In trying to come up with some novel ideas to make our virtual meetings a bit more lively, we had an evening of music on Tuesday 8th Feb, with three Rotarians tasked with supplying three songs and were probed to supply a small anecdote for each.

Firstly, Ian E.Brown had us singing along to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline", a party classic if there ever was one. Ian said he's been a huge Neil Diamond fan for many a year and could have chosen from a fair few tracks. Personally, I think that the fact that it's become a modern day St.Johnstone F.C anthem may have swayed him to that particular track! Ian then had us playing air instruments to perhaps one of the most influencial Rock and Roll artists of all time, a giant of his day whose life was tragically cut short on The Day The Music Died on February 3rd, 1959; "Peggy Sue" by the (pardon the pun) instrumental Buddy Holly. Ian's final song was one very personal to both him and his wife, Catherine, and that was Peter Sarstedt singing "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely).

Next up, we had Gillian Marsh telling us of happy memories of her childhood, being taken out on the rounds by her vetinarian father with her twin sister Susan and this song came on the radio often then, her dad singing along no doubt accompanied by his loving daughters. That was "The Last Farewell" by Roger Whittaker. A more R&B and disco beat followed by what is clearly a favoured artist of Gillian's, as she informed us that she has seen him no less than 14 times! And even shook his hand (and has never washed it since) - "Never Give Up on A Good Thing" by George Benson. Gillian's third and final track was an absolute Rock classic, a fantastic live performer, the inimitable Bruce Springsteen with "Dancing In The Dark".

Last, and by no means least, club President Brian Johnson started us with a song that he said still carries weight to this day, and he sees parallels with this man and our own Rabbie Burns - and not that they're both dead! It was "Imagine" by John Lennon. It was put out to guess when the song was released. Brian reckoned 1977, but it was 1971. No matter when it was released, the lyrics still resonate in these times. Next was a song that was released about the time that Brian and Doreen got married. He said that around then they often had friends staying and on a Sunday morning would ask if they wanted breakfast in bed, and played this song thinking it was hilarious. Originally recorded by Dusty Springfield. it was UB40 (featuring Chrissie Hynde with "Breakfast in Bed". We took pause to ask for any other business from the club to allow us to play out the meeting with a song that Brian told us he was "forced" to sing on karaoke when he was doing a sponsored cycle in Vietnam, but also informed that the beers were about 8p each so I dread to think what the singing sounded like! The zoom meeting became very animated to The Proclaimers' party classic I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).

If you'd like to know more about the playlist for life, please find the link attached to this story.