ROCK & ROLL MUSINGS

Beginning my Rock & Roll playlist, it starts with The King. Yes, Elvis has had many hit songs throughout his musical career. Perhaps you remember my story, ELVIS, BETTY AND ME, that is found here, Elvis Presley appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. At age eight, his music managed to make a huge impression on me with Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, Jailhouse Rock, and other hit songs.

However, there is one song that touches my heart like no other song and sets off fireworks in my head. Reading online that this song is a favorite of many celebrities too, it came as no surprise. Elvis' Blue Hawaii album includes Can't Help Falling In Love which was released in 1961. Coming in at number six on some websites' top ten songs by Elvis Presley, on my playlist, Can't Help Falling In Love is number one. It will always be number one.

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Graduating from high school in 1965, Help played on the radio that year. Indeed, the Beatles was the top band taking America by storm. The Beatles performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Absolutely, would have loved to have seen the Beatles in Concert. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.

Nevertheless, in 2015, the stars aligned. Seeing Paul McCartney in concert, it's one of those concerts that holds personal bittersweet memories. Help wasn't played. However, a complete setlist can be found here.

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Another song that hit the charts in 1965, was the Rolling Stones' Can't Get No Satisfaction. There was a long gap between 1965 and November 1989, it was thirty-four years to be exact. In fact, the Rolling Stone Concert was held at the Cotton Bowl. What a night it was. It was a blast! Why? Why did we have seats? During the whole concert, we stood. Standing the whole time! By the way, NEVER wear heels to a concert!

The concert tour was called Steel Wheels and in Europe, it was called the Urban Jungle Tour. Before their encore song, Can't Get No Satisfaction was played. Happily, it made my night!

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The year after graduation the Beach Boys had a hit with Good Vibrations. Immediately upon hearing the song for the very first time, it was love for Good Vibrations and that love has grown over the years. Playing a concert at Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas, in March 2012, The Beach Boys' setlist was unbelievable.

Remembering, it was after the concert's intermission that the Beach Boys played my favorite 60s song, Good Vibrations. Having front-row seats, a special moment at the close of the concert, one of my Beach Boys albums was autographed by the band members.

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Hearing this group live at an outdoor event in Dallas, TX in the late 90s, Shining Star rocked the charts in 1977. Can't really recall whether Shining Star was played that day. Earth, Wind & Fire is the only band that I enjoyed in the 70s. The band is very versatile and successful. In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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Amazingly, some concerts are never forgotten. In 1994, The Ramones played at the Bomb Factory which is a music venue in Deep Ellum. Deep Ellum is located in the eastern district of downtown Dallas, Texas. Unbelievably, the bandmates walked right past me. It took me a few minutes to get over the shock. During the concert, The Ramones' 80s song Baby I Love You wasn't played. For that night's concert, you can find their setlist here.

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While Never Say Goodbye was recorded in 1986 and released in 1987. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote the song. A native of New Jersey, Bon Jovi's setlists are absolutely awesome.

Unfortunately, I never saw Bon Jovi in concert but do love his song, Never Say Goodbye. Interesting fact, my daughter's first concert in Dallas, Texas was a Bon Jovi concert.

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Impressive! Yes, the Depeche Mode concert was impressive. Besides the concert being impressive, the fact that it was held in the Reunion Arena stands out in my memory. (In 2009, the Reunion Arena was demolished.) That night the fourth song that Depeche Mode played was my favorite song, Walking In My Shoes. You can find a complete setlist for the October 1993 concert here.

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Without fail, every time my car radio or my friend's car radio was turned on that year U2's With Or Without You was about to play or was playing. The year was 1987. Admittedly, there wasn't a U2 concert to recall or remember. However, the band had several hits in the late 80s and early 90s. Interestingly, With or Without You was U2's very first single CD. For me, the song holds extremely personal memories.

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Remembering, the weather was perfect. On the 9th of July 1993, sitting on blankets, it was a fabulous night for a concert. Plus, it was a girls' night out! The Cranberries' concert was held at Fair Park Band Shell, Dallas, Texas. In case you aren't familiar with Fair Park, it's the location of the annual State Fair of Texas.

Singing along with the Cranberries, my daughter, her friend, and I had a fun evening. Before the concert ended, they played Dreams.

Leaving you now, Rock On!

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Writer's notes: Thank you for reading my rock & roll musings. This was originally written for Julie Smith's prompt "music."

Now, it's entered into the Melody Memories Playlist Challenge.