1967: The Year That Set So Much In Motion And Still Moves Us Today

Hard to believe it has only been a month since Travis Pike showed the first impressions of "Changeling's Return" at the LA Times Festival of Books. Set in England's Midlands, it's the story of an American rock star's out-of-body experience in Morningstone, metaphysical real estate with an uncanny similarity to the Celtic Land of Women. There, Furies test him, Muses beguile him, and Fates still weave Man's destiny. And there, a sip from the Cauldron of Inspiration imbues the rock star with ancient wisdom and an appreciation of Mankind's place in nature, that he brings back to our modern world. But when the changeling returns, will he be greeted with open arms, or dismissed as an addled fool?

Asked what inspired the screenplay, Pike cited Rachael Carson's "The Sea Around Us," and her later publication, "Silent Spring." Writers are well-advised to write about what they know best, and Pike, a rock and roll singer-songwriter, steeped in Classical mythology, European folklore, and well-versed in supernatural phenomenon, does just that.

It's startling to realize his book, featuring the screenplay for his mythological, environmental, musical fantasy adventure, and "Mystical Encounter," his new CD of songs from "Changeling's Return," are both already widely available through Otherworld Cottage's international internet distributors, CDBaby and BookBaby. But perhaps most astonishing, and gratifying, since Pike's full page in Harvey Kubernik's new book, "1967: A Complete Rock Music History of the Summer of Love," Pike's popularity is surging, both here and abroad.

True, "Changeling's Return" was in the works before Kubernik's book hit the bookstores. Pike had also restored music sequences from "Feelin' Good," a 1966 feature film he starred in, and for which he had composed ten new songs. He posted them on YouTube back in September and October, 2016, and those music sequences brought him to the attention of bloggers, collectors, and record companies alike. They also paved the way for the six page Kubernik - Pike interview that appeared in the Winter 2016-17 edition of "Ugly Things" magazine.

When it was announced that Kubernik's book on the Summer of Love would be released in April, 2017, Gary Schneider, whose show, "Open Mynd Excursion," airs on Wednesday nights, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Luxuria Music Internet Radio, contacted Kubernik about coming on the show to talk about the Summer of Love; the book and the phenomenon. It might have been that "Ugly Things" interview that prompted Schneider to ask Kubernik about Pike. Schneider is originally from Massachusetts, and came to California in 1967, when he was 15-years-old. Some nine years older than Schneider, Pike arrived in California the following year, but both are native New Englanders, and Pike starred in the first musical movie ever produced in Greater Boston.

The footage of Pike performing with the Brattle Street East on Boston's Charles River Esplanade may have peaked Schneider's interest, but however it came about, this Wednesday, May 24th, Kubernik will be Schneider's guest for the entire two-hour time slot. That show will focus on the Summer of Love, but during the last segment, they plan to introduce Pike to Schneider's listeners, because the following week, on May 31st, Pike will be Schneider's guest for a two-hour special during which Schneider will air many of Pike's recently recorded original songs for the first time.

You won't want to miss either show, so be sure to set aside the time on Wednesday evening, May 24th and 31st, 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., to listen to Schneider's "Open Mynd Excursion."