What role does music play in your life? Have you always been a lover or more luke-warm to the medium? Maybe I should ask this – how many pop songs over time have you been able to sing along with, knowing all the words?
Truthfully, as music lovers go, I’m on the lower end, and I’ve aways blamed my stunted appreciation of the art on my mother. I also acknowledge, I’ve had 50+ years to overcome that. At a recent concert, I realized I was one of about five people that didn’t know every word to “Bohemian Rapsody” by Queen. That certainly wasn’t her fault. But when people ask “what was your first concert” and all I can think of is Henry Mancini, well, you get the idea.
You see while growing up, we had one of those old-fashioned record players that you could close, latch and carry from room to room. And for some reason, I don’t think my mother embraced the music of my teen years. We had very few records to listen to at home. Connie Francis for my dad, and I remember Mancini and Dean Martin, and yes, I can still sing most of the words to his rendition of “Volare”. But The Beatles or any of the other pop groups of my youth never made it into my house. I swear, I’ve suffered since. (Poor me, right?)
The only pop music I listened to was the 90-minute program after school on our local radio station, wedged between the farm report and the country-western music hour.
College turned the corner for me and I can still hear “Layla,” the original version by Derek and the Dominoes, blasting through someone’s dorm window. But somewhere, I discovered story-tellers, words I could understand and visualize, and that would reverberate deep within.
It was winter, 1974, a Saturday night. I’d traveled from my small college town to Madison, Wisconsin to visit a friend attending the university. We’d gone to a party that had plenty of good music and as we walked back to the dorm, I couldn’t get one song out of my head. In the dark of the night with light snowflakes flitting around us, I began singing. “Killing me softly with his song…” Roberta Flack carried me the rest of the walk and the bus ride back to Stevens Point the next day. When I heard of her death this week, I immediately returned to that experience 51 years ago. That’s the power of music. Fortunately, there were no snowflakes this time.
Off all the musicians who have died over the years, only three made me pause, until this week. Jim Croce, Elvis though he was so messed up by the time he died that it was hard to overlook that for this music, and Harry Chapin. And now Roberta Flack. “Telling my life with his words…” Maybe it was the place, maybe the time, likely, my age. She was one of the great ones as far as I’m concerned. There will be two or three others who will join this list for me, but they are still with us.
Which musical artists have made an impact on your taste/ appreciation of music? I will forever link James Taylor and Tom Jones with two friends, but how about you? And can you sing all the words? Something better than “Volare?”
“The first time ever I saw your face…” Thank you, Roberta. Always one of my favorites.
I feel like so many good musicians that were from our era are leaving us. Their music will live on but to hear someone in the future sing Killing Me Softly will not ever match the voice of Roberta Flack!
I agree, Teresa. But there aren’t too many like her, for me. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
When I was 12, I heard Johnny Mathis on Ed Sullivan singing with the Lennon Sisters. It was Johnny One Note and he held a note for almost the entire time they sang the song. At least to my young ears. So for my 12th birthday, I asked for a Johnny Mathis album. It was Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.
I have seen him twice in concert.
He was killing memory with his songs.
What a great memory. It’s funny how we connect with different artists. Thanks, Carol!
I was at our laundry room sink when I heard that Elvis died. Although I liked his music, I wasn’t a rabid fan. His death changed me because it was the first time I realized that cultural icons were human and could die.
I teared up when I heard that Christine McVie died. I love her voice. Songbird is gorgeous 🎤🎶🎹
Thank you, Elaine. I’d describe Elvis the same way – loved his music, him, not so much. We connect with some of these singers for many different reasons. Christine Mc Vie – I loved Fleetwood Mac. Great memory.
i saw Elvis on TV All the times he was onEd Sullivan. What a heart throb!! I learned early where and how Elvis grew up – poor and uneducated. His voice and stage presence has not been replaceable to me. i also saw some of those rediculous movies he made. and i believe he was a kind and thoughtful Southern Gentleman. in the late 50’s and early 60’s i listened to and bought many 45’s of many of the pop
music stars. then after 1982 after Cds were available i pucchased many cds of my favorite artists. and yes I knew the lyrics of many of the songs
Karen, what a wonderful trip down memory lane. Thank you!
Pam, I’m a musical stereotype for my generation, a fan of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Carole King, everything Motown, just to mention a few. I’ve enjoyed some music my son introduced me to, like the Black Keys and Phish. I love how music evokes time and place, memories good, bad, sad. But I never listen to music now! I prefer silence when I read and will turn on NPR when I’m driving or sewing or painting at home. Roberta Flack was an icon. It’s sad to see her go.
Kate, we are so much alike. I seldom listen to it anymore, and never when I write. Good for you to have a son who has introduced you to other more contemporary groups. Thanks for the response. Appreciate it.
Hi Pam, what a great subject to cover. I was born in the era where ‘pop idols’ like Donny Osmond, David Cassidy, Bay City Rollers etc were every young girls dream, but our house was always filled with music that my parents loved. ‘The Big Band Sound of Roy Orbison, Glen Miller and Frank Sinatra were played regularly on the ‘record player’ in our lounge. Always brings back happy memories when I hear this music now.
Later in life we all fell in love with Fleetwood Mac’s music and I still have the Rumours LP in our home. Such a sad day when Christine McVie passed. She had the most exquisite, unique voice.
I’m so glad you could relate to this and I love the memory of your parent’s listening to their record player. Our tastes were the same – whether in the UK or the US. Thanks, Carole. Always good to hear from you.
I was pretty much introduced to music by my cousin David, who I think was about 5 years older than me – and at the time- more worldly and into music! He helped my Dad/Mom buy my FIRST albums that I got for Christmas- Ricky Nelson & Johnny Mathis!! (He was also a big lover of Barbara Streisand, but I never had an album of hers) he also took me to my FIRST CONCERT – it was at a local small Racine place- with Johnny Mathis!! (that I can’t remember where) – I was HOOKED on Johnny Mathis from then on and to this day, I love playing his CDs – his Christmas ones and regular ones.
What a fun memory. We need more cousins like David. I’m glad you enjoyed this and to think, another Johnny Mathis fan. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Thanks for sharing and bringing up so many great memories. On Saturday when it was time to clean the house I had a small radio with headphones and I would listen to WPGC “trash” my Mom would say and take my radio from me. We must have had 500+ albums of all types a lot of Elvis, Barbara Streisand ( my Dad’s favorite), country, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Vinton, Englebert , Tom Jones, George Strait, Connie Francis (funny writing these brings the covers of each album to me) I would say I know a lot of songs word by word but only once the song starts and then I always wonder why the song comes back to me immediately when I haven’t heard it forever. Concerts we have been to a few with the kids in the parents lounge, where you felt like the walls were going to cave in from the loud music, New Kids on the Block, Hammer Time were two I remember. Tony and I have seen Cher (3x) Johnny Mathis (7) he always floats across the stage, Garth Brooks, Hooty and the Blowfish. One weekend we saw Johnny Mathis on Friday (wine drinking sit down audience) and the next day same venue Hooty (beer drinking and never sat down audience). I know we have been to others but Tony is napping and I can’t remember but turn on an oldie and chances are very good I know the words. While in Japan we saw two groups one was Macy Gray she has the deepest voice, she did photos and autographs at Burger King on Zama and then sang at the club that night at Atsugi. She has a voice you can hear and know who it is, I like when that happens. We saw a country group perform on a ship at Yokosuka. Thanks for bringing up so many great memories. I enjoy the radio being on most of the time “turned way down low” (words from one of Tony’s Dad’s favorites) as background noise. Music does take you back in time with some great memories.