The Dark Side of the Moon
I'm supposed to be studying for a professional exam, but I want to write instead, so I am skiving off, as we Scots say.
When I was a teenager in the '60's and early '70's, I missed so much. I loved the music I heard, but I didn't follow or delve into it as much of it as I wish now I had. I loved Cream and the Beatles, and Simon & Garfunkel, and Jimi Hendrix, but I never went to concerts or bought too many records. And Pink Floyd were a little too "out there" for me, and I never really understood them or their music. So I have a lot of catching up to do. I had a fabulous opportunity on Thursday to do that when I went to the Hollywood Bowl and saw the incredible Roger Waters performing "The Dark Side of the Moon." I went on my own, for I could only get one ticket. I was a little nervous about doing that, but I was determined not to pass up the opportunity, so I steeled myself and am so glad that I did. The moon rode high above the amphitheater as I sat on the cold concrete bench. Across from me, behind the stage, loomed the Hollywood sign that faded as it grew dark, unilluminated in these days of power conservation. I thought of forty years or so ago, when the Beatles played at the Bowl. I thought of last month, when I attended a concert of Russian composers, surrounded by the Los Angeles gentry. Then on Thursday, I looked around at the tie-dyed T-shirts, pony-tailed men, and greying hippies, men and women. Young folk were there too, worshiping at the stage of one of the most influential musicians of his time. Me too, I was worshiping for sure. And Mr. Waters proved worthy of the adulation. At 62, he was still able to play for three solid hours. Play vigorously, persuasively, beautifully, passionately. I was swept up in the moment, uncaring that I was alone. I stood, I danced, I hollered, I applauded. This was my kind of music, my kind of message, my kind of night.
And it was good.
When I was a teenager in the '60's and early '70's, I missed so much. I loved the music I heard, but I didn't follow or delve into it as much of it as I wish now I had. I loved Cream and the Beatles, and Simon & Garfunkel, and Jimi Hendrix, but I never went to concerts or bought too many records. And Pink Floyd were a little too "out there" for me, and I never really understood them or their music. So I have a lot of catching up to do. I had a fabulous opportunity on Thursday to do that when I went to the Hollywood Bowl and saw the incredible Roger Waters performing "The Dark Side of the Moon." I went on my own, for I could only get one ticket. I was a little nervous about doing that, but I was determined not to pass up the opportunity, so I steeled myself and am so glad that I did. The moon rode high above the amphitheater as I sat on the cold concrete bench. Across from me, behind the stage, loomed the Hollywood sign that faded as it grew dark, unilluminated in these days of power conservation. I thought of forty years or so ago, when the Beatles played at the Bowl. I thought of last month, when I attended a concert of Russian composers, surrounded by the Los Angeles gentry. Then on Thursday, I looked around at the tie-dyed T-shirts, pony-tailed men, and greying hippies, men and women. Young folk were there too, worshiping at the stage of one of the most influential musicians of his time. Me too, I was worshiping for sure. And Mr. Waters proved worthy of the adulation. At 62, he was still able to play for three solid hours. Play vigorously, persuasively, beautifully, passionately. I was swept up in the moment, uncaring that I was alone. I stood, I danced, I hollered, I applauded. This was my kind of music, my kind of message, my kind of night.
And it was good.
posted by Vicky | 5:16 PM
3 Comments:
I've loved Pink Floyd as long as I can remember,and I've never had the opportunity to see them or any of their members perform. You've painted quite a picture here.
Sounds like a fabulous experience! Going to events alone is bold, but I think that it can help you to observe and experience more completely. You've got no other person on which to focus your attention, so you can really soak in the scenery. Bravo to you!
It sounds as if you had a wonderful time. I remember seeing them in Philly a few times, once before they were popular. They played a lot of mind games with their audience, like the Grateful Dead & the Moody Blues. Excellent musicians!
V
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