Who wants to touch me?

I saw a concert last week. It wasn't just any concert. It was Roger Daltrey and Eric Clapton. I know I started off fast here so let me slow it down and explain how I got there.

The tickets to the concert were my stepfather's birthday present. I am a nice guy, but not that nice. I didn't buy 'em. My mom did. And bless her heart she bought 3 tickets. I am still not certain why or how she bought 3, but she did. She said she wasn't allowed to purchase 2 tickets and leave a single seat "hanging". She was forced to buy 3! I wasn't aware of this policy. And Ticketmaster was just as surprised when I called them. In fact, Ticketmaster offered to refund my mother the cost of the 3rd ticket if she chose. I had called Ticketmaster on her behalf because I thought she might like to spend a nice evening out and enjoy the peaceful Noblesville summer with her husband. She chose not to take them up on the refund and so I went to the concert. Happy 3rd wheel birthday to me!

Rock N Roll history 101: Roger Daltrey is best known as the leader of a group called The Who. The Who debuted in the 60's amidst a cultural revolution of sorts. Kids were aware. Sex was free. Drugs were everywhere and an entire generation was misunderstood. Blah blah blah.

I hope my dad is reading this.

"Baba O'Riley" (known better by me as "Teenage Wasteland") is an original Who song that was released in the late sixties or early seventies. Daltrey was already 25 or 26 by that time (picture upper left). You'll never guess what he looks like now...Ok maybe you don't have to. (picture upper right). The song is still good and it rocks pretty hard for being 40 years old. It's a classic and Roger sang it to the best of his ability that night. Daltrey has been performing for...well I don't need to beat a dead horse on this one. He still swings the mic around by the cord. He still laughs and tells anecdotes in between songs. He obviously loves what hes doing. But Damnit! HE'S TOO OLD TO SING ABOUT TEENAGE ANGST! I am too old to sing about teenage angst. No more teenagers for you old man. None. Stay away from the kids or I'm calling the cops.

I liked him, but that's not why I went. I went to see Clapton and Clapton was good. He was also old, but his fingers move like water across the frets and his music is loud. It's Rock N Roll!

Rock N Roll history 101: Rock is intended to be played loud. In fact, the louder the better as it was taught to me. The pain in your ears adds an extra dimension. The decibels are a warning to all and help to better describe the Rock N Roll movement. It's loud. Leave if you don't like it.

I couldn't agree more.
If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen.
Freedom isn't free.
Have it your way.

Maybe the last couple don't make sense. It reminds me of the time that I went to an Eric Clapton concert.

The concert of a man voted thrice into the Rock N Roll Hall of fame.
The concert of a man rolling stone calls the #4 all time guitarist.
The concert of a man right in front of me... sonofabitch are those people wearing ear plugs at a god$%#@ Eric mother %$#@!*& Clapton concert.

That doesn't make any sense!
You lost me.
You pay to see a living legend perform 20 feet in front of your face.
You buy the ticket plus your convenience charge.
You put on your good Hawaiian shirt and sandals and socks.
You park your car and put on your sunscreen no doubt.
You sip your $12 chardonnay.
You sit right in front of me.
You put in ear plugs???
Maybe Barry Manilow is more your speed. I don't know, but you have certainly lost your way and you have no business at this concert. Did you loose a bet? WTF?

I am surprised all the other people in their row didn't rise as one, and slay them.

Anyway...Clapton rocked and I am quite surprised that his fingers didn't spontaneously catch fire from all the friction. I mean this guy is fast. I could feel the heat radiating off of the guitar and I did wish I had a welding mask to prevent my face from melting off, but that's a small price to pay to see a rock god! I saw Eric Clapton live. He melted my face off. Who wants to touch me?