The Kinks Choral Collection

by

Ray Davies

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"You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard,

Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of.

People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame,

Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain." - The Kinks, Celluloid Heroes

(First let me say that I have a friend who dedicates his life to acting, and I don't think anything you have a passion for is ever done in vain).

CELLULOID HEROES was the mantra in my L.A. daze: Climbing the super-steep mountain past Beechwood Dr., and the cemetary with my Punk, Goth and Neo friends and Splashing my "Riva" tag on the last O next to the D on the Hollywood sign; ending a brief stay at my devout grandma's West Hollywood home to live on Marina Del Rey's Bora Bora, Dropping in on the apt of my 4 Guitar Institute Heavy Metal guyz from Jersey, to make sure they kept practicing at least 4 hours a day, in between the Jack, Bud, and MTV; being kept out of trouble by my friend Willow and her cool Hells Angels parents; getting my first surfing lessons from the surfer boyz in Santa Monica and Long Beach; and finally, turning down a UCLA scholarship from my computer analyst boss for a ticket back to Europe. "La-La Land" kept me plenty occupied, and the California sunshine nursed my NY winter skin from hyper-light to just right.

I like the Wikipedea review of this song, where it states: "Davies treats as metaphor the sometimes ethereal and elusive nature of Hollywood fame and success." This can be used to encompass the strife for fame and success on Wall Street, reality tv, the blogasphere, any-and-everywhere... it always comes at a price.

"And those who are successful,

Be always on your guard,

Success walks hand in hand with failure

Along Hollywood Boulevard." - The Kinks, Celluloid Heroes