My 20's... in concert tickets

I went to a lot of concerts in my 20's.

A LOT.

I went to some concerts because of my job (I worked at several record companies in NYC in the 80's), but I mostly went because there were bands I wanted to see.

I've managed to save some tickets, but confess many more ended up discarded: on arena and club floors, the garbage, I'm sure a few even went through the wash in the pocket of my favorite black jeans. But a few tickets survived and found their way into a photo album. Many of the tickets are for shows in and around the greater NYC area, but a few are from Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama. Take a look at the dates. Maybe you were there, too?

(Some of these uploaded upside-down and sideways. I confess, I have no idea how to flip these- they're saved upright in my pix file)

 

 

Stolen moments...

Last night, I ventured out to watch a jazz quintet perform at a local club. It was a weeknight, but I was really in the mood for some good music, no conversation and a break from reality, if you will. The combo included an upright bass, and as soon as the rich tones filled the club, I was transported back a few (okay, many) years to a city far from where I currently reside, and one special night.

It began with dinner "as friends," followed by a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden featuring Eddie Money and Cyndi Lauper. I sang along with every song, as did everyone in the packed arena, until Cyndi's encore: "True Colors," accompanied only by a single tom tom. Her clear and plaintive voice rose to the rafters, the enthralled crowd unable to do anything but breathe and bask in emotions that are still too difficult to name.

Somehow, during the subway ride uptown, friendship evolved into something more; an invitation to stay the night: accepted. His apartment was a throwback to movies from the 1930s and 40s: the building - pre-war, each floor split into four spacious apartments, complete with servants' quarters, a private wing for bedrooms, cavernous living and formal dining room... and a drawing room. His family had turned theirs into a conservatory of sorts, housing a small couch, a baby grand piano, stereo system and a myriad of musical instruments including, propped up in the corner: an upright bass.

He prepared hot cocoa (with marshmallows), lit candles that lined every available space in the room and settled me on the couch, complete with pillow under my head and blanket to ward off the chill. "Comfy?" he asked. I nodded, then pointed out, "There's no room for you." He grinned in reply, biting the left corner of his bottom lip, a habit I've heard is still in practice. A flick of a switch, and David Bowie's "Life on Mars" drifted out from hidden speakers. Still smiling, he pulled the bass away from the wall and picked up a bow. Closing his eyes, he held still for a few beats, then began to play, blending in perfectly with the song.

Those moments late one winter night, with candles flickering in semi-darkness, snowflakes tapping a rhythm on French doors, and this intimate performance remain suspended outside the tapestry of time, kept safe and warm inside my heart, ready to be brought to life and savored every time I hear an upright bass... or Cyndi Lauper's plaintive voice start singing the line "You with the sad eyes..."

My eyes may be sad, but my heart is smiling.

Details about a new Ronnie James Dio tribute album

This press release showed up in my email inbox this morning. 

Can't wait to get a copy of this album - it should be EPIC.

For Immediate Release

February 6, 2014

New RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life”

Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend

Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino

This Is Your Life Pays Tribute To The Late Singer With Covers Of

His Greatest Songs From Rainbow, Black Sabbath, And Dio

Features Newly Recorded Tracks From Anthrax, Halestorm, Rob Halford, Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Corey Taylor, And Tenacious D, Among Others

To Benefit The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, or leading Dio. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010, but his towering voice and legacy live on. 

To celebrate one of rock’s most powerful voices, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album that will raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org). Produced by his longtime manager and wife Wendy Dio, the album includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Anthrax, and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.

This Is Your Life will be available from Rhino on April 1, 2014 for a suggested list price of $18.98. A digital version will also be available.

Although the songs featured on the album touch on the different eras of Dio’s career, several spotlight his time with Rainbow, including Metallica’s epic, nine-minute “Ronnie Rising Medley,” which combines the Rainbow songs “A Light In The Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King.” Scorpions add a scorching take on “The Temple Of The King” while Motörhead is joined by Biff Byford from Saxon on “Starstruck.” Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for “The Man On The Silver Mountain.” The final line-up of Dio’s solo band – Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren – are joined by Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) for “Catch The Rainbow,” a track from Rainbow’s 1975 debut.

Anthrax and Adrenaline Mob honor Dio’s memorable stint with Black Sabbath with their takes on “Neon Knights” and “The Mob Rules” respectively, as does a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, which performs “I” from Dehumanizer. 

This Is Your Life also includes songs from Dio’s back-to-back platinum albums Holy Diver (1983) and The Last In Line (1984), with Doro’s take on “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”, Halestorm tackling “Straight Through The Heart,” Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot) covering the classic “Rainbow In The Dark” and Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Glass) putting their signature spin on “The Last In Line.” Killswitch Engage’s cover of “Holy Diver,” a hit in its own right when released in 2006, is also included here.

Fittingly, Ronnie James Dio provides the finale (and the album’s title) with his moving performance of “This Is Your Life.” Originally released on Angry Machines (1996), the song’s lyrics explore mortality and are backed by a stark and beautiful arrangement that features Dio accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano. The song serves as a poignant reminder that we will never hear a voice like Dio’s again.

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, co-founded by Wendy Dio, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention when dealing with this deadly disease.

 

RONNIE JAMES DIO: This Is Your Life Track Listing:

1. “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
2. “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
3. “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
4. “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
5. “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
6. “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
7. “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
8. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
9. “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
10. “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
11. “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
13. “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
14. “This Is Your Life” – Dio

* Previously unreleased

To connect with us for press inquiries and additional information, please contact Adrenaline PR and Maria Ferrero at 732-462-4262 or maria@adrenalinepr.com.

 

To connect with Rhino for label inquiries, please contact Jason Elzy at 818-238-6220 or jason.elzy@rhino.com.

 

To connect with the SUAS Cancer Fund, please contact Sharon Weisz at 323-934-2700 or w3pr@yahoo.com.

About The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a privately funded 501(c)(3) charity organization which has already raised more than $600,000 in its short history.  Monies raised to date have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life.     

Like no one is watching...

Another good one from Daily Om:

Like No One Is Watching
Shake Your Tail Feathers – by Madisyn Taylor

Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of our individuality.

Most of us express our distinctiveness in many ways throughout our lives. Although, as we proudly share our offbeat traits and preferences with the world, we take great pains to downplay those eccentricities we ourselves deem odd. Instead of living lives colored by these quirky impulses, we seek out socially acceptable outlets for our peculiarities. We may not realize that we are editing ourselves in this way because our individual societal awareness is unintentionally attuned to the attitudes of the people we encounter each day. Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of individuality. To rediscover and embrace these buried traits, we need only ask ourselves what we would do if we knew for certain that no one would judge our choices.

Visualizing this day without judgment can help you better understand the idiosyncrasies that are an important part of who you are but seldom manifest themselves in your existence. Perhaps you secretly dream of replacing grown-up, conservative clothing in favor of a changing array of costumes. You may envision yourself painting your car electric-green, hugging the trees in a crowded local park, singing joyous songs as you skip through your community, or taking up an exciting hobby like fire spinning. Try not to be surprised, however, if your imagination takes you in unexpectedly simple directions. In your musings, you may see yourself doing things such as breaking out in dance or dying your hair a fun color. Regardless of the nature of your suppressed peculiarities, ask yourself what is really stopping you from making them a part of your life, and then resolve to incorporate at least one into your everyday existence.

Life as we know it is so short. Making the most of years we are granted is a matter of being ourselves even though we know that we will inevitably encounter people who disapprove of our choices. When you shake your tail feathers like no one is watching, you will discover that there are many others who appreciate you because you are willing to let go of any inhibition. By doing this you help others know it is okay. No one else in the world is precisely like you and, each time you revel in this simple fact, you rededicate yourself to the celebration of individuality.

Poised to move on...

This was in my email inbox today, from the Daily Om website.

Lots of food for thought here...

Poised to Move on
Aquarius Daily Horoscope

 

A thoughtful mind-set can put you in the mood to reflect upon your past today, and you may not be pleased with all you find in your personal history. Pain from long-forgotten wounds can assail you and even cause you to feel a renewed sense of bitterness. The very considerate point of view that inspired you to look backward today may also compel you to look forward, toward reconciliation. Whether you feel that this is the right time to reach out to those you clashed with in years gone by, or you would prefer to let such people remain in your past, you will likely find satisfaction and freedom in offering up your sincere forgiveness

We do not have to address each issue that contributed to the difficulties that were a part of the relationships we have found to be challenging over the years to let go of the pain we feel. When it comes time to move on, we need only forgive those whom we believe wronged us in some way before continuing forward with our lives. While these individuals may never know that we have absolved them of any responsibility—and indeed, we may not feel comfortable approaching them at all—something changes within us as we divest ourselves of any lingering pain. The ties that bound us to these hurtful experiences are dissolved, and we are free to leave them behind without retaining even the slightest ill will. You will feel more amenable to reconciliation today when you realize that all that is required of you is your ability to forgive.

Donnie, Jr.

While going through a few more boxes stacked in our garage from our move, I came across a doll I've had for more than 20 years. It's a Cabbage Patch Kid dressed in a New York Yankees uniform. One shoe and sock is missing and his uniform has mysterious brown stains on it, but I won't toss it for anything in the world.

The doll joined our family in 1985 (or thereabouts). My mom, who was a giant Yankees fan, had gotten it into her head that since I live and work in New York City, it would be a piece of cake to meet one of her favorite players, Don Mattingly, and eventually marry him. I thought she was joking and laughed, but she seemed fairly serious (or she has my type of sense of humor - the straight face not letting on that I'm actually joking). I became slightly alarmed, thinking she *was* serious about this. She made my dad drive us up to the neighborhood where her #1 favorite Yankee, Lou Piniella, lived, to see whether we could catch a glimpse of him mowing his lawn (as if!).

Around the time my mom starting telling me to find Don Mattingly and date him, the company that makes Cabbage Patch Kids came out with a line of dolls dressed in MLB uniforms. My two younger sisters and I combined our money and bought a New York Yankees doll to give our mom for Mother's Day. She loved it! She named the doll "Donnie, Jr." and propped him up next to her to watch Yankees games on TV. I thought the heat was off, but she continued to mention how pleased she would be if I would meet Donnie Baseball and date him. I finally told her he was married and that settled things. Besides, I never had a thing for Don Mattingly (no offense to him). The last Yankees crush I'd had at that time was Bucky Dent, and he hadn't worn pinstripes since 1978.

When my mom passed away in 1990, we went through the motions of dividing her belongings among my dad, my three sisters, brother and myself. I didn't really want anything, except for my mom's Timex watch... and Donnie Jr. I got both, along with some jewelry and clothing. The watch stopped working in 1995 but I still have it, along with little Donnie Baseball.

As I sit and think back on my mom's love for the Yankees and her wish for me to marry Don Mattingly, I finally have what may be a glimpse into her belief that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to doing. Until now, all that comes to me when I think about those years is how many times I failed my family and myself. I could go into details, but that will be for another blogpost, should I desire to actually write about it. 

Sitting here, I remember an aunt telling me, after my mother had passed, that she had been amazed at my independence at such a young age - traveling to New York City at age 19 to work at a Chinese take out, work for my older sister as a temporary secretary, land a radio show that broadcast down the Jersey shore, move into NYC at age 20 after landing a full-time job at a record company, singing in bands and seemingly having no fear. I remember being stunned at her revelation and promptly dismissed it as my aunt trying to sugar coat my mom's true feelings of disappointment. But then again, how could my aunt know about all of those things? I didn't keep in touch with her on a regular basis. We didn't have Facebook, internet or cell phones then. We had snail mail (who's got time to write a letter?) and phones (who's got the money to make long-distance calls?). 

It's taken so long for me to sit and look at myself without distain and disappointment that I squandered so much of my life away; to look back at my life and see the bright spots (as well as the dark ones) and see how everything has helped shape who I am today. I hope one day, I can see the positives in a brighter light.

2014: A new approach to goals

It's 2014, which means it's time to lay out goals for the new year. Last year, I resolved to NOT make any resolutions. It was freeing in one sense. In another, I felt as though I'd been cast adrift on a sea of indifference with no land in sight.

This year, I'm experimenting by making a list of goals (I REFUSE to use the word "resolutions") to aim for this year, to see whether I'll feel more motivated and less adrift in 2014. I welcome you to join me. Make your own list and let's check back in with each other each month to see how much we're accomplishing and how we feel about it.

Here goes:

1. Be more present for Ian to help motivate him to finish his senior year
2. Carve out more time to work on my novels
3. Be more pro-active in promoting my first novel - both with social media and setting up interviews (and accept help!)
4. Adhere to a better work schedule - ie, DON'T stay at work until 6 or 7pm at night!
5. Find a fitness program I will stick to!
6. Incorporate more healthy foods into my meals

These should be good to begin with.
I'll check in next month with an update. 
I look forward to seeing how you're doing, too.