Fantastic review as always, Alan. You captured a great moment in time that night and shared it w/ us all. Thank you.
If you were lucky enough to be in HS or college in the late 70's and early 80's and listened religiously to FM radio (102.7 WNEW in NYC for me), you became a big fan of power pop and the magic of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds and Rockpile. Hit after hit; They Called it Rock, Cruel To Be Kind, Love So Fine, I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass, the ones you mentioned plus many others.
I've been a Nick Lowe fan since Pure Pop for Now People. With Dave Edmunds and Rockpile, they both had a string of great records in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Glad I was able to catch Rockpile (watching from the rock outcropping outside the venue) at the Wollman Skating Rink when they opened for Blondie in 1979.
Excellent post! And a wild coincidence—I know everybody on Substack is always plugging their own stuff, but I think you will honestly get a kick of what I wrote this week – it’s my reaction to see Nick Lowe live in my neck of the woods. We had similar reactions.
I like your sentence that says we feel like we’re at the end of something. All the people I’ve been listening to my whole life are now long in the teeth and I like them better than ever. I’m going to see Bob Dylan again next month because, of course, I want to see Bob Dylan – but there’s something about the fact that he is 84 (and Willie 92) that makes me tell myself to get off my arse and go see them.
Your post also made me think about how I will sometimes buy concert tickets, be very excited, but then, months later, on the day of the concert, part of me is thinking, do I really want to drive to the train station, take the train, blah, blah blah? But then I do — and I’m so glad I did. Watching YouTube videos will never replace being in the same room with the people making the music.
Anyway, so glad to find another Nick Lowe enthusiast. Check out my post if you get a chance.
Thank you and I will. I think your off-hand comment when I mentioend the other day I would be seeing Nick is what prompted to even write about the show. So thanks!
He’s been around for so long, and written songs that have seemingly also been around forever, and also seemingly played with everyone…he’s just Nick Lowe.
My generation’s first introduction to him was I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass in the mid 1970s, on the crest of the punk wave, and though he wasn’t that, he was definitely not the other, either…and so we liked him.
And he played the tiny venues we went to watch punk bands play, and just fitted like a natural. He’s just always been there…
Amen to this. We had relatives up and dragged them to see a Dead cover band -- and they loved it and said we must add live music to every get-together that we can.
Great post! Love Nick Lowe, fell in love with him back in the 70’s and it’s been an interesting ride.
Thank you for the reminder we have to find ways to enjoy life even though this country is heading down a dangerous path with evil leadership. Music sets us free for a bit, which recharges us and keeps us going 🥰
With Tom Petty, J Geils and Edgar Winter for $3.00. Followed by Roy Buchanan every time he came to town. Mancinis, The Decade, and any source of live music that gets us through tough times, like today.
Nick is such a savvy writer - clever without being cute, sensitive without being maudlin, a true songsmith. His wry take on the world is refreshing, and an inspiration.
Thanks Alan really enjoyed your story. I relate so much with everything you said always thought when I got to the age I am I would really know a lot more and understand the world in a whole new way but if anything, I don’t understand any of it it’s sad. The other sad part about this time of our lives is losing all our rock ‘n’ roll/music heroes, one at a time every so often there goes another one and it is truly heartbreaking. These people have been so important to our lives. I was almost 2,riding around in the car with my parents, always playing Elvis. I knew every song by heart-my dad would have me perform them for everyone that would sit and listen lol and it just evolved from there. I guess I never thought about the day that would come that we would start losing them. Certainly hard to wrap my head around.
Outstanding read Alan. Just the sentimental shot in the arm I needed this fine Friday AM.
I'm 67 and we share a very common musical taste, so its been a very nostalgic week for me as well with Bobby Whitlock's passing and the realization that my heroes have mostly moved on. Your post made me feel like I'm not alone in this journey so thank you for for that.
Fantastic review as always, Alan. You captured a great moment in time that night and shared it w/ us all. Thank you.
If you were lucky enough to be in HS or college in the late 70's and early 80's and listened religiously to FM radio (102.7 WNEW in NYC for me), you became a big fan of power pop and the magic of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds and Rockpile. Hit after hit; They Called it Rock, Cruel To Be Kind, Love So Fine, I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass, the ones you mentioned plus many others.
Glorious memories.
I've been a Nick Lowe fan since Pure Pop for Now People. With Dave Edmunds and Rockpile, they both had a string of great records in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Glad I was able to catch Rockpile (watching from the rock outcropping outside the venue) at the Wollman Skating Rink when they opened for Blondie in 1979.
Amazing stuff. Thanks for sharing
Excellent post! And a wild coincidence—I know everybody on Substack is always plugging their own stuff, but I think you will honestly get a kick of what I wrote this week – it’s my reaction to see Nick Lowe live in my neck of the woods. We had similar reactions.
I like your sentence that says we feel like we’re at the end of something. All the people I’ve been listening to my whole life are now long in the teeth and I like them better than ever. I’m going to see Bob Dylan again next month because, of course, I want to see Bob Dylan – but there’s something about the fact that he is 84 (and Willie 92) that makes me tell myself to get off my arse and go see them.
Your post also made me think about how I will sometimes buy concert tickets, be very excited, but then, months later, on the day of the concert, part of me is thinking, do I really want to drive to the train station, take the train, blah, blah blah? But then I do — and I’m so glad I did. Watching YouTube videos will never replace being in the same room with the people making the music.
Anyway, so glad to find another Nick Lowe enthusiast. Check out my post if you get a chance.
Thank you and I will. I think your off-hand comment when I mentioend the other day I would be seeing Nick is what prompted to even write about the show. So thanks!
He’s been around for so long, and written songs that have seemingly also been around forever, and also seemingly played with everyone…he’s just Nick Lowe.
My generation’s first introduction to him was I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass in the mid 1970s, on the crest of the punk wave, and though he wasn’t that, he was definitely not the other, either…and so we liked him.
And he played the tiny venues we went to watch punk bands play, and just fitted like a natural. He’s just always been there…
Long may he remain.
Yes. Well said. Subscribe and stick around. I like the way you think!
Ha-ha…OK, Alan, done!
Amen to this. We had relatives up and dragged them to see a Dead cover band -- and they loved it and said we must add live music to every get-together that we can.
Nick Lowe's song "Indoor Fireworks". Is one of my all time fave bluesy ballads.
Yes. Gonna re-listen today.
Great post! Love Nick Lowe, fell in love with him back in the 70’s and it’s been an interesting ride.
Thank you for the reminder we have to find ways to enjoy life even though this country is heading down a dangerous path with evil leadership. Music sets us free for a bit, which recharges us and keeps us going 🥰
Yes. Exactly! Please subscribe and keep posting. Your voice is welcome.
Thank you Alan,
As a fellow fan of Nick Lowe (and Rockpile!) This piece moved me.
Thank you.
You’re welcome. Subscribe for more!
With Tom Petty, J Geils and Edgar Winter for $3.00. Followed by Roy Buchanan every time he came to town. Mancinis, The Decade, and any source of live music that gets us through tough times, like today.
Thanks Bill.
Great piece Alan. My first Civic Arena experience was the Thanksgiving Jam”
Wonderful piece, Alan, thank you for sharing it.
Nick is such a savvy writer - clever without being cute, sensitive without being maudlin, a true songsmith. His wry take on the world is refreshing, and an inspiration.
Thanks Jim
Saw Rockpile open for Blondie at Belmont Racetrack at 11 AM. Great show!
11 am?
Yeah. 11 AM. Race post time was 1 PM
I figured but geez that’s early. 8 am soundcheck
Thanks Alan really enjoyed your story. I relate so much with everything you said always thought when I got to the age I am I would really know a lot more and understand the world in a whole new way but if anything, I don’t understand any of it it’s sad. The other sad part about this time of our lives is losing all our rock ‘n’ roll/music heroes, one at a time every so often there goes another one and it is truly heartbreaking. These people have been so important to our lives. I was almost 2,riding around in the car with my parents, always playing Elvis. I knew every song by heart-my dad would have me perform them for everyone that would sit and listen lol and it just evolved from there. I guess I never thought about the day that would come that we would start losing them. Certainly hard to wrap my head around.
Outstanding read Alan. Just the sentimental shot in the arm I needed this fine Friday AM.
I'm 67 and we share a very common musical taste, so its been a very nostalgic week for me as well with Bobby Whitlock's passing and the realization that my heroes have mostly moved on. Your post made me feel like I'm not alone in this journey so thank you for for that.
You're welcome Bob. Certainly not alone. Go see someone live as soon as you can.
Possibly my most enjoyable LDD post… 💯
Wow. Glad you enjoyed so much. Please share! let's bring some new people on board.
Good stuff!
Hey thanks!