Malden Musings – “Mike Cherone & Christmas Morning”

You know Michael (Cherone) as the genial/erudite host of the MATV staple, blockbuster ratings leader at UMA, “02148.” He’s Gary, Greg, Steve, and Mark’s talented middle brother. I have known him as a dear friend of mine and my family for many years now. He’s one of Josephine’s 5 little boys and he has kindly agreed to share his Christmas morning memories with us: “My memories of Christmas growing up are more of a picture I have in my mind’s eye of every year with me and my brothers. I remember that feeling I had of anticipation on Christmas eve and finding it impossible to fall asleep. Knowing we were not allowed to leave our room because if Santa found us up when he came by, he would not leave us any presents! Then, finally, waking up and racing out to the living room and seeing the most wonderful sight a kid could see…a mountain of presents perfectly placed cascading down from the bottom of the tree. A few feet away was my mother asleep on the couch in her bathrobe with an empty cup of coffee on the table. That image of my mom is the most lasting these days. Thinking back on how much love and effort she put in to making sure her boys had the most special Christmas morning every year never fails to put a smile on my face.”

Malden Musings Christmas Edition Redux: The year, 1943 – Americans were fighting for their way of life. Maldonians included. We came together as a nation with an indomitable spirit led by what would later be christened (by Tom Brokaw) as, “the greatest generation.” The free world would not bend. While the horrors of war raged, we clung to our faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. During these times, our conviction never broke. This prayer offered up by the New York Life Insurance Company in a 1943 Life Magazine full-page ad illustrates what the Christmas Season has meant to generations of Americans through the best and worst of times:

“Let us pray that strength and courage abundant be given to all who work for a world of reason and understanding. That the good that lies in every man’s heart may day by day be magnified. That men will come to see more clearly not that which divides them, but that which unites them. That each hour may bring us closer to a final victory, not of nation over nation, but of man over his own evils and weaknesses. That the true spirit of this Christmas Season – its joy, its beauty, its hope, and above all its abiding faith – may live among us. That the blessings of peace be ours – the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others, and to plan for the future with confidence.”

My semiannual list of fabulous holiday season related songs – some familiar, some not so much:

• “Santa Claus” – The Sonics
• “Xmas Done Got Funky” – Jimmy Jules & The Nuclear Soul System w/Jackie Spencer
• “Merry Christmas Baby” – Otis Redding
• “If We Make It Through December” – Merle Haggard
• “X-mas (It Sure Doesn’t Feel Like)” – the Dogmatics
• “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)” – The Ramones
• “Christmas Is the Time to say ‘I love you'” – Billy Squier
• “Christmas In Jail – Ain’t That a Pain” – Leroy Carr
• “Little Drummer Boy /Silent Night /Auld Lang Syne” – Jimi Hendrix
• “Can This Be Christmas” – The Falcons
• “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Thurl Ravenscroft
• “Gee Whiz…It’s Christmas” – Carla Thomas
• “River” – Joni Mitchell
• “Just a Lonely Christmas” – Moonglows

Extreme founding member, Malden’s very own, Gary Cherone, loves the Christmas season. Gary is the guy who wrote the Billboard #1 hit (‘More Than Words’), sold over 20 million records worldwide, and commanded the stage at the 1991 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert like he was boss of bosses! I’m talking about the skinny little kid from Highland Ave who dreamed a dream that came true, and in the process, made Josephina an ‘extremely’ proud mom (pun intended).

Gary was the one with the awkward set shot always leaving his feet too early. The one with an obsessive love for Kong Gorilla. The one who never, ever forgot his Malden roots. With that said, yes – I am biased. I have been a fanboy since the first time I heard “Mutha.” Since that first chance encounter in 1979 standing outside my house on Charles St with my brother David, “you should come see my band play some time.” I was all in. Gary had charisma (or “rizz” as the kids say today).

Extreme may not have set the world on fire (although they are doing a good job of it right now with the release of their newest album, “6”). They were not Elvis, the Beatles, or the Rolling Stones but the music world and those of us that still have a love for guitar, drums, and bass with an enigmatic front man appreciate that they were always honest and true with their music. Gary’s vocation in life was music. He was all in. Turns out he was one of the fortunate ones. Many came before him (many came after) with that same dream, but the stars were aligned for Amerige Park’s most famous son. He went all in because it always came from the heart. And because he was a little mishigas! Most “artists” are!

Which brings this long-winded diatribe somewhat full circle. His ode to the holiday season, ‘Christmas Time Again,’ was released in 1992 on A&M Records as part of an E.P. single with ‘Stop the World.’ Gary may not have been the “Shakespeare of rock n roll” as his ex-bandmate (the late) Eddie Van Halen once proclaimed but he strived to always make a difference with his lyrics – like many of his musical heroes before him. It is a beautifully written, sentimental tune clocking in at 5:07 that was lost in the early ’90’s shuffle that was the world of pop and rock. It should not be lost. It should be played every year at Christmas time (even on WJIB!). It should take its rightful place alongside all the other great holiday standards that have become holiday earworms in our lives.

Forget all you know about Extreme. The pretty boy image. Nuno Bettencourt’s iconic stature in the shredding world. The ill-advised “heavy metal” label that was thrown at them and stuck. Listen to this song. Listen to the sincerity in Gary’s voice as he sings this composition to his favorite day – the honesty in the lyrics. Listen to what is in Gary’s heart and to a song written from the soul of a man who made art his career. Merry Christmas G Man, keep on rockin’!
As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character ‘Columbo’ would say “Just one more thing sir” – my late mother (Dorothy) – left a huge hole in our hearts – hard to believe – eight years now – loved this quote when I originally printed it that I am again bringing it back to life for this holiday season. The Christmas season that she so much looked forward to. My mother was special. She was adored by all and had a knack for making each person feel special (whether she liked you or not!). Our friends became her friends over the years, and she just might have fed every one of them. The Facebook posts honoring her life were what makes social media special in such tragic times. Mother would have loved to have read them and would have bragged unabashedly about one particular photo of her shoveling snow, reaching over 300 likes! My saint of a mother shoveling her sidewalk on Charles St. as her four big strong boys slept through the morning. They don’t make them like Dorothy Drago Levine any longer. For mom, her favorite Dr. Seuss Christmas quote.

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?”

Postscript 1: It won’t soon replace ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ as the holiday go-to but the 1960 Rod Serling penned Twilight Zone episode with Art Carney, “The Night of the Meek,” is a minor classic and is worth a watch.

Postscript 2: To my grandchildren Christian, Lola, Jack, Lana, and Milo – thank you once again for taking me along with you through another magical holiday season.

Postscript 3: Shane “Fairytale of New York” McGowan – “and the bells were ringing out, for Christmas day” – may his memory be a blessing.

Postscript 4:  I love Malden during the holiday season. It is tattooed on my heart and soul made extra special with memories of my late mom on that special morning. With that said…one of my favorite Boston Globe columnists, Beverly Beckham, at her very best: “Maybe this is the miracle of Christmas, not only that the heart remembers but that it speaks. And we listen. And while we do, it’s not the craziness and busyness of the season that we feel. It’s a kind of peace mixed with joy and love and gratitude. For what was. And for who was. And who is. And for all the Christmases past and this next one that’s yet to come.” Merry Christmas and happy new year, Malden!
Postscript 5: One more for the road, could not wait; congratulations to Malden’s brand-new City Solicitor, Alicia McNeil!! Ali is the best! Malden is in the very best of hands with Ali in control! Way to go Malden! Way to go, Ali!