Sometimes a blog starts with a title,
and works backward from there. This one should be interesting. As a self-indulgence
101, I am going to attempt a 6 degree separation (in 3 parts) of a popular
Cereal commercial to a Rapper/Icon to the greatest band of all time.
Now, reread the title... this may be
the most ridiculous thing I've done this year:
Part 1: Life
When I was a kid, the popular thing to say to bust my balls was related to a
"Life" cereal commercial, and a child's (Mikey) reaction to the
taste of Life cereal. Life gained a lot of business off of the catch phrase
"He likes it, hey Mikey!"
Anyone born in the 60's, 70's or even 80's with the name Michael knows my dilemma.
The commercial was in steady rotation for 12 years, first airing in 1972.
According to the Wiki, it is one of the longest continuous running commercials
of all time.
Hence: it could be said that the ball busting phrase maybe one of the
longest running as well. Thanks Mikey.
Along with the commercial came the rumor mill. I distinctly remember the
rumor that Mikey had eaten pop rocks, washed it down with a Coke, and died due
to a stomach explosion. A popular urban legend in its day. Of course it wasn't
true. Mikey (John Gilchrist) is very much alive and well, and is the Director
of Advertisement at MSG Network in New York. A bit of an ironic twist?
Part 2: Mama Said
MSG Network released "Boxing’s Greatest" to its series "The
Lineup" in February of 2016. The series played to the strengths of boxing
with a celebrity panel actually related to the sport.
The debate included greatest fight and greatest puncher amongst other
topics. One of the more interesting questions: who wins: Mike Tyson v Joe Frasier?
In their primes? I say Mike, but I am generationally biased. Mike Tyson was the
baddest man alive when I was a teenager.
Mike lost his belt in 1990. No one believed it could happen. Buster Douglas
was a huge underdog and it should have been easy win for Mike. That same year,
maybe one of the greatest boxing songs ever recorded was released.
LL Cool J came out swinging with his 2x Platinum selling LP "Mama Said
Knock You Out," and it hit hard. Everyone had it, knew it and loved it in
that day. To this day, my sister Kerry and I can't talk about anything
breakfast related without throwing in a "Milky Cereal Baby" reference
(a less popular, but banging track from LL's best LP).
Part 3: The love you take is equal.
LL Cool J transcended his rapper roots to become an actor, businessman and
cultural icon. He has even hosted the Grammys a time or two.
During one of his hosting stints in 2014, the 56th annual Grammy awards, the
academy presented The Beatles with a Lifetime Achievement Award. An award that
goes without saying, and was a "duh" moment for the entirety of the
population at large. It somehow tied into the Beatles 50th anniversary.
Paul and Ringo reunited for the event, an act the world won't see too many
more times (if any), and we sang along to familiar memories for a few blissful
minutes. For me it is always bitter sweet, as John was silenced in 1980.
When I think about John Lennon, the song first up in my mind is "In My
Life." The song has special meaning for me and I relate to it on a
spiritual level. It's a personal favorite. I once wept seeing the hand written
lyrics to the song hanging in the Hall of Fame. I know.... I'm a sentimental
softie, I am fine with it. I'm too old to change now.
So, in conclusion: In my life, cereal baby (milky).
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