Eddie O'Neale was among my first serious song writing efforts; started sometime around 1977 and finished for the most part in 1978.  My ambitious goal was to compose a rock opera, undoubtedly inspired by The Who's Tommy and Quadrophenia.

The main character Eddie is introduced in the first song as one of those two-dimensional popular kids in school who appear to have everything going for them.  But despite the adoration of those around him, Eddie begins to feel the pangs of self doubt - questioning whether his popularity is of any actual value - suspecting it to be merely a veil that is inhibiting him from finding the reason for his existence.  As he is driven to reject his reality, and ultimately sees the cost of his journey, he comes to learn the meaning of genuine loss.

To be honest, I don't think this insight into the story of Eddie was my original perception at the time, but rather the late teen version of me sorting through my place in the world and trying to figure out a direction for my life.

These songs would later be refined in 1980 by the band in Michigan which we named Eddie O' Neale after the character from this collection.