My first live concert of note was The Beatles, at D.C. Stadium (Washington D.C., my birthplace), in 1966. I was 12 years old, and it was the foundation of a lifetime of concert-going. I also had the privilege of seeing Elvis Presley before he left the building, in 1975. Later, I became infatuated with The Grateful Dead, and saw them play more than two dozen times! Later still, in the eighties, I fell in love (metaphorically) with the aging-but-still-vital Frank Sinatra, and began making semi-annual trips to see him perform live in Las Vegas.
Of course, Elvis and Frank are gone now, as are many of the creative forces behind The Beatles and The Dead (John, George, Jerry Garcia--and a roster of deceased Grateful Dead keyboardists that eerily resembles the many departed drummers of parody band Spinal Tap--should all Rest In Peace). In the cases of Sinatra and Garcia, I've spent so many hours with them, live in performance, over the years, that they feel like long-lost friends. I cherish the time I spent with them. And their absence from our world makes my many wonderful memories of them that much more precious.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting individual, specific recollections of my time spent with each of these talented and memorable artists.
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2 comments:
Although I was a dedicated fan, I was not able to attend any of the Beatles's concerts in the US in the 60s. I can see how you treasure that experience and how it could change your life! Carole
"I've spent so many hours with them, live in performance, over the years, that they feel like long-lost friends. I cherish the time I spent with them. And their absence from our world makes my many wonderful memories of them that much more precious." Nicely said! This phrase portrays your deep connection to these performers.
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