The Night Life Ain't No Good Life, But It's My Life: Willie Nelson & Family– September 5th, 1984 Jones Beach Theater Wantagh NY

I must've seen Willie Nelson at least a half dozen times over the years, but waaaay back in 1984 was my first time. The Jones Beach Theater, September 5th, 1984.

It so happens I spent that summer working at the theater, tapping kegs of beer as a porter for the food service vendor who ran the concession stands and beer gardens.

What started out as a stock boy job for the snack stands at the local mall blossomed into this music lover's dream. And I was all of 15 years old– couldn't drive and not old enough to drink, but somehow I managed to get to the theater and drink, night after night.

My routine was pretty simple, bum, beg or hitch a ride the 20 miles or so to Jones Beach, then make sure all the bars were stocked. This usually involved a hand truck, a few dozen kegs of beer and a whole bunch of back-breaking, hernia-inducing lifting.

Thing is, if I really liked who was performing, I would work double time, set up all the bartenders, then disappear and watch the show. That summer I saw Neil Young (during his Bluegrass phase), the Pretenders, Simple Minds and Rod Stewart, just to name a few.


This particular night I was off the clock. I actually had a legitimate ticket to see Willie. If memory serves, it was me and my pop. Now I've done a little searching, but cannot find the setlist from that night. Though it really doesn't matter, the Red-headed Stranger has had a pretty consistent show for the better part of 30 years. He always, always opens (and closes) with Whiskey River. In between he stops on every page in his songbook. From outlaw classics like 'Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys', to the tender ballads; 'Help Me Make It Through The Night, 'If You Could Touch Her At All'. A few spiritual diddys, thrown in for good measure; 'Uncloudy Day', 'Amazing Grace', and even a touch of the blues (as only Willie can); 'Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain', 'Angel Flying To Close To The Ground'.

The culmination of a Willie Nelson & Family show- the takeaway– is that you're not so much seeing a concert, but experiencing a living piece of Americana. A legend who's authentic style and sound have transcended both music and time.


A Typical Willie Nelson & Family Setlist:

Whiskey River
Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)
Funny How Time Slips Away
Crazy
Night Life
If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys
I Can Get Off on You
If You Could Touch Her at All
Good Hearted Woman
Angel Flying To Close To The Ground
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Help Me Make it Through The Night
City of New Orleans
Bloody Mary Morning
I'm a Memory
Me & Paul
Hello Walls
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Amazing Grace
Uncloudy Day
The Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line
A Song for You
Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Georgia on My Mind
Blue Skies
On The Road Again
Whiskey River

Come As You Are: Nirvana- November 14th, 1993 New York Coliseum, NYC

17 years ago today, Kurt Cobain checked out, but 17 years, 4 months and 22 days ago I checked out–Nirvana.

What would turn out to be their final studio LP had just been released that September and the show was on the first leg of their 'In Utero' tour. I remember it was one of the few concerts that I had to camp out overnight for tickets. In hindsight and considering fate, it was well worth it.

The show was held at an odd venue, the now extinct New York Coliseum. Located in Columbus Circle, the 7000-seat hall had been the home of the NY Boat Show for years, until the Javits Center rendered it obsolete. Half Japanese and the Breeders opened, but if I hadn't just looked that up, I wouldn't have remembered–all I know is that I was there for one reason.

My girlfriend (and future wife) Laura, along with my buddy Steve (from Rock Turtleneck fame) and his brother Super Dave were all in attendance that night. Laura had just days earlier taken a nasty spill off a horse and was suffering from a stiff neck. She enjoyed the show from the back of the hall and obliged me to find my way up to the mosh pit. If memory serves, they blasted straight through, I don't remember an encore. I think by this point Kurt and the rest of the band (to a lesser extent) were kinda ambivalent towards the whole thing. Either way, they just played and played. Truly Nirvana.

To say it was an epic show is an understatement. It was one of those shows where for two hours everything was right with the world. Everything made sense. Albeit corny, it was an 'important' show, by an 'important' band, and I was fortunate enough to bare witness to the spectacle that was Nirvana. It clarified and solidified the reason there are and always will be rock shows. And it further helped to shape the rock snob I am today. Although Kurt ended his life just five short months later (talk about all exits final) that evening was absolutely life-affirming. No doubt the peak of my 20's occurred that night–most likely whilst crowd surfing to Territorial Pissings.

We all know how this story ends. Sad, sad sad. But man, what a show that was. Certainly one of, if not the, best show I've ever been to. If only Kurt could have felt or understood exactly what he meant to so many people. I wonder if it would have made any difference?



Nirvana -November 14th, 1993- New York Coliseum, NYC

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
Drain You
Breed
Serve The Servants
About A Girl
Heart-Shaped Box
Sliver
Dumb
Come As You Are
Lithium
Pennyroyal Tea
School
Polly [acoustic]
Milk It
Rape Me
Territorial Pissings
Smells Like Teen Spirit
All Apologies
Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam [traditional, cover] [acoustic]
On A Plain
Scentless Apprentice
Blew
Do Nuts [The Legend cover, Everett True on vocals]

You can get the show here.