Category Archives: Music

Gone Fishin’

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Dear Readers, I’m out of here. I’ve got places to go and people to see. Letter From Elba will be back on Sunday, July 12. Have a happy, safe, wonderful Fourth of July. (And my apologies to all my brand-new … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, pop culture | 2 Comments

Respect

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Dear Readers, do you know where you were on December 10, 1967? I do. I was in Madison, Wisconsin. My boyfriend Jon had just taken me to dinner here. (A pretty fancy joint on a sophomore’s budget.) But that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Nostalgia, pop culture, The 60's, University of Wisconsin | 14 Comments

Rage Against The Machine

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Ellen Ross

That kid with the guitar- and the attitude- is my son, Nick. Dressed in his boarding school clothes. He had just gotten home for Thanksgiving break. The year was 1995. (Interior designers please note the wall covering in Nick’s room. … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Music, pop culture | 4 Comments

“It’s Here”

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Ellen Ross

When I was a teenager on Chicago’s North Shore, dating usually meant going to tried and true venues. Like Friday and Saturday nights at the Teatro Del Lago movie theater in Wilmette. Or the Edens theater in Northbrook. Maybe once … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Dating, Music, New Trier High School, Nostalgia, pop culture, The 60's | 20 Comments

Welsh Witch

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Tuesday May 26 was Stevie Nicks’ 67th birthday. In honor of that milestone, let me take you all back to 1976. Here is her first appearance ever on television with Fleetwood Mac. They’re doing Rhiannon on the Midnight Special. Remember, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Nostalgia, pop culture, Television, Tributes | 6 Comments

“Fuck You” Money

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Ellen Ross

This is the new Rolls-Royce Wraith. The Wraith is a V-12, 642 horsepower, two door sports coupe with 2+2 seating and suicide doors. It is controlled by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined fuel economy is fifteen miles per gallon. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Money, Movies, Music, pop culture | 18 Comments

Easter Parade

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Happy Easter and Happy Passover, Dear Readers. In honor of Spring, I thought I’d tell you a love story. A true one. About the man who wrote the song “Easter Parade.” Mr. American Songbook- Irving Berlin. You are all familiar, … Continue reading →

Posted in Composers, Movies, Music | 8 Comments

Mensch

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Are you lucky enough to know Lou Magor? Superb musician, Northwestern graduate, Camp Ojibwa counselor and music director, music teacher, organist, twenty-five year Seattle transplant and co-choir director for the Wilson Sisters of Heart. And guiding light and compère at … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, pop culture, Seattle, Travel | 14 Comments

I Can’t Tell You Why

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Juno Shout Out: I just want to start today’s post by wishing all of my East Coast readers my very best wishes. Hope you’re staying safe and warm- and still have your Internet connections. And Boston, good luck with all … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Music, pop culture | 10 Comments

Enigma

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Ellen Ross

As long-time readers of this blog may know, I am crazy about two things. Puzzles and Benedict Cumberbatch. (But not necessarily in that order.) And the new movie, The Imitation Game, showcases both of them. It’s the true story of codebreaker and … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Movies, Music, pop culture | 14 Comments