Rock on
Sir Paul hits a landmark and Devo prepares to whip it
06/18/2012 10:53 AM
No Comments - Add Your Comment
I didn’t recognize any of the musical groups—or the music—at Taste of Randolph. My point of reference for popular music is what you would politely call classic rock. I suppose it’s because I’m a baby boomer. My first rock concert was in 1966 when I heard Herman and the Hermits, followed a few months later by The Beatles.
Paul McCartney turns 70 today. Sigh, that makes me feel old.
Peter Noone, the leader of Herman and the Hermits, is a relative youngster at 64. Those of you too young to remember the Hermits can learn more about these early British rockers on Wikipedia.
Now I see that Devo and Blondie are launching a mini-tour, “Whip It To Shreds,” stopping at the Chicago Theater on June 26. Deborah Harry will turn 67 a week after the show. I considered going to the Beach Boys show there last month, but none of the BBs appears to have aged gracefully, and Brian Wilson is notorious for singing off-key and forgetting lyrics.
Of course, I do gravitate to the familiar and comfortable. I saw Bonnie Raitt (age 62) at her appearance here a few weeks ago. I also have tickets for upcoming concerts to see two other geriatric singers: Jimmy Buffett at Tinley Park and Bruce Springsteen at Wrigley Field (aged 65 and 62, respectively).
I may be more sensitive to the age of musicians because I have a milestone birthday myself (60) coming up in October and I sometimes feel creaky. Then I watch Mick Jagger. The guy still has the moves and the hair. Maybe there’s hope, after all!