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  Radiofreeeuropa

  Feb. 29, 2008, 4:13 p.m.

  Taoism, Zen, Jazz, Rock, and revolution. Without the inner journey would there have been Beefheart or Zappa music? Without Beefheart and Zappa would there have been a "Plastic People of the Universe"?

  Without The PPU, would Havel have penned Article 77? Rock and revolution.
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  rdy2rckComment has been removed: Hard Banned
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  Radiofreeeuropa

  Feb. 29, 2008, 10:22 p.m.

  Can you think of any bands that had quite the political influence of the Plastic People? Actually becoming a major catalyst in the overthrowing of a regime? Amazing stuff!
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  david_nwpa

  Feb. 29, 2008, 10:26 p.m.

  "One's essence is inherently complete." - (The Zen Teachings of Mazu.)

  Inherently complete? I am not sure about that. As humans age and grow, their essence matures and broadens. Our outreach with other humans expands the nature of the person who exists within us and makes us new people. We are not born revolutionaries; our surroundings prompt us to take matters in our own hands and change the course of the history of those who surround us. Can we not argue that the inner essence of our being changes as we expand our identities change? Alternatively, are we merely exploring our essence, and as a result of discovery, our perception of that essence changes?

  The East Germans, like the Czechs, knew this story all too well. They knew the essence of freedom, but were denied it until the 1990s. Awesome article, RFE.
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  gamahuche

  Feb. 29, 2008, 11:07 p.m.

  Well you knew I'd get here some time, I'm sure!!

  Its a great, great piece and I find it astoundingly accurate in its insights from someone who didn't actually live through it. I should add that I didn't live through so much if it either in terms of BEING there but I never ever stopped watching and waiting and my first return as an adult was in 1973 which was the height of what was, in a sickeningly paradoxical way, called "normalisation". Perhaps I can make the dynamics just a tad clearer. The "Prague Spring", under Dubcek, created such an amazing surge of optimism and the whiff of freedom was SO potent and it happened to be the time when psychedelia ruled. So the fusion was perfect and to this day there is considerable tolerance for people who still reprise that period. Marihuana laws exist but are by-and-large ignored but the upwardly-mobile cell-phone society has to some extent managed to displace some of those passions.
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  Searchbeam

  March 1, 2008, 12:19 a.m.

  A song is really a synthesis of music and word/lyric. Individually, they exist on different planes, and can soothe the soul, as well as arouse strong emotions and upheavals. Every revolution starts with a thought and blossoms into an expression that can move mountains and create tsunamis of human emotions- things that can change the world. Vaclav Havel conclusively proved that.

  When these two come together, they have the power to change an individual, a society, a nation or even the world. If the artist can overcome the urge of instant gratification of gimmickry and reach the depths of emotions and the eternal quest of sublime, he/she has created a masterpiece that takes a life of its own and lives into eternity.

  Such is the power of this art we call word and music!

  Thanks for this thought-provoking post, Radio.

  My thoughts are purely the expression of my experiences as a writer and poet. If they have any bearing on yours, the joy of discovery can multiply!

  Peace and Blessings!
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