And the winner is…

MUSIC!

Come on. The Grammys are over-debated, the performances not only leaked, but promoted. But when Queen came on the stage to rock us…

THEY DID!

Generations have passed. Our parents are either deceased or in the old folks’ home. We rockers, who grew up with the Beatles, we remember, this is our history, it’s non only classic rock, IT’S OUR CLASSICAL MUSIC!

And sure, Adam Lambert is no Freddie Mercury, BUT WHO COULD BE?

So we’ve got septuagenarian Brian May with his Einstein hair and his tiny guitar wailing and taking us on a ride where the music transcends the ceremony. The only problem with the whole affair was that they didn’t end the show with “Bohemian Rhapsody.” That would have been fitting, with the audience yelling SCARAMOUCH, SCARAMOUCH…

Can you do the fandango?

No one would have left, because music infects your soul, and once bitten you can’t let go.

And then you had Lady Gaga’s impassioned speech. In an era where everybody thinks they can do it, it’s still about hard work. Or as that seer Bon Scott once sang, “It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n roll.”

It most certainly is. You’ve got to practice in obscurity, you’ve got to waver in the dream, and one of the great things about Gaga was she had no airs, not even any charisma, she was just another girl who wanted to make it, and having her dream come true brought tears to her eyes. Yes, very few of us get there, most of us get sidetracked, by work, family, obligations. But some who are single-minded arrive, and they’re a beacon to the rest of us, that with the same hard work…just maybe.

And when Rami Malek won Best Actor, and you saw the footage, you felt the electricity, the power of rock and roll. That’s what’s been missing, that essence, that takes over your body, that focuses your attention, that makes you want to get up and DANCE!

And when it was all over, at the Elton John party the auctioneer took the stage.

Yes, I was privileged enough to go. Pay your dues, maybe you can too.

And what was astounding was how much money these people had. No one recognizable, not that there were not some famous faces right in front of us, Jane Seymour and Peter Fonda flanking Bernie Taupin… It’s hard to get the image of Peter on that hog out of my mind, surfing the zeitgeist. But “Easy Rider” was before “Jaws” and “Star Wars” and blockbusters, when if a film made a statement, it might be heard, it might even become a phenomenon.

But these unknowns are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. The woman who won Elton’s autographed piano said she was gonna sell one of her seven luxury cars to pay for it. And if the average Trump voter were there, their head would have exploded. It’s one thing to debate whether you want something, it’s quite another to find out the price is more than your annual salary.

And the last item up for auction was…

Attendance at the “Rocketman” premiere in London on May 21st.

Will history repeat? Split Enz told us no, but now Neil Finn is on tour with Fleetwood Mac, so maybe lightning does strike twice.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” was quite the surprise. And we’re not sure exactly why it was successful. I think it’s the music, the story, the fantasy… That’s how it used to be, you dreamed of becoming a rock star, you felt if you met your musical hero your life would be complete.

But after getting to 30k, the auctioneer halted the proceedings. He said he was breaking protocol. He called Taron Egerton to the stage, to goose the bids.

Taron is the star of “Rocketman.” I don’t think he looks exactly like Elton but…

Then the auctioneer asked Taron to sing. And then I realized, this is probably why Taron got the gig.

But Taron begged off. Said his piano playing was rusty.

And then…

EJ ambles on stage. He moves slowly from the right to the left, sits down at the piano and then…

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady

The audience stands up at attention, like we’re automatons controlled by an outside force. And in this case we are, by music.

You can see Elton’s fingers upon the keys. I’m sure someone else could play the notes, but not like the man who wrote him. His digits are rolling and the jet takes off and…

We’re suddenly in Never Never Land.

I’m grinning from ear to ear. You know the experience, you’ve been at the gig, when they’re playing your favorite song, the one that you played at home, on the road, that got you through, and for this moment…

This is the only place you want to be.

And “Tiny Dancer” is a long song, with many verses and changes. And Taron’s doing a good job, but Elton is holding back, mouthing the words, and then…

EJ comes in on harmonies. I could pinch myself. Obviously this was a rehearsed moment, but still… No Oscar winning film can take you to this place.

And they ended up selling three of these premiere trips for 200k apiece.

But it’s a very good cause. David Furnish was reciting the numbers, especially in the African-American community, where males don’t want to admit they’ve got the virus, submit to treatment.

But ain’t that guys in general. We buck up, but when the music plays, we melt. Hell, it’s no different with Black Sabbath, the music will set you free if you surrender to it.

And we want to surrender, we want to be infected.

And it turns out that in the seventies we all were and have not forgotten, these tunes are in our bones, in our DNA.

And the internet is keeping them alive. Younger generations realize their power. Which is why Elton John sells out every gig and the Eagles play stadiums. Sure, it could be the last time around, but where else are you gonna get that hit?

So, despite the debacle of the Grammys…the infighting, the arguing, the show that appeals to nobody…the truth is music itself is alive and kicking, very healthy, not on life support. It’s got a power that will shake your limbs and shiver your soul. And the public knows. Nobody in Hollywood predicted “Bohemian Rhapsody”‘s success.

But in the immortal words of Eric Carmen…

THAT’S ROCK AND ROLL!

I Guess I Just Feel Like – Spotify

I Guess I Just Feel Like – YouTube

This is Saturday night music…

For those who don’t want to bump asses in the club, who don’t want to dress up and go out to eat but just want to stay home and lay back, drift, recover from the working week.

Can’t say I was a Mayer fan. Wasn’t hooked in his early wimpy days. Didn’t enjoy the material of the Trio. Didn’t really care about the “Playboy” interview, but was mad at the media who couldn’t see that he was just trying to riff, to entertain, but you’ve got to be self-conscious in today’s world, otherwise you’ll be excoriated when you let your freak flag fly. Funny, artists are supposed to say what everybody feels but is unable to verbalize, but since 2016 that’s been in politics, not music, not even the movies.

And then Mayer dated Katy Perry and was envious of her hits, he tried to have one too, but he failed, his moment had passed.

And then John switched to Irving Azoff for management, who told Mayer if he wanted to play the radio hit game, he was not interested, but if he wanted to have a career…

And then came Dead & Company, which is strangely better than the Dead ever were. The Dead were uneven. Sure, the music breathed, you could be taken on journeys, but oftentimes you were just bored. Sorry to be honest, but I saw them.

And I’ve seen Dead & Company. They’re tighter. Mayer has injected discipline, he’s enabled the concoction to exceed the experiments of the post Jerry era.

And you don’t have to be a Deadhead to enjoy the Dead & Company, but that’s got a built-in audience. Who is John Mayer’s audience today?

Well, he put out those EPs, but traction was minimal. But it seems like some of those women from years ago are still in love with him, they’re supporting his solo shows.

And now comes “I Guess I Just Feel Like.”

Now Mayer does not have a warm and fuzzy image. He’s seen as a womanizer, a narcissist. But “I Guess I Just Feel Like” transcends his image, at least to a great degree.

I got a couple of e-mails about the track, I decided to check it out. It seemed repetitive, but then…THE GUITAR PLAYING!

He’s no longer a newbie, he’s no longer a phenom, but part of the fabric, and when Mayer starts to wail, WHEW! But he’s not wailing, he’s more subtle, the notes are fat, they’re bluesy, they set your mind free, like listening to one of those extended Allman Brothers tracks. Hell, maybe Mayer could resuscitate that act too. Imagine a double lead with Derek Trucks, hell, add Warren Haynes as a third…it would be magical.

And being hooked by the outro, which goes on in excess of a minute, I let “I Guess I Just Feel Like” play again from the top.

I guess I just feel like
Nobody’s honest
Nobody’s true
Everyone’s lying

Did you read about Butts and the Forum in today’s L.A. “Times”?

Sealed court documents show Clippers plans for Inglewood arena had discreet beginning

Is that the new normal, lying in depositions, on the stand? Am I the only one who takes the oath of honor seriously, seems so.

Although Mayer goes on to say he’s “the same way too.” And he might be.

I guess I just feel like
Good things are gone
And the weight of my worries
Is too much to take on

Could be that Katy Perry is getting married. Could be the world situation. But one thing’s for sure, I’m overwhelmed too. Endless news, not so much of it good.

I guess I just feel like
The joke’s getting old
The future is fading
And the past is on hold

He’s 41 now. Straddling Gen-X and the millennials. He’s seen the trick, he’s starting to wonder, is there any prize inside the pinata?

But I know that I’m open
And I know that I’m free
And I’ll always let hope in
Wherever I’ll be
And if I go blind I’ll still find my way

Ah, the optimism…does it ring true?

I’m not so sure. Everybody wants to write an anthem, lift people up.

But then…

I guess I just felt like
Giving up today

BINGO! Everybody feels this way sometimes. It usually ends. You lick your wounds, you’re depressed, and then you get a bolt of inspiration and stand on your feet again.

That’s what happened with Mayer, according to his Instagram post. He had writer’s block, but then suddenly “I Guess I Just Feel Like” came to him.

And don’t expect to hear it all over the radio. I don’t know what format would play it.

And Mayer is no longer the flavor of the moment, so he won’t be in the Spotify Top 50.

But the people who hear this track will be satiated, calmed, let loose like only music can do.

And they’ll tell other people and…

Maybe that’s the most you can hope for.

But that’s a lot.

That’s what my car thermometer just said.

Now if I was in Vail, that would be a heat wave, get any warmer and the snow might get too slushy to ski. But in L.A?

The weather is backwards in L.A.

I remember working at a summer camp in the White Mountains. By time you get to the middle of August, you’re freezing in your sleeping bag, you’re curled up inside, trying to suck your own heat.

But in L.A?

It doesn’t get hot until maybe September. Memorial Day? You don’t want to go to the beach, there’ll be a nip in the air.

And cold weather?

That happens in December. By time the New Year rolls around, it starts to get balmy. Hell, I’ve seen 90 in January many a time.

But this year…

I used to own a BMW that had a bell when it got to 36. For all I know, BMWs still have that feature. But I never experienced it until I drove to Mammoth. It went off and I had no idea what was going on. Was it a classic BMW defect, i.e. after owning a BMW past warranty, you’ve got to expect ghosts in the machine, that rarely reappear when you bring it in for service and you learn to live with. And I’m paranoid. If there’s a bell in the car, gosh darn, there must be something wrong.

But it’s just a feature. To warn you. Bridges freeze before roads, did you know that? I certainly do, having grown up on the east coast before the days of four wheel drive, before the days of all-season tires. Back then you put on your snows before Thanksgiving, and didn’t take them off until April. With studs, for traction on the ice. Today people use all-season rubber and think they’re covered, but they’re not. But those in the know today put snow tires on all four wheels, we never did that.

But on the east coast, in Connecticut, by time you hit March 1st, you’re almost in spring. Sure, it might snow, but it’ll melt. You break out your baseball glove and go to the park and fight the wind as you throw the ball around. But you’re eager, you’ve been waiting for this. Back when you watched the Grapefruit League on TV with no thought of going down to Florida to see it live.

But in California you can ski until July, but in Vermont, you’re sometimes lucky if you can make it to April 1st.

Which reminds me of 1971, an especially good snow year. We skiers remember. My friend Ronnie came to Middlebury in his sister’s Datsun and we drove for spring skiing at Stowe on April 21st. On April 22nd, we went to the quarry and jumped in, went swimming. In Vermont, if it’s in the fifties, you break out your shorts.

And when I go back to Vail will it even be winter? It’s supposed to be in the forties next week. Sure, it can snow. But will the surface be soft and wet and will I wonder where the winter went?

The years don’t start to speed up until you leave school.

Remember waiting for Christmas vacation, taking the bus home elated? I vividly remember that in high school.

I walked to elementary school. And my mother never took me and never picked me up, even the day there was a hurricane. I didn’t think twice. Actually, I enjoy battling the elements, as long as disaster doesn’t lurk. I like riding the chairlift in the snowstorm. But that time our tent blew over below Tuckerman Ravine…I was scared.

Have I told you I’ve been on the edge of death a number of times? I’m not boasting about it, it’s just that when you engage with nature, stuff happens. Mother Nature doesn’t care about you, no way.

Now next week it’s supposed to warm up a bit. Be 60 during the day. And with the sun higher in the sky, you feel the warmth, especially in your automobile.

But at night, they’re still talking less than 50.

So it’s a conundrum. I like the winter more than the summer. But after a while, you get used to the mild winters of SoCal. You probably read that it snowed here yesterday. Not where I was, and even though I saw pics, it’s hard to believe. They were citing a storm back in the forties in comparison, that’s how rare it is.

But I used to live in the cold weather.

And there you look forward to the warm weather, the spring, when everything comes back alive.

But the world is going so fast, and the older you get you realize it doesn’t care about you, and the focus is on the young, and you feel displaced. You want to tell someone that you’re freaked out about how fast time is going, you want to know what this means.

And they can debate all about global warming, but you realize all the predictions are gonna happen after you’re dead.

Then again, the “New York Times” said they’ve lost 23 ski days in the Rockies since the eighties. Vail used to be open until May, that never happens anymore. And they lost 27 in the Sierras.

But only 8 in Vermont, where the season was short to begin with.

Still…

I feel like a lobster. I’m in the pot, they’re turning up the heat gradually and I don’t notice it, but soon I’ll be cooked.

And so will you.

Everybody’s in their own silo.

Only in this case, hip-hop is the coasts, the “New York Times” and the “Washington Post.”

And everything else is Fox News.

That’s right, hip-hop won. The only people who don’t know are oldsters, who are irrelevant. In this case it’s the opposite of politics, as in the old people are inconsequential and the young ones count. It does not matter what baby boomers say about music whatsoever. Peter Tork just died, and Frampton just announced his retirement from the road. Sure, oldsters will line up to overpay to see their classic rock heroes, hopefully before they die, but they’re not subscribing to streaming services, they’re not going to clubs and they’re certainly not haunting Soundcloud to see what’s developing.

But, the insiders are out of the loop. Just like Trump upset the apple cart in politics, the same thing is gonna happen in music. Because despite its domination, a great swath of the public does not like hip-hop, does not pay attention, does not care at all, even active music consumers.

But they are ignored by the music business.

Radio plays records that are already old. Streaming services do a subpar job of breaking records. So many have tuned out completely, because they just cannot fathom the present world.

But many like genres other than hip-hop.

And major labels and the media refuse to acknowledge this.

Think about it, the internet has turned the world into the Tower of Babel. Yet in music, we’ve still got one chart of hits that we see as tablets from the mount. Does that make sense?

Look at it another way, does Netflix just make sci-fi? No, they make superhero shows and distribute English dramas and make comedy specials, they’re doing their best to appeal to everybody, although not caring if you’re buried in your own little niche.

But in music, we’re just appealing to the hip-hop and pop crowd.

Kinda like that inane story in “Billboard” about Ariana Grande breaking the Beatles’ chart record. That’s like saying a kid hit 60+ homers in Little League and broke the Babe’s home run record. It’s two different worlds! You couldn’t avoid the Beatles, everybody knew them and their music, oldsters and youngsters. But I’ll posit at least fifty percent of America has not heard Ariana Grande’s new album, if not more. Howard Stern did not know who Childish Gambino was and his show is centered on pop culture!

So what happened in politics?

Blowback. The underserved, when given a chance, got rid of the status quo. And rather than understanding their motivation, the coastal people just told them they were wrong, had contempt for them. Proving, if nothing else, that there is no agreement.

Our nation has broken apart. Our world has broken apart. Elections have proven this in politics. As for the internet, you can tweet, but there’s a good chance no one will read it. Medium failed. We’re positively lowest common denominator, i.e. Instagram, it comes down to showing a picture of yourself and trying to gain followers. Meanwhile, it’s all fake, because no one posts a bad pic. Music, when done right, reveals warts and all. But today, everything is streamlined, no one shows vulnerability, everybody’s FABULOUS!

But we know that is not true.

Hell, most genres are not played on terrestrial radio. And a huge slice of the public never tunes in to the over the air band, despite the disinformation campaign of stations. Ain’t that America, we deny problems until we collapse.

Hell, we had a more equal distribution of musical styles in the sixties and seventies than we do today! Just look at an old chart, Sly coexisted with the Beatles who coexisted with Petula Clark and I could go on, but you get the point. But now, when every genre can surface online, we’re narrowcasting and thinking everybody’s interested, BUT THEY’RE NOT!

Meanwhile, there’s not enough money in the music business to appeal to the young intelligentsia, so the landscape is still run like the gangster operation it always has been. Just ask an act if it trusts its label…

So, the music industry could prepare for the coming tsunami, but it won’t.

Yes, now is when major labels should be developing acts. They think if anything gains traction they’ll be able to hoover it up. But that’s so last century. To prepare for the future you invest, you broaden your portfolio. Kinda like Apple, the iPhone is their cash cow, but they’re constantly creating new products to prepare for the day, which may have already arrived, when iPhone revenue craters.

But not the music industry.

Nobody owns anything and everybody’s looking for their bonus.

So be prepared for the audience to turn over the table.

It’s gonna happen.