me. And all I want is someone to hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay if I slow down a bit. I'm going through some shit right now. I wish I could blame the astrology but the truth is it's been coming a long time. My heart really hurts this weekend. So I'm sorry if I disappear a little bit.

"Vienna" Video

Scene from "13 Going on 30"

"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley

Ranking: #56

Original Release Date: 23 March 1956

Genre: Rock and Roll

"Elvis Presley" was the inaugural album by - you guessed it - Elvis Presley (affectionately known as the King of Rock and Roll). This album is notable, not only because it is the first album of possibly one of the most prolific musicians in contemporary pop culture, but because it also marked rock & rolls entry into the domination of the airwaves. Elvis' self-titled album spent 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts, the first rock & roll album ever to do so. His music would define the genre and he is still well loved by fans (like myself) today.

Let's take a look at what was happening in 1956. At this point, it's no secret that Elvis was heavily influenced by the blues music being created by African-American artists of the time. Not so coincidentally, 1956 also marked a critical year in the Civil Rights Movement. In November 1956, the Supreme Court would rule that the Alabama bus segregation laws were unconstitutional in the landmark Browder v. Gayle case. From the end of 1955 until this ruling, anti-segregationists held the Montgomery bus boycott, the initial act of social protest that would evolve into the Civil Rights Movement. This protest would spark other bus boycotts in the South and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s involvement would elevate him as a leader for social justice. Unfortunately, this would put him in danger and in January of 1956, Dr. King's home was bombed - just one of many attempts that would be made on his life until his assassination in 1968. He was far from the only public figure targeted - Nat Cole was attacked in April while he was performing onstage in Birmingham in a racially charged incident. And the first attempts to integrate public schools are met with venomous opposition throughout the South.

Blue Moon (moon, moon, moon, Blue Moon)

You saw me standing alone (moon, moon, moon, Blue Moon)

Without a dream in my heart (moon, moon, moon, Blue Moon)

Without a love of my own

In other news (and perhaps as a distraction from the events of the day), the first soap opera, "As the World Turns," premiers on network television. Cecil B. DeMille's masterpiece, "The Ten Commandments" is released in the United States. And the Suez Canal crisis leads to war between Israel and Egypt. Other than that, it was a big year in the world of sports and it was an especially big year for Elvis Presley. Throughout 1956, practically every single he released became a hit both domestically and internationally. He was making the rounds on the talk show circuit, to include his famous performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." And he also made his film debut in "Love Me Tender." Nope, not a bad year at all for a 21-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee.

I wanted to take a look at both Elvis' natal chart as well as the chart for the album release. In this day and age, we don't blink twice at a 21-year-old being famous in an instant - between Disney Channel stars and the glut of celebrity children, it's bound to happen. But in 1956, Elvis meteoric rise was almost unheard of. Elvis' birthday is 8 January (he shares this birthday with our last featured artist, David Bowie), which makes him a Capricorn. When his debut album was released, the ascendant and Uranus were directly opposite his Sun, indicating a major shift in how he would perceived. Uranus was also square his natal Uranus - squares are known for being rough, but they can also be a sign that events happen suddenly, without warning. Another interesting thing to note is that when this album was released, the North Node was conjunct his ascendant in Sagittarius, an indication that he was just following his destined path. Speaking of Destiny, his North Node, his Moon, and his Saturn were all in Aquarius. Revolutionizing the music scene wasn't just his Destiny, he may have felt it was his duty as well. Elvis' midheaven is in Virgo, which isn't much of a surprise. A Virgo MC, being ruled by Mercury, usually points to a person who is detail-oriented and highly skilled at self-learning. Elvis didn't have formal musical training, and mostly learned and played music by ear. Ironically, he said music was the only class he ever failed. But he loved music as a child and he'd seek out ways to listen to it, frequenting shows at local blues venues (something good boys didn't do in the segregated South) and spending time at record stores to hear the new releases.

This was a fun album to listen to, mostly because I grew up an Elvis fan. My dad would always remind me that he was in the 10th Mountain Division when he served in the Army, which is one of the units my dad was in when I was a kid. It's not a long album and it doesn't even have most of the hits people can point to as being Elvis. But it was an important album - there isn't a pop or rock musician today that can say they weren't influenced by Elvis. If they say they aren't, they're lying because they probably wouldn't exist without this album. I can't even imagine what music would sound like today if this album was never released. We'd probably be listening to elevator music or untuned violins or something like that. Oh wait....

"Blue Moon" Video

"The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars" by David Bowie

Ranking: #35 (but it's higher on my personal list)

Original Release Date: 16 June 1972

Genre: Glam Rock

"The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars" was a concept album that wasn't really a concept album. Essentially, it was pieced together from pre-recorded songs, with a loose theme behind it. Most of the story was written after the album was released, but Ziggy Stardust was a bisexual alien rockstar. David Bowie had built a reputation as having an androgynous persona and Ziggy was an extension of that. Ziggy Stardust became a character that David Bowie played when he performed, because that was his style. He totally immersed himself in the characters he created for his music. Ziggy was inspired by Vince Taylor, Legendary Stardust Cowboy, and the fashion imaginings of Kansai Yamamoto. The story goes that Ziggy Stardust is Earth's Musical Messiah. With only 5 years to live and complete his mission, he gathers a following of disciples. Ziggy meets his end on stage, being torn apart by the Infinites while he performs for his fans. A fitting end for Rock'n'Roll Space Jesus. I can't imagine it any other way.

In the Year of our Lord 1972, the world was in its usual turmoil. It was a particularly bloody year in partisan terrorism. In the United Kingdom, the Irish Civil War raged on and in June of 1972, a couple of British soldiers died after stepping on land mines planted by the IRA and gun fights ensued throughout Ireland. The fighting results in negotiations between the IRA and the British Government. More deaths, more fighting until an agreed cease-fire is reached. Unfortunately, after the implementation date of the cease-fire, the infamous Bloody Friday bombings occurred in July. Over 20 bombs exploded in the span of 80 minutes, killing 9 people and injuring over 100 more. This was followed by Bloody Sunday, when 14 unarmed Catholic protesters were gunned down by the British Army. The Troubles, as the Northern Ireland Conflict is affectionately known as, carried on until 1998. I knew a guy from Ireland who grew up during these times. He recalled being in a pub with his friends when the IRA walked in, announced that any Catholics should leave, and then shot up the place. He, being Catholic (and not an idiot), obviously left. I know that story makes the IRA look bad, but the Loyalists were just as bad, possibly even worse because 85% of Loyalist casualties were civilians. All this is still very relevant, by the way, especially as Brexit looms over the UK. The hard border that resulted from Northern Ireland joining the UK was one of the aggravating factors during the Troubles and Brexit may result in the loss of the current open border situation. It should also be noted that the majority of Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU, making the reunification of Ireland an actual possibility. With a younger generation in charge - a generation that grew up during the Conflict and is less concerned with religious differences - it's a possibility that seems even more likely as the British government keeps bumbling the negotiations.

There's a starman waiting in the sky

He'd like to come and meet us

But he thinks he'd blow our minds

There's a starman waiting in the sky

He's told us not to blow it

Cause he knows it's all worthwhile

He told me:

Let the children lose it

Let the children use it

Let all the children boogie

Outside of the United Kingdom wasn't much better. The US was still embroiled in the Vietnam War (and it is not going well) but this year will mark the withdrawal of the last ground troops in Vietnam. Oh....and the Watergate Scandal broke, which ultimately led to Richard Nixon being impeached and resigning in disgrace. Three Arab gunmen opened fire at an airport in Tel Aviv, killing 26 people. Then, in September, an Arab gunman murdered 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. And deadly earthquakes hit Turkey, Iraq, and Nicaragua, killing thousands. Clearly, we needed Ziggy Stardust (or some other savior, alien or otherwise) during 1972. But it wasn't all bad. This was also the year that Martin Scorsese's iconic film, "The Godfather" was released. Don McLean's classic song, "American Pie" held the number 1 spot in the US for four weeks. And HBO launched as the first subscription cable services. On the day "Ziggy Stardust" was released, the sun was in Gemini. This is fitting because Gemini's planetary ruler is Mercury. The Roman god, Mercury, is often depicted as an androgynous figure, much like David Bowie early in his career. There was also a lot of cardinal energy on this day, with multiple inner planet placements in Cancer, Uranus in Libra, North Node in Capricorn, and the Midheaven in Aries (I used 0800 as the "birth time" for this chart). Cardinal energy is all about getting shit started. Although David Bowie was already a popular artist when this album was released, "Ziggy Stardust" is considered the album that truly cemented his status as a music legend and pop icon. Finally, the Moon was in Leo, enhancing the desire for passion, creativity, and drama, which this album has in spades.

I also wanted to do a quick look at David Bowie's chart. Both his birthday (Jan 8) and his deathday (Jan 10) passed recently, which is why I chose this album to listen to. His Moon is in Leo, meaning that Ziggy was released during his monthly moon return. He was an Aquarius rising - this sign is co-ruled by Uranus and individuals with placements in Aquarius are often future-oriented and inventive, taking great interest in big ideas and new concepts. Aquarius placements tend to be independent and can have a reputation for rebelliousness. This all sounds very applicable to David Bowie. I also found it interesting that his 12th House (considered a House of Endings) is ruled by Capricorn (his Sun sign) and he died very close to his birthday. I'd be interested to see if there's a pattern of dying near your birthday if your sun falls in the 12th House. Coincidentally, his North Node (considered an indicator of Destiny) falls in Gemini and "Ziggy Stardust" was released during Gemini season. Finally, his Chiron was in Scorpio, indicating that he was gifted in helping people through periods of extreme transformation and had a talent for "alchemy," i.e., making something beautiful out of the unwanted. David Bowie as an artist, especially in the early days, attracted people who felt like freaks, outcasts, and strangers. By embracing his own inner weirdness, he signaled to his followers to be unafraid of who they truly were. That he accepted them as they accepted him, inside and out, eccentricities and all.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As I'm writing this, I'm extremely pissed off. Mercury in Capricorn is square Uranus in Taurus. That's obviously not why I'm angry, but it's certainly not helping. I've had an extremely busy and stressful week. I'm a little off schedule with this project but I'm hoping to get back on track next week. More to come.

"Starman" Video