The Music Lives On

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Before I begin, let me just say that music, specifically rock music has been a part of my life since 1964. For it was then that these guys made their first trip to the U.S. of A. -

(Source)

Yeah, Dad was aghast at the music, the hair, the screaming females, but for me, it was a sea change. From that point forward nothing was ever quite the same.

In junior high (what is called "middle school" these days) we had music class, we were asked to submit what our preferences were for an instrument to learn how to play.

I chose drums.

I got the trumpet.

Seems that it wasn't really a music class wherein one could learn to play an instrument for the joy that was in it. No, it was a recruiting thing for the school band.

Mum and Dad wouldn't spring for a trumpet, I had to play a borrowed old cornet (similar to a trumpet). Which totally soured me on the whole band thing. (It was also the first time that I had felt betrayed by adults.)

Eventually I did get a cheap acoustic guitar (battered and beaten it's still around Chez Sarge, somewhere). I enjoyed playing it, some friends and I fooled around with starting a band. The guy whose idea it was wanted to play Monkees, all I wanted was Beatles. We amicably parted ways on that.

I did eventually get to play drums in a high school variety performance. There I was, up on stage with two guys (a bassist and a guitarist) who were both very, very good. All I had to do was keep a simple beat and, God forbid, sing.

We did it as a comedy thing, we pulled it off. But I didn't touch the drums again for many years.

Used to jam on the bass with some guys on Okinawa, great fun it was, but after one all day jam in the park on base, I tore my fingers to red ribbons. I wanted to wait a couple of days but the other guys were really pressuring me to join them, I just couldn't. It hurt to play.

I enjoy playing the guitar (six and four string) and of course really enjoy beating on my drums. When The Missus Herself is oot and aboot, she doesn't care for the noise. (Drums must played loud, I think it's a law or something.)

After LUSH got assigned to Oceana we went down to visit. On the way back from lunch, there was a song on the radio, this one -

Then, back at the town house which The Nuke and LUSH shared, that evening we watched Letterman. And guess who was on the show that night? Yup, Foo Fighters, playing Learn to Fly.

Okay, I didn't become a huge Foo Fighters fan that day, but that's where it started (must have been 2009 as I recall).

Over the years I heard their music, and really enjoyed it. But I was still a child of the 60s and early 70s. Jethro Tull, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, et al, those were my go-to bands.

Then back in 2018 LUSH and I had the chance to go up to Boston (Fenway Park) and see the Foo Fighters in concert.

Oh my ...

It was a fantastic night, one of the best times I've ever had. (And I've had rather a lot, probably more than my fair share, but hey, I'm enjoying my life, if that's wrong I don't want to be right - that's a song, right?)

Bought every single Foo album there is, at least the ones I can find, I'm still looking for a lot of the covers they've done over the years, most of which can be found on the Tube o' You.

Anyhoo, then earlier this year, this happened.

Some Foo fans have had trouble listening to the music since Taylor's untimely death. Not me, more, I want more. So I listen and remember the good times.

(After all, I was a huge Beatles fan, they broke up, John died, George died, but I still listen to their music. They live on through their music.)

This Saturday instant there was a memorial concert at Wembley stadium, in London, started at 1130, finished at 1730. With one brief interruption to run an errand, I watched the whole thing.

A six-hour long celebration of a guy who played music well and loved doing it.  It was superb.

Left me thoughtful it did, seemed like a thing to post about for a Sunday in early September. So I did.

It's happening again in Los Angeles later this month, LUSH and I were sore-tempted to get tickets. But yeah, we're adults now, commitments and responsibilities. But it will be streamed, and I will watch.

Dave Grohl, Everlong, Wembley 2022
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Here's what it sounded like at the same venue, back in 2008, when Taylor yet lived.

It was the last song they played at Fenway, back in 2018.

Memories man, the music in my head and in my heart.

One wonders if it will ever be that good again ...

Peace.

 A Cautionary Note:

Yes, I know the Foo Fighters' politics differ from mine. Guess what? I don't care, not one wit. If you want to comment on politics or rant about whatever bee is in your bonnet, not today. Don't want any comments about drugs either, it's kind of an occupational hazard with musicians. Just enjoy the music.

As always, be nice.