Apr 12: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

I'm always impressed by the great concerts we get around this community. Whether rap or pop, jazz or classical. Or good ol' rock and roll. The top artists come through here regularly, and sometimes a legend or two even makes an appearance. Several days ago, Paul McCartney played a nearly three-hour set for a jubilant South Florida audience. Paul's former bandmate, Ringo Starr, will be coming by in July with his All Starr Band to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. If you're a Beatles fan, you'll want to see that one. I've caught shows by both Paul and Ringo when they were in town during years past - and I still think about those performances often. It's funny how a great concert can do that. It will stick in your memory and enrich your life in ways you might not have expected when you bought the tickets.

I was thinking over the weekend about how much I've gained from great concert experiences. This reflection was partly the result of an amazing classical performance I attended on Sunday. And then with the two surviving Beatles turning up in my backyard within just a few months of each other ... well, it made me recall all the money I've spent on live music. And how it's been worth every single dime.

I wouldn't trade my Paul or Ringo shows for anything. I don't even remember how much I paid for tickets to their concerts. And I don't care. I do remember very clearly listening to Ringo as he sang "Yellow Submarine." Yep, I sure remember that. And "With A Little Help From My Friends" and a lot of other hits that were an important part of my youth. Just as I have crystalline memories of Paul belting out "Hey Jude" among a string of his extraordinary songs. I'm a lifelong Beatles fanatic, a genuine admirer of John, Paul, George and Ringo as artists and as people. That's part of the reason I wanted to let you know about Ringo, just in case you're a huge fan too. But even if not, it doesn't matter. Bon Jovi is playing Fort Lauderdale only several days from now. So is John Fogerty and then Van Morrison will come through in May. If you look around a bit, you'll find jazz concerts and classical concerts, Indian music and Caribbean music and lots more. Heck, just take a walk along the Fort Lauderdale beach north of Las Olas any Saturday night to hear a variety of live music, for free. The concerts, the music, they're out there if you want to listen. I'm just reminding you about that, I guess - and why it's probably worth the effort and money to go.