EarCandy #9 - The King Is Back by Luke Bell

The King had never left.

Some people argue that we as humans suffer two deaths: one when we die, and the other when our name is spoken for the last time. If that is the case, Luke Bell is not dead, yet. For his lyrics still ring out the mouths of people singing along and his music fills our rooms, forcing us to wear a smile so big and wide that all our friends can share.

As the air is still and stale, we hold our hats, because the king is back, and with him, comes movement, rhythm, and excitement. Almost as if he has played a trick on us, because I don’t think he had ever left. Each death carries the weight of acceptance, eventually. But not Luke’s. Luke’s life is something I have held onto for more than three years now. We all miss him. And when we do, we hear his voice through the stereo. Leaving behind all the missed clues about his eternal crisis and music so good I don’t think he’ll die until we all do.

Luke suffered, but he also lived. I believe when we talk about people with severe mental illness, we often forget to mention all the positive attributes they add as well, myself included. And Luke added a lot of positivity - in the purest form: a loud personality and good music. I truly believe that those with what we label as mental illness hold a perspective that is necessary for us normal people to respect and understand. Anyone who new Luke before he died his first death, could tell that what he seemed to be lacking in some areas, were added ten fold in others. Other areas that are not found in the ordinary.

So, I applaud Luke for doing what he loved to do, even when it was hard for him to do it. And more importantly, sharing it with the rest of us.

The King Is Back by Luke Bell