7 Comments
Jun 16Liked by Matt Baron

Cool. My personal experience interacting - if only briefly - with a musical God, happened when I attended a dance with my then girlfriend while I was in college ... over 55 years ago. Providing the dance music? None other than the world famous Duke Ellington and his band of renown. I went up to Mr. Ellington between a break in the music and introduced myself and my girlfriend. What I remember from that night long ago is still forever seared in my mind's eye: his attire - he was wearing blue satin slippers to go along with his satin light blue tux. He was very polite in a classic "gentlemanly" way, but I don't remember what he said to me, since I was too awestruck. After all I was in the presence of a giant ... an icon ... a genius ... true greatness. I was overwhelmed. But man, what a cool dude. Even so many years later as I look back I can honestly say: what a guy!

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Lovely memory, Bruce. If you are able to provide a month/year and location, I could see if I could find some account of his and his band's presence there!

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It was in Rochester NY. The year? Either 1965 or 1966.

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Jun 15·edited Jun 15Liked by Matt Baron

I never really had much appreciation musically for Bon Jovi back in the day. He seems like a decent person from what i read recently so your short story confirms this.

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Jun 15·edited Jun 15Liked by Matt Baron

That is very cool, Matt. I can't remember ever having an experience like that. Near the beginning of this video (an awesome rendition of "Gimme Shelter"), Keith Richards hand-slaps fans as he returns to the stage. I would have loved to be one of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yGFuX2KDQs

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Cool....and, Todd, I would enjoy reading about your own account of your Mick Jagger stage presence interpretation. Your rock 'n' roll turn is seared in my memory--Start Me Up!

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Believe it or not, the Stones' ballad "Streets of Love" is on the table as a possibility for the father-daughter dance at our Anna's upcoming wedding. It's her favorite song by the band.

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