Thursday night I went on a “date” with eldest daughter. Her sweet sixteen was actually last night, but she wanted to go to a rock concert for her birthday. Thursday had to do. We originally bought three tickets…an extra for a friend; unfortunately the friend brought home a substandard progress report from school last week, so his parents pulled the plug. It was too late to find someone else to go.
Well, we had a good time. It was the start of the 2008 tour for REO Speedwagon, Styx and Def Leppard. Strange thing though. The last time I last saw REO in concert was thirty-one years ago. The last time I saw Styx and Def Leppard in concert was twenty-five years ago. Back then the majority of the audience was my age...ish. This time, the majority of the audience was…my age.
Seriously! Most people attending were between the ages of forty and sixty! Actually, this made for a well-behaved crowd (roughly 10,000 attended). Many of us “old folks” brought teenagers, but we still vastly outnumbered the “youngsters”. It was really different seeing old rockers on stage with significantly shorter and grayer/whiter hair. Music was still good though.
Being the first real rock concert for daughter, she was shocked at the volume. Def Leppard really blasted the Greensboro Coliseum…just like I remembered. When the aroma of “wacky tobaccy” drifted up to our seats, she cast me a horrified stare. Yep, just like I remembered.
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Oh ha!!! That is hilarious! I actually don't want to go to concerts anymore because I would feel old, but clearly I would have fit right in. But I have to admit that I cannot stand REO Speedwagon but would have happily stayed for Def Leppard. I used to love them in high school. Sheesh that's a long time ago!!
Sounds like a great time!
The last show I saw was Toole in '03. It sucked so bad we left mid way. The singer stood in the back corner with his back to the audience. Thank goodness those tickets were given to us. There were a lot of angry attendees.
Recently, my husband went to see Van Halen with his brother. The tickets were outrageous at over $150 a pop. I can remember concerts for $12.50. I refused to go to that one.
If Led Zeppelin decides to do a world tour--I heard that rumor--I will go regardless of the cost.
I am thinking about the Plant Kraus tour just in case I don't get to see the Zep. I've seen Plant every time he's come to town.
I'm surprised you got to smell wacky weed. They've banned all smoking in the indoor arenas here. Hubby said they had ushers scouting for smokers posted at every stair well, top and bottom. He almost got kicked out for lighting a cigarette.
Ell,
I've come to the conclusion that if we attend concerts with groups from our youth, we will not be out of place. Korn might not work.
Muse,
Tickets for this were only $35 each, so not too bad. There is supposedly no smoking in the Greensboro Coliseum either. The "guards/ushers" were not very effective.
Sounds like so much fun! Glad you had a good time. And I love that your daughter not only wanted to see those three bands, but that she was okay with going to a concert with her father. Most teenagers would not be caught dead at a concert with their parents! You must have a very good relationship.
Happy belated birthday to her!
How very cool that you went to a concert with your teen daughter!
A few years ago, I went to a Neil Young concert and was shocked at the number of really young people. Some music just crosses the age barrier, I guess.
Caryn,
For some reason, eldest daughter started listening to my old stuff about two years ago...now she's hooked. I guess I look cool enough that she's not embarrassed by me...yet.
Barrie,
There actually were a lot of "youngsters" at the concert...I was just amazed that I didn't feel out of place due to all the "oldsters" there.
LOL! I love concerts and still go. I see John Hiatt whenever I can, Springsteen . . . obscure bands. Take my kids. Go myself.
And I love ya, JLK . . . but those bands? I like a lot of indie music, so those bands just make me cringe. I WILL say that in 7th grade I saw STYX though. But I rapidly graduated to the Clash and R.E.M. back then. Now I'm really into The Arcade Fire.
E
I loved that you took your daughter, and that she wanted to join you. My mom took me to musical comedies and I carried on that tradition with my daughter.
Some of those old groups are still rockin' and some I've seen are just, sad, and make me feel as old as I am.
Erica,
At this point in life some of my favorite bands are small-time groups: Albanach, Barley Juice, The Kildares, Coyote Run, Mother Grove, etc. (Note the Celtic connection.)
Kathy,
Yeah I was pretty shocked when Kevin Cronin came on stage with relatively short almost white hair! Last time I saw him it was long, brown and straggly.
JLK:
If you haven't already, you should check out Leahy. If you like Celtic, fiddles, family (it's a sibling group--amazing players) . . . they're awesome.
E
Erica,
Thanks for the lead...I'll check them out. Always looking for new Celtic groups.
;)
SIXTEEN??? FIRST CONCERT??? What-- did you lock her up or something?
Seriously, my first concert was at about 12, parents in tow. Fleetwood Mac and Christopher Cross. Or, it might have been the Beach Boys even younger. Can't recall. I saw so many street shows and Chicagofests growing up it all blends. I saw Def Lep on their Juke Box Hero tour years ago--they blew up a huge juke box on stage. Tre cool.
I had tix for the concert you saw but missed it due to in-laws in town. :( My friend kept sending me pictures and voice mails of the music--bitch! The last old folks show I saw was Marilyn Manson--don't laugh--most of us were in our late 30s to 40s and he puts on one hell of a theatrical show.
I try to attend a concert every couple of months and bar shows more often. Most recently Matchbox 20 (I'd never heard of them--really, I hadnt! But they put on a fun show). Next Monday: My Chemical Romance for the second time. I don't recall the first; I was drunk.
I've yet to be at a concert where I didn't smell pot.
I could go on and on about concerts, obviously. You gotta get that girl out more.
Hey Erica, have you heard the new REM? It's awesome. I've seen them like five times, but this new album is good enough I'm going to catch them at Red Rocks next time.
Clash, yea! Now I'm all punk rocky mixed in with old alternative.
Sex,
Unfortunately, eldest daughter has a bad rep for poor judgment...hence the shorter leash. She has more judgment relapses than you can imagine. Or maybe not. ;)
Example: Twice entered cars with complete strangers who, when subsequently pulled, were found to have guns, knives and drugs. You'd think she'd learn after the first time.
The second time, the driver was a fugitive wanted for aggravated assault and armed robbery.
Yep, REALLY poor judgment and all this as a freshman in high school!
Therefore the chain got jerked tight!
Anyway, until last year she wasn't interested in Rock concerts. She's been to the opera, ballet and symphony since she was four and actually prefers that kind of music. Not a lot of pot at the symphony! ;)
Sex Scenes:
LOVE the new REM.
JLK:
I had one of those. Now she is a LOVELY young woman of 18 with incredibly good judgment. But if you had told me two or three years ago we'd be here now . . . wouldn't have believed you.
Pray a lot and keep doing what you're doing.
E
Or maybe not. ;)
What exactly are you implying, J? :P
What exactly are you implying, J?
Umm...that maybe from everything you've said about yourself, once upon a time you were a "wild one"...but then, you still seem to be...a wee bit...just a little...ok, maybe a lot...
Just kiddin' ya, J.
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