Markley's Blog

What has happen to
music in today’s world? Well the way the question is asked
you have to wonder if those that posed it, want to know if it what has happened
to it, is for the better or worse. So since this is my article and my opinion,
I will look at it as what has happened to it in the negative. We have to
because to “me” music has taken on a whole new meaning than when I purchased my
first 45 record back in 1973.

Case in point; they don’t even make 45’s
anymore and unless you have iTunes or another source for purchasing music, you
can’t even buy a single song by itself. That’s what they were called back in
the day “singles”. When the demise of the vinyl LP happened with the
introduction of the CD, the little 45 died to the cassette single, (which they
don’t make anymore either).  I have two
cassette players in my stereo listening room and I can’t tell you the last time
I recorded using one. I now record everything on CD. So you ask yourself,
“Where he’s going with this”?

I’m really not sure and I kind of got off the
path and started reminiscing on how as music collector the way you listen has
changed. Now back to the music itself. I have been collecting music for over 35
years and have seen and heard music change in a way that is perplexing. Some
artist in my collection I have been a fan of since their first recording and
the maturing of that artist into a musician, icon, superstar, award-winning
whatever label you want to give have been both exciting and saddening.

Some artist I became a listener to much
later into their respective catalog of work and come away with the same
reaction. I don’t want to pick on any particular artist or their work, but to
make my case I will highlight a couple to show you what I feel has happened to
music in today’s world. I started to listen to Elton John when he released is
“Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy” album. Of course I had heard his
big hits before than on the radio, but to start to enjoy the deep tracks of an
artist work; with Elton it started right there. Lately though because of the
cheaper price of older recordings I have purchased a lot of his younger
recordings. In so doing the music seems so much fresher and raw. Elton and his
unrestrained best. Playing music to be enjoyed and not just worrying about
having a number one song.

There are so many bands that have had the
pressure applied to them that they need a big hit single. Bands that in the
beginning played the music that was in their heart and soul, have been stripped
of that influence and have been given a new drive that is corporate driven.
Music has for that past 30 years become big business. Make a hit single and
sacrifice the artist’s heart. I believe in my own musical travels that I first
noticed it in the mid-seventies.

There were three major releases that started
the spiral downward trend to making money instead of music. In 1975 Kiss
released their first live album, which broke out as a huge success for them.
Six months later in 1976 Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive became the
biggest selling live album of all time. With those two recordings the record
companies felt that all of their acts should release a live album. In fact
there were several bands that had only two studio recordings and then put out a
live record.

 
Now granted Kiss had only three studio albums, but they figured what
better way to show off their live show than by putting it on tape? It worked.
Then in 1977 Fleetwood Mac had an album that would be not only the bench mark
of their career, but also the bench mark of the recording industry. With the
popularity and the number of hit singles that came from that record, every
record company went in search for that.

It was no longer let the artist tell
their story from the inside of their heart, soul, and mind, it became how many
hit songs can you write. A band had to put together a formula recording that
had the potential to be a big hit. If those in charge didn’t like what they
heard they made the artists go back and do it again (so much for artist
interpretation and inspiration). In the early to mid-eighties several of your
well-known 70’s rockers got labeled as corporate rock.

Bands like Styx, Journey, 38 Special, Kiss,
and Foreigner, all had a great reputation for being bands that would produce
some classic music. And most of these bands earliest recordings are their best.
But those that followed in the 80’s become so predictable and so formulated
that they lost that raw rock sound and became polished studio carbon copies.
Album after album sounded the same.

That direction ultimately was the
demise of several of these artists who are now returning in one form or another
to recapture the early years of their career, and if you’re lucky enough to
catch one live it would be better than any live album they could ever sell or
you could ever listen too. The music has changed and become a business to the
point that the music lover has very few options. There are no longer record
stores or stereo stores. (Other than the big box stores)

Formulation destroyed music. When disco was
the rage bands like The Stones, Queen, and Kiss all had songs that had a disco
beat to it. Do you really think that was their idea? Even Led Zeppelin had a
disco influenced song with “Fool in the Rain” with the blowing whistle and
disco influenced beat. Too much corporate influence has infected music. Looking
over my top 10 list of my favorite albums all of which were released 1976 or
earlier, are albums in the bands early part of their respective catalogue. Or
the album was the one that broke their career open and was before the corporate
change began. I don’t even want to get started on how MTV both changed and
ruined music as we heard it and see it, and now there is no music on MTV

I listen to older recordings that were
released for the sole purpose for the artist to articulate themselves and
compare it to one that was recorded to make a buck and they can’t stand next to
each other. Bring back the days when music was recorded to enjoy and have it
fill us with emotions and make us conjure up thoughts of whatever was going
through our minds at the time. Why listen to some spew out vulgarities and
cheapen the art of recorded music? Music in today’s world has changed and it’s
sad because the real artist can’t be heard over the ringing of the cash
register.

             I am a little confused. If someone tells you
something and you believe their words to be true; then would not their actions
flesh out what they say? In order for them to be trustworthy I would say “yes”.
So if actions speak louder than words, it’s easy to see if words are true by
the action.  Often times in business you
will here a company make claims to what they feel are their biggest asset. In a
small company most times if not all the time those assets are the employees.
(According to the company)

            We are a team. Well that’s what they
say.  We need to have open communication and work
together so that we can better position ourselves (the company) in the market
place. I don’t have a problem with that concept. But there is a problem when
the action and the words don’t mesh. I have two metaphors as examples.

            First; my father in-law is big in
investing. He tells me all the time what mutual funds are good and which ones
to stay away from. Now I’m not well versed in investing and I (as of yet) do not
invest. But I do listen to the news on financial issues and listen to what they
say. My father in-law also gives good advice. From the way I understand it, if
you invest your money and in return increase with financial gain; that is
considered an asset.

             Some synonyms for asset are; benefit, plus
point, advantage, quality and a positive feature. Now one thing investor’s will
say is “you are to protect your assets.”

Reinvest in those assets because they made you money. You should also protect them because
they are the foundation of your investment and are the strength from which it will grow”.
Sounds good right?

At the top of this column it was stated that a company would
say that they feel that their biggest asset are their employees. Yet it seems
at times that they are unwilling to reinvest and protect that asset. Protect by
investing in those assets and then those assets will have a return that will
not only strengthen the company, but with continued investments a company could
be number one in their market.

            Second; there are times when a
company will use the team concept. “We’re a team and we need to work together
to be the best and win the race to be number one” That is another concept that
I do not have a problem with until…Let’s look at that metaphor for a moment.

            In sports, if the team is doing
badly it’s usually the manager that is the one that takes the brunt of all the
criticism and if there is no improvement after a set time, they are the ones to
suffer the consequences and find themselves out of a job. The player’s position
and salary do not change. So with that scenario if a company says’s “We are a
team” and the company realizes that management made some mistakes, why should
the employee’s be the ones that are affected.

            If management did or did not do some
things and the bottom line is affected should not management pay the
consequences? In sports the bottom line is position in their respective
division. If a team fails to make it to the championship in their respective
sport year after year, it would not be long till the ownership makes changes in
the management in hopes of better results. In business if company openly admits
that management made some mistakes and the bottom line suffered, should a
company; (a company that has made the statement that we are a team and we feel
the employees are our biggest asset) expect the employee to take the fall for a
mismanaged decision?

A work force that is determined to help the
company to reach its perspective goal should not suffer by the actions of
management. Yet often times they do. If decisions made hurt the company so bad,
the company may have to shut down. Then the team is fractured and is no more.
The employee is the one that is out of a job and the team no longer exists. In
some cases the employees may take wage and benefit cuts.

            In today’s world with global trade
and marketing sometimes those changes may be legitimate and necessary. But if a
company openly admits that management and some of their decisions have affected
the bottom line, the employee should not have to suffer at all. Keep the team
together and reinvest in those assets and make changes that need to be made. If
change has been made give it time to work; if management and players are
together the race will be won and the position of the team will be on top. It
just may take some time. And in that time take nothing away and build on what
is there. In the end all will benefit, and there should be no confusion.

You know what is really cool? Technology! I know I have talked about it before, and it may have seemed
like I have a negative outlook to it. (I don’t really) but whenever I practice
it, or get the benefit from it, it cool and I just like to share. I am sitting
on my pool deck in the early part of the morning. The sun is warming the water
and the umbrella is keeping me cool. Sitting and being able to put thoughts
together for my readers and being able to enjoy what God has given to me is a
double treat. I have my laptop; cell phone and a fresh glass of green tea. I am
set!

So I thought I would take my little corner of this world and expand my readership. Well I hope to expand
my readership. At least that’s what the idea is and why I started to blog. Also
I have taken a writers course and hopefully will become a better writer. I have
also finished writing my first book and in the process of going through the
ever disappointing world of rejection. Actually I’m not getting disheartened or
disappointed. It’s the process every writer goes thru on the road to becoming a
published author. Really I have started writing three books and one of them I
have been working on for about ten years. That one is also almost finished and
the third one is coming along nicely. That one is in the process of being
formed as far as direction and purpose with most of its contents already wrote.

So you may be reading the early words of a well-known author. I remember the
first book I ever read. It was in the eighth grade. I know I read before that,
but this was the first story I got lost in and used my imagination to paint a
picture of what the writer was trying to portray. Felt for the characters and
felt the emotions that they were feeling. I got totally lost in what I was
reading.  It showed in my grades also. It was part of the curriculum in my eighth grade English class.

We would be tested on each chapter of the book, and because of the joy I was getting out of the story I would pass the
test with flying colors. So at the end of the school year my grade in English
class reflected that. From what I understand this book is one that is read by
most Jr. High kids and is write up there with To Kill a Mocking Bird. (Which I
have never read) “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton is the book that made me learn
to love reading and to get lost in a story. When I finished reading that book I
said to myself, “I would love to write a book someday”. With characters like
Ponyboy, Sodapop, Two-bit and Dallas the book just came alive and I felt for
all those in the book. I have read the book six times, which includes reading
it to my daughter when she was around five years old. I saw the movie; and as
always it never does justice to the book. It was because of that book is the
reason I love to write today. So I started out with poetry 14 years ago, moved
to short stories and now writing, or trying to write, 3 books. Writing for me
is very therapeutic. When I finish a chapter I sit back and read it to see how
it goes along with the story.

Whenever I finish a column, I re-read it to see if I get a joy out of it.  My reason though is to
make the reader enjoy reading it even more. So of course I look at all my
writings as a creation of thoughts put to words so that it creates an emotion
of some sort. I love to hear from people if they like or dislike; question or
rebut. That is the whole idea for writing. It is for others to enjoy. Hopefully
as I grow and become a more accomplished writer, my words will do just that. To
see my words come to life and create an emotion in a person as they respond to
them is a joy that any writer just cannot explain. One thing that I always
thought would be neat as I learn to write better; and I have seen it on
commercials, is sitting on a beach and I am working on my laptop and the sun is
shining and the ocean is making its familiar sound. I am sitting there and
working on the laptop. It’s so calm and I have not a worry in the world.

They are all being taken care of right where
I am because of technology. Well I am not at a beach, and there are still
troubles in this world that will not be solved by me typing on a laptop. But
hearing the bird’s chirp and the wind blowing through the trees and the crystal
blue water of my pool getting warmer makes me still think; Technology is cool!

When MTV blasted its first video little did we know
that not only would the video kill the radio star, MTV would for the most part
kill the music world as well. Maybe not at first, but as the popularity of the
music video grew the quality of the music seemed to wane.

When I was
younger and first started listening to music there was very few media available
to see the artist I enjoyed hearing. So when I was first exposed to MTV it was
like a dream come true. Since there was not very many artists doing videos the
pickings were slim and the rotation was small. But a couple of years in and MTV
started broadcasting live music and the best thing that ever happened to music
was happening right in front of my eyes.

Then there was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Guns
and Roses “November Rain” and the video took over the music. In 1975 Queen had
the first video that was used to promote a song. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the
first official music video, and since then you could say it’s been all downhill
since.

People were
more concerned with the video than with the quality of the music. There were
several bands that could be consider “one hit” wonder because of the popularity
of their video. Let me say this, in some regard if it was not for MTV I would
not have been exposed to some and let me emphasize “some” music I would have
just ignored had it not been because of the video.

But the video became the story instead of the
band. In the beginning you would be able to see the band perform the song
(Though it may have just been lip-synched) you still saw the band. After the
success of the two previous mentioned videos you hardly saw the performer. It
was an interpretation of the song by the director. It just seemed that the
music took a back seat to the graphics. Many a bands image was built by what
you would see in the video and not hear on the audio. Because of that many
bands would write a song with the idea of how they could make a video. They
seemed to forget that a song was built out of the heart and soul of the writer,
not the eyes of a director.

Now it has been over 25 years since the video killed
the radio star, and it seemed like the video killed itself, as the last I heard
they don’t even play music videos on MTV anymore. Imagine that!

I was ten in 1969. My musical taste or the awareness of music
at that time was influenced by what I would hear on the radio in the kitchen of
my home. My parents were avid country music fans.
I was just getting into top 40 AM radio and choosing my own preferred genre of
music (which of course would not mix well with the the play list usually
controlled by the adults). Woodstock! I never even new what kind of sub-culture
was even around at that time. My parents being more conservitive hated the fact
of a boy’s hair touching the collar of his shirt. Bell bottom pants were a sign
of rebellion to the established authority and we were to believe that all long
haired people were wrong and not to be looked at as a mentor, or the way a
person should present themselves.

// Everything I have learned about Woodstock has always been from
articles or documentaries of the event. I never remember seeing or hearing
about it at the time it was happening. It has always been a history to me and
nothing that I can tie a specific meaning or revelation and how it did or did
not affect my life personally at the time. But now 42 years later and a fan of
rock and roll and the culture, I feel that the impact of Woodstock is a bench
mark of a time in our country when there was racial tension and violence and
protests, and the civil
rights movement, that a half million people could spend three days in
harmony and peace is amazing, and should be celebrated if not for any other
reason than that. Some still say it was just a bunch of people sitting around
and getting buzzed, stoned, high, whatever term you want to use. That is a true
statement that is well documented in film and interviews.
But let us drop or perceived ideologies and opinions and let’s look at this for
what it was. A couple of guys had an idea and a plan. They wanted to have a
concert featuring some of the top acts at the time and bring them together for
a weekend of peace, love and music. It worked for the most part. There was
music and love and peace. The big problem was it was bigger than had been
planned and before they knew it word spread and it was out of control. By out
of control I mean they could not control the huge influx of the mass of
humanity that showed up. Claimed it to be a free concert and took a loss and
put on a three day event to this day is still talked about. What is amazing
about the 1969 Woodstock and the following Woodstock’s is that the main event
the “original” is still an unbelievable event.

The anniversaries of Woodstock have been marred with violence
and mayhem. At a time when we are supposed to be more tolerant and accepting,
there were more personal acts of violence at these concerts then the original.
When a culture was being portrayed as anti everything there was no show of
destruction or mayhem for three days. But at every Woodstock after there was
destruction and disregard for a person’s safety or well being.// At the original there were warnings from the stage, along with some
encouragement when bad weather rolled in. All the Woodstocks afterwards had
scene after scene that many thought would have marred the weekend in 1969,
instead it’s a testament that “maybe” we as a people haven’t really matured.
There was looting and fighting and you saw crowds that at times were on the
verge of being out of control. This was not the case in 1969. At a time when it
would have been understandable and almost accepted, there was nothing more than
peace, love and music.

Woodstock was and is a phenomenon that will always be talked about and
debated whether it did any good for our country or culture or if was just a
bunch of long haired freaks who were together for a weekend of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Well I’m sure that there was a lot of that
along with the peace and love, but I feel that Woodstock was much more than
that. It was a time when our nation was divided over many different cultural
and political lines. We were definitely not politically correct! Yet half a
million people that I’m sure didn’t agree on everything agreed for three days
to just enjoy some music, to love the one who was next to them and hope for
peace. That’s what Woodstock was about. And for three days it was accomplished.
The phenomenon that was Woodstock will always stand as a testament that all
those who are different can still have some love and peace and let music join
them together.

What makes a hero? Why is it a person whom always seems to be measured by how much money they make or how many awards they have achieved? They should be a person with characteristics that exude the normal person. I’m sure that if you or I were to make a list, each list would have similar names and recognizable people on them. There is one hero whose place of prominence unfortunately changes as the year’s race by. It’s not because of anything they have done; (sometimes!) it just happens. Dad is often the hero whose idolization comes to a halt.

In the life of a child the position of the dad changes with age. It’s different for a boy than a girl. Being the father of a girl I can relate. For a boy the dad is the one who teaches him how to be a man. Whether through fishing, hunting or how to build a campfire, maybe fix a bike, and later his own car, the dad helps the son to survive and be responsible for for himself. On the playground a dad is lifted up so high on a pedestal that in the child’s eye he could do anything and succeed. How often does a child brag on what their dad can do? “My dad can do…”or “my dad is better than…” The best one is “My dad can beat your dad,” the personal challenge that pits one dad against the other and the dads may not have even met each other. A father would never let their children in on any of his secret fears. Maybe the fear of spiders or other types of bugs that would raise the hair on the back of his neck, but would never let his kids know. He would always be brave in the face of his fears in front of his kids.

A father and a son have a bond that is different than with a daughter. The dad wants to see his son learn the hard way. He wants to see his son make accomplishments that will mold him into a man. Teach him all the ways of being a gentleman to the ladies and always to have respect for his elders and earn respect of his peers. A father and son have a bond that is stretched but never broken.

The relationship between a father and his daughter(s), well that is a different story. The father is sometimes refuses to let the bonds stretch at all. You see, to a father his little girl will always be his little girl. No matter the age, that position will always stay the same. The dad is his little girl’s hero. The one who protects her from whatever it is that is hiding under the bed or in the closet. He is the one who will pick her up after scraping a knee and giving her a warm and reassuring hug and the confidence to try again.

When I was a child, when learning to ride a bike and I were to fall, I was told, “Come on now don’t cry, you’re alright, get back on that bike and do it again”. In my life as an adult I have heard other dads offer that same advice to their sons. But the minute their daughter hits the ground they can’t get there fast enough to the rescue their fallen little girl. When their little girl isn’t little anymore, (Except to dad) and she starts catching the eye of the boys and they start swarming like sharks (at least the dad thinks they are) the father becomes protective and fearful at the same time. Fearful because he once was a shark and knows what they’re like. The danger they impose.

The real reason for the fear is the dad knows that it will not be long before his position as his little girls hero will be relinquished and taken away by another. No longer will his little girl see him as her protector, as the one who is strong above all else. No that has been taken away by a new man in his little girl’s life. That’s the reason for the dad to be even more protective. (Maybe even to appear over protective). That’s the reason why so many dads have a problem with their little girl having a boy.

The bonds between a father and son may stretch, but a dad is fearful that the bonds with his little girl will be break. So the protection is different. Not because the love is different, it’s just more definite with a daughter then a son. Yes they are protective, but I also think it is a little jealousy of being replaced as their little girl’s hero. To all the dads out there, whether you raised boys or girls, you are a hero in their eyes at all times. The bonds will stretch forever and over miles and time. Do not fear dad, the love that was there from the start, will always be in their hearts

Where should I start? Let’s see, no world peace, crime on the rise, and global warming. Not to mention the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The fact of a President halfway through his term and still wondering what he’ll do to better the economy Then there’s inflation that sometimes makes stretching the pay check from week to week a challenge. There are many things that make us worry.

Do you ever worry? My wife worries all the time. She wonders and asks me, “don’t you ever worry?” “I try not to,” is my usual response. This really doesn’t bring much comfort. And that sometimes makes her worry for the both of us. At least that’s what she tells me. I completely understand that in today’s world there is much to be uncertain about; but in scripture we are told to “be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. That is my solace. Those words never rang clearer as they did one morning on my way to work. Ever seen a moon set? It’s an awesome sight.

That morning I got another reminder of how certain and great our God is. How He is in control of everything. Even when we may think the world is out of control, He gave me a beautiful sight for my eyes to look at for the ten-minute drive to work. What a treat. I’m talking about the fact it only takes me ten minutes to get to work. Actually though with the picture I was given on this morning, the ride could have lasted an hour and I would not have cared!

I get up very early. My wife thinks I’m crazy but wishes she were a morning person like I am. There are some very gratifying joys I receive from being up so early. A moon set is one of them. When the moon is in its fullest stage when it comes up it is enormous. Its glow illuminates the clouds as it travels upward and seems to light up the entire night sky. This particular morning as it was setting in the western horizon, it was also huge in size and a beautiful reminder that God is the creator of the universe.

I wanted to go home and shake my wife out of her dreams and share the moment with her. I would have pointed to the picture I feel God personally painted for me that morning and tell her, “This is why I don’t worry.” It was one of those Kodak moments. With God there are always Kodak moments. Whether it’s watching a humming bird pollinate or a blue sky filled with white clouds that look so soft you would love to jump and play in them all day. You see God in it all. Whenever we look at a photographer’s work or a painter’s canvass and we see the vibrant colors we look past the picture and try to look inside to see the soul of the artist through their work
God gives us snapshots of Himself everyday so that we can see who He is.

This particular morning my breath was taken away when I saw the moon just sitting there. I said to myself, “Thank you for the reminder of what a great God you are”. It was like He was putting His thumbprint on either the end of another night, or, to mark the start of yet another day that He would open his world and show Himself to His creation. As I traveled west it was hanging right in the middle of the road and it was as if God was holding it in His hands just for me to see. Every once in awhile God gives us something to knock the cobwebs out of our daily lives and show us who He is. We should be grateful.

You can look at the stars at night and think of the fact that God placed each one exactly where He wanted. It is reassuring that they are there the next night also still in the same place. Not swirling around and out of control. Or the fact that the sun comes up in the same skies every morning and sets in the same place every evening.
The vast expanse of the Grand Canyon or the height of a giant Redwood, are just two more signatures of God. How about enjoying a gentle rain as the land is being refreshed, hearing the bird’s make their music during the day and crickets and locust at night; both given to us to see Him in it all.

The Bible tells us in Exodus that God told Moses to tell the people “I am sent me” The great “I am” has control of everything. We need not worry. Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear. Is life not more important than food, and the body more important than cloths? Mt. 6:25 tells us. That is to say animals do not worry, so why should we? We are much more valuable than they, according to verse 26. It’s very easy to worry when we see the sinful side of creation. We think that when bad things happen, it slipped past Gods watchful eye.

Not so!

Remember He holds every star in place. He knows each hair of our head. He tells every lightning bolt where it should go. He is in total control.

When there is a fresh blanket of pure white snow, be assured He placed each snowflake specifically where it landed. Walking along the beach with each footprint pressed into the sand He knows each grain. He cares for His creation. He gives us snapshots of Himself just so we can see Him through it. Look for the little things that make us see and let us know the big God we’ve got. The other morning on my way to work, “I saw my snapshot.”

I love live music. It’s the best way to hear an artist. In their element as a performer and in surroundings that bring out the magic in that performance. No restrictions of time and editing, the freedom of interpretation and expression. No time limit, just music raw and unrehearsed. At least that was the way live recording used to be. Back in the 60’s and up till mid-70 live recorded music was not in an artist catalogue for the purpose of making money. A live recording was a way of giving an artist or band a brief period of rest to work on other projects and create new material.

In September 1975, with the release of Kiss “Alive” and six months later Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive”, that all changed. Those two albums went on to sell well into the millions and began the commercialization of live recorded music. Record companies saw the dollar sign and decided whatever artist was under their contract it was time to release them live. That’s when the studio entered the arena. They began to mix, edit, re-record and try to make a live recording a studio production. They wanted to make money, but the fear was that people wouldn’t buy if it didn’t sound just like the original record. So they made the live recording nothing more than a studio manufactured live recording. That feeling of hearing the artist live was lost to the studio mixing board and producer. What they wanted you to hear is what ended up being put on vinyl and was not a true rendition of the performance.

I have heard an abundance of live music. I have been behind the mixing board while a band was performing and enjoyed that raw energy and the thrill of” live” music which is for “me” exhilarating. My first live concert was in the early 70’s at one of those of several county fairs around the area. It was Ann Murray and Jerry Reed. Can you tell what music was playing in the house? But my first venture into the rock music arena was in 1975. Just two months after the release of the album that put them on the rock and roll highway and before it truly exploded on the charts I saw Kiss. That was 37 years ago and in that span of time I have seen and heard live music in almost every genre and on almost all different stages. As a matter of fact I have been to a lot of different events of meaning in my life time. I have seen every Chicago professional team at least once (the Blackhawks leading the way). I have seen the Stanley Cup lifted in victory and skated around on the ice (not the Blackhawks). I have been to the Indianapolis 500 twice. I have seen the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, both too many times to count and the Elgin Symphony twice. I have seen the plays, Wicked, Lion King, Dirty Dancing.

I guess you can say I am multi-cultural in the fact that I do not limit myself to just one thing. You will also find this to be true were music is concerned. I already made mention of the classical music I have enjoyed but the following list (though it may be very incomplete due to recollection or lack of) it is a list of the acts I have seen and enjoyed over the past 37 years. The list is in no particular order, (again it’s from memory) or genre, it runs the gamut. It is a testament to my love of music played live. I have no idea as I start this list how long it will be so bear with me and I hope it doesn’t become tedious and boring.
1. Kiss (5)
2. Mott the Hoople
3. Mountain
4. Alice Cooper (2)
5. The Baby’s
6. The Dictators
7. Burton Cummings – former leader of the Guess Who
8. Emerson Lake and Palmer
9. Uriah Heep
10. Styx (3)
11. Walter Eagan
12. Golden Earring
13. Fore Play
14. Point of Grace
15. 4 Him
16. Ray Boltz (2)
17. Cheap Trick
18. Enuff Znuff
19. Kenny Wayne Shepherd (4)
20. DNA
21. Third Day(2)
22. Newsong (4)
23. Steven Cutis Chapmen
24. Out of the Grey
25. Cindy Morgan
26. Michael O’Brian
27. Nicole Nordeman
28. Identical Strangers
29. Bad Company
30. Deep Purple
31. Billy Squire
32. R.E.O. Speedwagon (2)
33. Survivor(2)
34. Off Broadway
35. Lynyrd Skynyrd
36. Aerosmith
37. Zoegirl
38. Newsboys (3)
39. Geoff Moore and the Distance (2)
40. Plankeye
41. Twila Paris
42. Clay Crosse
43. Kenny G (2)
44. Michael Bolton
45. Ted Nugent
46. Skid Row
47. Saliva
48. Phil Keaggy
49. FFH
50. Avalon
51. Jars of Clay (2)
52. Audio Adrenalin
53. DC Talk
54. Take 6
55. Burlap to Kashmir
56. Matthew West
57. Jeremy Camp
58. Force 5
59. Skillet
60. Toby Mac
61. Reliant K
62. Need to Breathe
63. Kirk Franklin
64. Disciple
65. Joe Williams
66. The Waiting
67. Anthony Evans
68. Glorious Appearing
69. Crystal Lewis
70. LaRue
71. Jaci Velasquez
72. Natalie Grant
73. By the Tree
74. Jonny Lang
75. Buddy Guy
76. Howlin’ Wolf

There you have it. 76 different artists I have seen and heard live. I told you I love live
music. There are a couple of bands I wish I could have seen but didn’t. The main one being Queen. So hopefully the list is impressive and gives me some credibility as far as knowing live music. Now after all of that there are five albums in my catalogue that to me are the best live recordings of acts at their best in front of an audience.They are all from 1976 or earlier.
1. “Made In Japan” by Deep Purple
2. “Alive” by Kiss
3. “FM Live” by The Climax Blues Band
4. “One More From the Road” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
5. “Blow Your Face Out” The J. Geils Band

The music that comes from these grooves is a pure discovery of a band at its best. It feels live, sounds live and you can tell the band is getting into playing because the response from the crowd is igniting and energizing their playing. Now I know that this will be contested as to a legitimate proclamation as to the best live album argument, but this is just “my” opinion. Want to way in feel free. This is going out over the web and I will stand by my top five. Will be happy to hear what groups make your top 5.

There are angels watching. At least I see evidence of such things. A recent trip to Kentucky helps bring it to light. Heading south on Interstate 65 at speeds over 70 I thought it might be a good time to make a stop just before getting into Indianapolis. I figured it would be easier to stop now before getting into the city traffic. After finishing all the reasons for the stop it took a total of eight minutes. Back on the road we cut through the city in no time and back to the open highway where back to the speed once again push the needle past 70.

As we traveled along we came up on what would be considered a “slow pocket” of traffic. That’s what they call it whenever you listen to a traffic report on the radio. But what slowed us down was something else you hear, and that was a gaper’s block”. In the north bound lanes you could see several police cars with lights flashing, and several motorists and their cars parked on the shoulder. I began to complain that this slow down was going to put us behind our agenda and said to my wife “why do people have to slow down and gawk”?
As we slowly moved south the the reason for the gawking become apparent. In the grass median separating the northbound and southbound lanes you could see tire marks from a vehicle that had left the southbound lane and had cut across to the north lanes. A big 18 wheel semi was responsible for those marks. We could see the truck as we gawked. Yeah I know I became just like every other driver I was complaining about just a couple of moments earlier. But as we realized the severity of the accident we just began to pray for the driver of the truck and any other person or persons that may be involved.

It had just happen. Well within 10 minutes or sooner. Other than the police there was no other emergency equipment at the scene. As we moved past the destruction and was able to bring our speed back up we saw the emergency response heading north. The further south we traveled and talked about the accident it came to light that we had the protection of angles around us. If we had not stopped before we hit the city we could have been right at the spot the driver of that truck left the road, maybe running into us. A10 minute difference in time could have made a world of difference. Those are the times when you feel God’s protection by his angels. Some may call it providence; some call it luck some may say karma is involved. I have faith that God protects. I see evidence of it all the time. On a trip to Kentucky, all 316 miles I saw that protection in action.

My plan here is to let you know what my musical preferences and taste are and were my influences crept in. As I started my “Blog” I told you how much I love music. That should tell you something. I am going to probably write a significant number of my “Blogs” about music. So I should start out with where my biggest influences came from.

I can remember as early as second grade, music in the house. I never learned to play a musical instrument and there is not one person in my family that ever did. But there were always records. I can remember on a Saturday being downtown at Polk Brothers looking through the records, not knowing what I was looking for, I wasn’t there for myself. Parents have the habit of dragging their children into stores they have no desire being in. Now that there are no record stores to walk into like there was 15 years ago, I miss those days of spending hours flipping thru album after album just hunting for whatever peaked my interest at the time. That old building isn’t even there anymore, now a baseball field is in its place. There was always new music in the house. Bill Black Combo to Pete Fountain, Dean Martin to Eddie Arnold, Nat King Cole to Herb Alphert and the Tijuana Brass. We’re talking mid-sixties time wise. The household was also filled with the sounds of country music. Not today’s Country music

This was Loretta Lynn. Buck Owens, Roy Clark Lynn Anderson, Brenda Lee, Chet Atkins Johnny Cash, these were all stars and the foundation of country music. We had some Jazz and Big Band with Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong. My musical beginnings were with some very popular artist’s. Speaking of popular, the house was never filled with the happening music of the day. Mid to late sixties had some very big and ground breaking acts, that if I was a little older I would have changed my selective tastes much earlier. Groups like The Beach Boys, the Beatles Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. They were all showcasing their music, though it was not considered music in my house. I can remember listening to the radio and the first song I ever liked was called, Ringo by Loren Greene, (yes that Loren Greene of Bonanza fame).Then I had a babysitter that adored the Beatles, and I can remember reading the words to the songs on Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, not having a clue to what I was reading, or that I was looking at one of the most popular albums in music At the age of ten I found AM radio and I loved it.

Sitting here and re-reading and self-editing, that night comes to mind. (Not the specific date) but I can remember leaning on the kitchen counter and just dialing through the radio that my parents would listen to Wally Phillips on in the morning and their country favorites in the evening. Back then there were two country stations on AM-WJJD and WMAQ. After listening to the radio I would try to find the station it was on before I changed the dial. The first popular song I found was one that I heard in music class at school. It was an R&B song entitled Me and Mrs. Jones. I remember listening for the radio call letters so that I could find it again on my small transistor radio. (I did) It was WLS. After finding out I could buy the music I liked, I bought my first 45 of Paul Revere and the Raiders,” Indian Reservation”. Since that first purchase my library and taste have grown and changed and in some cases have come full circle. Music for me was (in my younger days) an escape. I dealt with, frustration, and learned to live with love lost and love won. Had many victories and dealt with many depressions with music. Music they say is universal and very therapeutic. Since the age of ten music has always played an important role in my life. From a “Book of Dreams” to “A Night at the Opera” From “Hysteria” to a “Psycho Circus” and from being “Paranoid” to experiencing “Brain Salad Surgery” Music has kept me “In the Mood” “Dressed to Kill” and proud to be “Born in the USA”

So look for the story to continue because this could lead up to some very exciting reading and you may learn as I have that “Life is A Highway,” that others will offer “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” some may invite and say “Welcome to My Nightmare,” but in the end you come to the conclusion, as I did, that “It’s Only Rock and Roll”