A cartoon caught my attention the other day, about the Rolling Stones.
Never one of my favorites, but I like some of their music, the stuff from
65-71. Years not their ages. But the cartoon asked “do you want to hear the
Stones from the sixties, or in their sixties?” To those of us who were there, a
big difference from the tribute bands and old names with new faces in the band.
I can remember the first time I saw the Eagles, in Asbury Park, a warm up band
for Robin Trower. Introduced as “a band you never heard of before, but will
from now on.” Playing Take it Easy twice. Watching The Kinks rock the crowd at
Trenton Speedway. Going to see Chicago, with Springsteen the opening act, his
first song “Born to Run,” before the album was out, so wasted from listening we
left after a few Chicago songs. Exhausted. How many times I saw The Beach Boys,
meeting Mike Love off stage before one show. Even then earning the title of
biggest @#$%^&*( in rock and roll. We were there hearing Dennis on the
cover shot of Beach Boys Concert. Santana at the Felt Forum, a 10 pm concert
playing way into the morning hours. Or a show just before Christmas, J. Geils
and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, whose encore was loud, until the lights broke
through the darkness, and they broke into an acoustic Silent Night, with a huge
red robed choir, and it began to snow on stage. You had to be there....Seeing
Peter Frampton in three different bands, being on stage with Alice Cooper and
riding out with the band in his limo. The night at the Capitol Theatre in
Passaic yelling at Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons “ play Rag Doll,” joining
in with some not so teenage girls. He finally relented, “would you please stop
interrupting if we play it?” Sharing a dinner at a concert with a guy named
Joe, talking motorcycles, who I later found out was Joe Walsh of The James Gang,
pre-Eagles. Mountain, Looking Glass, Ike and Tina Turner, Gordon Lightfoot at
the Garden Arts Center, outside singing Rainy Day People and it starts to poor.
Only in Jersey.... Black Oak Arkansas, Gary Wright, and being invited by his
manager to the party afterwards. Jay and the Americans-Cara Mia! And The
National Lampoon Radio Dinner, done as a theater in the round, a few weeks
before it became Saturday Night Live! Iron Butterfly at Union Catholic High
School in the gym, all 21+ minutes of In a Gadda DaVita! So many more that I
forget, but will never forget. Even have the ticket to Summer Jam in 1973, The
Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers, best ten dollar ticket ever. Just
missed the show, but that’s another story...
Today I have heard Layla on the radio more than I ever did when it was
new. So called Classic rock, when it was just rock. None of us were classics
yet. We used to enjoy the oldies, from the fifties and early sixties, they were
classic. And for a few short miles when I could pick up an oldie station
outside of Kingman, I was young again listening to the oldies. Songs asking
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” Like
Springer sang “sprung from cages n Highway 9,” you just had to be there. And I
was, in the sixties, and now in my sixties, it is tribute bands, yuk, The Beach
Boys with all unfamiliar faces, and a whole new generation who want to hear the
classics. Where are my oldies when I really need them?
As I grow older but not getting old, I appreciate the songs of my youth and
growing up more. Songs that you waited for on the radio, that you stood in line
at Korvettes for the newest album, and songs that you could sing to. My
relationship with Jesus is much like that, I appreciate all he is and has done
in my life. I have changed, and so has my musical taste, but he never has. I
escaped religion early in my walk with him, finding a freedom in the spirit that
denominations tried to curtail, a love that the songs sang about but couldn’t
deliver, and a friend who was more than friendly. I have sat under some
incredible teaching, but also some blasphemous preaching, as one evangelist
promised to “have the wrath of God upon us if we didn’t agree with him.” I have
sat through worship music where it is just like it is written, and also where
the musicians, there is a difference, go off in worship, in the spirit. I saw
Parable in 1976, and other Maranatha Music groups when they were new. Daniel
Amos, 2nd Chapter of Acts. I enjoy Phil Wickham when not playing to the crowd,
but in true worship. And maybe that is what I really found in Jesus, that makes
a difference. The truth. Not some philosophy, some seminary taught gospel not
found in scripture, and not a watered down Bible meant not to offend. As I
watch and listen today I see Jesus separating the sheep from the goats, with
many surprises. Lots of goats in sheep clothing, who like tribute bands sound
the same, know all the words, but don’t know the band. Who know all about
Jesus, but never heard the beautiful song he sings to the heart of a believer.
A song only sung in the spirit, not from behind a pulpit, but wherever you
happen to be. Tribute Christians, Bored Again Christians, and CEO Christians,
who like an old album have scratches and skip the songs they don’t like. Who
have every preset to KWVE, but don’t wave to Jesus. Or his friends. I want all
the Jesus I can get, and fake or religious substitutes offend me, as they should
you. Are you paying tribute to Jesus, your church, your pastor, a denomination,
or to yourself? What kind of song does Jesus sing to your heart?
Classic rock and classic Jesus both play to a select audience. Really of
listeners, as the gospel goes forth as we speak in every language, every
venue,and in every situation. The question is are you listening? Or set in a
venue of only listening to what you like. Some day the sheep will be separated
from the goats, and the goats will finally see the truth in Jesus. Why wait,
get up and dance in his love and joy in the spirit now, don’t wait for the
album. Long before vinyl became tape became disc became i-pod, Jesus was
singing to us in the most beautiful song ever. The original love song, one of
salvation, and the joy and peace found in it. Some go to tribute concerts to
remember, just like they do for church. If your Jesus is an oldie, or a
classic, meet the real Jesus today. Sing along with the words, and even with
the radio off hear the message. Joy to the World means something different to
Christians than it does in the Three Dog Night version. So does the gospel.
Jesus Christ, LIVE and IN THE SPIRIT! Playing in hearts everywhere. Advance
tickets to heaven.
And the reason we really fall in love is Jesus Christ. Fools included.
And like Frankie Valli sings, in Christ “can’t take my eyes off of you.” He
never does of you.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthw25biker.blogspot.com