The First Time...
I clearly remember the first time I heard the music of Billy Squier. I was at a party at an apartment of a boy named Jimmy Elmer. A typical weekend party at Jimmy Elmer's consisted of beer, illicit drugs, and extremely loud music. Jimmy had the best stereo system of the time, which consisted of two turntables, double cassette tape-players, and two huge five-foot speakers that blasted the works of AC/DC, Van Halen, Def Leppard, and The Talking Heads to name a few. Often, the music was turned to a level so deafening that the only form of communication was to read the lips of others through the smoke filled room.
This seemed like a nuisance and forced solitude to me; after all, this was a party, a gathering place to drink, talk, laugh, and socialize. But, after the very first time Jimmy played Billy Squier’s Emotions in Motion album, the volume and the solitude didn’t bother me in the least. I recall the beat blasting out of those giant speakers on the first track “Everybody Wants You.” I remember instantly thinking that the resonance of the singer was different, sexier, and sweeter than the previous artists heard coming from the massive sound system. I felt the soul soothing rhythms stir in my chest with the second song “Emotions in Motion.” The lyrics within the third song “Learn How to Live,” replicated the feelings I, as a teenager, felt but couldn’t express. The timbre and quality of the music was far different from anyone I had ever heard.
Looking around the room, I searched the faces of others wondering if anyone else was hearing what I felt. The taps of feet and the bobbing of heads from males and females alike gave credence to my new discovery. Yes, others felt the difference too. However, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough. I had to hear Billy at every party Jimmy threw. I longed for information regarding Billy, so I bought every rock magazine I could afford in hopes of discovering any written word about him. I sat for hours watching MTV every Saturday desperately hoping to catch a glimpse. I dreamt for years of meeting him. I attended every concert he performed in my area. But, I never had the opportunity to meet him. That was then. This is now.
After twenty-six years of dreaming about meeting the extraordinary singer, song writer, guitar player, my dreams have come true—not just once, but in fact several times over. This blog contains a brief glimpse into my travels during the summer of 2009 while following my favorite rocker the one and only--Billy Squier.
Billy in Minneapolis, MN July 20, 2009
I loved seeing Billy in my twin city!
Mark Clarke and Alan St. Jon had told me in Traverse City, MI
that I was not to purchase anymore tickets to the shows. So when
the band played in St. Paul there was a ticket reserved in my name
at the Night Club. That was so nice!
The band played in top form at the Myth Night Club in St. Paul.
Billy played longer this evening by adding songs to his set that
he hadn't played in other venues. The band rocked!
Mark Clarke was all over the large stage this evening, which
the crowd really loved. I told him later, in Lake Ozark, MO
that we really enjoyed seeing him move around the stage in St.Paul.
He said he wasn't sure if he looked like an "ass" or not, so I reassured
him that everyone really enjoyed when he moved around the stage.
I didn't get a chance to meet up with the band at this venue, but Mark Clarke did come
out before the show to greet me. I gave him a birthday card and thanked him for the
ticket. While waiting for Mark I spotted Alan St. Jon. He stopped and gave me a kiss
on the cheek and said hello. Those guys are so sweet!
As always, I recruited new people to the show who became Billy Squier fans!
Jodi, me, and Natalie...............Natalie and Jerry
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