coming out of my shell

coming out of my shell

Friday, December 23, 2016

I'm with the band

There were years when a big part of my life revolved around being the wife of a band member. Okay, it would have been cooler to be the girlfriend, but whattayagonnado? I loved seeing him perform on stage. It was always a good time and I got to dance like a maniac. This lasted for about 10 years, through a couple of different bands and musical genres. 

I was a wild child, as was my husband. I realize that is kind of shocking because I'm an older woman now. But don't kid yourself, older women have a past. Expand your mind to allow for it!

Because we were born in 1951, we were considered teeny boppers during our hippie years, which for me started about 1968, for T a little earlier. We were usually some of the youngest hangers-on in that scene.

I loved British punk music, especially The Clash; however, by 1977 we were a little too old for punk. At 26 years-old, NYC style New Wave fit us best.

I wrote about that period of our lives in a post last year. One area band he was in (not going to say the name because it is a little vulgar) opened for Talking Heads when TH was an up and coming band still playing in clubs. I have a great picture of T and Tina Weymouth talking backstage that night. They both played bass in their bands.

I loved seeing a woman like Tina Weymouth playing in a band. She wasn't trying to be sexy, wasn't the lead singer, and didn't try to draw attention to herself. She was just trying to be an authentic musician, and she had a great sound. I wish there had been more women in rock and roll like her. Mothers, please let your daughters grow up to be bass players.


T and Tina 1977, Ithaca, New York

These are my random Christmas Eve thoughts for 2016. In the words of the repairman who came to our house yesterday, "Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate."  Cheers.



18 comments:

  1. Don't let the gray hair and a few wrinkles fool you, folks. She's still pretty much a wild child.

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  2. Merry Christmas. And us old folks (pardon me while I adjust my walker) certainly have pasts. I managed a band. I was not romantically involved with any of the guys which allowed my to chuckle at all the girls and women offering themselves. I too danced like a maniac. It is good exercise.

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    1. Good to know you, too, have a past! Having a past means you lived your life to the fullest. I tried dancing like a maniac for exercise a few years ago and hurt my foot.

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  3. Your husband looks so young and cute! I hope you have a picture of yourself at that time. It would be fun to see.
    Those hippy years were so much fun, I don't think I've quite left them...and hopefully never will!

    Have a very merry Christmas, Colette and your rocker husband too!

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    1. I will never give that part of myself up. I suppose I should, but I don't want to. You and I would have had some fun together back in the day. Have a great Christmas. Dance.

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  4. Love, Love Love this post. I can picture it now Colette...you dancing to Clash City Rockers. How I wish I had allowed myself the freedom to live outside of the safe box I had created. But it's not over til the fat lady sings so there is still hope for me.

    Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year!

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    1. It is never over. I'm pretty sure of that. Buy a hammer and start breaking glass. Merry Christmas to you, too.

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  5. We came of age in the most wonderful era of music, didn't we! What a time that was. We still dance around in our living room when a couple of good dance tunes pop up on our music machine (iPhone!). Love the memories. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  6. Gosh yeah 1977. I was wild then too and I blame the music - mostly - but only at a push. Great memory and a great story. Thank you and happy xmas.

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  7. I don't think I've ever done anything wild in my life sadly. I grew up in a small town with older parents. I led a sheltered life. I thought the Doobie Brothers were brothers. I didn't know what a doobie was:) Maybe when I'm an old Lady.

    Have a wonderful Christmas.

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    1. Oh honey, you really must go wild. It will be good for your immortal soul.

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  8. All of us who were young in the 60's and 70's and survived, have some good stories about the past. Those who don't and were there, did not live, they just existed.

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    1. It was a pretty amazing time. I'm so happy for the challenges and complexities of it all.

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  9. 1977.. the year I graduated high school. An ending and a beginning. Rock on.

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So, whadayathink?