I miss the raw emotion and energy of the old Rock and Roll at live shows. Old R&R where people at concerts weren’t holding up phones, their hands and fist were in the air, bodies jumping and twisting as one in a herd of tens of thousands all in sync like a flock of birds. Holding a phone up would have been impossible and it still makes me ask why in some ways because I grew up in the days of rotary dial phones. And being at a concert seems like a personal experience that I wouldn’t enjoy if I was trying to record it at the same time.

I wonder if the energy I used to have at a concert in my teens, 20s, or 30s is still there? I believe it is and only the hesitation of being seen as an out-of-place old man trying to relive his youth keeps it from coming out. I’m in the process of trying to lose that hesitation and let my body and spirit react to the music or art.

Yeah, it’s easy to play drums on the steering wheel. But bust loose at a party or event, that’s another thing. But what the hell, I’ve got to go more with the feeling. Because not going with it seems to be a kind of surrender. Especially if that spirit is deep inside you still. That the feelings a song can evoke could be repressed seems wrong now.

But that is the social norm. God forbid someone starts to stand or move to the music or break into a windmill guitar solo in public unless they are under 30 years old. It’s interesting now watching some of the older groups playing to older audiences and some stay seated for parts of the show. And I don’t fully believe that it’s the group that has changed but the listener.

I used to listen to music as I mowed the yard when I was younger, must have looked like Keith Moon on 4 wheels. I can’t remember dancing while mowing in maybe a decade. I’ll have to change that when the warm temps return.

In the meantime, I’ll keep practicing each day. And if the mood strikes me I’ll move to the music. Or maybe let out an occasional yell. Or just pump my fist in the air at a high note. Who knows, maybe I’ll have a flashback and do my Christopher Walken impression to Fatboy Slim up and down the isles at Home Depot.

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Random Thoughts of the Day

• All I know today, is all I know. But think of what I will add to it tomorrow.
• Yes I’m late putting holiday lights up but the mission has started.
• Sports betting in Maryland. Further down the rabbit hole we go.
• When I retire from my career in Newspapers I think I’ll start wrapping all the gifts I give in newsprint. It will help the enviroment and they will know who its from so I don’t have to put my name on it, I can just write the recipient.