My greatest concert: Sarah McLachlan (story)
I'll never forget seeing Sarah at the height of her rock-and-roll power in 1994. She had finally broken through in the United States with the song, Possession. She played one Saturday night at a beautiful little theatre of 1500 in Chicago. God, she lit the place on fire. There is nothing in theatre that rocks my world more than a woman leading a band and torching a building.
Back in 1988, Natalie Merchant was entrancing the United States with 10,000 Maniacs. I'll never forget their rendition of "Like the Weather" that evening. Jesus, it's etched in my mind. The whole place dancing at their seats and in the aisles.
And Sinead O'Connor live? Absolutely astonishing!!
But the coolest concert I ever got to see was in 1976 when my law school roommate, a man of incredible vision, took me to the CBGB in New York City to see an up-and-coming band, Talking Heads. First row at a bar. Oh God. Tina Weymouth and her huge guitar. I wish I'd had a camera. I had no idea I was observing the birth of a legend.
The concert halls and outdoor theatres of Chicago make this city the rock-and-roll capital of the world. Every great band has to prove itself here. And I see them all: U2, REM, Fleetwood Mac, Midnight Oil, INXS, The Pretenders.
But a special place is reserved in my SOUL for those three female bandleaders: Sarah, Natalie, and Sinead. I wish they hadn't gone so soft on me. They've all gotten too spiritual, if you will. I prefer they just BURN DOWN THE HOUSE. At least Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders still have the fleeting desire to do so at times.
It's late in the evening and there's no market tomorrow. So I thought I'd just ramble about my music philosophy. Thanks for reading.
John |
