The Curse of Lono is a nonfiction book written by Hunter S. Thompson, an American journalist and author. The book was initially published in 1983 and it recounts Thompson's experiences covering the 1980 running of the Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii. Thompson, who is known for his unconventional writing style and Gonzo journalism, approaches the marathon as a journalist and participant, immersing himself in the event and its accompanying festivities. Throughout the book, he intertwines his personal experiences with Hawaiian history and mythology, exploring themes of luck, fate, and the darker side of paradise. The title of the book, "The Curse of Lono," refers to the ancient Hawaiian god of peace, fertility, and music.
The title of the book, "The Curse of Lono," refers to the ancient Hawaiian god of peace, fertility, and music. Lono was believed to bring abundance and good fortune to the islands, but Thompson adopts a more cynical perspective, suggesting that Lono's presence also carried a curse. Thompson's narrative not only captures the chaos and excess of the marathon but also delves into the complexities of Hawaiian culture, tourism, and the impact of Western influence.
The who mzgic bus
The Who, one of rock’s most iconic bands, made the charts in 1964 with their hit song, “Can’t Explain.” That was the beginning of their amazing journey. Still performing more than 50 years later, The Who can be heard in commercials, television theme songs and on the radio.
Magic Bus, a tribute band based in Portland, ME, captures the sound and feel of The Who. We’ll take you on a tour of the rock band’s discography, covering songs from “My Generation” to “Who Are You.” We also perform select songs from the rock operas “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia.”
THE BAND
Paul Bessa (Roger Daltrey)
SINGER, PIANO, ACOUSTIC GUITAR, HARMONICA
Paul comes from the New York area and is now living in Portland for the past 10 years. His introduction to music began with drums at 15 and then after that he taught himself piano and guitar. He’s played in several rock bands growing up listening to Led Zeppelin, Beatles and such. In 1997 he got a recording contract in Hollywood of his own music. Living in Portland he gives vocal lessons and performs the music of The Who. His vocal style sounds like Daltrey’s and with Paul’s talent on acoustic guitar, keyboards and harmonica each song is rich with sound.
Andy Pappas (Pete Townshend)
LEAD GUITAR, VOCALS
Andy’s love for classic rock began at a very early age. Listening to Elton John as a young boy sent him on a musical journey, later becoming fully immersed in the classic rock genre. His main influences being Deep Purple, Yes, Van Halen, and Rush, Andy eats, sleeps, and breathes everything rock music. His passion for guitar started him playing at the age of 12, and in a band by 13. A self-taught musician, Andy has continued to be in bands his whole life up to the present day. His passion for The Who and his musical talent make him up to the task for the role of Pete Townshend. His life’s mission is to keep classic rock alive and well, and is very grateful for the opportunity to play in Magic Bus!
Mike Meservey (Keith Moon)
DRUMMER, BACKUP VOCALS
Mike was born with drum sticks in his hands. After his parents gave him his first drum it has been chaos from day one. Playing in bands traveling six states and two countries Mike honed his craft. Hearing Who tunes all his musical life he now takes on the high-profile part of drummer Keith Moon.
Mike has studied Moon’s drumming and say’s “It’s an ongoing process. Keith is like a big band drummer in a rock band. You can’t appreciate his genius until you learn his unpredictable style.” Mike is the “Bellboy”.
Rich Pierpont (John Entwistle)
BASSIST, BACKUP VOCALS
Rich steps up to the job of bassist John Entwistle. His many times great-grandfather wrote ‘Jingle Bells‘, and his father was in a competitive “Barbershop Quartet”. After not getting blessed with any of those particular musical genes, luckily there was a bass clef gene still kicking around. Blessed with an ear for music and ten nimble fingers, although a baker’s dozen would have made the task at hand much easier, the journey had begun. With blisters under callus, and groves in his fingertips… it’s back to the future, flirting around the octaves emulating the great “Thunder Fingers”. Rich is endorsed by CP Thornton Guitars.
Cards on the table here -- I consider The Who to be the greatest band in the history of rock and roll. I'm not saying they're my favorite band. Some days they are, other days it might be Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Yes, or even The Good Rats. But looking at it as objectively as I can, when you consider their achievements -- the genius writing of Pete Townshend (and I don't use that word loosely); the musical expertise of each of the band's members; the chemistry of the band; their accomplishments as a live band; and their studio album output (they have at least three albums that are ranked among rock's all-time greatest -- hell, they're the only band on my Sputnik ratings list to have three albums rated 5's, and I've only awarded 14 albums a 5 rating over 50 years of music) -- I think you can see why I say this. All of this is a huge disclaimer, of sorts. I want you to understand where I'm coming from, so if you're one of those who doesn't like this band, or who doesn't share my opinion of their greatness, you're going to want to knock at least a star or so off my rating.
He explores the tensions between the local Hawaiian population and the influx of tourists and developers, highlighting the loss of traditional culture and the commodification of Hawaiian identity. With his signature wit and satirical tone, Thompson provides a unique and often humorous perspective on the marathon and its participants. He spares no criticism, mocking the self-importance and absurd behavior of the runners and those involved in the event. "The Curse of Lono" is not just a mere recounting of a marathon; it goes beyond the surface to explore deeper themes of life, death, and the clash between native traditions and modern Western culture. Thompson's vivid descriptions, humorous anecdotes, and insightful commentary make this book a captivating and thought-provoking read..
Reviews for "The Curse of Lono: Exploring the Psychological Impact on Believers"
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Curse of Lono" as it was recommended to me by a friend. However, I found the book to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and meaning, and the characters were poorly developed. The pacing was slow, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I was expecting much more from this book and was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. John Smith - 1 star - "Curse of Lono" was one of the worst books I have ever read. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, with unnecessary tangents that added nothing to the story. The plot meandered and felt disjointed, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters or care about what was happening. I found myself skimming through paragraphs and skipping ahead just to get through this tedious read. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I struggled to get through "Curse of Lono" as it failed to capture my interest. The humor felt forced and overdone, which made it difficult for me to connect with the story. Additionally, the excessive use of profanity was unnecessary and distracting. Overall, I felt like this book was trying too hard to be edgy and funny, but it fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to others unless they have a specific taste for this type of humor.