Tuesday, June 26, 2007

History.....mine

Well, well, well---can you tell that i am caught up at work? Two days in a row, I have been here in the middle of my work day. It is slow today, Tuesday's usually are. And hotter than blazes outside and in the service department, so I am trying to stay in my office, at least for the time being. I was part of a conversation today about concert's and live music shows, and that got me to thinking about all that I have been to over the years. I don't do them anymore, large crowds and noise and live music are no longer my thing, but oh...so many years ago, they were all I thought about. And I have certainly done my share of concert going. I decided to try and remember them all, but I'm not sure that I can. I grew up in Phoenix, remember...and that town is a performer's dream, outdoor arenas, good weather year round....

The first one I went to was Nazareth back in 1974. I was fourteen years old, and not smart enough NOT to stand next to the amplifiers, I went home deaf that day. I was shocked at the drugs---for sale, being used...home made signs advertising what was up for sale. I was too young to be a druggie (yet) and I never really was too interested in them, I honestly did go for the music. I fell in love with live entertainers on that day and it was a love that lasted a long, long time. Why my mother ever let me go in the first place, I have no idea. But I sure was glad she did.

Over the years I saw many, many more. One of the best: The Eagles. I saw them twice. I saw ELO, Thin Lizzy, Golden Earring---they were a one hit wonder, I know, but they put on one hell of a show. I saw Merle Haggard, many times, Willie and Waylon, many times, George Jones, George Straight, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Dire Straights, Bruce Springstein---another of the better shows, ever---KC and the Sunshine Band, yes I know, Disco Sucks, but it didn't back then, Bad Company, Yes, and on and on and on. Oh, and I saw Elvis. I waited in line for two nights and three days in a parking lot for those tickets, for my mother's birthday, and I sure was glad I had---I saw him in April of '77, and he died in August. He was one hell of a showman, something I will never forget. Just a little bit of history....about me!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some really good concerts! I saw the Eagles when they re-grouped and re-toured??? here in Japan a couple of years ago. Awesome!

SOUL said...

VERY KOOL>
now.. why don;t you get some of THOSE songs in my head once in a while???

i probably had been to maybe ... maybeee... four or five concerts in my life... UNTIL , the girl came along. she became a concert addict at the ripe ole age of 8 ! her first concert was Avril lavigne. then it was on to good charlotte. then onto the more powerful bands like hawthorne heights, and fall out boy.. and underoath, and oh Lord i just can't list them all. but i was the one who was her concert chaperone in the earlier years.. until i just could handle it anymore. i actually did..and still do enjoy..or at least try to enjoy an occasional concert once in a while with her.. bowling for soup was good... but most of the time... dad gets to go. the noise and crowds just do me in. but i will try.
i think she may grow up.. or actually...not too far from now, she's 13 .. become a groupie..or whatever they call them these days.
and just jusmp trains or something and follow her bands around the country.

lets hope NOT!

josie2shoes said...

Wow, Jamie, what a cool trip down memory lane! You've seen some of the best! And yeah, the Elvis one would be priceless.

I am so GLAD that you're having some low key days at work, God girl, you deserve them. You worked and sweated your butt off last week!

SOUL said...

hey ... get updated on this thing...
where's the crappy song of the day??? :))

Amanda said...

I'm trying really hard not to envy you here! That must make for some really precious memories. Never could attend a concert, all the cool ones happened way too far from where I lived.

Portia said...

what memories! i'm glad you shared.
i linked to you, hope it's OK.
love the good vibes :)

Angel said...

uh...since when is 14 too young to be a druggie? ;)

Angel said...

OMG!! BAD COMPANY!!!! I LOVE them! I listen to them all the time!

CCC said...

you saw THE KING??????

fuck me. you are so insanely lucky. ;D

I would've done anything....

I'm guessing it was an awesome show...right?

SOUL said...

EHEM...
the song?
you ok jamie?
helllooooo

ridin in my pink cadillac.

too bad i don't know more words than that. but maybe it'll motivate you?

Jamie said...

CCC---it was the best ever. He was old then, and pretty rotund, but OMG---still such charisma, such charm, and such talent. An experience that i will never forget!

Soul--I'm so out of it, I don't even know any of the groups/music that you mention. That's when you know you are OLD.

Portia and Amanda, the best memories ever!

Beth you are right, about the drugs, and about Bad Company, they, too were really great!

Jyankee---the eagles were awesome, weren't they? I would have loved to have seen the show you did, in the decade/time that you did.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by!

SOUL said...

jamie..you're like five years older than me besides..i like the bands you mentioned MUCH better....it's just that you don't have a thirteen year old kid.