JULY 2015
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July 1:
Above:
The only remaining likeness of Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed (at her request). To this date, his poetry is "stayin' alive." |
In 1833, seeking literary guidance, Emmett Lee Dickinson wrote to Tobias Hugginkhist, literary critic and editor of the Pacific Bulletin and Journal, to inquire if the PB & J would consider publishing some of his poetry. He opened his letter by stating, “You can tell by the way I fuse my talk, I’m a well versed man who rhymes a lot,” and he asked if his verse, with its erratic rhythms, irregular rhymes, and unconventional syntax, was “stayin’ alive?”
More than 150 years later, Dickinson's letter begat the Disco Era, for the Brothers Gibb (i.e., the Bee Gees) used his letter as lyrics for the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever!
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July 2:
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When the Beatles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Paul McCartney said, "If it weren't for Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), there would be no Beatles."
The influence of Emmett Lee Dickinson on Paul McCartney and John Lennon and on the Beatles is well documented. The Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard) hosted a special exhibit on Dickinson and the Beatles in January of 2013. To view the exhibit, click HERE.
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Pictured above left to right (click the images to enlarge):
1. The Sergent Pepper's album cover included the likeness of Emmett Lee Dickinson.
2. "Nowhere Man" was "based on a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson."
3. The sheet music for "Nowhere Man" included the Beatles in the classic Emmett Lee Dickinson pose.
4. Even animated pictures of the Beatles showed the group in the classic Emmett Lee Dickinson pose.
Below on the left is Dickinson's poem "We never know he goes when he is going," the inspiration for the Beatles's hit "Nowhere Man." The poem also inspired Emily Dickinson to write "We never know we go when we are going," below on the right.
1. The Sergent Pepper's album cover included the likeness of Emmett Lee Dickinson.
2. "Nowhere Man" was "based on a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson."
3. The sheet music for "Nowhere Man" included the Beatles in the classic Emmett Lee Dickinson pose.
4. Even animated pictures of the Beatles showed the group in the classic Emmett Lee Dickinson pose.
Below on the left is Dickinson's poem "We never know he goes when he is going," the inspiration for the Beatles's hit "Nowhere Man." The poem also inspired Emily Dickinson to write "We never know we go when we are going," below on the right.
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
We never know he goes when he is going – We jest he has no Plan – Fate – following – as he bolts out – For he’s a Nowhere Man – |
By Emily Dickinson:
We never know we go when we are going – We jest and shut the Door – Fate – following – behind us bolts it – And we accost no more – |
July 3:
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While no other person has influenced the field of music more than Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), no other poem of Dickinson's has influenced the music industry more than
"Not
with a Stick the Heart is beaten."
"Not with a Stick the Heart is beaten" inspired at least 8 different artists to write and perform hit songs. Dickinson's poem is posted below on the left. Can you spot all eight songs? Dickinson's poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to write "Not with a Club, the Heart is broken" (posted on the right). Pictured at the right: Various artists who were influenced by Dickinson's "Not with a Stick the Heart is beaten." Click the image to enlarge. |
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
Not with a Stick the Heart is beaten Can’t touch that – Whip it, Whip it good – but – Can’t touch that Everything little Thing she does is Magic Time after time, Whip it, Whip it good – but – Only time will tell. Karma Chameleon Eyes without a Face, This is what it sounds like When Doves cry – |
By Emily Dickinson:
Not with a Club, the Heart is broken, Nor with a Stone; A Whip so small you could not see it I’ve known To lash the Magic Creature Till it fell, Yet that Whip’s Name Too noble then to tell. Magnanimous as Bird By Boy descried – Singing unto the stone Of which it died – Shame need not crouch In such an Earth as Ours – Shame – stand erect – The Universe is yours. |
July 4:
By Emily Dickinson:
Success is counted sweetest By those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need. Not one of all the purple host Who took the flag to-day Can tell the definition, So clear, of victory, As he, defeated, dying, On whose forbidden ear The distant strains of triumph Break, agonized and clear. |
Many poems by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) and his third cousin, Emily Dickinson, have titles and/or words or phrases which have been used as bands' names, album titles or song titles. One group known as Purple Host not only took their name from Emily Dickinson's poem "Success is counted sweetest" (on the left), but most of their album names came from the poem as well.
Pictured below, left to right: Purple Host's debut album, "Success is Counted Sweetest; Purple Host's best selling album, "Sorest Need"; the fourth volume of Purple Host's four-volume set entitled "To Comprehend a Nectar." Not pictured: Purple Host's record Grammy-winning album, "Agonized and Clear."
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July 5:
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It is a known fact that Carly Simon's mega-hit "You're So Vain" was inspired by a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request); however, for years, the subject of her song was a mystery -- until Carly revealed just a few years ago that the song was about Al Roker, the weatherman on the Today show.
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Pictured above: Carly Simon's mega-hit "You're So Vain" was inspired by a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson.
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July 6: |
The song "Uptown Funk" was in the news recently due to a video-gone-viral made by a high school in Dallas. Information on that video is HERE. The song was based on a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), and the original of Dickinson's poem is on display at the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard). A photocopy of the original poem is shown below (beneath the Wikipedia article).
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Emmett Lee Dickinson's original poem (shown at the right) reads as follows:
A winged spark doth soar about – Whenever you are near (hot damn) For Lightning it is oft mistook When nights are hot and sere – Cuz uptown gonna funk you up Above the Haunts of men (say whaa?!) A speck of Rapture – first perceived Gonna funk you up – and then – Rekindled by some action quaint – Don’t believe me – hey, just watch You’ve hit your hallelujah girl Now fill my cup with scotch – Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up, I said Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up. Below: Dickinson's poem inspired his third cousin Emily to pen this poem:
A winged spark doth soar about -- I never met it near For Lightning it is oft mistook When nights are hot and sere -- Its twinkling Travels it pursues Above the Haunts of men -- A speck of Rapture — first perceived By feeling it is gone -- Rekindled by some action quaint |
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July 7: |
From the day that Sennett & Bette Chambers named their son "Alabaster," he was destined to sing songs with Dikcinson-esque themes. As a matter of fact, he rarely ventured beyond Dickinson-esque lyrics to the point that one NPR music critic began a review once by saying that as listeners, "you're always safe in your Alabaster Chambers."
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Pictured at the right: Alabaster Chambers' first album was "Alabaster Chambers signs 'Untouched by Morning.'" It included the classic hits "Untouched by Morning," "Roof of Stone," and "Light Laughs the Breeze."
Pictured at the far right: Alabaster Chambers' "White Album" was a favorite of John Lennon's., and it inspired the Beatles to create a similar concept album. Chambers' album included such hits as "Grand Go the Years," "Worlds Scoop Their Arcs," "Soundless as Dots," and "Disc of Snow." |
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July 8: |
Although Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) was a man of words, that was not the case when he tried to sing along with the lyrics to songs -- he almost always get them wrong!
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Pictured a the left and far left: Creedence Clearwater Revival and Johnny Rivers based their hit songs "Bad Moon Rising" and "Secret Agent Man" on Dickinson's poem entitled "I goof the words to every song." Dickinson's poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem called "I found the words to every thought." |
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By Emmett Lee
Dickinson:
I goof the words to every song – I always try – but Err – The lyric’s – “Secret Agent Man” – But “Seasick Asian Man” I hear. I listen – close – to ascertain – How does the song – take flight? For though a Bad Moon’s on the rise – There's a bathroom – on the Right. |
By Emily Dickinson:
I found the words to every thought I ever had – but One – And that – defies me – As a Hand did try to chalk the Sun To Races – nurtured in the Dark – How would your own – begin? Can Blaze be shown in Cochineal – Or Noon – in Mazarin? |
July 9: |
Long before the life and poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) inspired modern-day musicians, his works inspired 19th and early-20th century composers, including John Philip Sousa. Sousa wrote over 30 marches about Dickinson and/or his works.
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Below, left to right: Sousa's "Dickinson March," "This Is My March To The World," "Because I Could Not March In The Band, It Kindly Marched For Me," and "There Is No Frigate Like A March."
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July 10: |
In addition to promoting the poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson and supporting Cow Appreciation Day (celebrated annually on July 15th; information is HERE), the American Library Association celebrates the fact that Emmett Lee Dickinson invented the marching band (info HERE -- scroll to the bottom of the page) by sponsoring its annual "Band Books Week" during the last full-week of September.
Last year's "Band Books Week" celebration featured the books pictured below: |
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Below: This year's
"Band Books Week" will feature vintage books related to Emmett Lee Dickinson's songs and techniques for marching bands. 
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Below: Emmett Lee Dickinson's "Think Method" for marching band instruction was featured in Meredith Willson's classic musical
"The Music Man." 
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July 11: |
Vertiline Goresby loved the poetry of both Emmett Lee Dickinson and his third cousin Emily Dickinson. She chose her stage name -- "The Blonde Assassin" -- from a poem by Emily Dickinson (below on the right).
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By Emily Dickinson:
Apparently with no surprise To any happy Flower The Frost beheads it at its play – In accidental power – The blonde Assassin passes on – The Sun proceeds unmoved To measure off another Day For an Approving God. |
Above left: The Blonde Assassin's debut album included her top hit, "Apparently With No Surprise. Above middle: The Blonde Assassin's second album included four Top Ten hits: "To Any Happy Flower," "Accidental Power," "Measure Off Another Day," and the mega-hit, "The Sun Proceeds Unmoved."
July 12: |
If you Google-search "more cowbell," the first entry that comes up is the Wikipedia article that states the following: "'More cowbell' is an American pop culture catchphrase originally derived from an April 8, 2000 Saturday Night Live comedy sketch which fictionalized the recording of the song '(Don't Fear) The Reaper' by Blue Oyster Cult. The sketch featured guest host Christopher Walken as music producer 'The Bruce Dickinson' (as opposed to Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson) and regular cast member Will Ferrell, who wrote the sketch with playwright Donnell Campbell, as fictional cowbell player Gene Frenkle.
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And where, exactly, did Will Ferrell get the idea for "more cowbell"? He drew inspiration from the last line of a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emly Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) entitled "I new saw a Poet cow." For more information on this poem (including a connection to poet E. E. Cummings), click HERE, and scroll down to the entry titled "It Needs More Cowbell."
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson: I never saw a poet cow And though there’ll be no ground swell – If one could write a poem right now It’d likely need more cowbell! |
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Cow Appreciation Day is this week -- Wednesday, July 15th (information HERE). While the traditional greeting for CAD is "Lang may yer lum reek" (which means "May you live long and stay well!"), let us be the first to say that we hope your Cow Appreciation Day has lots "more cowbell"!
July 14: |
In 1856 Dickinson received a patent for the Gastro-Ocular Correlation Modulator (below left), a device used to see if someone's eyes are, in fact, bigger than his/her stomach. The use of the apparatus is particularly prevalent on Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. Justin Timberlake's "The 20/20 Experience" paid tribute to Dickinson and his Gastro-Ocular Correlation Modulator (click to enlarge).
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Below: In an earlier album, Timberlake paid tribute to Jim Asher, the world's leading authority on Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).
July 14: |
Mandrell "Manny" Quartz loved both the poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson and his third cousin, Emily Dickinson. In his autobiography, aptly named "First Chill, Then Stupor," he said, "Don't ask me to pick one over t'other because it jest cain't be done." Quartz took his stage name, "Quartz Contentment," from Emily Dickinson's poem "After great pain, a formal feeling comes."
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Above left: Quartz Contentment's debut album included the mega-hit "This Is The Hour Of Lead." Above middle: Quartz Contentment's top-selling album included his most popular singles, "After Great Pain" and "A Formal Feeling." Above right: Quartz Contentment's final album, "The Stiff Heart Questions" included the hits, "The Feet Mechanical Go Round," "Like A Stone," "Recollect the Snow," and "Then The Letting Go."
July 15: |
Lady Gaga said that it was her love of the poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) that led her to pursue a career in music.
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Below: Dickinson's poem "I bluffed enough to take the Trick" inspired Gaga to write "Poker Face":
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Below: Gaga's album "Fame is a Bee" is named after a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson's third cousin Emily.
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Below: Gaga's "Wild Nights! Wild Nights," named after a poem by Emily Dickinson, includes her hit song "Moored this Way."
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Pictured at the right: Every third weekend in January, the Washerst Chamber of Commerce presents the Lady Gaga Pro-Am Bowling tournament at the Babes and Balls Bowling Lanes in Washerst.
Pictured at the left: A clipping from the Washerst Times- Dispatch details an outdoor concert of Lady Gaga's a few summers ago. Gaga performed "Poker Face," a song inspired by a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson. Dickinson's poem inspired Emily Dickinson to write "I breathed enough to take the Trick."
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July 16: |
The branches of the Dickinson family tree twist and turn all over the world, and in Nashberg, Pennsylvania (named for Nashton Euripides Berg -- kitty litter miner, mountain poet, and the founder of Nashberg), a branch includes country poet Emmy Lee Dickinson. For information on Emmy Lee Dickinson, her father Li'l Jimmy Dickinson, her grandfather Nashton Euripides Berg, and the WELD Grand Ol' Po'try Radio Hour, click HERE.
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While Nashton Berg is considered the Father of Country Po'try, and his grandson Li'l Jimmy Dickinson founded the Grand Ole Po'try Radio Hour, it is Li'l Jimmy Dickinson's daughter Emmy Lee Dickinson who established country po'try as a bona fide art form. Her country poems are recognized around the world as masterpieces of country po'try, and her works are often compared to the works of her distant cousin Emily Dickinson.
Below left, middle and right: Emmy Lee Dickinson based her albums on her poetry, her father's or her grandfather's poetry, Emmett Lee Dickinson's poetry -- or, as with these three albums, the poetry of her distant cousin, Emily Dickinson. She recorded the album shown in the middle with her brother, Dallas Dickinson.
Below left, middle and right: Emmy Lee Dickinson based her albums on her poetry, her father's or her grandfather's poetry, Emmett Lee Dickinson's poetry -- or, as with these three albums, the poetry of her distant cousin, Emily Dickinson. She recorded the album shown in the middle with her brother, Dallas Dickinson.
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July 17: |
Countless Broadway musicals and plays have been about and/or inspired by the poetry or the life of Emmett Lee Dickinson that Dickinson is always referred to as "the man who built Broadway." Information is HERE and HERE. Two current productions are "Someone Rotten" and "A Washerstian in Amherst." "Someone Rotten," the inspiration for "Something Rotten," is a comical look at the life of Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request. "A Washerstian in Amherst" was George and Ira Gershwin's tribute to Emmett Lee Dickinson, and the work of theirs that inspired "An American in Paris."
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Pictured at the left: Who is the man on the Playbill of "A Washerstian in Amherst" in the classic Emmett Lee Dickinson pose? And who is the woman in white?
"A Washerstian in Amherst" tells the story of Emmett Lee Dickinson's travels from Washerst to Amherst. He felt so out-of-place in Amherst that his character says he was like "an American in Paris." The score of "A Washerstian in Amherst" includes many of the Gershwin's top hits: * 'S Metaphorical * Symbolical You * I am -- possessed -- of Rhythm -- * I'll Build a Simile like Paradise * Emmett Is Here To Stay * A Washerstian in Amherst Ballet |
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July 18: |
Sisters Idonia and Sophronia Bartail, known as the Singing Poettes, took the music industry by storm with their debut album "I Like a Look of Agony." The duo disappeared for several years until they re-emerged as a trio, adding Florette Bowler to the group. Their second album "Ah, Necromancy Sweet!" was a mega-hit around the world. Several years later, the group added bass singer Ardill Greypartridge to become a quartet. Their album "I Felt a Funeral In My Brain" remained atop the American Top 40 chart for more than a year and a half.
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July 19: |
For a short time, Emmett Lee Dickinson traveled with Alexis de Tocqueville, and when they landed in Buffalo, NY, Dickinson met Georges Bizet who was there for the world premiere of his opera "Oklahoma Territory."
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Bizet had been commissioned by the Buffalo Opera Company to compose a work on America's westward expansion, and his new opus, the story of a strong-minded corn planter by the name of Cedric de Becque, was met with critical acclaim. The work was hailed for its progressive themes, including one of interracial love between the farmhand Jonas Cable and a native-American, Princess Snow Pea, as told in the haunting love song, "Corn is High." The opera also included the world-famous quartet, "The Farmer and the Cowman Should Share A Bond of Mutual Affection."
Due to their shared passion for corn, Dickinson and Bizet forged an instant friendship. Later, Bizet wrote another opera, "Carmen," based on the marriage of Emmett Lee Dickinson to an escaped convict named Carmen Seville. Details are recounted in Great American Poems ~ REPOEMED (info HERE).
Due to their shared passion for corn, Dickinson and Bizet forged an instant friendship. Later, Bizet wrote another opera, "Carmen," based on the marriage of Emmett Lee Dickinson to an escaped convict named Carmen Seville. Details are recounted in Great American Poems ~ REPOEMED (info HERE).
July 20: |
Emmett Lee Dickinson's twin brothers Lucas and Darth married the Walker sisters from Mount Misery, PA. Lucas married Leia Walker, and Darth married Vada. The Walker sisters starred and sang in many operettas written by brothers Gilbert & Sullivan Arthur, including HMS Millenium Falcon, The Pirates of Palpatine, and The Yeoman of the Stormtroopers. The works of Gilbert and Sullivan Arthur inspired many operettas by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
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Below far left: The Walker sisters of Mount Misery (Leia is on the top; Vada is on the bottom). Below left, right, and far right: Posters from operettas by brothers Gilbert and Sullivan Arthur. For additional information on the Walker sisters and Gilbert & Sullivan Arthur operettas, click HERE (scroll down to the entry titled "DÄHRTH").
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July 21: |
Father Chuck Groper was a great fan of both Emily Dickinson and Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily'd third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). Father Groper made thirteen albums in his career, and all of them were "theme albums," with songs centered on a single Dickinson poem.
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Pictured at the left: Father Groper's top-selling album, "Heavenly Hurt," was focused on Emily Dickinson's poem "There's A Certain Slant Of Light." The album included such hits as "Slant of Light," "We can Find No Scar," On the Look of Death," "Shadows Hold Their Breath," and "Imperial Affliction." Pictured at the right: Father Groper's hit "Imperial Affliction" remained in the top spot of the Top 40 Chart for over 40 weeks! |
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July 22: |
Did you ever wonder why so many Bruce Springsteen album covers show Springsteen in the classic pose of Emmett Lee Dickinson? It's because Springsteen is a great fan of America's greatest poet, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). Springsteen attended the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and it was there he grew to love the poetry of Dickinson. Many of Dickinson's poem inspired Springsteen's greatest hits.
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Below: Emmett Lee Dickinson's poem "Why should we hurry -- why indeed?" inspired Bruce Springsteen to write "Born to Run." Dickinson's poem (on the left) also inspired his third cousin Emily to write a poem by the same name (on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
Why should we hurry – why indeed? When every way we run We are molested equally So get out while you’re young. No respite from the frantic dream That this which is begun, So race down Highway 9 Head toward uncertainty For tramps like us Were born to run – |
By Emily Dickinson:
Why should we hurry – why indeed? When every way we fly We are molested equally By immortality. No respite from the inference That this which is begun, Though where its labors lie A bland uncertainty Besets the sight This mighty night – |
July 23: |
Another super-group that has paid many tributes to Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) is ABBA. The group named themselves after Abigail Wellwood-Barnwell, a world-famous Madame from Washerst, PA, affectionately known as "Downtown Abbey" (with ABBA being a variation of ABBĒ). "Downtown Abbey" was the subject of the group's smash hit "Dancing Queen."
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Pictured at the left: ABBA group members Noak Bengtsdotter, Solveig Dikeanssöhn, Hulda Ragnvaldsson, and Bartholomeus Ljungborg in the class pose of Emmett Lee Dickinson.
Below: Abigail Wellwood-Barnwell, a world-famous Madame from Washerst. It is rumored that "Downtown Abbey" had a tempestuous affair with Emmett Lee Dickinson. She is also the inspiration for PBS' hit-show "Downton Abbey." 
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For more information on Abigail Wellwood-Barnwell and ABBA, click HERE. Scroll down to the entry titled ABBĒ
July 24: |
"Cruel to Be Kind" is a 1979 single by Nick Lowe, co-written by Lowe and his former band-mate Ian Gomm. The song is based on a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) entitled "How ruthless are your actions."
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Below left: Emmett Lee Dickinson's poem "How ruthless are your actions" inspired Nick Lowe to write "Cruel to Be Kind." The poem also inspired third cousin Emily to write her poem "How ruthless are the gentle" (below middle).
Below right: Nick Lowe's "Cruel to Be Kind" (click to enlarge): "Based on a poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson."
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July 25: |
Rufus Schweinfahrt was a great fan of both Emmett Lee Dickinson and Emily Dickinson, and he was especially fascinated by their poems of death. He wrote many songs centered on the death poetry of Emily Dickinson's, and many of his death-related albums remained for weeks on end on the American Top 40 list.
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Below left and middle: Two of Rufus Schweinfahrt's top-selling albums, "Death Is A Dialogue Between The Spirit And The Dust" and "As By The Dead We Love To Sit." Below right: For a time, Rufus Schweinfahrt faded from the music scene, but his disco album "Absence Disembodies (So Does Death)" took him back to the top of the charts! "Absence Disembodies (So Does Death)" won seven Grammy awards for Schweinfahrt, more than any of his other albums.
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July 26: |
Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) was a huge influence on Walt Disney, and Disney, who attended the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys in Kansas City, MO, made it no secret that he fashioned Mickey Mouse after the likeness of Emmett Lee Dickinson. Information is included HERE (scroll down to the entry on Walt Disney).
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Numerous Disney musicals and animated films are based on the life and work of Emmett Lee Dickinson, including "The Lion King," "Lady and the Tramp," "Beauty and the Beast," and many others. One of the most recent Disney hits based on Dickinson was "Community College Musical," a musical based on life at Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College in Washerst, PA (birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson). The movie was so well received, Disney studios eventually filmed a "prequel" to the story and called it "High School Musical," with a story loosely based on Walt Disney's years at the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys.
For more information on some of the countless Disney movies based on the life and work of Emmett Lee Dickinson, click HERE and scroll down to the entry dated May 11. Pictured at the left: A promotional poster for Disney's "Community College Musical." Click the image to enlarge. |
July 27: |
Did you ever wonder why all of the members of the glam-rock band The Sweet were shown on the cover of "The Ballroom Blitz" in the classic pose of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request)? It was because the band's mega-hit, originally called "The Barroom Blitz," was about a barroom brawl between Emmett Lee Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau.
Though Dickinson and Thoreau grew to be great friends, it didn't start out that way! Thoreau was a pool hustler in Mashpee, Massachusetts, working the pool halls on the lower east side. Dickinson was unaware of Thoreau's reputation, so he agreed to play him in a series of games. Detailed in Volume 2 of Great American Poems ~ REPOEMED, the encounter ended in a scandalously brutal donnybrook! Pictured at the right: The Sweet strikes the classic pose of Emmett Lee Dickinson on the cover of "The Ballroom Blitz," the rock song about the encounter between Emmett Lee Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau. |
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July 28: |
Prior to Caitlyn Jenner, the most famous transgenders in the world were two sisters, Clementina and Dhalia Stankard, who late in life became Clem and Diesel Stankard. The two were great fans of the poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson and Emily Dickinson. They performed as a singing duo called "The Horses' Heads," a name taken from the penultimate line of Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for death."
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Below left: The debut album of The Horses' Heads included their mega-hit "Toward Eternity." Below middle: The Horses' Heads seventh album, "Only Gossamer My Gown," won an unprecedented 18 Grammys. Below right: For their thirteenth album, The Horses' Heads introduced themselves to the world as Clem and Diesel Stankard. Their first hit as transgenders, "My Labor & My Leisure," remained at the top spot on the Top 40 chart for 36 weeks. They also appeared on a reality TV show called "Meet The Horses' Heads." The show ran for seven seasons, won countless Emmys, and at the time, garnered the highest ratings for the E! network more than any other show.
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July 29: |
"Emmett Lee Dickinson is America, and America is Emmett Lee Dickinson," said Irving Berlin in perhaps his most famous quote.
Berlin attended the Emmett Lee Dickinson International School for Boys in Moqilyov, Russian Empire (now Belarus). There he developed a love for Dickinson's poetry which carried through his life. As a result, Berlin wrote many songs and shows based on the poet's life and work. |
Pictured below on the left: Emmett Lee Dickinson aficionado Irving Berlin. For more information on Irving Berlin's devotion to Dickinson, click HERE (scroll to the bottom of the page). Below on the right: The famous duet between Emmett Lee Dickinson and Emily Dickinson in Irving Berlin's rollicking musical "Em'ly Get Your Pen."
Below left: In Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Poetry Business" on Broadway, Ethel Merman played Emily Dickinson and Donald O'Connor played Emmett Lee Dickinson.
Below right: The playbill to Berlin's "Em'ly Get Your Pen." Debbie Reynolds played Emily Dickinson.
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Anything
you can write
I can write faster, Sooner than later – I’m faster than you. No, you're not.. Yes, I am. No, you're not. Yes, I am. No, you're not. Yes, I am, Yes, I am! Anything you can say I can say smarter. Put it on paper – I’m smarter than you. No, you're not. Yes, I am. No, you're not. Yes, I am. No, you're NOT!. Yes, I am. Yes, I am! I can write a ballad While I eat a salad. I can pen some light verse Or devise a night curse. I can write a limerick. Or a short haiku? |
Yes.
A long one too! \Any word you can rhyme I can rhyme better. I can rhyme anything Better than you. You think so? Yes, I know. That fo sho? Aprapos! To and fro? Status quo! Quid pro quo? High or low. Head to toe – Let if GO!!! Anything you can write I can write deeper. I can write anything Deeper than you. No, you can't. Yes, I can. No, you can't. Yes, I can. No, you can't. Yes, I can, Yes, I can! |
Born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, Eminem attended the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys in Detroit, Michigan. It was there that he developed his love for the poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson.
Pictured at the right: Eminem with his tattoo of Emmett Lee Dickinson on his heart. |
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
eminem lived in a gritty car town (with crime rate up and economy down) fall winter winter fall he rapped his rap, remixed his mix critics and censors(both most appalled) cared for eminem not at all rebukes they reaped and isn’ts they sowed grammy oscar golden globe children listened(a few than more as slim got shady as most he swore fall winter winter fall) and bad met evil heretofore hip by hop and public beef he lost himself, intoned his grief marshall mathers, stan and slim b-rabbited an eight mile hymn when by then married once twice kim then by when marshalled in his slim better for worse in sickened health dressed and pressed in suits for wealth allegories and allegations (which only he can begin to explain to his children apt to remember to forget doe ray me which brings us back again) first hanging chads then raving GLAAD as elton stooped to find accord major minor sixth diminished thug met hug when the coda finished lose to lose and smack to crack he lost himself and made it back shady deals(more bright than brighter the way he was a shrewd street fighter critics and censors(both each and all) fall winter winter fall sing and praise the way he lies grammy oscar golden prize |
By E. E. Cummings:
anyone lived in a pretty how town (with up so floating many bells down) spring summer autumn winter he sang his didn't he danced his did Women and men(both little and small) cared for anyone not at all they sowed their isn't they reaped their same sun moon stars rain children guessed(but only a few and down they forgot as up they grew autumn winter spring summer) that noone loved him more by more when by now and tree by leaf she laughed his joy she cried his grief bird by snow and stir by still anyone's any was all to her someones married their everyones laughed their cryings and did their dance (sleep wake hope and then)they said their nevers they slept their dream stars rain sun moon (and only the snow can begin to explain how children are apt to forget to remember with up so floating many bells down) one day anyone died i guess (and noone stooped to kiss his face) busy folk buried them side by side little by little and was by was all by all and deep by deep and more by more they dream their sleep noone and anyone earth by april wish by spirit and if by yes. Women and men(both dong and ding) summer autumn winter spring reaped their sowing and went their came sun moon stars rain |
July 31: |
Sheet music for all of the songs mentioned above -- and many more -- are available in the museum's gift shop.
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Buy any five pieces of sheet music and receive a coupon for a free plate of Cajun Nachos (Emily Dickinson's original recipe) in the museum's snack bar! 
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All things Emmett Lee Dickinson (poetry, museum stuff, Washerst facts and figures, etc.) © 2013, 2014, and 2015 by Jim Asher
