FM music was still not yet mainline music in the early seventies. Until the US Government made it mandatory that all car radios include FM, in 1972. The Top 40 was still AM based, but if you wanted to hear the best music, and music from both sides of the album, FM was the only place to go. And unlike today's FM, it was mostly music, instead of commercials interrupted by an occasional song. And they played the album version of the songs-I can still remember hearing the long version of Light My Fire-WOW! But the standout among FM stations in New York City, was WNEW-FM, the first station to leave its format up to the DJ. With DJ's such as Allison Steele, Scott Muni, and Pete Fornatele, they would play endless music, and keep you mesmerized-almost grateful for the occasional commercial interruption, so you could take a break. And they were in touch with the local scene, and were always up to date on the concerts-before and after. Truly a station for the cool! Never to be duplicated again.
It's Christmas time in 1973, and a weirdo I worked with, Charlie Fanz and I are talking about Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Charlie is a bit older, has a Hitler mustache, and talks like WC Fields. And always greets me by saying, "Mohn, you're nuts." A strange dude, even by my standards, we shared a love of music, and an appreciation most didn't. We talked back beats, and bass lines, guitar riffs, and other subtlest lost on the AM crowd. And when we talked of ELP, we decide to go to their Christmas concert, on the 17th. With an opening act of the J. Geils Band, this show will rock, and being at the Garden, there would be over 19,000 of us! Not the best acoustically, but the place to go when you couldn't make it to The Capital Theatre in Passaic, or the Convention Center in Asbury Park. Major concert draws all, with only the Fillmore East, recently closed, able to out do them all.
We drove into the city-and took our seats in the mezzanine, stage left. And when J. Geils lit the place up, most would have been satisfied and gone home, but ELP, whom I had seen before, and had come to see, was worth the wait. Keith Emerson on keyboards-and during one song, while playing his baby grand, he and the piano rose, and then started spinning in the air-while he was playing! No concert had ever been like this! And as they played their 90 minute set, they left us hanging. Waiting for the traditional encore. Exhausted from listening, I can only imagine they had to be fatigued.
"MORE! MORE!" we yelled, and it seemed an unusually long time between sets. And in the darkness, you could see many figures moving, which we just assumed to be roadies setting up for the encore. We were not prepared for what came next!
Suddenly the lights came up, and the band broke into a wild version of Pictures at an Exhibition, classical music set to ELP only beat! And the place was on its feet! What a way to end a show-give 'em your best to take home with them. But ELP, still the masters of the show, weren't through. Suddenly the stage went dark, broke into an acoustic version of Silent Night. Just Greg Lake, on an acoustic guitar, in the spotlight, and you could have heard a pin drop. And as the lights came up, you could see the stage filled with a chorus of over 100 singers, in red robes, joining in! And then it started to snow-on stage! And the world's largest gasp, took place, as we were filled with awe, and overwhelmed by the beauty of the song. So we all joined in! 19,000 voices! No other time I sing Silent Night will ever come near to that, and each time I sing it I remember the ELP version. And the snow!
And true to form, when we were driving home, with the radio on, WNEW-FM, was reporting on the events of the concert. And almost tearfully, telling of the Silent Night concert. And we were there! Me and the Charlie, probably one of my weirder friends, but the right guy, because we both saw the big picture that night in the music, and the show. But we also saw the small things, that made it all special.
So many only see Christmas a holiday. With names to usher it in like Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, they forget who it is all about. Take the time, today, right now, and step back and listen to the music of Christmas. Enjoy the story, and the message, and reflect on who Jesus is. And what He did. Listen to the words, and if you don't have a special Christmas memory, ask God to give you one this year. And if you do have one, bask in the glory of it, with a God who loved you so much He sent His only son. Truly, there is no Christmas season without Jesus-the only reason for the season!
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. That's the song I remember, and the Garden was the place. An intimate moment shared with 19,000 concert goers, a chorus of 100, and just an acoustic guitar. And-the snow!
Smile when you think of Christmas-and smile everyday as you remember Jesus. "Do this in remembrance of me, " Jesus says of communion. Commune with Him today! Spend time with Him. Enjoy His company, and share Him with someone. Wish someone Merry Christmas! And show them the love of Jesus.
And may all your Christmases be white!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
