30DW2-2 - Day 16: Music

It was comedian/musician Martin Mull who said:

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture."

But, what the heck, I'm going to give it a go.

Music is such a huge part of my life. I don't play an instrument. I just love to listen. It's been a big part of my life since I was a kid in the 50s, starting with Elvis Presley. But I remember as a grade schooler, walking home with my pals mimicking Gene Chandler singing that doo-wop classic Duke of Earl...

Then it was on to the hot-rodding and surfing songs of the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Rip-Chords and the like. And then, as a teenager, the British invasion of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Animals, the Kinks, the Troggs, the Zombies, the Dave Clark Five and others took over.

And that was it. I was hooked. In my mid-to-late teens I sang in several rock bands. We never went anywhere other than friends' basement parties but we had a lot of fun.

Since then I've collected tonnes of records and CDs and now I download much of my music.

What do I listen to? Rock, Pop, Folk, Country, Alternative, Americana. Pretty much anything except rap or disco. I'll even listen to a little classical and sometimes, truth be known, opera. And speaking of opera it was humorist Robert Benchley who put his finger on this genre of music when he said...

"Opera is where a guy gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings."

Because I'm retired, I spend a lot of time at home. And a lot of that time is spent listening to music - in and of itself or as background music to whatever else I'm doing.

Sometimes I'll mix things up and other times I'll have artist days. My CD player will load 5 CDs at a time, you see. Today, I'm listening to the third day in a row of Rolling Stones music. Yeah, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

I have enough music in the house to last me the rest of my life. And, yet, I'm always buying more. I'm a bit of a completist and I'm always adding to my collection.

Favourite artists? My top three have to be Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Claption, particularly their output during the 70s.

Currently, I've been on a 10cc jag. I just bought their 40th anniversary box set Tenology and I've been reliving my love affair with them in the early 70s.

10cc were all exceptional musicians and they had a very humorous way with words. Take for example a song in which they poke fun at themselves and the music industry - The Worst Band In The World...

My taste in music is fairly eclectic, as you can tell. But oddly enough, while I love music I hate to dance. Oh I'll tap my feet and nod my head to the beat. But you'll never get me out on the dance floor. Oh, no. Much to Mrs D's disdain as she loves to dance.

I just thought I'd note that for you.

Now dance on over to We Work For Cha-cha-cha-changes where today you can get a peek at Nicky's knockers. I kid you not.