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AA's Own Rocky Road Is Quite A Gathering Place

I'm from the S.F. Bay Area, and attended UC Santa Cruz. As such, I am really impressed with the Inmates who have this depth of knowledge and experience with 60s and 70s rock. These Inmates are the real deal. I came along later. When I was in kindergarten, I grew tired of TV. I couldn't stand the banal cartoons. I couldn't stand the Giants and 49ers losing all the time. So I turned off the TV. And when I turned to FM radio, I was exposed to what is now called "classic rock." That was the inspiration. It led to further (popular; Davies Symphony Hall and classical music were not for us poor kids) musical exploration. It eventually made us thirsty for better audio reproduction.

Moreover, I grew up in the Fillmore, which was then not the gentrified Lower Pacific Heights it is now. On top of that, my dad's side was from gritty Oakland. I'd go over to my late grandmother's house in the Fruitvale District, and become exposed to artists like Santana, Tower Of Power, and War.

As a writer, I've never made my background a secret. In fact, I make it a point to connect that background with audio. Everyday, audiophiles e-mail me, asking for more. They love the stories, like to live vicariously through each other. Everyday, someone will tell me that he's never been to the Bay Area or Hawaii, that's he's never heard the music I just wrote about, never experienced high school or college like that, never been told what to listen for.

OTOH, someone will read my posts, gather the information, put 2 and 2 together, rack his brain, and SWEAR that, all those years ago, he had crossed paths with me.

In high school, I couldn't stop myself from writing about sports and music. My teachers wished I were that passionate about other subjects! Nevertheless, writing about popular music is not just cathartic, it is fun. I do not expect anyone to like or dislike the music about which I write. I just ask that readers learn from it, appreciate it, and in turn, share their music.

You know what? In the early-00s, AA's Rocky Road was one of the worst forums (fora?). But thanks to the current contributors, it has become one of our most diverse, interesting, and educational.

You know what else? When I was growing up, each generation was embarrassed by its parents. You wouldn't be caught dead, liking the music your parents liked. But all that has changed. My own kids are in elementary school. Because of the internet, Guitar Hero, video games, apps, Youtube, and other tools, today's kids know more about 80s and 90s popular music than we do. And, when I pick up my kids, I see others having the ability to play all of this music!

For the curmudgeons who do not like 80s and 90s music, rejoice! It is only a matter of time, before some of these kids then branch out, and learn about music from other human eras.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to go over to Rocky Road. I wish I could contribute more often, but am just too busy. I have a small contingent, claiming that 1992 was music's best. So these people want me to spotlight and showcase more music from that year. I also have a different army of followers, clamoring for more heavy metal and thrash. And then there are those who want me to tap into today's teens (I used to work at a charter high school), and report about current music. But don't wait for me; the others on Rocky Road have plenty to share.

And oh yes, I can't wait for next Friday's Tracks! :-)



Edits: 11/08/15 11/08/15 11/08/15

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  • AA's Own Rocky Road Is Quite A Gathering Place - Luminator 13:21:58 11/08/15 (0)

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