The Music of Our Lives

The Music of Our Lives

By Kathy Sweeney

We've all heard a lot of music this week, like it or not.  I happen to love most kinds of music, so I've been enjoying it.

It got me thinking of music that really resonates with me.  I don't remember the first time I heard Frank Sinatra but his music has always been part of my life.  Sinatra, by the way, did some great things - he helped integrate Las Vegas for example, with his "If Sammy can't stay, then Frankie won't play" mandate. On the other hand, he was notorious for cheating on his wife.  Very few angels in the entertainment biz.  By the way - that photo?  The poster size hangs in our family room above the piano.

We listened to cast recordings from Musicals growing up.  When the movie Wall-E used footage and song from "Hello Dolly", I could still remember the words.  Start up something from West Side Story, South Pacific, Oklahoma, or any of the other classics and you can count me in.

My first real outdoor concert was Barry Manilow (Blossom Music Center in Cleveland).  Fellow Fanilows will confirm that there is something about his music that is really uplifting.  My first big arena concert was The Commodores - we snuck out from our hometown to Pittsburgh.  Everyone's parents thought we were at a sleepover, which was true in some ways; I know I slept on the way home. It was the mid 70s, at the Civic Arena.  I recall being one of very few white people in the place but no one cared.

Several years later at a Boston concert - at the same Civic Arena, there was so much smoke (of all kinds) they had to open the roof - a major engineering feat.  So much smoke went flying out of that roof that it set off the fire alarm at the church up the hill.  True story.

I went through a real country music phase, and saw most of the great acts, many at a Roadhouse owned by a friend's family - I would pitch in and wait tables when they got busy.  Met a lot of musicians in the kitchen that way.  Trace Adkins really is that tall and Kenny Chesney really is that short.  Both really are great performers.

I've seen the big shows like Billy Joel, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Earth Wind & Fire, Steely Dan and Bruce Springsteen in the big venues.  I was lucky enough to hear Josh Groban and Michael Buble when they were first touring and playing the small rooms.  Both young men have voices that can hit one's soul.  

One hot August night, I got to sit in the second row of a small church in Atlantic City.  Ronan Tynan was there to help raise money to buy an air conditioner.  Tynan is one of the original Irish Tenors, and I imagine when angels sing, some of them sound like him.  I was totally blown away.

I could go on and on, but I'd rather hear from all of you - what is the music of your life?

Comments

[SisterZip]

I have the Irish Tenor's Christmas cd. It is so wonderful.

My first concert was a Barry Manilow. I have seen him in concert 6 times since 1975. The only other concert I have been to was a Kansas show at the old Kiel Auditorium. Dear Hubby took me to impress me while we were dating. Now I can't get him to go to McDonald's.

I'm not a big country fan, and I really don't get the Kenny Chesney thing. But I LOVE Trace Adkin's 'Your Gonna Miss This" & "Ladies Love Country Boys". I am a BIG Sugarland fan. If you get the chance to see them on CMTs Crossroads series with Bon Jovi...wow!

I just picked up "The Essential Barbara Streisand" and it is great. My daughter turned me on to Michael Buble. And one of my guilty pleasures is Celine. Can't help it. Just hearing "The Prayer" with Andre Bocelli brings tears to my eyes.

The first time I saw the Michael Jackson video for "Man in the Mirror" I cried like a baby. It will always be my favorite Jackson song.

[Iam138]

My first outdoor concert (other than Donny and Marie at the Allentown Fair, ugh), was the B-52's, with the Ramones opening for them, on the Impala Lawn at the Philadelphia Zoo, 1982 or '83. Only went to one arena concert, David Bowie at the Spectrum, 1982 or 83. The video for Modern Love was filmed partially at that concert, since that's the only one of three where they released the balloons.

None of these big concerts can beat the atmosphere of the small rooms I've attended with my son over the past few years--the Troc, the TLA, the First Unitarian Church, the Barbary, seeing bands like The Dead Kennedys, MDC, Leftover Crack, the Subhumans, Amebix, World Inferno Friendship Society, and at the Electric Factory, Gogol Bordello. The Subhumans' "Mickey Mouse is Dead" will forever be associated with my son's crowd surfing video on YouTube.

By the way, this is Josh, in case that wasn't obvious.

[it certification]

Thank you for sharing this article. really helpful

[Laura (in PA)]

I grew up with older parents, and my mother listened to music all the time. I was probably the only 1982 graduate who knew all the words to songs by Bing, Sinatra, and the Mills Brothers. We listened to a lot of musical soundtracks too, so I know the words to songs even when I haven't seen the play or movie.

Now I'm into Country, though my iPod is extremely eclectic. I've converted my husband to like Country as well, so we do a lot of summer Country concerts. (By the way, no one who is into modern Country music calls it Country-Western - so those of you who do, stop it.)

This year we have/had tickets for: Kenny Chesney (we actually don't like him that much, but Sugarland played too, and SisterZip is right - they are awesome, especially live); Roseann Cash (saw her last night in a small venue, she was amazing); a local radio station's sponsored show, which included Zac Brown Band (OMG, you have to see them), Phil Vassar, Kelli Pickler (much better than I expected), and Big & Rich; Keith Urban and Taylor Swift (Aug 1 - Can't wait); and Rascal Flatts (haven't seen them before, have tickets for Aug 29). Also going with a couple girlfriends to see David Cook. :)

I think Barry Manilow was also my first concert. I was a huge fan. I've also seen Genesis, Diana Ross, and Billy Joel. I won tickets once from a local radio station to see Big & Rich on the Today Show; we were right next to the stage. One of our favorites to see in concert is Brooks & Dunn - Ronnie Dunn's voice just bowls me over.

Thanks for the blog today, Kathy - we can always count on you for good music discussions.

[Nancy Martin]

Blossom! That takes me back! We saw Madonna (before she was Madonna) at the drive-up window at the Dairy Queen near there. She was with her grandmother and standing up in the open moon roof. Bet she'd deny ever going to a Dairy Queen.

As for the music of my life--gotta be show tunes, then folk music. Joan Baez was a big part of my teen years.

[Tina]

My first concert is one of the best memories I have. I was 10. I saw Andy Gibb at the state fair. My sister and I were so short my Dad put me on one shoulder and her on the other and we watched the entire concert that way. I've been to a ton of concerts since then, but that one will always be the best.

[William Simon]

The Rat Pack is still the biggest musical influence. Missing the heyday by about five years, I remember seeing all three separately over the years in Vegas, being way too young to appreciate what I was seeing. At that point, Frank and Dean were Old Guys my parents liked, which made them automatically suspect. Now the music plays constantly, the movies are watched repeatedly, and souvenirs are treasured beyond words. While cleaning out a closet a couple of years ago, I found the actual announcement/invitation to Sinatra's opening at Caesars Palace. Cast in bronze, the size of a saucer, weight about two pounds, it now sits in a place of honor, surrounded by gambling tokens, REAL metal ones, from the Sands and the Riviera and the Flamingo and.... well, you get the idea. My indifference at the time we chalk up to the foolishly ignorant arrogance of Youth....

[Sheila Connolly]

I led a boring life in my misspent youth, and my first foray into concert-going was a Peter, Paul and Mary concert in Newark NJ. A friend's father volunteered to drive.

Then there was an extremely long dry spell...I'm talking close to four decades. Recently I've been trying to catch up, with an eclectic mix of concerts: Fleetwood Mac (4), Stevie Nicks (3--can you see a pattern here?), Willie Nelson (2), and the Rolling Stones. Apparently I'm a late-blooming groupie.

Isn't there something amazing about sharing the concert experience with thousands of other people--all of whom seem to know the lyrics and sing along?

[Kathy Sweeney]

I knew I wouldn't be the only one!

Now you've all got me creating new play lists on my iPod. How on earth did we keep track of all our music before iTunes?

Sr. Zip - the Irish Tenors Christmas Show is simply wonderful.

Josh - what great memories! My only concert with the kids memory so far is seeing M.C. Hammer with my son - HE is the one who wanted to go. And what's with the new moniker, Iam138?

Phil Vassar got his start playing at IUP (my hometown) and he puts one a fantastic show. He's one of the ones who singed my shirt in the kitchen at the Roadhouse.

[Libby in Annapolis]

My first concert was at Soldier Field in Chicago - Ted Nugent Headlined, with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick. It was about 90 degrees outside, 100+ in the bowl. I was 16 years old. People were passing out from heat exhaustion - we do that in Chicago when the temp is above 80. Security passed out plastic milk jugs of water to hydrate the crowd. The music was deafening - then everyone starting throwing the empty jugs towards the stage and it felt like you were in a big popcorn machine. There was lots of smoke at this concert too! 70,000 tickets sold, 80,000 pushed their way thru the gates. Several injured or hurt/trampled. It was an great first concert experience. I couldn't hear for a week after this concert.

[Laura (in PA)]

Phil Vassar does put on an awesome show. And he's hot. He can sign, or even singe ;), my shirt any day.

[Alan P.]

Even in my misspent youth, I never went to many concerts. Never had the cash. I did have floor seats for the Who for their first farewell tour in 1981 (?).

I do enjoy smaller venues. I have seen several great blues acts in various bars.

My music tastes tend toward rock ballads, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin and 60's folk music.

Turn, Turn, Turn by Pete Seeger is one of my children's favorites.

The Princeses had "Bedtime with the Beatles" as their night time music as babies. They now enjoy the real Beatles music.

[xena]

Soooo....my dad and Jazz in the same breath.
Dave Brubeck, George Shearing, Ramsey Lewis, Herby Hancock, Chuck Mangione to name a few. My mom was 101 strings, Montovani and Percy Faith.
I started loving the ballets & Disney movies music. I had a brief fling with the Beatles although never saw them in concert and then moved into musicals in High School. Been there ever since and have been in and/or seen most of them. Annual trip to NYC or the TOPA & Broward Center have good touring companies.
The highlight was Howard Keel in South Pacific at the Sunrise Musical Theatre.
I've been to my fair share of Three Dog Night at Pirate's World and a Rod Stewart at the Dolphin (whatever it is called this week) Stadium but I'm not a throng kind 'o girl.
There are so many talented composers and song writers and performers out there today that it is getting hard to narrow it down. Enya is pretty to dance to. And the old Spanish singers like Julio Iglesias and Alberto Cortez. In Brazil it was Gioberto Gil. Okay...you had to be there.
Just saying.

[Laurie Moore]

Most recently, I was moved to tears hearing Susan Boyle sing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. I bet I've listened to that YouTube clip a hundred times, and each time it's the same as the first.

Way back, when I worked police patrol, there were a lot of concerts at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, and off-duty officers were hired for crowd control. I worked back stage with so many acts I can't remember them all, but a few stick out in my mind: Ronnie Milsap was such a gentleman, Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) changed clothes after every song, and John Denver gave us all free tickets to come to his second show and sit in the audience like real people.

Aside from Fleetwood Mac (my fave), I'm stuck in the Strawberry Alarm Clock years, back when I was in junior high, I guess because that's when everyone I knew was falling in love for the first time. Even now, I know the words to all of those songs.

Years later, one of the worst parts of my life was when I walked into my home and went through each room, mentally selecting the one thing I couldn't live without. When I reached the last room, I made the decision to divorce. To facilitate this decision, I told him he could have everything...and I mean EVERYTHING except our daughter. And he did take everything. Gutted the place. Took all 5 cars. And the bank account. Gone.

I kept the girl, and that's what mattered. But I can't impress upon you enough what a loss it was to me to not have the music. Even the little transistor radio disappeared. But the accoustics of an empty house make singing feel like you're performing in an auditorium before thousands of people, and I made my own music. By my third paycheck, I bought a cheap stereo, tuned it to the local pop station, and knew that my life had gotten back on track.

[Kathy Sweeney]

There was an article in a recent issue of Rolling Stone about how ticket promoters are getting worried because they don't see any big international arena sellers coming up to replace The Rolling Stones and U-2.

Outside of country music, which has a very stable fan base, who do you think could fill that void?

[JanetLynn13]

My musical taste is odd - or as my daughter says, non-existent...
Saw Manilow and the Beach Boys with my parents, but my first concert with friends was REO Speedwagon and opening act, Survivor. Can you get better than "Eye of the Tiger?" Still one of the biggest songs on Guitar Hero.
Don Henley was good.
Saw George Strait, Shania Twain and Cher all the same year - mostly because friends wanted to go. All surprisingly good. Cher and Cindy Lauper (her opening act) were fantastic. To hear Cindy sing "Girls Just want to have Fun" in person was such an awesome throw-back for me.

Michael Buble was amazing.

Britney Spears (with my daughter, before Brit was a train wreck) was disappointing. But NSYNC as the first event at the new Heinz Field was an awesome, awesome show. Absolutely so much more talent than Brit.

But now, there is only one act that will make me undertake the horror-that-is Star Lake Amphitheater, and that's a Buffett concert. Hands down more fun than anything else for a parrothead!

[Pam aka SisterZip]

After I wrote my thing very early this morning, I remembered a few other shows I have seen.

The Righteous Brother-my freshman year at Northeast Missouri State Univ (now Truman State..what is it with colleges changing their names?...another rant for another day). Bobby Hatfield's aunt lived in Kirksville so he came to the college for Homecomeing to visit.

Billy Joel-at the Old Barn...the Arena...in the 80s. Great show, but loud!

The 5th Dimension (with the Smothers Brothers)at the Fox Theatre-I don't know who was better. When not on tv, the Brothers are very R-rated, but hilarious.

James Taylor also at the Fox Theatre-very, VERY good show.

I have an ipod Nano. I just haven't filled it up yet.

[Cheryl in STL]

I grew up going to the Muny in St. Louis, sitting in the free seats and seeing wonderful Broadway musicals every summer. As I got older, I went to many concerts at the Mississippi River Festival at SIUE. Some great ones there; Harry Chapin, Dan Fogelberg, Marshall Tucker, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and yes, even Barry Manilow (cheesy, but he puts on a great show).

[storyteller Mary]

I second the Muny and musicals for cheering one up -- and add Preservation Hall style traditional jazz! . . . and anything sung by John McCutcheon. He was on PHC last weekend, just as I was wishing they would invite him!
Mr. Typepad lost my first message yesterday, so as a public service health and comfort message: Ginger, candied or in capsules, is great for travel sickness. Flying injured to Utah, I learned that two airline pillows topped with an in-flight magazine stabilizes the seat and makes it easier to sit. For all you lucky travelers, travel well and safely!

[Pam aka SisterZip]

I saw The Wizard of Oz (with Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch & the Hudson Brothers as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion) at the Muny. I also was lucky enough to see Carol Burnett & Rock Hudson in I Do, I Do. So much fun!

[Ramona]

Kathy, I don't know about arenas, but if you want to fill a field, there is always Phish.

I listen to the Les Miz Live from the Royal Albert Hall recording whenever I'm on a long drive or doing some mindless house project. So good. They just don't make 'em like Valjean and Javert anymore.

[Mary Eman]

At the risk of sounding old, old, old, the first live concert I ever saw was Gary Lewis and the Playboys (Who Wants to Buy This Dian=mond Ring).

[gaylin in vancouver]

My parents listened to Neil Diamond, Creedence Clearwater and John Denver. The only concert we went to as a family was Sonny and Cher in 1973 when I was 13 and it was great.

My first big concert was Queen in 1978, what an awesome show. When I first moved to Vancouver I went to concerts a lot, tickets averaged $38 so it was a reasonable venture. Aerosmith's Pump Concert was one of the best big shows I ever saw. John Mellencamp's was a terrific smaller show. Got free tickets to see U2 and was really disappointed, they were awful.

I wanted to go to see Aerosmith and ZZ Top this year but couldn't part with the $190 cost and that was before taxes and add-ons. I must be getting old because that is TOO much money for a concert.

I went to see DePeche Mode 3 times and they are great, makes me want to skip out of work and go home and turn iTunes on. The first time I saw DePeche their lead in act was Bjork - probably one of her first times out and the whole audience was appalled. I seem to remember no one clapped, not once.

Laurie Moore - you rock! Kept what was important from that relationship, your daughter is lucky to have you.

[Jane]

I never got to many concerts - a misspent youth as a good little girl with an overprotective mother in a small midwestern town limited my options. My early musical taste was formed listening to my olders sisters' and brother's music - Elvis, Simon and Garfunkel, Janis Joplin.

Hubby, on the other hand, grew up in Phoenix and worked for a while at the Greek Theater so he has many great concert memories. He was very excited to take our son to see Blue Oyster Cult last summer. Just a small show at a local fairground by the latest grouping of the band, but they had a great time sharing the music. A trip down memory lane for dh and a great start for the boy.

[Harley]

Count me in on all of the above: Country, show tunes, you name it, I love it.

When I was single and childless, I'd blow lots of money on concert tickets and either go alone or take a friend. I sat in the pit for Sting, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Guns & Roses, Metallica, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen. I'm so spoiled now, I can't sit farther than 20 rows back.

Unless it's Hollywood Bowl, which is another sort of experience altogether. Favorite memory? Hearing Miles Davis do his version of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature." Heaven.