Yes Buddy, Elvis and Gene paved the way for the 60s and onwards, sadly one can't see them live! Interestingly, I remember seeing artists like the Band, Family, America, Melanie Safker, Lou Reed, the Doors (sadly sans Jim Morrison, but what instrument players Krieger, Manzerak & Densmore were), Led Zeppelin, ... back in the 1970s and tickets were affordable, even on a student grant. These days the Proms, ROH, even Glyndebourne, seem better value compared to rock and pop concerts. I think sometimes one has to be in the mood or the right atmosphere for music. I can't listen to jazz on records by myself but live at the Bull in Barnes or another pub, with friends, or Georgie fame at Ronnie Scott's with colleagues, I really enjoy jazz. I went to Glastonbury the year U2 and Beyonce were headline acts; Paul Simon and Don Maclean were on the main stage during the afternoon, Jimmy Cliff and Pentangle were around on other stages. All of those except Beyonce were of my musical taste or era. U2 played their set in a workman like manner, but looked bored and didn't engage with the audience; Don Maclean was surprisingly good - only two well known songs (American Pie & Starry Starry Night) but he performed those and a number of covers (for example, Monday Monday written by John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas) very well and he engaged with the audience, Jimmy Cliff put on a good show, Pentangle were fine (never was a great fan) but Beyonce - whose music I didn't know and had limited expectations of - put on an excellent show, really engaging with all the audience. So don't knock until you've seen and heard! But never got any free tickets, even paid to see mates play in bands because that helps them get return bookings from venues - and I'm doing a Donald Trump and rambling off topic ...
Michael Ixer ● 19d