The ears have it

I was riding in a car recently with a young driver who might have been in his early 20s. Rap was playing. He asked, “Do you like this music?” “No,” I said, “they finally invented a music I don’t like.” He quickly switched to Sirius channels from the 70s and 80s featuring songs from artists like Bob Seger and Gary Wright. I was a happy man, transported into the past via streaming music.

If such technology doesn’t appeal, you’ll be interested to know that there is likely a group of ancient rockers playing a concert in a venue near you. Among the multiple touring bands this year is half of The Monkees – Mickey Dolenz and Mike Nesmith. The latter used to be a recluse until he found out how remunerative these gigs are. Davy Jones is dead. Peter Tork says he’s had enough gadding about for a while.

If The Monkees are not your thing, how about Phil Collins in his “Not Dead Yet, Live!” tour or Nana Mouskouri in her “Forever Young” tour? She’s 83. Fleetwood Mac and Def Leppard are also out there somewhere. Elton John’s currently on his five continent “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour which could last two years or until his wardrobe runs out, whichever comes first. And of course, there’s Billy Joel who plays Madison Square Garden every few months and has now had fifty consecutive sellout shows.

Why do audiences fill halls to hear these hits from the blitz? Well, we saw Chicago and the Allman Brothers Band last summer. While they look older on stage than you might like, inside you feel as young as you were when you first heard them. And that alone is worth the price of admission.