By Request: In the Garden of Eden (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida)

Ask and you shall receive.

Probably nothing united all of us who grew up in the 1960s more than our rock and roll music.

That even includes the more "heavy" rock that became quite popular by the time we were seniors in 1968-69.

One particular hit that struck a chord with some of us at Father Ryan in those days was by a group called "Iron Butterfly."

Their 1968 smash recording of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (In The Garden of Eden) is still ranked number 19 all-time among "one hit wonders" by VH-1. The accompanying album of the same name is also ranked the 31st all-time best selling album with more than 25 million copies sold (source: Wikipedia).

So here it is, at the request of our classmate Bill Carver, and courtesy of YouTube, IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA (Part 1)....



Remember, I said Part I. Part II (making the combined recording close to 20 minutes long) also features one the greatest drum solos of all time.

When I went to Vanderbilt and worked at the radio station there, we used to like it when this recording was requested. We called it "Disc Jockey Relief" as the piece was so long (especially both parts) we had time to take a break, go to the bathroom, even get a bite to eat and still get back before the record ended.

So here it is, IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA (Part 2, beginning with the drum solo).....



If this song brings back some special memories for you of your time at Father Ryan please leave your thoughts below by clicking on the link there. One memory I have is sitting in study hall one day in the Annex Building (I think Bill Carver was there) and trying to beat out the drum solo on one of the desks. I suspect this occurred either after school was out for the day or when Father Arnold wasn't around. :)