Monday, December 02, 2019

Blind Item #7 - Reader Blind - Kindness

Several decades ago in another country, this group of workers went on strike.  The job they do is dangerous and a policy had been instituted that took away their job security.

A number of artists wrote songs about this strike.  However, this musician took it even further organizing a charity single with other performers similar to Band Aid.  He also personally led drives for the donation of food and household goods to see the striking workers through the harsh winter.  He also had money donated to a family of someone who was killed by angry miners as he opposed violence.

This musician’s first band was the biggest band of the day in his home country for awhile with albums at the top of the charts and selling out stadiums.  His second project, which was when this occurred, was basically him and one other guy.  After that, he had a successful solo career in his home country and other countries on the same continent which continues to this day.

He never caught on in America. In fact, it’s been said he is the biggest artist from his home country to never make it in America. He is however very influential. A successful band that is now broken up and included two warring family members has hailed him as a major inspiration.  

31 comments:

Tricia13 said...

Oasis and Peter Weller?

Tricia13 said...

Peter Weller for the subject/Oasis for the fans of his?

Tricia13 said...

Paul Weller*/The Jam and then Style Council second band?

Sarton Bander said...

The Miners job security was taking away taxpayers job security as they were being massively subsidised.

Hardly a kindness when you factor in the harm from the tax subsidising them

Vita said...

Think you got it, Tricia!

Tricia13 said...

Maybe Vita? Love Weller. Such a class act.... he still gigs-still so handsome. He did a small venue in Miami about8 years ago... very tight with Noel (not so much Liam )Gallagher and has collaborated in past... I haven’t looked at festival info yet

Guesser said...

+1 @Tricia13. @Sarton Bander, weird that in the UK wants coal mining increased by the left,in the US,the left wishes to eliminate coal use entirely.

orchidbone said...

Definitely Weller & the Jam. Oasis were just a poor Beatles rip-off/tribute band so I've never bought the Weller influence from the Gallaghers.

Jim said...

As others have guessed, this is Paul Weller, though it's not much of a blind as Soul Deep is actually listed on his Wiki page

And, oh boy, I can't wait to read Americans' opinions on the Miners Strike of the 80s

longtimereader said...

This was the early 80's when Environmentalism wasn't a major concern. The Jam were co-signed by Bob f***ing Marley in the song 'Punky reggae party'.

AlleyKat said...

Hi Guessed (and Sarton) that was the early 1980's the position has changed that we have closed all our coal fired power stations and now ship wood thousands of miles to fuel the power stations /:-( to please the eco brigade. Meanwhile china and Germany run on coal fired power.

The miners strike was never about the miners it was about the union trying to undermine the Govt of the day who were trying to make the country more efficient and modern working practices. The miners were used as a militia by the union barons.
As a footnote the miners leader ended up a millionaire living in a free home in london as life president of the union whilst his offspring are eu politicians. He suffered no hardships.

Flashy Vic said...

Christ, the Jam were dogshit though. Never saw the appeal. Just some more middle class class warriors trying to tell the oiks how to think. Like a discount store Clash.

@Guesser. That was thirty years ago, long, long ago. They couldn't give a living fuck about mainly white ex mining communities theses days, if they ever really did.

Our left have gone full Thunberg just like yours on such matters, plus with the added spice of lots of Jew hate. The left truly are despicable cunts.

David Andrews said...

"Peter Weller" guesses are why Paul Weller isn't a big hit in the US. When Weller comes here, he only plays a frugal schedule: 2-3 shows each in NYC, Boston, and L.A. He understands the difference between his brand of pop/R&B and what;s been pushed on American ears until they;ve forgotten what good music is.

@FlashyVic - You're not listening to the Jam right. It's some of Weller's best songwriting and strongest performances. His solo career (after the Style Council experiment) is a sleek, well-respected animal, capable of great affection in private moments.

Guesser said...

That's the other thing,anti semetic rhetoric was once reserved for nazis, they have found common ground with the new left.@AlleyKat,nothing new about Union leaders making out well in the end,however things end up and wherever you live.

longtimereader said...

Flashy vic - The Jam were middle class!?! oh dear. Joe Strummer definitely was though. First punk band to sell millions of records, they were pretty much the biggest band in the UK during the early 80's.

Tricia13 said...

I love Paul Weller and have seen him in small venues. Peter Weller just popped out ,but not because I don’t respect him madly. His version of “Wishing on A Star” is breathtaking ,I believe I’ve recommended it here.I also happen to like Style Council,but no,I didn’t have many peers in the US that did.

Rory Gman said...

I love Weller's "You Do Something To Me"....most romantic song ever

shakey said...

I thought Oasis was a rip-off Stone Roses band.

Doesn't Paul Weller have skeletons in his closet? I thought he was accused of sexual assault in the late '80s, maybe.

EntyAddict said...

Peter weller was the best robocop though

Brayson87 said...

+1 EntyAddict, love that actor

Brayson87 said...

Oasis was good in it's day, easily forgettable now.

Unknown said...

Wasn't Peter Weller in The Police
Robocop suit?
😁

Unknown said...

The Jam wrote a song (Eton Rifles) about a posh school in England called Eton where the rich sent their kids before they inevitably ended up in either Oxford or Cambridge university.
The bass player later sent his son to...yep...Eton

Krabapples said...

Good grief, you are vile.

La Morena said...

@Rory that’s my favorite song by him too ❤️

Becca P. said...

Morrissey

Stupidpervs said...

The closing of mines killed my tiny coal town..recently named worst county to live in..in my state..once compared to a 3rd world nation in a big city paper ..living in the boonies is great until you gotta drive 45 mins to 2 hours away just to have a full time job..the non working community prefers selling dope and stealing the crap of people who do work..its like living the the 80s..

Scout said...

umm Alleycat is talking shite. I do not know anyone who says that sort of right wing crap!


Thatcher wanted to destroy the strongest unions in the UK. She drafted in the Army to pose as police who then attacked demonstrating miners.
See Orgreave.
Also see: https://www.channel4.com/news/by/paul-mason/blogs/thatcher-miners-official-papers-confirm-strikers-worst-suspicions

Source: am Poltical Science grad and had miners staying with us to demonstrate in London in the 1980s.

Fifi LaRue said...

Pete Seeger

Ainno Chaim said...

"Union barons," "Modern working practices?" You mean lower pay, no job security, and unsafe working conditions? I suppose you find it coincidence that the rich are getting richer while the working class is getting poorer with the union busting practices going on? When unions are strong, the middle class is strong. It takes everything out of me to not call you a grade a moron.

mooshki said...

@unknown: Don't bother. Conservatives aren't interested in hearing about "facts" or "reality."

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