Rock of the Westies – Concept Album Idea05:22 May 19 2006
Times Read: 1,066
Based on the 1975 Elton John Album, "Rock of the Westies" this was an idea that I had and presented in 8th grade English class.
I got an "A".
The scene is Metropolis – gangs (Street Kids) roam the streets and are suffering under the brutality of the police, other gangs and big business – especially J. Van Peyton III who runs the biggest business and also owns the mob.
Our hero is Dan “Dare” Foster, reluctant leader of the ‘bama boys gang. He longs to get out and play his guitar for a living, but knows that with his low birth and record his chances of ever finding his dream are nil. The ‘bama boys gang has ruled the streets in their neighborhood ever since Dan took over. He is a smart guy who uses his mind for more than planning the next fight.
The gang consists of both men and women. His best friend is Clive Abrahms, a weapons specialist who has a girlfriend from Jamaica – the Island Girl, Tamera Twist. Dan used to date Shelia Turner, but he caught her cheating on him with a recent parolee who she used to date and dumped her. She still wants Dan back, but can’t get anywhere near him. There is also Pumper – the heavyweight of the gang. He is mostly muscle and little brains, but has a heart of gold. Dagwood is the funny man. He loves a good joke – at anyone’s expense. Juarez is a ganger that imitates the Spanish culture…he travels for the gang to get the drugs they sell and has recently returned from Mexico. Shelia’s best friend is Emmy, Dagwood’s gal. She is handy with a blade and can really turn heads. The gang’s inner circle is rounded out with Carmen, Brad and Dean. They are all loyal to the ‘bama boys and each other. Carmen used to date Juarez but left him to date Dean. There are various hangers-on but they are not speaking roles.
J. Van Peyton III has a beautiful daughter, Elizabeth. She becomes the target of a plot by a rival gang (Frazz) for kidnap. Dan, Clive and Dagwood all over hear the plot and decide to foil the plan and kidnap the girl for themselves. The ransom is a cool $5 million. Dan knows with this kind of money he can get out of Metropolis and play his guitar, surf and live on a beach for the rest of his life. He desperately wants out of the life he has. The gang gets Elizabeth as soon as she leaves her job as a teacher to preschool kids downtown. Elizabeth has a good heart and isn’t really aware of the corruption that surrounds her father. Since her mother died when she was a child, she has no siblings. Her dad has kept the truth of his real activities from her. The gang snatches her and once back at their main pad they taunt her (“Better Yell Help”). Elizabeth is scared but shows outward calm and remains collected no matter the threats that are dished out and earns Dan’s respect immediately. Not only is she beautiful, she is a good person who won’t give them the satisfaction of breaking down. Dan falls in love but wonders how anyone as truly beautiful and gracious as Elizabeth (who they tauntingly call “Lizzie”) could ever return his love. He despairs a bit over it and becomes somewhat harsh to her. Little does he know she returns his affections and the other girls tease her as they catch on with “Dan Dare – Pilot of the Future.”
Other various songs like “Island Girl” and “Grow Some Funk of Your Own” are performed at various group activities to highlight some of the supporting cast. “Hard Luck Story” is the song that Dan sings to Elizabeth when his defenses to her are dropping. Elizabeth finally declares her love for Dan. The main love song comes when, Dan decides that he must get her back to her father before he can’t let her go. He is cold and taunting to her and pushes her away. As they leave to return her, Dan, Clive and Dagwood get into a shooting match with Frazz members and Elizabeth is hit. While Elizabeth is in the hospital and Dan sits in a holding cell he sings “Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford.”
The opera ends with Elizabeth’s recovery, her discovery of the whole plot from the police; her forgiveness to the man she loves and her rejection of her father. Dad suffers a heart attack and she is given control over his business. The last song is “Billy Bones and the White Bird” which plays as they literally sail off into the sunset.
gabrielleTake this 
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