Blog post

January 1, 2012 [LINK / comment]

H a p p y
N e w
Y e a r !!!

Jacqueline and I went downtown to see the renowned local rock group Findells play at Baja Bean, but alas, "there was no room at the inn." We saw them perform two years ago at the same location. This reminded me of something I've been meaning to discuss:

Seventies rock is back!

Yes, it's true: From the Eagles to the Police to Alice Cooper, more and more rock groups from the 1970s are coming out of retirement to perform. Last year Jacqueline and I saw two (2) rock concerts, setting a personal best as far as I can recall. Besides the Kansas concert we saw in October, Jacqueline and I went to see the iconic early 70s rock band the Doobie Brothers at the nTelos Pavilion in downtown Charlottesville last May. I was very impressed, and we had a great time. The group currently features four core players: Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons (the original founding members), as well as John McFee and Michael Hossack (long-time backup musicians). Here is a semi-complete play list, based on notes I was taking at the show:

• World Gone Crazy
• Jesus Is Just Alright
• China Grove
• Long Train Runnin'
• Nobody
• Far From Home
• Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)
• Rockin' Down the Highway
• Black Water
• Without You
• Listen to the Music

(I have been saving up the preceding blog text for an appropriate festive occasion.) See the all-new Music page, which shows a decade-by-decade chronology of my favorite rock groups, as well as a few concert photos. No photos of the Doobies, however. Evidently I took the "no cameras" policy at the nTelos Pavilion too seriously, as we noticed many other fans snapping pictures with their cell phones or compact cameras.

What about other decades?

I just found out yesterday that Van Halen is going on concert this year, with their original lead singer David Lee Roth. I hope they come to Virginia. They actually reached their peak in the early eighties, however. For those who prefer the dressed-up, slick electronic pop music of the eighties, you might enjoy The Legwarmers, whom Jacqueline I saw perform in Falls Church a few years ago. And for the nineties, check out White Ford Bronco, who performed at Nationals Park when we were there in August 2010, and at least once this past summer as well.