Posted on November 21st, 2007 by Mark. Categories: Just Dumb, My Life.
I know it’s a dopey topic, but I was talking to someone about live concerts and how crappy it is that so many artists today lip sync. Some people don’t care, I think many just expect that these acts lip sync and they’re there for the “experience” (whatever the hell that is… maybe paying $7 for a beer is something to be enjoyed?). When I go to a concert I don’t expect to hear a song sound just like it does on the disc. I expect to hear something that’s a little different. I go to experience the artistry of the musicians that are playing. I love it when they mix it up a little. It’s almost like they’re saying, “YEAH THIS IS THE REAL DEAL, NO TAPE HERE!”
I’ve seen a lot of great shows by a lot of great bands, Floyd, Yes, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Sting, on and on and on… I’ve seen alternative bands, classic rock bands, metal bands and just out there bands like the B-52s (they still rock). All of them have their own distinct memories, but a question that was asked by a friend was, “What’s the loudest show you’ve ever been to?” The answer came readily because after seeing Emerson, Lake and Powell at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1986, my ears rang for THREE DAYS. I thought for sure that I had suffered permanent damage. Still the memories are great. I got dumped a week before the show so the double date concert that was to be, turned into me alone with a friend and his girl. Managed to sell the extra ticket to some hippy. Joints were being passed around the row, which kinda weirded me out… not the pot mind you, but the sharing part!  Just days after my 16th birthday, and there I was in Madison Square Garden. A quick trip on the Long Island Railroad… but back then it seemed like a journey around the world.  I’d done it the year before for another concert, (Thompson Twins/OMD) so it seemed old hat by then. I don’t even think my mother realized I was running the city with my little friends at 14. I would not trade growing up in New York for anything!
Emerson, Lake and Palmer/Powell isn’t the standard listening fare for most teens, but I loved prog bands and between Lake’s great vocals and Emerson’s keyboards (I still love electronic music to this day), I was hooked. What a kick ass band and what a hell of a show. What a hell of a LOUD show. Here’s Touch and Go from that tour… (not the specific show). Ah, memories……..
