J.D. Salinger: Family Connections With Allan Thompson

Dear Andy, 

I have been browsing through your most excellent Blog while the spring sunshine casts its light in our lounge, the wind blows through the bushes, the cat sleeps soundly in the sunlight on Mary's end of the couch, and the world faces an uncertain future.

I was reading the Salinger entries and wondered if I had ever sent you details of my very tenuous family connection with him.

My Father's only sister, Agnes Thompson, married a man called Sholto Douglas and they had no family.

I was conceived in West Africa where my Father worked for a gold-mining company as transport manager. My parents returned to Scotland and I was born in Dumfries (image below) in January, 1943. My Father went back to Africa soon after my birth and my Mother and I moved into a vacant flat belonging to my Uncle Sholto and Aunt Agnes who had moved to Greenock to work in a munitions factory as part of the War effort. This made Sholto exempt from military service which was probably his intention. One day, later in the War, my Mother and I returned from shopping to find all our belongings packed up and piled on the pavement and the door lock had been changed. Sholto, realising that he could make much more money by letting the flat to Army officers, had evicted us!!!! We were able to find other accommodation, thankfully, and my Father returned home in 1945 or 1946.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/03/jd-salinger-catcher-in-rye-inspired.html?m=1 (JD SALINGER is well-known for his masterpiece, ‘THE CATCHER IN THE RYE’.)

I knew that my Uncle Sholto was related (probably a nephew) to Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sholto Douglas, who was also Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, and was one of the earliest of very many children of Robert Langton Douglas by various mothers. Another of Robert Langton Douglas's children, born about 40 years after the others, was Claire Douglas, and she married J D Salinger and was mother of his two children. Very complicated stuff! If all these relationships are valid, then Salinger was my great-uncle by the marriage of my aunt to Claire Douglas's nephew. (Phew! is probably the most appropriate word with which to end this story).

Best wishes, 
Allan.

Written by 
Allan Thompson
England.

J.D. Salinger: 'Catcher In The Rye' Inspired Songs

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One of my favourite books, Catcher In The Rye, written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, has long been inspirational for songwriters. 

Salinger, (previous blog posting January, 28th, 2010) who died on January 27th, 2010 aged 91, has his book as reference when these 10 songs were written:

1) Catcher In The Rye - Guns n Roses
2) Six Minutes - Jonas Brothers
3) Get It Right - The Offspring

4) Roller Shake Skinny - Old 97's
5) Shadrach - Beastie Boys
6) Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie - Belle n Sebastian

7) Who Wrote Holden Caulfield - Green Day
8) We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel (image)
9) Warning Shots - Rick Springfield
10) Good Year - The Refreshments

Holden Caulfield was an anti-hero who spoke like a real teenager and rebelled against conformity. With his conclusion that successful people were phonies, Caulfield was punk rock long before punk rock existed (Spinner Staff).

'We Didn't Start The Fire': Billy Joel. VEVO from YouTube Grammy Nominated 'Storm Front' Album

Summary:

The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield recounts the days following his expulsion from Pencey Prep, a private school. After a fight with his roommate, Stradlater, Holden leaves school two days early to explore New York before returning home, interacting with teachers, prostitutes, nuns, an old girlfriend, and his sister along the way. 

Salinger's classic illustrates a teenager's dramatic struggle against death and growing up: pitting the innocence against the authenticity of childhood.

I am not familiar with most of the songs but some singers are familiar:

Billy Joel - Piano Man - 1973 
Rick Springfield - Beginnings - 1972; Jessie's Girl - 1981. 

Rick Springfield: '3 Warning Shots'. About Mark David Chapman who shot John Lennon. 

Many songs and pieces of music are inspired by William Shakespeare's plays. Are you familiar with any song inspired by a book that you have read? It could be in Chinese, Malay or any other language. Possibly a 60's song or novel?

Images: Google. 1) Book cover 2) Rick Springfield 3) Billy Joel.
Information: Cliff Notes.

John Lennon, Mark Chapman, Salinger And Christ?

(1940 - 1980)

Beatles John Lennon, who went solo after the group's breakup, was killed at the entrance of the building where he lived in New York City on Monday, 8 December 1980. He had just returned from a recording studio with his wife, Yoko Ono.

Music Man In Peace:

Like Elvis Presley and many pop 60s singers and musicians, his music lives on.
"Well you know/We all want to change the world/But when we talk about destruction/Don't you know you can count me out..."

(Revolution: Lennon/McCartney)

Relevance Today:

I was talking to a 16 year old student a few days ago and she told me that the Beatles are still relevant to day. When I asked her why, she remarked, "Their lyrics and music." And her favourite Beatle? John Lennon.

Mark Chapman:

Mark Chapman was holding the book, Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, when he was arrested but he hadn't read it. He had ten cassettes with 14 hours of Beatles songs on him. Is it also true that he had planned to kill Elizabeth Taylor and talk show host Johnny Carson (deceased)?

Controversies:

There were controversies about Lennon's death too and the deportation problems he faced. But it's all over now and we let this man of peace rest in peace. But was he really 'bigger than Jesus'?

Empty Garden:

"He must have been a gardener that cared a lot

Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop

And we're so amazed we're crippled and we're dazed

A gardener like that one no one can replace...

Johnny, can't you come out to play in your empty garden?"

(by Elton John)

http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/lennon_report.htm

http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/Death_Cert.htm

J.D. Salinger: Catcher In The Rye: Gone At 91

Born: 1st January, 1919
Died:  27 January, 2010

Author of The Catcher in the Rye, has passed on. J. D. Salinger who is one of the most important American writers to emerge since World War II but who then turned his back on success, has died in Cornish, New Hampshire. He was 91.

He lived in seclusion for more than 50 years. His books include: Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour - An Introduction.

He can be remembered by many students of English Literature in Singapore because Catcher is a must-read for most. Internationally well-known this book, which has sold 60 million copies so far, is hardly available in our libraries. Perhaps there should be more copies on the shelves?

Anyone written a thesis on Salinger and wishes to share it? Do write in.

Trivia:

John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman was holding a copy of Catcher when the police went to the scene of the murder.

Photographer: Antony di Gesu.
Image: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/digesu/digesu2.htm

Ref: http://www.deadcaulfields.com/DCHome.html