RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Honoring Clay January (Lightning Rod) RIP 2/6/2013
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To honor our site members who are no longer with us.
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Doreen Peri
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RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by Doreen Peri » February 18th, 2013, 12:41 am

Clay January aka Lightning Rod
November 29, 1948 – February 6. 2013

After a long battle with cancer, Clay January (aka Lightning Rod) left us on February 6, 2013 to go play music with his eternal band. He called the band his Pips and every time one of his musician friends died, he would say that one day he'd be joining them. Lightning Rod was native of Dallas, Texas, and has been a well respected musician and spoken word poet there for many years. His work extends back over 45 years. He was an accomplished songwriter and musician (flute, keyboard & sax, among other instruments), as well as a social commentator, humorist, and spoken word poet.

Lightning Rod was a founding member of Studio Eight. He worked diligently with me to create the Studio Eight forums. He was instrumental in helping to develop this website. Many of the forums here and the structure of the site incorporate Clay's creative ideas.

He also worked with me to create a live stage show performed several times in Washington, DC. Several of the Studio Eight forum members have performed in the Cabaradio show.

Clay is survived by 2 sisters, several children and grandchildren, along with many musicians, songwriters, poets and friends who respected him greatly and often collaborated with him.

I was honored to have spent 5 years as his creative partner. He taught me more than I can ever put in words about music, poetry, philosophy, love and life itself. Lightning Rod will be sorely missed by a great number of people whose lives his generous spirit has touched and whose talents he has influenced.

For those of you who are interested, here are some links to his work:

Lightning Rod - Poetry
http://lrod11.wordpress.com/

Lightning Rod - The Poet's Eye - Social Commentary

http://thepoetseye.wordpress.com/

Lightning Rod - Soundcloud - Music & Spoken Word

https://soundcloud.com/lrod11

Lightning Rod Books
http://www.cafepress.com/lrod

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stilltrucking
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod

Post by stilltrucking » February 18th, 2013, 12:49 am

Yes very interested, thank you for the links.

Excellent biography.

I know it sounds like a cliche, but it takes time to mourn, I think writing is therapeutic. thank you for writing.

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Doreen Peri
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod

Post by Doreen Peri » February 18th, 2013, 12:55 am

I don't know how long it will take. I don't understand death or mourning.

I'm working on setting this up so people can write their tributes or memories if they want and also I will be moving some his work posted on the site in other places to this forum to honor him.

Thank you, Jack!

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stilltrucking
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by stilltrucking » February 18th, 2013, 2:40 am

I don't understand death either. Mourning I think, and I think I know a lot of shit I probably don't know at all, but I think mourning is a natural life affirming process.

It is good what you are doing, thank you doreen
a mitzvah I think Clay's grandfather would call it.


another cliche you don't know what you got till . . .
I been appreciating his work now more than ever

I feel like I grew up on the net with you and clay and a few others here, many others actually.

eleven or 12 years now
it has been an honor to be here with you all

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STUPID BOB
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by STUPID BOB » February 19th, 2013, 11:42 am

Pops, I have my arms extended - one pointing up, the other down with middle fingers flying solo from each hand in salute. Just like you like it. Just like you.
Carpe Delirium

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STUPID BOB
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by STUPID BOB » February 20th, 2013, 12:30 pm

Just a quick history of We Ain't Comin' Out (original title was Wacko Waco):

Lrod was fascinated by the events at the Waco compound. We were sitting around my house one day when LR pens the words and a basic idea of a melody to it while I crunched the chordal structure from it. The title got changed when I pointed out the obvious.

We were to play The Balcony Club that day (I believe Christy MacDonald was the Hostess then). We ran through it a dozen times so LR didn't have to have a copy of the words in front of him during the premier of the tune. He couldn't do it, so I printed up about 50 copies of the lyrics. The idea there was to pass them out and have a weird sing along.

We arrived at the club and I passed out the lyric sheets to anyone there and a few went to a couple of empty tables in the back. Those tables filled up so all was ready for the performance when the news flashed that the compound had been burned to the ground. Listen or re-listen to the song and catch the lyrics NOW.
Carpe Delirium

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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by RonPrice » February 21st, 2013, 1:13 am

I did not know this person who died, neither did I know his writing. I have been at this site for several years and posted many times. This is the first note of In Memoriam I recall at this site, during my time here.

I will, though, post a prayer for the departed. I have been saying prayers for departed souls since my teens, over half a century now since I joined the Baha'i Faith. Some readers here may find this prayer that I post attractive and meaningful and, I'm also sure, some will find it less so, and even quite meaningless since many have no belief in an afterlife. To each their own in living and in death.-Ron Price, George Town, Tasmania, Australia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O my God! O Thou forgiver of sins, bestower of gifts, dispeller of afflictions! Verily, I beseech thee to forgive the sins of such as have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world.

O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount.--‘Abdu’l-Bahá
married for 46 years, a teacher for 35, a writer and editor for 14 and a Baha'i for 54(as of 2013)

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Doreen Peri
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by Doreen Peri » February 21st, 2013, 1:31 am

Ron, he and I were founders of the site. We were the very first members. Lrod's passing is Studio8's first loss. Thank you for your prayer!

.......

Hi Stupid Bob - Rene!
See you Sunday at the Memorial Celebration.

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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by RonPrice » February 21st, 2013, 2:43 am

Thanks, Doreen, for your response to my post and for the information about Lightning Rod's role as one of the co-founders of this site. I am registered at 100s of internet sites and I must add, as a final note, here, that the photos here at Studio 8 are exquisite.

I have often wished in life, Doreen, that I had been into the visual arts like photography and painting, or sculpture and film-making, rather than the literary arts as I have been now for decades. But, to each their own insofar as the talents and faculties we have been given and which we develop along the road of life; and also insofar as how we deal with death when it comes at us by the thimble-full in our family, at sites like this in cyberspace, or in the wide-wide-world where death comes at us, in our time, by the gallon-measure.-Ron
married for 46 years, a teacher for 35, a writer and editor for 14 and a Baha'i for 54(as of 2013)

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Arcadia
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by Arcadia » February 21st, 2013, 12:42 pm

it´s good to have l-rod´s art at hand. Let´s enjoy it!, gracias, Doreen!!! :D

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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by .Lucy. » February 21st, 2013, 1:30 pm

Heartbreaking news...I will never forget your words, Clay January. My colorful friend and one of my soulful inspirations in this crazy, poetic world. My Lightning Rod, you were one of the first to believe in my writing and my drive when I cracked open my poetry to the world as a teenager.

I will always remember that sly smile and those charming eyes- ahh, and that magical flute. Your soul, your soul will eternally be young...
The road to happiness: Perseverance, Endurance and a whole lot of Hope.

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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by BambiPurrs » February 21st, 2013, 6:12 pm

Oh, Doreen...I did not know!! Been so busy with a plethora of personal/family crisis the last few years, I've not been here or DARC much. That needs to change, obviously. I recently lost my own mother and am now saddened upon hearing LRod's passed too.

He always made me smile with his writings, for different reasons all the time. Irony, humor, just dealing with life in general. In the midst of our sorrow please remember his spirit has fulfilled it's purpose and learned what it needed to, and is now effecting change another place.

{{{{Doreen}}}} (those are hugs for you) My love and support, Love and Light, my friend. Funny, I unconditionally accepted online friendship via poetry sites, with LRod, never actually knowing how known he really was. Nor it mattering, for that fact, for me to feel a friendship towards him, a respect.

Interestingly, did not know his real name. I just took him at face value. Loving, colorful, and will be missed by many

Gob Bless his spirit, you, and all who read here.


Judi
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petercowlam
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by petercowlam » February 21st, 2013, 6:33 pm

So sorry to hear this news. He will be missed.

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STUPID BOB
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by STUPID BOB » February 22nd, 2013, 6:59 pm

So, if you read my little history of We Ain't Comin' Out, and listened to the available cut, you might be asking why the "listen NOW" comment.

When I printed out the pages for distribution at the club, LR decided to include "Burn After Reading" at the bottom of the page, hours before the event took place.
Carpe Delirium

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STUPID BOB
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Re: RIP Lightning Rod - In Memoriam

Post by STUPID BOB » February 23rd, 2013, 10:11 am

Best read in reverse.

-----Original Message-----
From: Clay January <litnrod11@yahoo.com>
To: rene440 <rene440@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Aug 24, 2012 2:30 pm
Subject: Re: and so . . .

well, I'm speechless. At this point I have determined that Death is a three dimensional critter and you can view his ugly fangs from a number of angles. My hospice angels let me eat all the candy I feel like however and sexy Nubian apprentice princesses gently grind my toenails and anoint my tootsies and make Small-talk for Deadmen.
I take visitors.

The Poet's Eye


From: "rene440@aol.com" <rene440@aol.com>
To: litnrod11@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 5:20 PM
Subject: and so . . .

how is my friend doing?

Did you get your voice box yet? Gain any insights into the mysteries of peach cobbler? Find the Uncertainty Principle . . . uncertain? See beyond the veil? Gather quanta for Kwanza? Mistake a this for a that?

I've done most of that today before I awoke (shudder).

Love you Pop - think about you, miss ya.

moi
Carpe Delirium

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