Prince died today. My Prince memory? Listening to ‘Darling Nikki’ on the boom box in the back of school bus in sixth grade. It talked about… you know… sex. It was definitely pushing the envelope for the Eighties. When NPR played it today during the news blurb on his death, I couldn’t help but smile.
Best band of all time? Led Zeppelin. Dazed and Confused was the song that hooked me – I played Led Zeppelin I on a cassette tape my step-brother recorded for me. It was over a decade before I discovered that he had the songs in the wrong order on the tape. Soon enough I had all ten albums. My wife and I’s ‘song’ is ‘Thank You’ – I sung every word for her during our first dance. I can’t hear it without crying. Every time I hear it played on the radio, I call her immediately.
To my number one fan, have I mentioned lately that I love you? (Yes, in case you were wondering, Ms. Boss is my number one fan.)
Best Album of All Time? Nirvana’s Nevermind. Listening to it was a pivotal moment in my life. You know how people know where they were when the hear of some kind of tragic death? I was traveling through Indianapolis on I-465 when I heard Kurt Cobain died.
When my wife and I got married, I had a functioning eight-track in my garage with a copy of Village People’s Live and Sleazy. I still like the Village People.
To completely and totally confuse you, my most-played track on iTunes a couple of years ago was Bach’s Cum Sanctu Spiritu.
If money were no object, my funeral would consist primarily of Brahm’s Ein Deutsh Requiem with a huge choir and complete orchestra. My more ‘budget-friendly’ option would be Bach’s Erbame Dich with only alto, viola, and organ. Sopranos and violins are overrated and I have – or I guess I used to have – a secret love of organ music.
I used to sing, especially older classical music – and by older my mean Handel, Bach, and the like. Outside of church, it’s not as popular a pastime as it used to be. The last group I sang with fell apart, people just weren’t passionate enough about it to keep it going. Alternatives available me at the moment would entail driving or voice lessons or lots of time or all three. Have I mentioned that I have too many hobbies?
I knew I had finally gotten old when the instrument I would most like to be able play changed from electric bass to cello.
I played tuba in high school. I’d take one of them if they weren’t so expensive.
Recorders are a lot cheaper instrument to play. Last year I relearned how to play one – I hadn’t picked one up since fourth grade. I played along to punk songs for a week or two (punk songs aren’t known for their complex musicality). I can’t believe I’m admitting that. I guess when you set 500 words as a goal, it makes you do funny things.