Not only do we have to cope with the passing of our loved ones of an older generation as we age, we also have to deal with the death of all those icons and heroes of our teenage years who influenced us. Rock stars of the 1960’s and 1970’s are sadly becoming fewer, as their excesses and/or disease whisk them off to play their gigs on the celestial stage instead. With the recent sad demise of David Bowie and Lemmy, the rock world has lost two more great musicians and performers.
I can remember the excitement as a teenager of queuing up with an older cousin outside London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1973 to see David Bowie perform what would be his last gig as Ziggy Stardust. At the time we thought the world was ours for the taking, that anybody not into rock was not worth bothering with, and that David, aka Ziggy, would never die.
I never did see David play live again, but have lost track of the number of times I have seen Lemmy and Motorhead play at one music festival or another. I am 58, and these and other music greats of my teenage years are already 10 – 15 years older than I am. We often see their old concerts on TV, and I still find it hard to reconcile the young bucks I remember of the 1970’s strutting their stuff to the reality of the oh-goodness-look-at-them-now photos we often see in the newspapers, but of course we are all mortal, and as yet nobody has found a cure for ageing.
In July 2014 my husband Sam returned from a business trip and recognised Robert Plant at Lyon airport, and decided not to let the opportunity pass by to speak to him and let him know how much he still loves Led Zeppelin’s songs. Robert, courteous although obviously tired from travelling and touring, noticed Sam’s Physical Graffiti t-shirt as Sam came towards him, and my husband was able to have a brief conversation with the front man of what in our opinion will always be the greatest rock band in the world. Somebody travelling with Robert kindly took a photo on Sam’s mobile phone, and Sam was buzzing for days afterwards!
To all the rock icons of my teenage years who are still with us, long may you live. Keep writing great songs, and carry on rocking just as long as you can. To those who are no longer with us, rest in peace, and be satisfied that you made your mark on the world and influenced my generation more than you’ll ever know. In my humble opinion, the young bands of today can only walk in your shadow.
Juli Hoffman said:
“Keep writing great songs, and carry on rocking just as long as you can.”
Great advice for all of us! Take care!! 🙂
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joanneeddy said:
Thanks, Stevie! The music from my teen years has had the strongest impact on me but all kinds of eclectic music form the bones of my body. From the classical music my mom loved, the polkas my grandmother played which are in my DNA, Beatles from my later childhood/teens were my first “fan” experience, then protest songs during the Vietnam War, Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary added muscles, followed by the Stones, Eagles, Journey, Dire Straits, The Who, Chicago, Santana, Carol King, James Taylor, and Bruce who all put the sinews on my frame.Somehow, I couldn’t pull out one favorite, but they all had an impact. Thanks for the reminder.
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Haddon Musings said:
My sons have always listened to what they call “classic rock” and envy our generation. It was a very creative time for music and we were so lucky to have been young then. I hope you are feeling good.
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Stevie Turner said:
I think we were born in the best time! Yes thanks, I think I’ve recovered now.
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adeleulnais said:
What a great piece of writing. Unfortunately one of my idols left this world too soon. I was fourteen when Sid Vicious died and my family hid the newspapers from me for two days before I found out. Wouldnt be able to do that now with the internet.
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Stevie Turner said:
No, indeed. Thanks for your comment.
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writeanne said:
Yes! The soundtracks to our lives are so important. And Bowie’s music certainly figures in mine along with Rod Stewart, The Moody Blues, 10cc, Carole King, Janis Ian, Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond and on and on… Ah, those nights at the student union disco! 🙂 Great post, Stevie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks. I’ve always thought that the music we listen to as teenagers influences us for the rest of our lives. It reminds us of when we were young and free from responsibilities. Thank goodness I won’t have memories of rap music to look back on!
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Clive said:
With you all the way on this! I can’t see 1D still being relevant 50 years after they started!
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Stevie Turner said:
I actually feel sorry for the youngsters today! So glad I’m the age I am and got to see many of the great rock bands. Of course the generation above me were glad they were born in the 1920’s and 1930’s, as they didn’t have to listen to rock! It all comes down again to a matter of opinion…..
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Clive said:
Precisely! You’ve said my reply for me: I can still remember my parents moaning about the Beatles and the Stones, telling me they didn’t have a tune and you couldn’t hear the words!
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Stevie Turner said:
My old mum often moans about rock music and tells me the best days were the big swing bands of the 1940’s!
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