Monday, June 27, 2005

Return to Our Youth

Blogging from down here by the Gallery Mall in one of my favorite cities, Philadelphia, I can't help but have Live 8 on my mind (well, that and cheesesteaks, of course). The City of Brotherly Love (yes, Philly gives you love, but in its own special way) is hosting the U.S. concert of Live 8 in the coming days. While I'm pleased Philly gets to be center stage, I keep trying to think back to the original Live Aid. I remember as a youngster I sat at home and watched my MTV, anxiously awaiting either the performance of Wham!/George Michael. Boy I loved them...

While my memory is a little fuzzy about the details of the performances, I feel like Live Aid was a big deal for the world, and for my own personal viewing, back in the 80s. It just makes me wonder if the 12 year olds out there also anxiously anticipating sitting at home all Saturday watching their Live 8 on MTV and VH1?

Regardless, there is a pretty kickass line-up this time around. Check some details: http://www.live8live.com/theconcerts/index.shtml
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000969197
Besides the most hideous, annoying, evil Josh Groban, it seems like a good gig. I can only wish I was in London to catch Robbie Williams. Or really, wouldn't it be cool to see a concert from red Square in Moscow?

Too bad I'd have to share the concert with one million of my closest friends out on the Parkway in Philly. I think I'll just tune in on MTV. But good luck to Mo-town Philly for a successful event without too many arrests, beatings or other bizarre things that happen 'round here.

3 comments:

Murphy's Lawyer said...

Twelve year olds all have soccer camp, swim team, and SAT prep all summer now, plus they don't give a shit. Live Aid was amazing. I'm not sure the set-up or the rationale this time is as compelling, and from the pre-teens I know, I doubt it will be as big a deal. I have the Live Aid DVDs in case you want to refresh your memory...

Bruiser Woods said...

I too remember Live Aid. As a youth on the streets of Philadelphia, I woke up extra early (6am-ish) on that Saturday morn to fire up the VCR and catch the start of the London show at Wembley. It was an incredibly hot day, and I recall playing outside and watching snippets of the show during breaks from the heat. And I remember being really disappointed by what I thought was a cheesy ending.

20 years forward, today I offer my services to act as the official Live 8 correspondant for SaveTheSquaredStage. I can't promise to catch the whole show, but I do intend to venture onto the good ol' Ben Franklin Parkway this Saturday to catch a glimpse of Keith Urban or Rob Thomas (wink wink, Elle).

Elle Woods said...

YAH!!! You are a stronger man than I to take on the big Philly crowds. However, I will appreciate your fine correspondanting (is that a word?)!

And who is Keith Urban?