Brewed Beverage of Choice: A litre of Aktien Brauerei St. Martin Dunkler Doppelbock
Whilst riding the train this morning, a thought popped into my head…I have seen a great deal of shows in my lifetime. They continue to this day. So with my mind working, riding the train to work, I started pulling out the ones I would put into my Top 5. Then it came to me, I should share them with you because good times are meant to be shared. So this here is a new topic: Top 5!
Unfortunately compiling a list such as this, you have to leave out ones that definitely should be mentioned. And of course these list truly mean nothing because they can be changed at any time. They should be seen as dynamic living organisms. And because I continue to see bands and musicians, this list is no different. But to give you idea how packed the 5 shows are, here is a short list of the shows that did not make it:
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Portland, Oregon
Paul Simon, Marcus Ampitheater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Replacements, UWM Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ida, The Empty Bottle, Chicago, Illinois
Medeksi, Martin, and Wood, Crystal Ballroom, Portland, Oregon
REM and Sonic Youth, Kansas City, MO
And without further ado…Number 5 on the list of Top 5 Concerts
No. 5: Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band, Alpine Valley, East Troy, Wisconsin
It is no coincidence that two of the five concerts in the Top 5 are ones that I went to with my brother. He took me to my first show when I was in 8th grade. I looked up to him when I was younger because he had a great taste in music. He introduced me to the Replacements, REM, fIREHOSE, and Husker Du. It is something special we have continued to share til this day.
In 1986 the Boss was on tour for his Born in the USA album and my brother got us tickets to go see him at Alpine Valley, a natural ampitheater about 7 miles from where I grew up. It is also the sight of where Stevie Ray Vaughn died. Fortunately for me, my brother did not mind hanging out with his geeky brother. I am sure it hindered any chance of meeting a girl. But what did I care. I got to go see concerts I would never been able to see.
What amazes me about Springsteen is that he does not have an opening act. AND…I cannot stress this enough…he plays for 2+ hours where most bands now will only play for 1 to 1.5 hours. At this show, the Boss kept us all entertained for 4 hours! Of course there was an intermission. Even the Boss has to go to the bathroom…
I was an eager but ignorant student. Born in the USA was the extent of my knowledge of Springsteen. There were few other songs I knew. But when I heard Born to Run live, I was forever tattooed as a fan. I was doe-eyed! I was speechless. By the intermission, I was drunk on the music. And thanks to the overly expensive soda, I had to pee.
4 hours! I could not believe it. You would think an eighth grader would have gotten bored…and a minimal contact high. But not me. I enjoyed every note, every song. I did not want to hear what I could get on the radio. I wanted more songs I have never heard so they can be etched in my brain. I wanted to go back to St. Thomas and brag that I got to see the Boss! So I purchased a T-Shirt…Duh! That is what you did!…And as we walked back to the car so we could sit in a line to get out, all I could think about was how feckin’ great this was.
I do not have the shirt anymore. The ticket stub is long gone. But I have the memory of seeing one of the best performers in the world. Some people remember seeing Simon and Garfunkel in the Park, or the Stones, or the Beatles before they broke up. I have Springsteen at Alpine Valley. And to think, this one is number 5!
Prost!
the confucian brewer