Musical Memories

While I was working out yesterday with my iPod shuffle on (filled mostly with old songs), I started to think of all the concerts I've actually been to. My first was Billy Idol at the State Fair while I was in high school. I still can't believe we did a pom pom routine at a football game with Rebel Yell blaring. Well, actually I can believe we did the routine, what I can't believe is that my mom never said anything about the lyrics. Quite possibly the sound system was so bad our parents had no idea what the lyrics were. More probable was that our routine was so kick ass that the spectators were mesmerized and didn't realize that in the midnight hour she cried more, more, more. For one of my senior pictures I had a bunch of items that meant something to me. My Billy Idol concert tee made the cut and surprisingly isn't the most embarassing thing in the photo.

It goes without saying that I saw the Violent Femmes at Summerfest several times. My parents did find out about the lyrics to their songs but only because my sister told them. And the other Milwaukee favorite...the BoDeans.

I've been lucky enough to see some of the big names. Guns N' Roses, Tom Petty, Peter Gabriel, John Cougar Mellencamp, Sting, Bon Jovi, U2, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, The New Cars with Todd Rundgren. There's been a smattering of others along the way. Most recently I saw Swell Season (the couple from the movie Once). Great movie. Great concert.

With all the shows I've seen I have but two regrets. The first is missing The Producers at Headliners my freshman year in Madison because I was studying for an exam. Thanks to Ken I did at least get a t-shirt. The second was U2 during the Joshua Tree tour. That one was in Minnesota and I don't remember why I didn't go.

My sister-in-law and her son just went to their first concert together...Metallica. I'll be interested to see what types of music my kids like and what concerts are in my future.