What is the best concert you have been to? – Now that is going to be a tough one to answer. I’ll have to go look at some concert stubs.
I used to go to a fair number of concerts in the 70s and 80s. Picking the best is tough. Both The Eagles Hotel California tour Led Zeppelin in 1977 were great shows.
The Who Quadrophenia tour in 1973 and Pink Floyd that same year are my favorites.
The Aerosmith 1975 tour. I’ve seen this band 5 times. 4 of the times either the sound or equipment or musicians were screwed up. But when they get it right, they cook like few others.
And tied for third place is the Doobie Brothers from 1974 and Jethro Tull 1976 tour.
As best recalled from those early years. Those days have some hazy memories.
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times? – Asks the daily prompt.
I answered this question a few years ago in a post called Watched. And I don’t like being redundant and have nothing new to add.
So, what else entertainment wise have I done more than 5x?
Ah, – What groups live, have I seen more than 5 times? Well, most of this is going to date back to some older decades but here it goes.
I know I’ve seen The Who at least 5x. Also used to go to a lot of Jethro Tull and Bad Company shows, at least 5 for them. Maybe RUSH and The Doobie Brothers also.
Bands I’ve seen at least once that I would have loved to see 5 or more times. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eagles, Santana, Aerosmith, Yes, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Halen, Little Feat, Kansas,
Bands I’ve never seen but would love to see 5x – The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Genesis, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Allman Brothers, The Blues Brothers, The Grateful Dead, AC/DC, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Queen, and Metallica.
I was listening to a song this morning called The Garden by RUSH and I really loved the song’s lyrics. In addition to being a great drummer he wrote some wonderful lyrics.
In this one of many possible worlds All for the best, or some bizarre test It is what it is, and whatever Time is still the infinite jest
The arrow flies when you dream The hours tick away The cells take away The Watchmaker keeps to his schemes The hours tick away They tick away
The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect So hard to earn, so easily burned The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect So hard to earn, so easily burned In the fullness of time A garden to nurture and protect
In the rise and the set of the sun ‘Til the stars go spinning, spinning round the night Oh, it is what is it is, and forever Each moment, a memory in flight
The arrow flies while you dream The hours tick away The cells tick away The Watchmaker has time up his sleeve The hours tick away They tick away
The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect So hard to earn, so easily burned In the fullness of time A garden to nurture and protect (it’s a measure of a life) The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect The way you live, the gifts that you give In the fullness of time is the only return that you expect
The future disappears into memory With only a moment between Forever dwells in that moment Hope is what remains to be seen Forever dwells in that moment Hope is what remains to be seen
In the fullness of time a garden to nurture and protect (it’s a measure of a life) In the fullness of time a garden to nurture and protect (it’s a measure of a life) In the fullness of time a garden to nurture and protect (it’s a measure of a life) In the fullness of time a garden to nurture and protect
It’s a measure of a life It’s a measure of a life It’s a measure of a life It’s a measure of a life
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. I was in my workroom and a piece of wood with a knot had overlayed some templates I was using for a mug carving project for a friend who likes The Who. It caught my attention. I moved it just slightly and grabbed a shot.
I should have moved that drop light, but it did create a nice shadow around him and then the guitar in the darkness.
A good Tuesday morning to all. I guess most of you are back at work and school today. Feeling kind of inspired again today myself, but I no longer have those commitments. Not that I don’t continue to learn and keep active, just no job or classes to attend.
Music always helps things move in the right direction. Do you remember the days when the DJ on the radio had control over your playlist? Whoa, I just dated myself.
I was just thinking back when I started to listen to music on the AM radio in the car in the early 60s. There was still a record player in the house that played 78 rpm vinyl records. And I still have some of those from my parents. The holiday music was nice, but they had some big band and orchestra records that were kind of upbeat.
I believe in 66 I got a 33-rpm record player and stereo. Music took on a whole new meaning because of two things. The sound quality on FM and more progressive formats introducing new music and albums instead of early Beatles singles on 45 rpm disk.
Drum set in window of Bill’s Music in Catonsville. Photo by Mike Hartley
I’ve gotten so tired over my lifetime replacing my music. Albums, 8 tracks, cassettes, CDs, iPods, MP3s, iTunes and Streaming.
When I found out that the new models of the car I like don’t come with CD players, I decided to keep mine for much longer. It’s got all the technology I need so I’ll just rebuild it as it ages.
I like listening to instrumental music when I paint. I like classic rock most of the time but especially when driving and exercising. I like ballads when reflecting on something. There are a couple songs (Hey Jude, Wish You Were Here, House of Pain), that give me pause and make me miss some close people.
Blues and Motown sometimes while writing. Maybe some hard rock while photo editing. Maybe that is why I’m so ruthless when first going through fresh images. It does help my pace though.
What would your life be like without music? – Wow, that’s a horrible thing to ask from the daily writing prompt.
I’m no musician, but I have a love and thirst for music. It’s part of me. I start and end the day with it. I am motivated by it. I fall in love with it. I exercise to it. I drive to it. I played sports to it. I write to it. I move my body to it. I draw to it. I cut the grass to it. I dance to it. I cook to it. I lay in the hammock to it. I grill to it.
Some music makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up and my head tingle. Some music makes me pump my fist in the air. Some music makes me do a windmill guitar imitation. I’ve been lucky and seen many great bands and musicians live.
Music speaks to all my emotions. Most of the time it brings a big smile to my face. Some lyrics send me into streams of thought. A few songs that make me pause and sometimes bring a tear to my eye. There are a few songs that I would run through a wall when hearing.
There is some music that has brough on anger and rage in my youth. Music makes me sing out loud, play air drums, guitar, piano and the occasional saxophone. Some songs bring such a sense of calm that the troubles of the world fade away for a few moments. Some songs have inspired wonderful thoughts.
I worked an overnight shift during the last decade of my career. And I would use the opportunity to occasionally rock the building. And I’m sure the cleaning crew or the passerby from Editorial have caught me doing the Chuck Berry duck walk during a break.
All I know is the more music I have in a day, the happier I am. Usually because I’m doing the things I want to do. And being retired, music is a much larger part of my life now.
I’m having trouble stringing my guitar. Photo by Mike Hartley
I’m found an untapped source of energy this evening. Maybe it’s the hard driving Rock and Roll I’ve been listening to. That has always been one part of my inspiration in life among many things.
Sometimes it’s certain lyrics, or an amazing guitar riff, or the rolling bass or thundering drums. Maybe a horn section or a wizard on the keyboards. Every vocal instrument from Steven Tyler’s screams and harmonica to the operatic Freddie Mercury and piano.
This world needs more music. I know I need more music. It makes me feel good. It makes me think. It makes me move. It’s a great exercise companion. It helps me know I can. It aids me in imagining something special. It takes me to a place of tranquility. It can inspire me with untapped courage. It makes me feel passion. And oh, my can it fly through the gears on a stick shift like nobody’s business.
I love music and now that I have time to really enjoy lots of it instead of snippets here and there. You know having to turn it down or off to concentrate on life’s questions or tasks. I got far less of those so if I want to duck walk around the house like Chuck Berry or Angus Young I certainly can. I’m far less stressed so if I want to play drums like Neil Peart while sitting on the tractor cutting the yard, so be it.
Or maybe just sit back and tap my foot to some groups doing unplugged versions of hits that are rhythmic masterpieces. Or maybe sit and listen to “Wish you were Here” by Pink Floyd and maybe shed a tear for those I miss dearly.
I’ve been to a good number of concerts over the years. Most of them are in my younger years but I think I’ll check out a few more this summer. But tonight, it’s been a concert in Woodstock.
The books are under way. Daily writing on these projects is now part of the day. I’m working on 3 separate efforts and progress is good. I wrote a lot this evening.
I shot a bucket list item tonight. I’ll post those photos later in the morning.
I’m not detecting the first light of day yet, so sunrise is a bit off. Let me switch from my nocturnal self and morph into the day walker environment.
And on a bah humbug note. I’m not thrilled about the very cold temps and forecasted snow.
Photo by Mike Hartley looking over Howard County Conservancy off Rt 99.
A line in the song Aqualung, by group Jethro Tull I heard this morning, “Do you still remember”, and the answer is YES, I remember. The days when you had to go to the box office to get tickets to concerts. Sleeping out overnight at the Capital Center or Merriweather Post Pavilion for concerts like Led Zeppelin or The Eagles or The Who. Or one of our favorites also Jethro Tull.
We didn’t pay any convivence fee, or delivery fee or parking fee. But we did get some damn good seats at some concerts. They did set limits on how many you could buy but I think it was something like 10 per person because I can recall 2 of us bought close to 20 for one concert for all our friends.
Ah, what great experiences, both the purchasing process and concerts. Sleeping out overnight on concrete or in a car.
The days when both your hands were in the air because you were clapping or playing an instrument or both while singing along. No phones recording the whole concert. Your mind recorded it. I think that is why the hair on my neck stands up for some songs still decades later.
Music has and always will be an important element in my life. The enjoyment and inspiration it brings have been immense. The emotions and feelings some songs hold, and grip me like a hug.
Concerts were and still are this great shared experience with others who hold those lyrics, notes, beats, and choruses in reverence. It’s one of the great unifiers in our universe. The SONG. They cross any land or ethnic barriers.
My tickets from the early 70s are so faded you can’t see details without a magnifying glass. Photo by Mike Hartley
Random Thoughts of the Morning
I guess it’s time to think about taking the decorations down. I like the thinking about it part more than the doing it. I’ve thought about it and I’m not starting today.
That cold wind this morning is going to test my patience today.
Some places have a 2-drink minimum. I have a 2-mile minimum on the treadmill per day. I exceeded that 2-drink minimum many times as a youth. No need to re-live that element of my hard charging days.
It’s not that I don’t care or feel about the nasty events that happened on New Years Day. I just have to compartmentalize life because that crap goes on every day around the world, sometimes in larger numbers or many smaller ones but it’s there in our faces every day. I have to live and stay positive and work to change it for my children and grandchildren.
What would your life be like without music? – What a rude thought posed by the Daily Writing prompt.
I was sitting here listening to music when I opened today’s prompt. I don’t even want to think of my life without music. At times throughout life, music has saved me. Life without one of the major forms of expression and enjoyment is beyond my imagination.
Music is like this time machine that I get to play with. It takes me back in time to concerts I’ve seen or events or places in my life. I’m not a musician but music is key to my enjoyment in life. I need that soundtrack, especially now later in life. Music is a part of every day.
Losing music means losing inspiration. I use music often to change a bad attitude so prepare for a much more prickly me without it. Music makes me dance so a good form of exercise and stress relief is lost without it.
No music while driving, what a nasty thought. That 6-hour round trip to the beach without tunes to help me sway back and forth and enjoy the journey. Where is the feeling of the hair standing up on the back of your neck and that twinkle in the eye along with the widening grin as you carve up some track time or pop the clutch and launch from a light without some proper music?
Perish the thought, life without music.
Long Live Rock, jazz, blues, and whatever floats your boat.
The band Little Feat played at Pier 6 in Baltimore Maryland earlier this year. Still learning the iPhone at this point. Photo by Mike Hartley
What is your favorite genre of music? – A fine question from the Daily prompt.
Classic Rock and Roll would be my answer. Music has been one of the major enjoyments in life. It has motivated and consoled me. It has brought tremendous emotions and feelings out. It makes my body move and my mind race. The hair on my neck will stand up and memories of concerts bring a smile to my face. It has saved me a few times and might again in the future.
Having grown up in the 60s and 70s it was always a major part of my youth. Concerts, clubs, basement bands. 6×9 Jensens with power boosters for the car. 45s and 33s. 8 tracks. Mom yells “Turn that crap down” or “What are you doing” when she observes my windmill air guitar coming down the hallway.
Some bands I’ve followed, seen, and loved. The Who – Pink Floyd – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Doobie Brothers – Rush – Van Halen – Genisis – The Eagles – Aerosmith – The Beatles – CSNY – Deep Purple – Fleetwood Mac – Jethro Tull – Led Zeppelin – Traffic – ZZ Top – Little Feat – Yes – AC/DC – Rolling Stones – Def Leppard – Booker T & the MG’s – War – Tom Petty – Hendrix – Santana – The Doors – Elton John – ELP – Steppenwolf – Zappa – Black Sabbath – The Band – Bob Marley –
I also listen to a good bit of Blues, Mowtown a little jazz, and country.
Drum set in the window of Bill’s Music in Catonsville. Photo by Mike Hartley
The passing of Gary Rossington gave me great pause last night. Lynyrd Skynyrd was one of my favorite bands of all time. And the memories it gave me with my close friends during the 70s came flooding back. With all the original members now deceased it’s very strange.
For those of you not familiar with the group and having trouble with the band’s name they made it clear on their first album – (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)
Gone but won’t be forgotten by many. Photo by Mike Hartley
It’s reminding me of how old we have gotten and how precious all those past days were and how important all future days are. As I’ve sat here listening to some of my favorites Simple Man, Freebird, and Working for MCA it makes the hair on my neck stand up still. This is a band of stories. Experienced and observed ones sang with passion and played with their hearts.
I loved their cover of J.J. Cale song Call Me the Breeze. I remember the live album, On More From the Road coming out and becoming our group marching music. I still throw this one in the car cd player on my trips to the beach when I go alone.
Everyone has those times when they can remember the exact moment when news of tragedies hit their idols. I was working my first newspaper job when the news came of the plane crash in 77, I can almost relive that crushed feeling I had that night. I saw them before the crash but was never interested in the redone lineup. It just wasn’t the same without those important members who perished.
They are all playing again in Hell House. Kind of fitting it’s just about a full moon tonight. They are shining bright in the sky as always. Thank you to all the members who gave me an important soundtrack for life.
Random Thoughts of the Day
Life is better with friends.
March Madness is upon us. My favorite sports month of the year. Well, that and the final four in early April.
The Revenge tour is underway I see from the film at CPAC. I thought the President was supposed to represent all US Citizens, not to make war against more than half the population. He and Putin have a lot in common. No wonder they like each other so much.
I wonder if those closest to me have any idea of what music meant to me and still does in life. It’s one of my greatest joys. It’s brought me back from the greatest depths. It’s inspired me and sometimes fueled my rage. It’s relaxed and calmed me. It’s generated creativity and deep feelings. Be it at home or in the car or just listening to someone else’s boom box at the beach.
Like right now, sitting here listening to Baba O’Reilly from The Who, live from the 70s. Still with Keith Moon the drummer so it had to be pre 78. I saw them several times throughout the decade of the 70s. One of my many musical influences.
But the title and lyrics always made me feel how few, if any, knows The Real Me. Only we know ourselves and learning about that is a long evolving journey for most. We are all filled with multiple personalities. Well I’ll speak for myself at least.
They change very easily sometimes. A sudden health crisis or loss of a loved one affects personalities deeply. Some lose a job and lose their identity.
The real me, is many different people. That is why I tinker away here, hoping to recognize a few positive ones that pop out from time to time to keep the negative ones at bay.
Musician on Main St in Annapolis. Photo by Mike Hartley
Today I used music to get back on track. I was feeling a bit out of the loop but being supportive is a great way to get back into it.
Random Thoughts of the Day
The more anger I see the less I’m inclined to go out and deal with it.
I’m shivering thinking about the coming cold.
Taking a break is a wise thing once in a while. Change your perspective.
What is a song or poem that speaks to you and why? This is today’s Bloganuary thought to ponder. I’m going with songs because music has spoken to me all my life. It’s one of the few things that gave me confidence as a youth. And one of the bands I’ve loved all my life has been The Who.
Their music spoke to the energy of my youth and discontentment. The power of the group’s instruments and Daltrey’s voice and what has been described as the best scream ever in R&R history on the song “Won’t get fooled again“ filled me with confidence to face the next day.
The music produced by this early team inspires me to this day. And the last line of the song “meet the new boss, same as the old boss” is an adage that has been true all my life. And it supported my belief that power corrupts.
I read where Pete Townsend goes on to explain that the song was simply “meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the center of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause.”
And I feel the same way. So many attempt to take control of our lives, every day of them, in many different ways. From our governments to our jobs and those who control the financial purse strings. And here are both of my middle fingers to all of that.
This reminds me, my message to the youth of today is to get your damn faces out of that small screen and look up. Life is right in front of you, not in that little box on social media. Live and experience life, it’s a gazillion times better than any app.
And also a tip when you’re at a concert. PUT THE F’ing PHONE AWAY and clap your hands, pump your arms in the air, sing along, do your windmill guitar impression or play along with the drummer. Whatever is it don’t worry about filming the band, live in the moment!
I’m having trouble stringing my guitar. Photo by Mike Hartley
There is one song that touches my heart deeply. It’s by Lynyrd Skynyrd and called “Simple Man.” They are some really good words to live by.
Mama told me when I was young “Come sit beside me, my only son And listen closely to what I say And if you do this it’ll help you Some sunny day” Oh, yeah
Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast Troubles will come and they will pass You’ll find a woman, yeah, and you’ll find love And don’t forget son there is someone up above
And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won’t you do this for me son, if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold All that you need is in your soul And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won’t you do this for me son, if you can? Oh, yes, I will
Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself Follow your heart and nothing else And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won’t you do this for me son, if you can?
Baby, be a simple, be a simple man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man
Random Thoughts of the Day
Taking time is the only way he knows.
The first day I’ve felt half-human in the last week. The operative word being HALF. So I’ll look at the glass as half full.
Summer seems so long away. I’m jonesing for some warm weather and bright SUN. But instead, we get cold and very windy tomorrow.
My battery life is about 2%. I don’t have a recharger for it besides sleep so that is what I’m going for.
