Music's Greatest Moments For Me

Music's been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember.  You see, I grew up in a musical family.  Nope, no-one was a rock star, a good musician, or even a (bad) musician. 

It was 1969.  It was the era of love.  The Vietnam War had just ended.  And my late grandmother, my uncles and mom, established a record store in Johannesburg.  Several years later, they had seven record stores – called The Turntable all across Johannesburg.  All through my schooling, I worked in one of the stores every moment I could.  I loved music – and that I got paid – well, that was gravy for a young kid.  In 1978, my mom bought and took over one of the stores, renamed it Plum Records and as I grew up, I continued playing an increasingly important role in the store.  It was my love.  It was my passion and it was my life.  You get the picture.

Enough about history.  More about music.  My fondest memories:

      1.     Pink Floyd – The Wall.  It’s 1979.  I’m 13 years old.  The Wall’s just been released internationally.  It’s banned in South Africa.  I’ve gotten a bootlegged copy and it was to be the first time I’d listened to it .  It’s a Saturday night and I’m all alone.  My parents and siblings are out.  It’s cold.  I put it on my record player.  All was good until “Hey You” came on. 

“Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, don’t help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight”

The lyrics spooked me – frightened me.  I turned it off.  I listened again in the morning.  Today, it’s likely my all-time favorite album.

2.      January 1980.  Sun City.  The country?  Bophutaswana.  It’s minute and entirely landlocked in South Afcrica.  I’m going with my partents and brother to see my first concert.  None other than the Village People – one of the hottest bands of the year. “Young man, there’s no need to be down …”. It’s campy. It’s kitsch.  But Oh!  so divine.  A great first concert.

3.       December 8, 1980.  I’m on the beach in Cape Town.  I hear John Lennon’s been shot dead.  I cry.  “Imagine”  “Starting Over”.  The list goes on.

4.   It's July 1981 and it's one small step for mankind - one huge step for John Sacke.  He's in New York City for the first time and to him it felt like the centre of the Universe.  He tags up with recently immigrated high-school friends, Peter and Lisa (also 15) and the three of them see Queen (opening act Billy Squier) at Madison Square Garden.  In the same trip John also sees Air Supply at the Beacon Theatre as well as Kool and The Gang at the Lincoln Centre.  Three concerts in a week - makes a great trip.  I'm still friends with Lisa and Peter (he's my closest friend).  New York City is still my favorite city.

5.   It’s 1983.  I’m in my last year of high school and I’m into clubbing.  My buddies, Hilton, Clive, Mark, Guiseppi and a few others hang out at places like Scants, Mandy’s and Q’s.  It’s all high-energy all the time.  Sylvester, Patrick Cowley, Pamala Stanley, Miguel Brown, Hazell Dean, Fun Fun and others dominate the landscape.  I remember the all nighters at Scants and the breakfasts at the Carlton.   As for the other small details?  Well, those I don’t really remember.

5.       Christmas 1984.  Under the leadership of Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Band Aid comes together and releases “Do They Know It’s Christmas”.  It’s the first time I realize music’s ability to unite the world.  Four days after its release, it’s number one on both sides of the Atlantic and would go on to become the biggest selling 45 in history (at least until that point). 

 

6.       It’s 1985.  I’m 19 – and I’m in New York City, meeting the late Calvin Holt (founder of Serendipity – and inventor and patent holder of Frozen Hot Chocolate).  It’s the 80’s – and it’s excessive.  I’m not even old enough to get into the hottest dance club in the world – Studio 54, let alone be front of line.  But with Calvin and his groupies, I am.  Not only that – but I’m rubbing shoulders with Prince, Tina Turner as well as with Hall and Oates.  The music?  It’s big, brassy and bold.  Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, SOS Band and Stevie Wonder.  Happy hour's between 5 and 6am at The Studio.

7.       August 1988.  Toronto.  I’ve just arrived in Canada.  It’s the Amnesty Tour.  Sting.  Tracy Chapman, The Boss, Peter Gabriel.  Youssou N’Dour.  Wow!  I scored a ticket.  I scam my way to the floor at Maple Leaf Gardens.  And it’s the first time I realize how grateful I am to live in Canada. Springsteen's hit, "Born to Run" seems to talk to my plight then.

8.       It’s the ninety’s which meant a revival of the British Invasion aka new wave.  Whiskey Saigon is the place to be Sunday nights – and I’m there more often than I’m not.  Joe Jackson. The Cure.  The Cult.  Yaz.  The Police. The Jam.  Simple Minds.  Soft Cell.  Thompson Twins.  Level 42.   ABC.  Gary Numan.  Sinead ‘Connor.   I also loved grunge – Soundgarden, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and of course Nirvana and Weezer.  Chris Sheppard at RPM spun the wheels of steel so well.  Unforgettably well.   

9.       It’s new year’s day 2000 – and I’m joining the Polar Bear Club.  Solo.  And it’s minus 26 degrees out.  I’m at the shore of Lake Ontario.  My wife, our new born kid (he’s now 15) and parents are with me.  The theme from “Chariots of Fire” is playing on the ghetto blaster.   I’m pumped.  I’m also in and out of the lake’s frigid waters --- fast.  And, I manage to raise $2600 for The Children’s Wish Foundation in the process.

10.   2011 – Bono and the boys play Toronto. Alas, I’m not able to scoop a ticket – at least until a friend of mine offers me his – just as long as I take his wife (he has 2 tickets).  Is the pope Catholic?  Duh!  So we go.  We’re on the floor – mere feet from Bono.  Although it’s in July (the eleventh to be precise), I feel the warm tears flowing down my cheeks as the familiar refrains of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”  fill the packed-to-the-rafters stadium.

      11.   2012 - Floyd’s still my favorite band.  U2’s a close second.  Roger Waters is in town.  He’s playing the Air Canada Centre – and he’s doing “The Wall”.  Despite that he’s very anti-Israel (I’m not), I manage to put our political differences aside.  What a show.  Again, what a show.  Again, what a show.  See the show’s review here.

And that’s it?  What are your favorite music moments/ songs/ artists?  I’d love to know!