OLD SCHOOL OR JUST OLD?

Today is my 60th birthday. I am not sure how I feel about that yet. It will probably take a few days or a few weeks to sink in. I do know one thing, I am a product of everything I have experienced over these 60 years. I think the Dead said it well: "What a long strange trip it's been."
 
I was born at a great moment in history. My formative years were in the mid 60's to early 70's. Much has been written about this era and most of it is true. There was a great change in the culture of this country. Ideas about art, music and life changed rapidly and many of the old standards fell fast and hard. There was a lot of pushing and pulling between the generations. Although constrained by school and many of my teachers and other adults, I formed my taste in friends, music, photography and literature during these exciting and turbulent years. These friends and interests have served me well ever since.

Someone told me recently that you are the most influenced by the music you love when you are 14 years old. That may explain a lot of things, because I became obsessed with Bob Dylan and the blues when I was exactly that age. I not only listened to the records, I was very fortunate to see many of the bands that defined the times: Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Blind Faith, Muddy Waters and The Band, just to name a few.

 With very few exceptions, I am still listening to the same music. This morning I heard Subterranean Homesick Blues on the radio driving to the office and it sounded just as good as it did in 1967.

 My son calls me old and says I'm a senior citizen. I told him I'm not old, I'm just old school.  He's not buying it. Funny thing is I can remember saying the same thing to my father. Does history repeat? You betcha. Thanks for all the birthday wishes.