Rock & Roll, Hoochie Koo

There is something to be said about experiencing a band or singer live.  It’s almost never what you expect…hopefully it’s better than you expected and confirms why you like the band or singer in the first place.

I love going to concerts and look forward to the day I can go to one again (getting a job being the first criteria to allow me to do so).  My friend just saw Bryan Adams and said seeing him live made her really appreciate him as a musician.  He opened for Journey in 1982 (I think that’s the correct year).  That was my first concert as a teenager and my first one without parents & just my friend, Cheryl.  We were at The Forum in L.A., two rows from the very tippy-top (I think we had oxygen masks on, it was so high up) but we loved it!!

When I was a kid, I saw KISS at Magic Mountain and War at a street fair in downtown L.A.  I remember the excitement, the thumping of the music that I felt reverberate in my chest.  I was lucky enough to take my girls to many concerts at many venues and show them the same experience…it opened them to new music beyond the bubblegum pop most kids listened to at their age.  They listen a range of music and are open to it, which I hope is a reflection of that upbringing.

When the girls were younger, we had “themes” for the concerts of what we’d wear or do for it. They loved it and it became part of the excitement for them.

In no particular order, these are some of the most memorable concerts with my girls:

• Green Day  – they dyed their hair green
• Offspring – feather boas & tank tops
• Save Ferris – Halloween show with costumes!
• Dashboard Confessional – VIP at House of Blues L.A., they got to meet the band & go in the dressing room
• Weenie Roast – they had to wait til they were 16 to go, but it is always a blast! An all-day affair that is great for people watching.
• U2 & No Doubt – Luxury Suite at Staples…just a great show, period.
• No Doubt, Garbage & Distillers – Long Beach arena…need we say more?  Girl power!!!!

I save all my ticket stubs and have them in a shadow box.  I think the oldest one I have is from 1996, Bob Seger…at the Forum.  He rocked it!

I’ve said here before, that music is a huge part of my life and is a great accompaniment to the memories of my life.

As soon as things are better, one of the first things I’m doing to treat myself is get a great seat at a great concert!  Celebrate…and rock on!