What Happened To Rock and Roll?
Every year for the past six years, Austin has hosted the "Austin City Limits Music Festival", or "ACLFest". This year, Kathleen got me a three-day pass to attend for my birthday. I'm not a big fan of live music - I like studio recordings better. Still, I was excited to go and since it was in our backyard, it was easy to get to. With the three-day pass, I had in-and-out access, and kids could attend for free.
On the Sunday, Kathleen scored a one-day pass and we took the whole family down. 
They had an "Austin Kiddie Limits" section - a small stage playing kid-friendly music (Ziggy Marley was there for a bit), the Austin School of Rock Petting Zoo (real electric guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, drum sets), and other interactive displays. Jack had a good time with that, but Ben was a little stand-offish (uncharacteristically). Anna was just happy to figure out how to drink from the Camelback bite-valve.
It was eventually time for the kids to go and I was designated Sherpa. With Anna on my back, I loaded Ben and Jack into the stroller and trekked the 2 miles back to our house.
On the way there, the music faded out and Ben asked "What happened to Rock and Roll?" My answer:
"Well Ben, one likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity"
Jack and Ben enjoy music. One of their favorite activities is to head into the computer room and have me crank up (LOUD) David Essex's Rock On. Ben will sing "Blue Jean, Baby queen, prettiest girl I ever seen" as he goes to sleep. If they aren't listening to Rock On, they like to hear the Cars soundtrack, which I find exposes them to a nice variety of music.
And that's good.
Posted at 10:15AM Oct 02, 2007 by schnee in General |