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Each week our Boomer-In-Charge, Hershel Chicowitz, has something to say about life, society, or what's going on... from the perspective of a boomer. (Imagine Andy Rooney... less 40 years.) This is what's on his mind the week of May 18.
It was August, 1969... I was taking my girlfriend, Peggy Rose, to our first concert together; Blood Sweat and Tears (BST) was scheduled to play at the majestic outdoor arena, Blossom Music Center, near Cleveland. We arrived at seven o'clock with a blanket, jackets, and plenty of enthusiasm. Our "seat" was about half way up the hill; the blanket came in real handy. At around 8:10, it was getting dark and the lead-in group began their act. It ended at 8:20. Ten minutes later BST was supposed to begin; but the stage was dark and empty. At nine, the lead-in group came out and did their act again. It ended at 9:10; it was the same act. Apparently, their repertoire was limited to three mediocre songs. Mercifully, the world never heard from them again.
At 9:15, the guy in back of us spilled his ice chest; ice water flows downhill... fast. This would be tough to explain to Peggy's parents. At 9:30, an announcer explained that BST was in a traffic jam near the airport. At 9:50, they were a mere three miles away.
When BST finally arrived, at around 10:25, they apologized and said that since we had waited so long, they would play for as long as we wanted them to. Sadly, BST's repertoire was not much broader than that of their lead-in group. We had heard enough by 10:45. This date with Peggy was thoroughly underwhelming.
Two weeks later I took her to see Bill Cosby. Peggy had been a big fan of BST, but had barely heard of Bill Cosby. I told her that this time we were going to see a professional. At exactly 8 o'clock the lights dimmed and Dr. William H. Cosby walked on stage, made a few laughs, and then introduced his lead-in singer. He didn't have to do that; but he did. By 8:25 Bill Cosby was back on stage again. He performed for nearly two hours. He was terrific. Not one profanity, not a single insult; just pure comedy. ("Noah; how long can you tread water?") He is simply a true entertainer. He set the standard.
I went to a lot of concerts over the next fifteen years; some were OK, some were not. But I don't remember any that met the standard. Somewhere along the way, I lost Peggy. In the meantime, I had several other girlfriends; some were OK, some were not. (Don't ask; at that stage in my life, there was no standard for women.)
In 1984, the Super Bowl came to Tampa. No I didn't have tickets, but the big game also attracted... Frank Sinatra. By this time, Mr. Sinatra was past his prime (heck, perhaps I was, too), but something told me I should see him perform while I had a chance. My date was Phyllis Wall, who had little interest in "the old geezer"; I took her kicking and screaming. (Oh come on... it's just a metaphor.)
We arrived a tad late, and I didn't hear the lead-in act announced; his name wasn't mentioned in the program; in fact, there was no program. But this guy was terrific! He could do things with a set of drums I never imagined. Just marvelous. ...Buddy Rich; it was amazing.
Then the lights dimmed and an announcer said... "Ladies and gentlemen... Frank Sinatra." And out he walked. Just a spotlight, a small orchestra, a stage, and a microphone. He looked out at all of us, smiled, and with one gesture, with one turn of the head, but without ever opening his mouth, he said, "OK, folks; you're mine now; all mine. I gottcha', and I'm going to keep you for as long as I want." And that is exactly what he did.
I don't know how he did it; I don't know exactly what he did. There were no laser lights, no fancy effects, no majestic backdrop, no 40-foot speakers, no backup singers, not even a mosh pit. It was just Sinatra.
Excuse me. "Just Sinatra" is an oxymoron. He was honest, pure, and thoroughly mesmerizing. It is something that does not translate to the radio, television, or to a CD. There was just something about seeing him perform in person. And what is amazing is that he had been doing this all around the world for fifty years; and he would continue to do so for another decade.
When he came to the finale, he had to do the intro to "New York, New York" three times before we would let him continue. Mind you, we were not a bunch of teenyboppers; we were mostly over thirty; even Phyllis. But there was just something about him that was pure magic. Phyllis had a new hero; sadly, it was not I.
Yeah, I lost Phyllis, too; it's the story of my life. But that Saturday evening, I saw the performance of a lifetime; without a doubt, the entertainer of the century.
Frank Sinatra.
If you want to write more, we're open to offerings from other boomers. If you have something to say of interest to boomers, write it as well as you can in 500-800 words, and send it to us. We can't guarantee we'll publish it, but we'll surely consider it.
Hershel will have something else to say on Monday, May 25; mark your calendar to come back to BBHQ every Monday.
| The BBHQ Album of the Month is "Old Friends Live on Stage (Deluxe Edition) (2 CD/1 DVD)," by Simon & Garfunkel. If you were fortunate enough to see them in concert last year, I do not have to sell you. The concert was terrific! This album collection includes 55 songs, plus their new recording, "Citizen of the Planet," and one of the songs sung by the Everly Brothers during the concert. The DVD was recorded during their concert in Madison Square Garden in 2003. For any S&G fan, this is a must have! But then, you knew that already, didn't you? |
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The BBHQ Book of the Month is
"Vinyl Highway," by
Dee Dee Phelps. You remember her as Dee Dee, of Dick and Dee Dee.
Together, they took a decade long ride on the rock and roll roller
coaster. It was a heck of a ride! Dick Clark, Quincy Jones, the Beach
Boys, Glenn Campbell, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton... Dick and Dee Dee
rubbed shoulders with all of them. This is her "behind the scenes" story.
It's pretty cool.
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Copyright © 1998 Baby Boomer HeadQuarters (BBHQ) All rights reserved.
rev. 11/29/98