Looking at this week's playlist, one thing that struck me was the number of its acts I've been able to see in live performance. It's not a huge percentage, but each concert was something, and most provided memories that have lasted long after the house lights came back on.
Alex Chilton on an oldies package tour. The Cowsills on a different oldies package tour. Talking Heads at University of Buffalo, all four members of the Monkees (in groups of three over three separate occasions), Robbie Rist of the Andersons! and Spectraflame, Terry Sylvester of the Hollies. The Bevis Frond at a Syracuse Community Radio benefit, the Four Tops at the New York State Fair. Vance Brescia of the Mosquitos played with Peter Noone. I SAW THE RAMONES EIGHT TIMES!! I saw the Grip Weeds three times, the Bangles twice, the Smithereens once, Gary Frenay and Tommy Allen of the Half/Cubes countless fab times. Paul Collins of the Beat performed live on an episode of this little mutant radio show. I've seen Paul McCartney and I've seen Ringo Starr, and I'm told both of them used to be in some British boy band that TIRnRR programs pretty regularly.
And just last Thursday, Dana and I were witness to the surf rock instrumental kaPOW! of the Surfrajettes playing live. Magic. And a potent reminder of how fortunate we've been to see so many cherished and essential performers in their natural element.
I confess that I sometimes feel a little older than I actually am. I'm 66, which is way too young to start getting fitted for a sarcophagus. My health is okay, I'm okay, but my stamina ain't what it used to be, and it didn't useta be anything much to begin with. I'm slowing down a little.
Stopping? Not yet. There are still shows to see, sounds to hear, a voice to make hoarse by screamin' along to favorite songs. We have a radio show dedicated to the pursuit of that sheer, blissful buzz. Whether live or on record, we turn it up, and we remain fascinated by music's mystic ability to stop the clock and keep us all going. This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on another Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
ENCORE!!
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO.
You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO). You can follow Carl's daily blog at Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's latest book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get Carl's previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.
No comments:
Post a Comment