Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Neverending Top Ten #7.7: King Lear


I took Sam to see his first Shakespeare play on Monday night and he really seemed to enjoy it. Or maybe he was just saying that to keep his old man happy. Despite being an English teacher, I'm not a Shakespeare snob... in fact, apart from the plays I know well, I often struggle to follow them. I read Lear back at University but I'd forgotten more than I remembered about it, apart from the quote below...

As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. 
They kill us for their sport.

Anyway, we both came away happy. Good to see Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars as the King too... Ian McDiarmid is 82 now, but still full of vigour - and with that famous voice which struck terror into us when he was electrocuting Luke in Return of the Jedi. Given that he looked like this back in 1983, I reckon he's aged pretty well...


He was 39 when he originally played the Emperor. In case you were wondering... I certainly was!

I could only think of one song to accompany today's post... with the usual apologies.



Tuesday, 1 September 2026

Namesakes #204: The Cult


Yes, I said The Cult. Should've gone to Specsavers.

There's comes a point in all our lives when we have to seriously consider joining a cult.

Here are a few you might want to choose from...


THE CULT #1

We kick off with an Aussie Cult from 1965. Check your playing needle. A damaged stylus can ruin this recording.

The Cult - You're Just My Kind


THE CULT #2

One year later in the US of A, this Cult were making a stand...

The Cult - Here I Stand


THE CULT #3

As we arrive in 1975, we discover a Vegas-based funk and soul Cult dedicated to protecting postal workers... 

The Cult - The Mail Must Go Through


THE CULT #4


Originally known as Death Cult, until they mended their ways, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy formed their own Cult in Bradford* back in 1983... and they're still going strong.

*They live in LA now though. Can't imagine why.

The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary


THE CULT #5

And we close back in Australia with a live recording from the Sedition Festival at Sydney's Trade Union Club in April 1983...

The Cult - Special Boy Legal Man


Which Cult makes you want to drink the Kool Aid?



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