Not just a "groupie"

Normally I'm a "take each day as it comes" kind of person, but I have to admit to wanting to fast forward two months to Halloween weekend. That is the weekend that Chiller Theatre will take place in Parsippany, New Jersey. Chiller Theatre features all sorts of sci-fi and horror movie and TV show events, shows and guests, and normally I steer clear and let my husband and son attend on their own. But today I found out that Pamela Des Barres will be making an appearance. I am so there.

For those not familiar with Miss Pamela, she has been called the Queen of the Groupies. She wrote two memoirs about her exploits with some heavy duty rock gods, including Keith Moon, Mick Jagger and Jimmy Page. These books never leave my shelves, but not because of their kiss-and-tell aspects. After reading the first page of the first book, I felt like I'd found a kindred spirit. I could see myself in her.

In the opening chapter of her book, she described a feeling of something grabbing hold of her when she heard Elvis's music for the first time that I could totally relate to. She confessed to being a blithering Beatlemaniac, which I know as well as I know my own name I would have been, too. But more than anything, she wrote about her overwhelming love of music, and her words felt like I had written them myself. She took that love to another level by getting physically close to the source of the music, the musicians themselves. She didn't and still doesn't care that people used the term "groupie" in a derogatory way; she wears the label proudly. She knows who she is and what she is doing, and doesn't care what others think.

Along with several books about music, Pamela has written about music and entertainment for several magazines. Her writing style is one I aspire to - conversational and intimate. I always come away from reading one of her pieces with an urge to write better.

She is one of my personal heroes. I seriously can't wait for October!

Just a couple o' thoughts

Let's just grab the bull by the horns today and talk about the whole MJ homicide thing. Dr. Conrad Murray's story is definitely fishy, and toxicology tests don't lie. There are cell phone records, and a prescription paper trail. This isn't some podunk little event taking place in a small town with a Mayberry police force, this is freaking Michael Jackson's death in L.A. 'Fess up, Dr. Murray, about what really happened, because you are not going to get a moment's peace until you do.

And while we're on the Jackson subject, I really think the Jackson brothers deserve a beat down for going ahead with their reality series scheduled to air on A&E network. Apparently, a reality show was in the works from May showing the brothers preparing for a reunion tour. No word on whether any footage of Michael was filmed for the show, but come on. It's really sad when family members want to capitalize on the man's death. As for the tribute concert in Vienna (of all places) on September 26, I think I'll skip it.

Chris Brown was sentenced to 5 years probation and 180 days of physical labor in his home state of Virginia for the assault on Rihanna back in February. According to court documents, he had previously shoved her against a wall and broke windows in a car they were riding in on two separate occasions, showing he has a history of violence against her. During the incident he was sentenced for, he also threatened to kill her. I can't claim to be a fan of his, even before all this, but if I was, I would have to seriously reconsider it. Everyone loves a bad boy, but the image of a bad boy, not the actual real thing.

And finally, another music legend has passed away. Ellie Greenwich, the prolific songwriter of 60s hits such as "Be My Baby" and "Leader of the Pack," has died. Greenwich, with co-writer Jeff Barry and producer Phil Spector, created some incredible songs that stood up to the test of time. I dare you not to spend the rest of the day humming "Da Doo Run Run."

KISS - Still the hottest band in the world?

KISS announced plans for their 35th anniversary tour, KISS Alive 35, in conjunction with the upcoming release of their new CD Sonic Boom. They'll start the tour with two dates at Detroit's Cobo Arena where they recorded their classic album Alive in 1975. They'll perform the album in its entirety at both shows.

So let's discuss.

First, let me just say that I have loved KISS for a very long time. Take note of the photo of me at right with pictures of the band on my wall when I was 9. I listened to my Destroyer record until the grooves were worn out. I've seen them in concert sans makeup several times, and I still say the 1996 reunion show I saw with full makeup was one of the best concert I've ever seen. But I'm wondering if it's not time to hang up the platform boots.

Peter Criss and Ace Frehley are no longer in the band. Old time fans knew it wouldn't last. And as good as Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer are, they just aren't Peter and Ace. I can't look at them in the classic makeup. It's not the same.

The material, too, just hasn't been the same since Peter and Ace stopped recording with the band. While each album after Dynasty has some good, and even great, songs (as I write this "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" came up on my iTunes, proving my point), the original four members produced the best material. It remains the material the fans want to hear the most. I don't honestly think they're getting a lot of requests for "Let's Put the X in Sex."

We've also been overmerchandised. God bless him, Gene Simmons is a marketing genius, but how many more items in the world can have the KISS logo on them? According to an article in BrandWeek magazine, KISS has licensed its name to over 2,000 product categories, becoming nearly a 1 billion dollar brand. Yes, that's correct, 1 billion dollars. There's KISS condoms, cologne, and caskets. I draw the line at KISS toilet paper.

And finally, there's Gene Simmons' "reality" show on A&E network, Gene Simmons Family Jewels. How are fans supposed to take him seriously as the God of Thunder when each week we see him getting made a fool of by his partner and kids? Ozzy and Sharon still hold the titles on rock star family dysfunction. Personally, I think the show is just a ploy to help his son Nick's band get exposure, but that's a subject for another post.

So, still the hottest band in the world? I'm thinking more like lukewarm. But maybe the new CD and tour will prove me wrong. As an old time fan, I'm hoping they go out and kick ass.

I Want My MTV (Back)!

Ladies and gentlemen, rock n' roll.

Those were the words spoken as MTV aired for the first time back on August 1, 1981. So I have one simple question - where has the "music" in "music television" gone?

'Cause for the life of me, I can't seem to find it.

I was 12 when I found MTV during a run through of the channels on our cable box in the summer of 1982. I hit on it by accident, but I kept turning back to it to make sure it was still "there." In those early days MTV didn't have a lot of videos, so I sat through the same ones over and over, and a lot were by bands I didn't even like. To this day, just the mention of Talking Heads' Once in a Lifetime gives me the shivers. But the channel introduced me to music that would literally change my life and eventually became almost the only thing I would watch. My friends and I would discuss music, bands and videos for hours on end. A World Premiere Video of a favorite band became an event, something to mark on the calendar. Pleas were made with parents to stay up late to watch band members play guest VJs. I sat glued to the channel for every hour of Live Aid. And I could never figure out why the powers that be always had to show the Video Music Awards the first week of a new school year!

So, even though I was getting older, it was with dismay that I noticed MTV was decreasing the amount of music in their programming. At first, it was just "The Real World," which was bad enough, but now? They may as well just change the name of the channel to TV. They have shows about dating and fashion and teen pregnancy and other absurdities. Would someone please give me the phone number of the person who said putting snobby rich kids' Sweet 16 parties on the air is something Americans need to see, cause that person needs a swift kick. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good episode of "Jackass" every now and then, but all day long? Uh-uh.

For the hell of it, I read the Wikipedia entry on MTV before I began writing today, and it stated that the amount of time MTV aired actual videos per day in 2008 was three hours. Three hours, for a 24 hour music channel. Pathetic. I tried to find those three hours, and couldn't. It must be for the night owls who like to rock out at 3 am.

Even MTV's sister channels don't really air videos anymore. VH1, which used to be the "older person's" music channel, doesn't really show videos but at least make an attempt at music programming with countdown shows and Rock of Love (which is a whole other post!). MTV2 and VH1 Classic are doing the same things. Less music, more formatted programming. If I want to watch a video these days I log on to YouTube.

So is it necessary for artists to even make videos anymore? If they do, where are they seen? I saw Mariah Carey's latest pop up on the TV show America's Got Talent, but her husband is the host, so that's a no brainer. Are new artists only getting exposure if their songs are used in commercials and on TV shows? Is YouTube the new MTV?

In his 2007 VMA acceptance speech, Justin Timberlake challenged MTV to "play more damn videos, " but his challenge has, it seems, gone unanswered so far. I wonder where his next video will premiere?

Bach on Broadway

Yesterday when I posted a little blip about Bono doing Broadway, it got me thinking about about other musicians who have tried their hands at working on the Great White Way. Besides Elton John, who worked on The Lion King, and Aida, and what I'm told was a horrible adaptation of Interview With The Vampire, I could only come up with David Bryan, Bon Jovi's keyboardist. Memphis will open in the fall, following on the heels of The Toxic Avenger - although honestly, I don't care if Jon Bon Jovi himself starred in it, I wouldn't see a play about that nasty looking comic book character if you paid me (I guess lots of other people felt the same way).





Then I remembered. Sebastian Bach.






I've been a fan of Sebastian Bach since I first heard Skid Row back in the late 80s. He had a killer vocal range, and he was gorgeous to boot. After he parted ways with Skid Row, I lost track of him for a while until I heard he was appearing on Broadway in the title role in Jekyll and Hyde. It was a must see show.





Bach appeared as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Edward Hyde from April to October 2000. The role seemed tailor made for him. As Edward Hyde, he had the vocal chops to carry the songs like a veteran musical theater performer, projecting his voice throughout the theater and putting his heart into the performance. However, it was as Dr. Henry Jekyll that he kept me riveted to my seat. He brought his rock star attitude to the character and imbued him with a sense of rock 'n roll savagery that was breathtaking. The character is violent, and Bach's vocal style, his lanky frame and sheet of blond hair added another element to Jekyll that somehow I don't think the producers foresaw when the show was created. Bach's natural showmanship really kicked the crap out of the role.



One of the things I remember most clearly about the show was the curtain call at the end of the show. Sebastian came out to take a bow, and was handed a bouquet of red roses. Anyone who has ever seen him perform knows what came next. He bit some of the blooms off the flowers and spit them back at the audience, who gave him a well deserved standing ovation. I immediately flashed back to getting covered with petals at Skid Row's gig at the Ritz back in June 1989. Broadway or not, he's a rock star to the tips of his boots.

Bach played Jekyll and Hyde in between Jack Wagner and David Hassellhoff, and I can't imagine either of them in the role or performing it with the gusto and, quite frankly, balls that Sebastian did. I wish he'd return to the street of dreams. I'd be first in line to see the show.

Bono, The Edge and Spiderman

Okay, so Bono and The Edge are creating the music for the upcoming Broadway musical Spiderman. I can't decide whether this is going to be really, really cool.... or really, really too much.

40 Years since 3 Days

The 40th anniversary of the Woodstock festival is upon us, and I wonder, is it possible to be nostalgic for something you didn't experience?

As with most things music related, I became interested in Woodstock as a young teen. Back then, I saw the world through rose colored glasses (or so says my mother), and the idea of three days of peace, love and music was an idea I could totally get behind. I'd like to think I would have been a hippie, but with better hygiene. I thought spending three days with like-minded people, listening to great rock and roll would be an incredible thing to do. Even to this day, I can't get over the list of acts that performed - I mean, really, the Who and Jimi Hendrix on the same bill? Mind blowing! I read lots of first person accounts from people who were at the festival and saw the movie. Woodstock became the stuff of myths and legend for me, and for lots of other people (including those who said they were there, but actually weren't - you know who you are).

So it saddened me when I read an article in the newspaper recently that stated that today's generation feels that the legacy of Woodstock is overblown and overstated. They don't think it has the cultural significance that others (like me) think it does. Really?

The summer of 1969 saw our country at war. Young men were dying needlessly in a country that really didn't want our help. The Cold War was still in full swing. Three visionary leaders had been assassinated. The Civil Rights movement was demanding attention and change. A man walked on the moon. The sexual revolution and drug counter-culture were gearing up. In all this turmoil, 400,000 people came together to celebrate harmony, togetherness, peace. That's not culturally significant? Really?

In the years that followed, there have been musical festivals promoting change, equality and vision. They were important at the time, and made a difference to the causes they had been formed for. But somehow, possibly excluding Live Aid, I can't see someone bragging, or fake bragging as the case may be, "I was at G8 or insert name here."

Woodstock is more today than it was back then. It's not just a music festival. It marked the end of an era. Three Days of Peace, Love and Music doesn't mean the same now as it did then. It doesn't carry the same weight. It was a moment in time that can never happen again, because the world is not the same. And that's not overblown or overstated.

He'll Always Be The King

Yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. It would be easy to insert a cheesy joke or remark here, but I'm not going to. Why? Because, simply, I love Elvis.

I was only 7 years old when Elvis died. I remember being outside playing when a neighbor came running out of his house yelling the news. My mom played his music in the house, and I'd heard it on the radio, but it didn't really resonate with me until a few years later when music became such a huge part of my life. I worked my way through his entire catalog, his movies, and recordings of his TV specials. Quite frankly, I don't have the words to describe exactly how talented the man was, and what an effect his music had on me. I was, and am still, in awe of his voice. I can't tell you what my favorite Elvis song is, because it changes all the time. I hear something new in his music every time I listen to it. But I can tell you I prefer Elvis in black leather as opposed to sparkly white jumpsuits. I've read the biographies and the tell-alls. I definitely consider myself a fan.

So, when I was in Nashville for business several years ago, I knew I had to make the trek to Memphis to visit Graceland. Who knew if I would ever be in the state again? A business colleague drove me across the state on a Saturday night and made the visit with me early on a Sunday morning - thanks, Joe Stewart! I'd seen photographs of course, but when you drive up to the famous white music note gates, I don't care who you are, your heart starts to pound. There is excitement and sadness all through the house and grounds - the thrill of "oh my God, he was actually here in this room" and the palor of such a waste of a great talent. The rooms that contain his gold records are absolutely amazing when you consider that Elvis was the first artist to ever achieve that status, ultimately selling over one billion records worldwide.

As I started writing today I also remembered a movie that I saw as a teen, which, while technically not about Elvis, shows a side of him that wasn't really seen by the public. The movie is called Touched by Love (or To Elvis With Love), starring Diane Lane as a young girl with cerebal palsy who is encouraged to write a letter to Elvis after she saw the movie Love Me Tender. A true story, Elvis not only answers her letter but gives her his private address and continues to write her until her death in 1963, showering her with cards and gifts. To me, this is a better representation of Elvis than the movies he made because the Colonel told him to. Those campy movies, while filled with great songs, don't do him justice at all.

He was, and will forever be, the King. Long live rock n' roll.

Long Live a Legend

At the risk of turning Friday posts into eulogies, I have to take the time today to mark the passing of guitar legend Les Paul yesterday at the age of 94 due to complications from pneumonia.

In 1941, Les Paul created what he called "the log" - a hollowed out piece of wood strung with steel filament. Little did he know that this instrument would evolve into the trademark guitar of some of the best musicians in the world, such as Pete Townsend, Steve Howe and Jimmy Page. Les Paul's signature model was produced by Gibson in 1952 and has gone on to be one of the most widely used guitars in music. It is also one of the most easily recognizable guitars as well, with its fluid lines and beautiful fret.

Les Paul was also an accomplished musician who, with his wife Mary, had 36 gold records and 11 number one hits during the course of his career. He also helped revolutionize the recording industry by helping to bring about the rise of multi-track recordings and overdubbing when making records.

His influence on the music industry as a whole is undeniable and visionary, a true musical legend.

***************************

I'd also like to send wishes for a speedy recovery to Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Aerosmith was forced to cancel the rest of their summer tour after Steven fell off the stage at a recent show in South Dakota. He suffered a broken shoulder and needed stitches, so needless to say, he's in no shape to take the Tyler Shuffle back out on the road. It strikes me as kind of funny how he performed countless shows hyped up on drugs and managed to stay on the stage, but now that he's stone cold sober he falls off. Hmmm....

A Class Act

Award winning country duo Brooks & Dunn announced this week that they were calling it quits after 20 years together. They will release one last album and do one last tour, and after that, they'll ride off into the sunset... separately.

I give these gentlemen a hearty round of applause.

To look at each other honestly and say, you know what, I think we've done the best work we can do together but that our run is over, takes heart and guts and not a small dose of brutal reality. Brooks & Dunn are huge in the world of country music. They could have continued on making records and selling out tours for years to come. But they chose to stand up and admit that it's just their time to stop. That is a class act.

It's a great lesson for other acts to learn, who are just out there doing it for the money, and let's face it, we all know who they are.

Bravo, Brooks & Dunn. Best of luck to you both.

Don't Go There

Would someone please sit Miley Cyrus down and walk her through the career of Britney Spears? Following in her footsteps by pole dancing on a nationally televised award show aimed at teens when you are a teen yourself was not exactly the greatest move she's ever made. I'm not expecting her to remain frozen in time as a teenager forever, but when just about everything you do is marketed at tweens and younger, I honestly believe a little restraint is called for.

Prog Nation - Part II Dream Theater

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been a Dream Theater fan for a long time. I was introduced to their music by my musician boyfriend (now my musician husband) as a cool, wickedly good bunch of local whiz kids making good. We used to see them at small clubs like Sparks in Deer Park and I'm told we were at a couple of the same parties back in the day. We even went to see them play an entirely instrumental set while they were between singers, during which, I hate saying now, I was bored.

True fandom kicked in when I heard Metropolis Part I off the Images and Words album. I just couldn't get over what was going on in that song, and played it over and over. I have followed the band religiously ever since. Their music never fails to thrill me.

Their live shows are also awe-inspiring. I'm always amazed to watch them recreate such intense, power driven music in a live setting.

That being said, I have to admit to usually being disappointed by the set list at most of the shows. With 11 studio albums, several side projects, cover recordings and songs that extend way past the length of the typical, I'm sure it's extremely difficult to choose which songs to play live. So when the band came on stage at the Brookhaven Amphitheater for their set this past weekend, I was hoping for the best. They opened the show with the first two songs from the new Black Clouds and Silver Linings CD, A Nightmare to Remember and A Rite of Passage, which got the audience going. Then the mood shifted with Misunderstood, which is where I started to have those "uh-oh" feelings. Too mellow.

Every Dream Theater set must have an instrumental to showcase these fabulous players, so it was time for Erotomania. After Voices, the band played Forsaken, which is one of my favorite songs, so I was pleased, but then the mood dropped again while they played Sacrificed Sons. The song, which is about the loss of life on 9/11, was accompanied by video images of that day. While the song is beautiful, I can't help but think there were countless others that could have been chosen in place of that one. It was a beautiful Saturday night at an outdoor venue, packed with New Yorkers who maybe didn't need to be reminded of that day at that particular time. They closed the show with As I Am, and the encore was The Count of Tuscany off the new CD.

The highlight of the show for me came about halfway through. Mike Portnoy's son Max ran out on the stage behind his dad's drum riser and sat on the edge and watched the rest of the show. I don't know if the audience on the right side of the stage saw him, but he perched there for the rest of the show and watched his dad intently. At some point he was joined by John Myung's son as well. As a mom of two, I can't help it, I thought it was adorable.

The tour moved on to the Beacon Theater in Manhattan the next night, and my husband went with friends. He reported the next morning that Portnoy sat in with both Bigelf and Zappa, and that Dweezil joined Dream Theater for their encore, so clearly I missed the better show. But since the CD is still fairly new, hopefully there'll be another one to catch soon.

Prog Nation - Part 1

I'm a huge fan of Dream Theater. I've seen them live at least once supporting each album since Images and Words. With the release of Black Clouds and Silver Linings in June, I knew a live show would be coming up soon. Late in the spring they announced a series of dates in Europe they were calling the Progressive Nation tour, featuring Zappa Plays Zappa. I remember feeling really put out because I'd really wanted to see the Zappa show when it had hit New York a while back, but with ticket prices being what they are now it wasn't something I could afford. So I was really excited when DT decided to extend the Prog Nation tour to include the US and Canada. I had the privilege of seeing the show this past weekend at the Brookhaven Amphitheater on Long Island.

First, I have to give props to the first two bands on the line-up, Scale the Summit and Bigelf. Scale the Summit is a four piece instrumental band hailing from Houston. The average age of the band is 22, but they had incredible chops for guys so young. Their sound was heavy and clean, and I think they are going to be a group to watch as they mature. I had to laugh, though, after their set, when as low men on the totem pole, they broke down their own gear. Bigelf is also a four piece, but with vocals. Based in LA, the band has a cult following in Europe and has a sound reminiscent of some of the British metal bands like Deep Purple. Vocalist Damon Fox (who we met briefly before the show) looks like a cross between Dave Navarro and the singer of Doctor and the Medics with a mesmerizing way of putting over a song. If you're going to a Prog Nation show, make sure you get there in time to see both acts. They are well worth it.

So now it's time for some Zappa. Let me just say I know very little about Frank Zappa's music. I've always thought the man was brilliant and funny, but his music was a bit too "out there" for me. The only song I knew was the one about not eating the yellow snow, and that he had amazing guitarists in his band like Steve Vai and Warren Cuccurullo. I became a fan of Dweezil back in the late 80s when he was an MTV veejay and he had his own record out - the only song I can remember is "I Want A Yacht" with some spoken lyrics by comedian Bobcat Goldthwaite. An accomplished guitarist in his own right, Dweezil is introducing a new generation of fans to Frank's music.

I was blown away from the very first song, Zomby Woof. The caliber of musicianship of each and every member of the band was outstanding. The vocalist, Ben Thomas, sounded uncannily like Frank himself. The sound was crystal clear and bright. Quite literally, I was amazed by each and every song.

The lyrics to a lot of the songs are campy - besides the one about the yellow snow, I caught one about a face like a potato - but the music itself is what really captured me. It was progressive before progressive was cool. Not being a musician myself, it's hard to find the right words to accurately describe what I was listening to. I'd read that Frank was a maestro of sorts, very matter of fact about how he wanted a piece to sound and very demanding of his musicians. Listening to just a few songs, I could see why. To perform this music, these players has to be at the top of their game. During the last song of the set, Willie The Pimp, Dweezil stepped deftly into the maestro role as he directed his band into a series of changes with some hand motions and head movements. I also have newfound respect for him as a guitar player as a beautiful solo he did during either Peaches En Regalia or Inca Roads (again, not familiar enough with the material to know which one it was) kept me transfixed. I couldn't take my eyes off the stage.

The Set List:
Zomby Woof
Montana
Village of the Sun
Echidna's Arf (Of You)
San Ber'dino
Don't Eat the Yellow Snow
Peaches En Regalia
Inca Roads
More Trouble Every Day
Willie The Pimp

Dream Theater up next...

Demented and Sad, but Social

I have to interrupt my musical meanderings to pay tribute to one of the voices of my generation, and a personal hero of mine, John Hughes. He passed away suddenly yesterday in Manhattan at the age of 59. John Hughes was a prolific writer and director of films that defined the 80's generation. Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller's Day Off are considered classic movies amongst people my age, and just about everyone I know can spout lines from The Breakfast Club at will. It was easy to identify with so many of his characters, even if they didn't seem like you on the surface. He reminded us that everyone goes through the same kinds of experiences, and that we all matter. He spoke to us and he spoke for us. He will be sorely missed.

American Idol - Can someone please explain the appeal?

The music press today is filled with the news that Paula Abdul has quit her job as a judge on American Idol. Taking on guest judge roles this upcoming season will be Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham.

You know what? I just don't get it.

I've never watched an episode of American Idol. Never. Not one. I really just don't understand the appeal of the show. Isn't it just a glorified talent show? I get embarrassed watching people in talent shows. Watching someone butcher another artist's song, and on national TV yet, makes me want to dive bomb under the couch until it's over. It seems completely mortifying. And then to be publicly criticized for it, again on a national level.... No thank you.

And let's take a look at the people doing the judging. The afore-mentioned Ms. Abdul, well, did she become a paragon of musical talent while I wasn't looking? She had some hits back in the day, but I personally think that had to do more with her videos and the fact that she was pretty more that bona fide talent. Yeah, she can dance, but her voice was more a matter of production rather than chops. She should have been a judge on one of the many dance shows instead of a show about singing. Randy Jackson was mostly known as a session musician before Idol. And Simon Cowell? Who the hell is he? Where did he come from? Is he just supposed to be the token nasty guy whose comments are supposed to push the contestants harder to prove him wrong? When's the last time he got up in front of millions and sang his ass off only to have someone tell him he's horrible?

Since I don't live under a rock, I know about some of the winners, or almost winners. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood dominate popular radio, and I will admit to having purchased songs by Daughtry and David Cook from iTunes. A good singer is a good singer, no matter where they originated from. But I'll never become one of those people who pick their favorites early on and discuss each elimination each week as if it were a matter of life and death. I'd be too embarrassed.

This Just In

Breaking news...

Michael Jackson is still dead.

That is all. Return to your regularly scheduled lives.

Okay, I admit, that was a bit mean spirited. But seriously, it's been almost a month and the furor hasn't died down. I'm the first to admit the man was unbelievably talented. However, he was also unbelievably messed up. Yes, there have been celebrities whose lives were lived in a fish bowl and they couldn't handle that and they destroyed themselves. Unlike MJ, though, they didn't have child abuse allegations hurled at them from several different sources.

I'm not suggesting we vilify the man, but let's not deify him either. Please, let's move on.

My First Time

This morning when I logged on to Facebook, I was tagged in a note called 50 Bands I've Seen. The purpose of this note was to list 50 bands you've seen live in concert. The first band on the list should be the first concert you'd been to. So I started thinking about my first time (you can all get your minds out of the gutter now - remember, this is The Set List, not The Porn List).



It was November, 1983. My sister, who is 6 years older than me, was escorting me to my first live show at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. I was beyond excited. We were seeing Loverboy.



Before the mocking begins, please glance back to the date above. 1983. MTV was still in its infancy, and Loverboy were huge. They were touring to support their Keep It Up album, but their earlier music was still in heavy rotation on the radio and MTV. Working for the Weekend was their most memorable song, and honestly, who doesn't remember the cover of Get Lucky, with the butt encased in tight red leather pants? But I digress.



We sat stage left, and slightly back, in seats that might be production kills now due to the massive sets bands are using. Back then, the stage was pretty stripped down. Zebra opened the show. My husband, who is a long time Zebra fan, still laments that I was at this show and he wasn't. Since our seats were in the first row of the section, I was pretty much hanging over the railing watching the band, while my sister kept insisting that I sit back. But by the time Loverboy came on, I was almost half over the railing.



I wish I could say that, it being the first concert I went to, I remember every detail with perfect clarity. But I don't. I just remember the feeling. The feeling of being swept away by the music, with everyone else in the room feeling the same way. The energy. The excitement. It's thrilling. And it still gets me every single time.


Of course I had to have a t-shirt and tour program to commemorate that momentous event in my life. The shirt (which was sleeveless, what possessed me in November to get a sleeveless shirt?) had to be worn to school the next day as proof you were at the show. The tour program, believe it or not, I still have. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. I also have my ticket stub!


It's twenty-six years and countless shows later. This upcoming weekend I'll be heading out to another live show, and putting more bands on my list. It never gets old.