R-O-C-K in the U-S-A

Recently my Sweetie was working, and his boss likes to have one of the local Top 40 stations on the radio. They were having an all-dance weekend, and Sweetie (Don) wanted to hear "Who Got the Funk" by George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic. So he calls up the radio station's request line, which is also their contest line, and as he is waiting for an answer on the line, he hears "Ok time to give away some tickets for John Mellencamp. I'll take the 7th caller." He laughs, and then hears on the phone "you're the first caller." He hangs up and redials, "fourth caller." Redial again. By now, his manager is getting tense.

"You better not win those d---"

"Hi, Lucky! You've won tickets to see Los Lobos and John Mellencamp November 1st!" She takes down his name and information, and after a minute of that he says, "Now, to the real reason I called."

"The REAL reason?"

"Yeah I was actually calling to request a song. I wanted to hear 'Who Got the Funk' by George Clinton and the P-Funk."

"Hey, that's a great song…I'll have to see if I can dig that one up and get it on for you. And congratulations!" He's been making people "mad" all over town with that story. Wasn't even trying for tickets and won 'em.

So we made plans, secured a sitter for the evening, and met up after work/running kids around and drove together to the Coliseum. Once inside, we hadn't stopped for dinner, so we went in search of something to nibble on. The only thing we could find that didn't cost the price of a big-screen TV was a small popcorn and a medium drink that were gone before Los Lobos even went on, but it made sure people wouldn't hear my tummy over the music. We find our seats, and we're watching people mill around. Finally the house lights go down, and Los Lobos gets introduced. They were cool, and they did do La Bamba, so I was happy. They did lots of 50s-style music, including a cover of Fats Domino's "They Call Me the Fat Man" they've done for a tribute album. The proceeds of the album, which includes many artists and groups, go to Katrina Relief. Poor guys, most people kinda kept their seats, although they were very polite.

When they went off, the house lights came back up for a while, and we saw lighting and sound guys climbing up into the rafters. One lighting platform right in front of us had a rope ladder hanging down from it, and then we saw a guy wearing a safety harness start climbing it. Sweetie and I are both afraid of heights, and he made a comment, and then the lady to my right said "Oh HELL no." Now, I am well known for making friends in a grocery-store checkout line, and so we struck up a conversation. She has two boys and two girls, and assures me I am better off with just boys. Meanwhile, the guy is on the platform, and they raise it even higher, and he starts to play with the spotlights.

Earlier we had spotted the wife of Don's best friend, Angel, and now she was ranting to her friend about something. We finally caught her attention and she came over. She explained that big old coliseum, and she gets the seat in front of the bigot redneck that was making racist remarks about Los Lobos the whole time they were on. She called him out, and told him LOOK, if you don't like the opening band, at least sit back and shut up for those of us who do. She talked wine with Don for a bit (he works in a liquor store), invited us to a dinner Saturday night, and she went back to her seat.

When Mellencamp finally came on, the difference in the sound and lighting was like the difference in a crayon stick drawing and the Mona Lisa. Los Lobos sounded loud and kinda tinny; Mellencamp's music made my heart beat for me. They rocked from the very first note. People were on their feet, dancing, clapping, and singing along. When he did that thing where he sings part of the chorus, and holds the mike out for the audience, we did NOT let him down.

There was this little kid about three seats down from us who was dancing like no one was watching, and when I pointed him out to Don, he broke out in a huge grin. Later he'd elbow ME to see something the kid was doing. It tickled me how much he enjoys people, even as much of a grumpy old man he is before his time.

Mellencamp would stop singing sometimes and would just TALK. And he made you feel like you were sitting around B S-ing in someone's living room. He has a very positive message, and it was wonderful. We'd sit down for the talking, and stand back up for the music again. This one older couple in front of gave me some serious giggles…they'd look around to see who was standing before they stood up, just like they were in church! And her dancing consisted of dipping one hip and bobbing her head. Still, I figured I probably look pretty funny to folks when I dance, too. I was hoping for Little Pink Houses, Jack and Diane, Rain on the Scarecrow, some of his new stuff, and R-O-C-K in the U-S-A. I heard all of those except for the last, and lots more I'd forgotten to listen for.

When we got out to the parking lot, we weren't parked too far from Angel and her friend Erma. There was no way any of us were going anywhere soon, with all that traffic, but at least we had each other to talk to. We compared notes, and she mentioned Hurts So Good and how he hadn't played that one. Finally the cars around us started being able to get out into the driving lanes, so we parted and headed home.

I'm still flying high from that show, and singing John Mellencamp songs daily. I really should get a greatest hits CD or something.

Cheryl Lee Nov 2007