OLLI Talks   

You probably know her name. You probably have seen her face. You may recall her singing “At Last” at President Obama’s Inaugural Ball in 2009 or jiving with Prince at the Grammy’s or performing at the Superbowl Halftime Show (twice). She is a world-renowned recording artist and highly decorated - she has 35 wins at the Grammys, for a start. But why has Beyonce not gotten the same media coverage, the same American hype and adulation, that Taylor Swift has been awarded, especially in the last several years? Let me take you on a highly-opinionated journey with a few answers and a whole lot more wonderful, beautiful, and deeply moving information about the one, the only, Beyonce.

You probably know her name. You probably have seen her face. You may recall her singing “At Last” at President Obama’s Inaugural Ball in 2009 or jiving with Prince at the Grammy’s or performing at the Superbowl Halftime Show (twice). She is a world-renowned recording artist and highly decorated - she has 35 wins at the Grammys, for a start. But why has Beyonce not gotten the same media coverage, the same American hype and adulation, that Taylor Swift has been awarded, especially in the last several years? Let me take you on a highly-opinionated journey with a few answers and a whole lot more wonderful, beautiful, and deeply moving information about the one, the only, Beyonce.

Where does the U.S. compare in meeting the challenges that exist in 2025? We will examine some 20 topics including: taxes, economy, environment, education, energy, healthcare, climate change, immigration, safety, prosperity, music, personal happiness, et al.. The "Top 10" format provides a quick "snap-shot" of the U.S. rank relative to other nations. Our sources are international surveys by highly credible and impartial world-wide organizations. This is the 4th Annual Edition for the program and includes three discussion breaks. A complete pdf copy will be supplied in advance. 

When you think of rock & roll, do you think of that classic era of the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies? I do. The music was incredible. Just hearing it made you glad to be alive. But they were tumultuous times, too. Demonstrations over civil rights, the Viet Nam war, political assassinations - sometimes it seemed like the world was coming apart. The music helped us get through it. I was the first rock ’n' roll columnist for The Denver Post, wrote for Rolling Stone, and worked in freeform radio, too. I met, interviewed, and partied with Jimi, Janis, Jim Morrison, the Stones, and many other rock stars when we all were just kids trying to figure it out. This is my memoir of coming of age in those days of wonder and rage.