My late partner, Michael Raftery (1946-2011) loved a list. He also loved the 60s, especially the folk and pop music. An amateur musician and singer, Mike played in bands all his life. But he was happiest singing and playing lead guitar/keyboards in his final group - a local 60s tribute band, "Stranded" .... so many gigs, so many songs, so many memories.
A few of their songs were recorded on a CD ("Happy Together") including one of Mike's favourite Beatle numbers: "Nowhere Man". This track, as well as George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord", were just two of the songs played at his funeral: part of the soundtrack of his life.
It amused Mike just how much the Beatles have become embedded into British (possibly World) culture. "Beatle Reference of the Day" was our game - the more unexpected the reference, the greater our pleasure. We played it for years, but didn't keep a record despite Mike being an avid diary writer and statistician.
So this simple blog is for Mike.
