You're taking the Barry

Next Monday, I’m in London for a concert. It’s not just any concert, it is a Bon Jovi concert. Now, a handful of people reading this will be shaking their head, and my reputation will be shot to pieces. Another handful of people will be reading this thinking what a great concert it will be. Maybe I am flattering myself by thinking that I have two handfuls of readers.

Anyhow, for me, it is a big day, and one I am really looking forward to. Many people have those musicians or bands in their lives that have been with them since they were kids. For me, Bon Jovi are one of two that have been a mainstay since I was Junior Bobby. I should credit my cousin Nick actually for that. He was the older, fairly cool cousin....not sure what went wrong there (!), and he rolled in one day with Slippery When Wet. It was the first album that I really listened to, and in those days, all tapes came with lyrics in the case also. So, that was me sorted. I played it over and over again and memorised all the words. If I am a geek now, I was a major geek then.

Time went by and they stuck with me, just one of those things. A lot of people switched off after Cross Road, and the likes of Always, but I’m a loyal guy, and I kept the faith. Monday is going to be fun. I am probably going to offend a large number of people with my singing – imagine the windows down in the car and your favourite tune playing on a hot summer’s day....well that will be me in the O2 next Monday.

The other musical mainstay is Barry Manilow. I have just lost the other handful of readers other than my mum and sister – I may as well drag them down in my demise. My Uncle and Auntie used to take me and my sister on car rides when we were kids, and those trips would not be the same without the Barry tape rocking the radio. Rocking may be an exaggeration I guess, but his tunes were a major hit in the back seat. Even now, I can turn Barry on every so often, and have one of those car moments. If Barry is in town any time soon, I’ll go to his concert. He is just one of those good old friends.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a Killers fan through and through, I love Coldplay and Green Day....I’m attempting to clutch back some of my reputation here. I was as distraught as anybody to learn The Killers had split up a couple of weeks ago, albeit temporarily I hope. I am though looking forward to Brandon’s solo album, I reckon it could be decent. All that said though, that news made me realise that there are few artists, musicians, bands etc, that have been around like good old Barry and Bon Jovi. Their concerts sell out every time, they cover some decades between them, they have a wide range of fans of all ages, and as far as I am aware, nobody has tried to assassinate them yet. They are keepers, and I for one will be sad when they pack up and call it a day.

I’ll get my coat.