My annual whining (see the reference to volume 6?) about my lack of summer writing creativity is probably sounding like a broken record. Try as I might, when July rolls around, I suffer from a total lack of article ideas. Some might say that’s been the case since 2012, but “them is fightin’ words.” It might be the long days, the late nights or the margarita IV, but something causes a block when it comes to finding 1,200 words to fill my August column. Needless to say, as I’ve needlessly said for the past six years, instead of sticking with one theme, this issue will be a collection of thoughts or a hodgepodge if you prefer.
Back to School for the Empty Nester
Back to school used to be such an exciting time when my girls were young. It was the start of the next challenge in their academic development. It also meant reacquainting friendships, beginning new activities and getting them the hell out of the house for 6-7 hours a day after having them around 24/7 for the prior ten weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I loved having the little ones home for summer vacation, but it was also nice to see them go back to school.
Once our kids graduate high school and go away to college, the “Empty Nest” syndrome can kick in. Most (not all) parents miss that day-to-day interaction with their cubs. Back to school brings a certain sadness or melancholy feeling as you say your goodbye’s, knowing that if they are a plane ride away, chances are you won’t see them again for several months. It took the Mrs. and me a while to find our way. Sure, there’s binge-watching TV shows, puzzles and walking the cat, but thank goodness for Facetime. That is probably our main form of life support.
My Concert History
I don’t drink (much) and I don’t gamble (much) and I don’t smoke (except for medicinal needs), but attending concerts and comedy shows have always been a vice of mine. In the past, I’ve written about my connection to music without ever chronicling the shows I’ve attended over the years, which would take up too much room, so for those of you who are interested, here are my overall impressions of the shows I’ve attended since 1974. I hope this will help you recall a few of the live shows you’ve seen and perhaps even bring back a few treasured memories from your past.
First Concert/Show I Ever Attended: The Hudson Brothers, at the San Jose Civic Auditorium, 1974.
First Real Concert: Foghat, Eddie Money, and No Dice, at the Cow Palace, 1978.
Favorite Concerts: Journey, at the Cow Palace, 1981; Prince, at HP Pavilion, 2011; Van Morrison, Nob Hill Masonic, 2008; Bon Jovi, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, 2000.
Biggest Thrill: Finally getting to see Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at the Greek Theater, Berkeley, three weeks before he passed away.
Biggest Spectacle: Kiss, at The Cow Palace, 1979 or U2, at the Oakland Coliseum, 2012.
Biggest Disappointment: Whitney Houston, at the Shoreline Amphitheater, 1986.
Biggest Missed Opportunity: Day on the Green featuring Aerosmith, Foreigner, Pat Travers, Van Halen, AC/DC, July 23, 1978. At only 15, my mom wouldn’t let me go.
Coldest Show: Hootie & The Blowfish, at Wente Winery, Livermore, 2008. The wind chill was brutal.
Warmest Show: Alabama, at the Cal State Fairgrounds, Sacramento, 1986. It was 103 degrees at showtime.
Loudest Show: Def Leppard, at Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, 1986.
Coolest Historic Venue Show: Shooting Star, at Winterland, 1982.
Coolest Club Show: Marc Cohn, at Great American Music Hall, 1994.
Best Circle Star Memory: The Jackson Five, 1975. Heavyweight Champ George Foreman was in attendance.
Epic Last Show: The Keystone, Palo Alto featuring Eddie Money, Greg Kihn, Night Ranger, and Eric Martin, 1987. Eddie was so drunk he forgot the words to his own songs.
An Unexpected Great Performance: The Band Perry at Super Bowl City in San Francisco, 2017, and Eddie Money’s acoustic show at The Cabaret, San Jose 1990. Eddie redeemed himself in my eyes.
Best Seats: Front row center for Bon Jovi at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, 2006.
Surreal Experience: Watching Luther Vandross do his soundcheck and talking with him at a taping of Alan Thick’s Into the Night late-night show, 1985.
Regrettable Missed Performance: Maroon 5 opening for John Meyer and Counting Crows at the Concord Pavilion. Traffic and parking sucked.
Outstanding Opening Acts (I had never heard of): Jason Mraz opening for Jewel; Kings of Leon opening for U2; and Matt Nathanson opening for Train.
Best Vocal Performance: The Sweet Remains, at the Firehouse Theater, Pleasanton, 2016. Incredibly beautiful three-part harmonies.
Best Instrumental Performance: Lindsey Buckingham, at the Palace of Fine Arts, 2018 and 2008. He is a guitar virtuoso.
Most Historic Concert Venue: The Grand Old Opry,
Nashville, 2017.
Coolest One Song Concert Performance: Jennifer Lopez and Lynn Manual Miranda, The
Today Show Plaza, NYC 2016.
Most Unexpected Concert Moment: A fight broke out during a Jewel Concert at the
Mountain Winery, 2002, which also happens to be the coolest outdoor venue to
see a show.
Funniest Comedy Show: George Carlin at the Circle Star Theater, 1978, or Garry Shandling, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe 1984, although Sinbad put on an outstanding “clean” show at Tommy T’s Comedy Club in 2019.
Filthiest Comedy Show: Sam Kinison, Flint Center, Cupertino, 1986.
Where is the final book of the trilogy?
Rest assured, Alive & Thrivin’, The Thrillogy of a Trilogy is in production. Even though my books are compilations of past articles, there’s a lot that goes into the production of a 270-page manuscript. Coming up with a title, assembling material, crafting acknowledgments, dedications, chapter introductions and a collection of fake reviews is all part of it. Then there’s the three-day photoshoot for just the right picture for the back cover. Once everything is turned over to my book editor, it goes into a black hole for several months before I ever see the first draft.
We are hoping to have the book out by the holidays so it’s probably safe to put it on your Christmas/Hanukah list. It also makes a great gift idea. White Elephant gift is fine too. So long as you purchase one, I don’t really care how it’s delivered. Email me to reserve a limited edition, signed collector’s original. I’ll even hand-deliver it.
That about wraps up this year’s edition of Summer Writer’s Block. I could go on and on about my annual garden gopher wars, the amount of graduation parties we attended (a personal best of 11) or the fact that I finally finished watching Game of Thrones, but nobody cares. It’s more amazing that I actually finished this piece for the next issue as I’m way over deadline and the editor is breathing down my neck. Otherwise, it’s been a nice summer so far.
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