ReQuieM
Dictionary Definition
1. n.) Any grand musical composition, performed in honor of a deceased person.
2. (n.) Rest; quiet; peace.
3. (n.) A mass said or sung for the repose of a departed soul.
4 eLViS + JeSuS

In 2004
I was asked to be part of the Buzz + Click Festival,
an annual event that John Brassil (DJB) of WRVU hosts each year
showcasing the more experimental electronic(a) side of Nashville.

The date happened to coincide with the death toll of 2000 American servicemen
in a war that started in Afganistan
looking for Osama Bin Laden
and escalated into Iraq
How could I do a gig with that cloud hovering?

I decided to make my musical contribution a memorial to
those
sons and daughters
fathers and mothers
brothers and sisters
who had died
in the name of freedom

I found a list of the war dead on line
edited it so that my computer could speak their names
and recorded the list using software to make it fit into my allotted performance time of 30 minutes.

Whilst editing I noticed the names of Elvis and Jesus kept jumping out at me
Two of the most famous names in America set amongst the thousands
Hence the title:-
ReQuieM 4 eLViS + JeSuS

Since then
I have performed the requiem many times
with different musicians
in different locations
Buzz + Click has been and gone twice since the first performance
and the death toll has doubled(+) as i type this

I have built a Peace Park in the virtual world of Second Life
with a Peace Pyramid made of the names of the fallen
where people can come and meditate
wander through the peace museum
reading the reason
why we wear poppies
why 111111 is such an important date
why . . .
why . . .
why . . .

http://icasualties.org/oif/
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/