The Song that Never Ended

Out of the Tumult and Passing Glory of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, a Love Beyond Space and Time...

When his jazz singer wife Gloria Rusch died of cancer in January, 2000, acclaimed keyboardist/author John Novello found he was not alone. Gloria was still there, shining resplendently from a higher reality, to guide him through his own spiritual awakening.

One of the great love stories of our time, The Song That Never Ended unfolds against the glittering backdrop of the Los Angeles music world of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Through its pages pass a dazzling array of celebrity performers: Stevie Wonder, Billy Sheehan, Donna Summer, Chick Corea, Ritchie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, A Taste of Honey, and many more. Master of the Hammond B3 organ John Novello and virtuoso jazz singer Gloria Rusch are a part of this glowing tapestry of gifted artists. During this period they meet, fall in love, marry and pursue their careers both individually and together—until, in 1999, Gloria falls ill with a virulent form of breast cancer. For over a year, Gloria battles the disease with every spiritual weapon at her disposal. Never far from her side, her husband John seeks out a wide range of alternative and conventional treatments that take the couple as far afield as Mexico and Germany. Finally, Gloria succumbs.

But the vast celebration of life that is The Song That Never Ended has only just begun. In the long and mesmerizing final section, John Novello describes for us his post-death 'interdimensional' communications with Gloria. He details his astonishing "contact sessions" with five celebrated mediums—encounters that convinced the musician/author that Gloria was still beside him. The Song That Never Ended ends on a note of high serenity and aching beauty: the realization by John Novello that death has not denied the love of Gloria and himself, and that it need not deny the love of any of us.

JOHN NOVELLO was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Los Angeles since 1978. An author, arranger and composer as well as a keyboardist, he has performed with numerous groups throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 1985, he published the industry-standard textbook The Contemporary Keyboardist. In 1995-96, he co-founded with Billy Sheehan the progressive jazz rock fusion group Niacin, with himself at Hammond B3 organ, Billy on bass, and Dennis Chambers on drums. Their latest CD release is Time Crunch, from Magna Carta.

From Oe'Livia Chasse, Editor, Living Our Losses Bereavement Magazine, <info@livingourlosses.com>, Box 58, Andrew, Alberta, Canada T0B 0C0:
"Several months ago you sent me John Novello's book. I have received many books but never one that I actually sat down and read in one sitting. This was a book that held me emotionally spellbound. A book in which I recognized a truth that I had never spoken out loud. It led me to ask my magazine readers to send me their stories of what many would consider out-of -the ordinary experiences."

From Prof. Dr. Hans Holzer, parapsychologist and author of 126 books including Ghosts and Life Beyond Life:
    "As the person who originally created the term, The Other Side of Life, in a conversation with my late friend Bishop Pike of California, I can only recommend this thoughtfully-written book to anyone who still does not realize that Death is not the end, but Life's Other Door, as the late medium and author Eileen Garrett put it.
    "This is a husband's step-by-step account of his wife and partner's illness, and the many steps they took to overcome her cancer--both alternative medicine and conventional.
    "In the end, when our number is up, so to speak, the board on The Other side lights up and we must accept the transition.
    "That becomes easier to accept when one prepares for it through a deep understanding of what happens to all of us at the time of 'death' of the outer, physical body when we live right on inside the 'inner' or etheric body and go on to The Other Side of Life.
    "Mr. Novello's reports his experiences with his wife's spirit, both directly, and later through a number of professional mediums, all of which are very evidential.
    "This is not only a truly fascinating and well-written book, but a valuable contribution to the evidential literature about the Afterlife."

From Arthur Berger, JD, International Institute for the Study of Death, Aventura,   Florida s5rf@aol.com :
    "As an author of books on life after death, I was delighted to see another book on this important subject. As a researcher and educator in the field, I applaud it even though the evidence of Gloria's survival of death is questionable and would not pass scientific muster....
    "My courses on life after death generally produce positive effects because empirical data such as I present support people who fear death or grieve over the loss of a loved one. Mr. Novello's book likewise provides similar support for its readers, although on experiential not empirical grounds, and for that reason is valuable."

Review by Donald R. Morse, DDS, Ph.D., The Journal of Religion and Psychical Research <http://www.lightlink.com/arpr/> Vol. 26, No. 4, October 2003: You may or may not believe all that John Novello has written here in terms of his afterlife contacts with his wife, Gloria, but the evidence presented supports John's conclusion that she is still by his side.
This book is a love story, which at first glance seems to be tragic, but after reading on the book becomes a celebration of life. The Song That Never Ended is much more than paranormal contacts with a deceased loved one. We learn all about the life of a jazz musician and a diva. We learn about the trials and tribulations of starting a career and a business in a new music field, one combining jazz, rock and a unique style. John Novello tells us how his secret voice—whether it’s intuition, his conscience, a guardian angel, or messages from a deceased entity—helps him in all stages of life to make the most of every opportunity. Unfortunately, one time he didn't listen to his secret voice and that unfortunately caused a delay in the diagnosis of his wife (Gloria)'s breast cancer. Nevertheless, John lets us know that he also received telepathic messages that hinted that, maybe, Gloria was destined to leave this world early in order to fulfill some master heavenly plan for their eternal life together. However, John didn’t impart these messages to Gloria, and did everything he could—both with conventional and non-traditional medicine—to try and cure the cancer or at least prolong her life. Despite a variety of treatments, she succumbed to the ravages of cancer. But that was not the end of the story—only the termination of one phase of their beautiful love affair.
Just before Gloria left her physically wracked body, John had a wonderful telepathic message from her telling him that their time together was not over—only in a new phase. That inspired John Novello to go on with his career. Many other messages from Gloria followed, and even some contacts through mediums, which appear to confirm John's belief that he is really communicating with his deceased wife. John concludes this inspiring book with a chapter entitled, "Tips from Heaven." You may or may not believe all that John Novello has written here in terms of his afterlife contacts with his wife, Gloria, but the evidence presented supports John's conclusion that she is still by his side. I recommend this book to all who have lost a loved one.

Review by Lee Prosser <leep@ghostvillage.com>. <http://www.Ghostvillage.com> July 21, 2003. What makes this book work so well is its blunt honesty and approach to dying...
    For readers of the paranormal, this beautifully expressed love story and contact with a loved one after death will prove to be enjoyable reading. Set against the background of the 1980s and 1990s music scene in Southern California, it is the story of the jazz singer Gloria Rusch and Hammond B3 organ master John Novello. A husband and wife team, they developed a music following and were popular performers.
    Despite efforts to save her life, Gloria died of cancer in January 2000. At this point, John Novello found he was not alone, that Gloria was communicating with him from the afterworld. Although dead in the physical sense, she was a vibrant presence.
    The book has three parts, and 44 chapters or topics. There is an appendix. "38: A Hug From the Afterworld" is a memorable section from this fine book.
    Novello writes with a crisp, solid style which allows the reader to enjoy his story of sharing and joy. It is a story of love beyond death. The sections covering his detailed contact sessions with five internationally-known mediums is one of the highlights of this well-written book.
    John Novello, in addition to being a keyboardist and performer, is also an author and composer. In the mid-1990s he co-founded with Bill Sheehan the jazz rock fusion group Niacin. His most recent CD release is Time Crunch.
    What makes this book work so well is its blunt honesty and approach to dying, and how it was for Gloria fighting breast cancer and her husband John trying to discover an alternative cure to save her life. There is much sadness and much joy in this book.
    `This book is a celebration of life and about contact with the dead, a memorable reading experience which should appeal to a large reading audience. Well-written.

From The Midwest Review, July 2003: A profoundly spiritual accounting... of immense interest to John Novello fans.
    Keyboardist and author John Novello's The Song That Never Ended is both a personal love story and a recounting of a love that lasts beyond death. John Novello lost his wife, jazz singer Gloria Rusch, to breast cancer in January 2000, yet through mediums and the eternal connection of the human spirit, experienced a kind of "interdimensional" communication with her from beyond the grave. A profoundly spiritual accounting, The Song That Never Ended is a highly recommended addition to New Age Spirituality and Metaphysical Studies reading lists, as well as of immense interest to John Novello fans who appreciate his contributions in the field of progressive jazz rock fusion with the musical group Niacin.

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