BE INSPIRED

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Icons - we see them every day - from the apps on our phones and laptops to the traffic signs on the road. Visually, icons are part of the unspoken language we understand; symbols represent a portal to an action or information. 

But what makes something iconic? The Oxford Dictionary defines iconic as ‘relating to or of the nature of an icon; regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration.’

Taylor Swift, TikTok, Harry Potter, and Apple products. These are great iconic examples of current pop culture, each renowned for their status.  As a kid in the 1970s and 80s, my iconic examples were Bruce Lee, Star Wars, and a Sony Walkman. 

As an inspiring young arist, my musical influences were giants in the music industry: Michael Jackson, Prince, and most notably, the Beatles. By the time I started my musical journey, the Beatles had completed theirs; disbanding and pursuing solo careers. As kids, my younger brother and I learned how to sing harmonies by listening to Beatles songs. It’s safe to say that the Beatles have been my biggest musical influence and it’s here in this story that I’ll share my message: be inspired.

I returned to academia as an adult learner in January of 2022. The inspiration was part passion play, part wake-up call. The COVID pandemic halted my music career and to pivot to another occupation, a college degree was imperative. Kennesaw State University offered a minor degree in music entertainment business and while alluring, little did I know that my path to the iconic Abbey Road Studios was part of that academic journey. 

In 2023, the MEBUS program embarked on a Maymester set in London. It was two weeks of intensive study, with learning partnerships at Universal Music Group, Sony UK, and the famed Abbey Road Studios. I couldn’t believe I was going to tour the studio that generated famous records for not only the Beatles but also Pink Floyd, Oasis, Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Radiohead.

On the way to Abbey Road Studios, several classmates and I reproduced the iconic crosswalk picture from the cover of my favorite Beatles album titled Abbey Road. Entering the building, I felt overwhelmed with emotion and a sense of creative energy, unlike any place I’d ever been. Being in each studio and hearing stories about recording sessions gave me chills. I sat at the piano where Paul McCartney wrote the song ‘The Long and Winding Road.’ In studio three, we were treated to a video of John and Yoko walking toward Abbey Road, while the camera followed them into the studio where John performed the song ‘Imagine.’ At that moment, I cried tears of joy, melancholy, and veneration from the fact that the Beatles not only influenced my path but continued to influence and impact the world over. I never thought in my lifetime that I would see the inside of such a historic landmark and feel revered in its presence. 

I took the energy of the day back to the hotel and on the way, started writing lyrics to a song. 20 minutes after arriving back to my room, I had completed ‘London is Calling.’ The lyrics were an alchemy of the day’s events and upon later reflection, the tribulation of my fallouts from the past several years.

I recorded and released the song in March 2024. I’m proud of the song and its lyrical ambiguity, hoping that it connects to each listener from their point of view. Moreover, I’m grateful for the inspiration I gained from visiting Abbey Road Studios. Whether you are creative or not, I hope this story helps you find purpose, reflection, and inspiration from something ordinary or iconic. Be inspired.