O.K., so I have a few more things on my mind to share while on my summer break, which is going just fine by the way.
Last week the Rolling Stones wrapped up a two-night stand at Soldier Field. Many of my friends attended one or both shows and by all reports and video clips I saw, Mick, Keith and the rest of the guys were still in fine form. I admire REM’s reasons to retire from road shows years ago to stave off any claims of their skills diminishing. However, the Stones still roll great at age 80! And I would kill for that dark purple leather jacket Jagger wore.
Despite them being octogenarians, the Rolling Stones still bring it hard every night.
Another recent cool live event happened at the CMA fest in Nashville. Newer star Jon Pardi paid homage to the 35th anniversary of the release of Clint Black’s “Killin’ Time” debut album and song. Jon invited Clint onstage to duet on “Killin’ Time” and they both killed it.
Jon Pardi & Clint Black knocked their duet out of the park.
Last Sunday I guested with my pal Jim Turano as he filled in for Dean Richards on his Sunday morning radio show on WGN AM 720. One of the things we talked about was how 40 years ago was a great year for big albums from music acts who were known but hit it bigger with their releases in 1984. Besides Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”, there was Prince’s “Purple Rain”, Van Halen’s “1984”, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”, Bryan Adams’ “Reckless”, The Pretenders’ “Learning to Crawl”, REM’s “Reckoning” (my personal favorite of theirs) and Tina Turner’s smash solo record “Private Dancer.” Also, Huey Lewis’ “Sports” disc was filling the radio airwaves with hits like “I Want a New Drug” and “The Heart of Rock n Roll.” The “Sports” album was actually released in 1983 but from ’84 through 1990 Huey was on a massive high with hit songs and sold-out concerts. I got to hang with Huey twice during this time and he was one of the nicest and most unaffected stars I ever met.
1984 was a banner year for landmark albums.
Speaking of anniversaries, July 9th marks the 25th anniversary of the first (and best) of the “American Pie” movies. I still love that comedy. A bit raunchy and yet so truthful and even sweet as the teen characters pursued their sexual interests. I even came up with a novel idea for the film that a co-worker got made for me. Somewhere in my closet I have a t-shirt that reads, “And This One Time at Band Camp…” And under that phrase is a picture of a flute. (Figure out that one for yourself)
“And then this one time, at band camp…”
On the subject of current movies, I took a hard pass on Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” and the smash with kids “Inside Out 2”. However, I really liked “Thelma.” Ninety-three year old June Squibb plays a grandmother who chases after the people who scammed her out of ten thousand dollars. Richard Roundtree co-stars in this comedy about the elderly which doesn’t mock them and gives us all a preview of what we face as we age.
“Thelma” was a darn good movie. I graded it a B+.
O.K… it’s time to resume my summer break. Yet, in a few weeks I’ll post a new blog. It’s all about the time we all sang ‘Let’s Go Crazy.” Stay tuned.