Reach Up and Touch the Sky
Listening to songs and painting is one of my favorite ways to start my day. Especially, listening to songs that shaped my life. I think attending shows in person were life changing moments for me. My first concert was the Eagles. But, it was pretty scary. It was the last concert at Roosevelt Stadium, because of a shooting. They were going to tear the stadium down. So, there was a lack of security, inadequate rest rooms and an overall feeling of no one caring what happened to that place. It was a mess. I was mortified entering the rest room, and someone was actually squatting on a sink to go to the bathroom. Then there were the many times we would go to local bars, to enjoy the bands. Being underage, I was always afraid of getting caught. Then there was the biggest and best bar with all the best bands and they were really strict about not letting anyone underage in. But, then there was the fear of being drugged, being too near a fight or bullied by a bouncer. One of my favorite venues actually ended up closing, because a bouncer had killed a customer. I guess what I am trying to say is the early 70's was still a violent time. If we went to see the Mets play at Shea Stadium. There were many fights among fans in the grandstands. But, overall it was risky anytime you were with a lot of people to enjoy yourself.
In my Junior year of High School the band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes became popular. I Don't Want to Go Home and then This Time Is For Real came out. I had the records and they were played non-stop. They weren't on the radio, so much. We went to the Count Basie, which was called the Monmouth Arts Center at the time. Their concerts were long and full of contagious energy. I found my place. When the song "I Don't Want to Come Home" and "We're Having a Party" ended the show it was an experience like no other. I loved the horns the most. I was mesmerized by the sound and I believe they had five horn players at that time. Bruce Springsteen and Miami Steve (Steven Van Zandt) would always join in for the last songs. Everyone was always standing and cheering and yelling: "BRUuuuuuuuuuuuce". It would be really hard coming down to earth after reaching up to touch the sky. The words to that song and most of those songs were written by Bruce and Steven. Steven I believe did most of the horn arrangements. We also were waiting impatiently for Bruce's album after Born To Run. He was in the papers for years, negotiating his early contract.
But, for me it was the first time I experienced complete and total JOY! I can say I was dancing and yelling at the top of my lungs, and all my cares and worries were wiped away. Just, that song and being with a mass of people all in the same state of mind was total happiness. And, for me personally it was a need of a teenager full of ever changing moods. It wasn't achieved by drinking or doing drugs. It was the anticipation of something good and the participation in making it great.
Steve VanZandt was the one mostly responsible for the formation of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. The horn section was called the Miami Horns. He went on from their to produce the River with Bruce and then struck out on his own to form Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. He acted in the Sopranos. And, has a radio station called the Underground Garage, which is probably about 18 years old. He also has a recent project called Teach Rock and having the time I have visited the sight. It is mostly about bringing a curriculum of Rock music history into the classroom. I think he is really on to something. For me, to be interested in something I have to relate to it on some level. So, there are two lessons for any ages I checked out first. And I at the age of 60 am happy to say I learned something!!! Drawing or painting to music has a name. It is called synesthesia
. If you have the time, check it out here. It is about Billy Eilish, who won many grammies last year at a very young age. No big record label, all done with her brother in their bedroom studio and shared on You Tube. Amazing times we live in. The amount of information on the internet is astounding! Maybe it will help with a lesson or two if you have children at home, that are struggling with something. So, in conclusion Reach Up and Touch the Sky. Reach out, participate and learn something new. Something that actually you don't do, because of the fear of failure. Sometimes you don't even realize how much you don't do because of fear. Take a chance. What do you have to lose at home alone? No fear of wasting time right now, for sure!
Quote of the Day:
“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Song of the Day: Color of the Wind by Tori Kelly
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