"I Think I Love You" or Why I don't hate Justin Bieber

I seemed to have missed the 60's pop acts, for the most part. We had these yearly encyclopedia volumes that covered the previous year, and I distinctly remember reading about Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Thing is, it had to have been several years after the fact. That music wasn't in my house, nor were the Beatles, who I pretty much missed as well.

So, where does that leave me?

With Shirley, Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris and Tracy Partridge. Yes, The Partridge Family. I still have all their records. I think I have the Archies, too, along with a bunch of Carpenters. In fairness some of the Carpenters were my parents. I do not have my chronology straight here, but add into the mix the fine musical stylings of The Captain and Tennille. Think about that for a minute. Better yet, go to YouTube and find one of the zillion performances of "Muskrat Love". Now, pick your poison; Bieber or Cyrus. I'll take the latter, thank you very much.

Its pop music. Its goal is to get to Number One with a bullet. Its catchy, typically has a decent hook, and you can sing to it. And most often the performer didn't write it. It is what it is and there isn't anything wrong with it. Be a hater if you must.

I think the first concert I saw was David Cassidy at the Richmond Coliseum. The Bee Gees opened, but that was long before Saturday Night Fever. All I remember about that show was that David was wearing a white jump suit. Naturally he did some Partridge Family songs, but I'm sure most of it was centered around "Cherish" and lots of girls screaming.

Also around this time my 45 collection would include The Sweet's single "Little Willy". I think I was in third grade around this time and frankly I don't remember a ton more of the music I listened to then. Really I think it all picked up when I got to sixth grade, so I'll pick up the story then.

I feel like I should write something about Whitney Houston's passing, but I'm not sure what. She had great talent but like so many others was unable to deal with the things fame brought. RIP.

"Setting the Stage"

So what exactly am I trying to do here? Well, I had a desire to do some writing, tell some stories, share some experiences. I've always figured I could write something decent about music and what it has meant to me throughout my life. Kind of a "desert island discs" thing, but bigger. Then I figured there were more than a handful of releases that had a significant impact on me. Records that acted as a turning point in my tastes. Along side that, there are just records I still reach for and think are fantastic, even if they didn't steer me in a new direction.

So I will acknowledge that anyone who reads this is going to hate some of the music, and that's OK. My hope is that maybe you'll find something new to like. Also, if you know me, it might help you figure me out. Who knows. I remember some good high school friends talking to me after I got back from a semester at college wondering what had happened to me. This might help with that!

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There was music when I was little. My Mom mostly, although it could just be that she was the one at home with me. She played the piano some, and I know we sang. There was a stereo, but she mostly liked Broadway music, at least that's what I recall. Oh, and the Herb Alpert "Whipped Cream" album. I also remember The Fifth Dimension record "Age of Aquarius", a bit later on.

I had this little record player with a projection screen built in. There were slides that dropped down a slot with tone cues on the record. I used this for quite some time as my record player. In fact, I don't really remember when I got my first stereo, but probably late elementary school. It was one of those compact things that would fold up so you could take it with you. I think I used it a lot.

Hopefully this sets things up a little bit. Next post I'll reach back into the cobwebs of my brain and retrieve the first pop music I remember.