They were introduced as “a band you never heard of, but will be hearing a
lot from, The Eagles!” They were that night the opening band for Robin Trower,
and after two encores, both times playing “Take it Easy,” jamming the last time,
Robin was like watching an arthritic Jimi Hendrix. And he was the show we had
gone to see. But The Eagles won us over that night, and of course went on to be
the superstars of rock they are today. Another night, another concert, it is
late 1974, and we are going to see Chicago at the Felt Forum, a small concert
hall at Madison Square Garden. The opening band is a local group from Jersey,
one we happened to stop in on one night, they were good, but we were cruisin’
for women, and the crowd was small. But this night, the crowd was filled,
thousands in this concert hall, and the Garden was to be lit up. Bruce
Springsteen and the E Street Band opened with Born to Run, and the place went
wild. The incredible energy of perhaps the greatest rock and roll song ever
almost wore us out. It was the first time played live, and the album was still
months away, and I was there. But we had gone to see Chicago, and as good as
they were, and are, we left half way through the show, exhausted. I never did
get to see them play “Beginnings,” another favorite, after Springer we were worn
out. And in both cases an amazing thing had happened, the opening band had
stolen the show. Back when multi act shows were for the same price as for one
band, we had been blown away by the opening band, a filler, one to get the crowd
worked up, for the main event. And every time I hear Take it Easy, I remember
that night, even having my picture taken with Theresa years later while standing
on a corner in Winslow, Arizona-what a fine sight to see! Right next to the
flat bed Ford! And of course the words of Born to Run only reflected my growing
up in Jersey in the late sixties, early seventies. Maybe the best $6 ever spent
on a concert.
But there are shows, and there are shows. And often we don’t know how
great they were until after they are over, and others tell us, wishing they had
been there, and impressed when they hear we were. But opening acts are nothing
new, and 2000 years ago the greatest show on earth, and heaven appeared. With
an opening act that was hard to follow. The opening act, John the Baptist.
Spreading the word of the one who was to come, he had many followers, and
pointed them to his cousin Jesus. Baptizing them, he was an evangelist of great
power and reputation, but no way could he compete with the main event. It was
Jesus who got the top billing, and it was Jesus who would be our savior, but
before Him, J the B led the way. He was the perfect opening act, but he, like
many never stayed for the main show. Some were content with what John had to
say, and like many did at the Eagles show, were disappointed by Robin Trower.
But unlike these opening acts, those who stayed are rewarded, and were
rewarded. Not quite what was expected, Jesus has gone on to perform to more
sold out houses, and even small venues, that He is still in demand today. But
yet in many instances doesn’t get top billing. He falls in behind the signs and
wonders, the glitz and glam, the trendiness of what is popular, and many miss
the greatest show ever. They find Him not entertaining, a burden on their life
style, and although they talk of Him, it is always Jesus and, or worse yet, and
Jesus. And today many churches are named after John the Baptist, a town in
California is San Juan Bautista, and he is known as St. John. While the name of
Jesus is heard more often in terms of cursing, or taken in vain. Never knowing
the true God, the main event, and the greater event yet to happen. For some
they attend the concert, buy the shirt, listen to the album. And later move on,
leaving Him behind with other old albums, never knowing the fullness of what He
can give. For some they remember the night, for others it is a blur. Who is
Jesus in your life? Have you seen Him live, or are you still waiting for the
album to come out?
Only rock and roll will never die. And Jesus is the original hard rocker.
He paid His dues to sing the blues, but chose gospel instead. He is the rock,
and He rolled away the stone, leaving an empty tomb. And promises an encore the
world will not believe-if only they would listen, for the encore is fast
approaching. The main event is coming to a close, and those who believe are
waiting, eyes looking to heaven anxiously. Telling the same message John did,
of one who is he savior. We are the warm up band, we are the messengers for
Jesus. The show will go on, no matter what you believe, but if you miss it, you
will wish you had been there, and it will be to late. Get your ticket now,
admission free, the price already paid. And we all get front row center seats,
so no one will argue or complain. The encore of Jesus, His return, is about to
happen. Take it easy, Jesus is coming. Don’t be left standing on a corner in
Winslow or any other place. So open up and let Him-and take it easy!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com