Rock n Roll Forever

Times have changed, I guess, but sitting through this last concert experience makes me want to buy or rent old Ed Sullivan shows and sift through my parent’s 33 1/3 record albums!

Bruce Salan's son and his guitar Photo: Bruce Salan

(AGOURA, Calif.) - My two sons really enjoy contemporary music; especially rock ‘n’ roll. My older son (just turned 15) has become a good guitarist and, in fact, this interest is the first one I’ve seen him passionate about.

When he was a home-schooler, he took a college course in Music Appreciation. So, together with this primary music knowledge, and the various concerts and music that both boys have been exposed to by me, I felt they were entitled to attend a recent concert event, the KROQ Rock Invasion; an all-day rock festival with several contemporary headline acts and many up-and-coming opening acts.

We’d attended a Bruce Springsteen concert at Dodger Stadium, an Eric Clapton concert at the Hollywood Bowl and Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Metallica more recently.

But, nothing quite prepared me for this one. I was struck by the casual nature of the performer’s stage manner, dress, and presence.

Lots of drug references, lots of swearing, what appeared to be dirty t-shirts and unkempt appearances, plus the proverbial cigarettes all gave the impression that they didn’t give a hoot. Coupled with the skanky crowd, I felt like an alta-cocker!

It seemed the audience was constantly milling about, going back and forth to the concessions, drinking their 4th and 5th beers, spilling half as they walked up and down the crowded stairs.

I guess it’s yet again a generation gap experience. I’ve been going through an Elvis phase, much to the dismay of my family, but I can’t help but look back at his various performances and the care and passion he demonstrated in most of them for the audience, for his material, even with his dramatic and over-the-top one-piece suits.

Did any of the performers at this “Invasion” concert care that way, or the way so many of the legendary performers of the past did?

In my day, we’d sit through 4 hours of Bruce Springsteen working his butt off and delivering an unparalleled show and music.

I remember seeing Tony Bennett on a simple stage that was adorned with just three banners, each with a silhouette of him, while he performed with the sole accompaniment of a small trio.

It was masterful. Times have changed, I guess, but sitting through this last concert experience makes me want to buy or rent old Ed Sullivan shows and sift through my parent’s 33 1/3 record albums!

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Bruce Sallan gave up his showbiz career a decade ago to raise his two boys, full-time, now 12 and 15. His nationally syndicated column, A Dad’s Point-of-View, is his take on the challenges of parenthood and male/female issues, both as a single dad and now, newly remarried, in a blended family. In addition to Salem-News.com, his column is available in over 50 newspapers and Web sites in the U.S. and internationally. He can be reached at: brucesallan@gmail.com.