Crazy Rock Concert Experiences: From Cage's Music Circus to ZZ Top
Rock concerts have a way of being memorable, and for some, they can be eerily unconventional. Two such experiences include a unique performance of John Cage's music, and a cautious interaction with a potential drug dealer at a ZZ Top show. Let's delve into these experiences and others that have left their mark on music lovers.
John Cage Music Circus: An Immersive Performance
One of the weirdest and most immersive rock and roll performances I ever attended was the John Cage Music Circus at the Hartt School of Music Percussion Ensemble. Unlike conventional concerts, this event was spread across multiple locations, including the lobby and various spaces within a recital hall. The audience was encouraged to walk around and among the performers as they played their unconventional pieces of music.
John Cage's compositions are known for their experimental nature. The performances included pieces for prepared piano, spoken word, percussion, and combinations of non-traditional instruments. My son was one of the performers, and he had to amplify a cactus and large dried seed pods, as well as play bowls of dried beans and gravel. The experience was so engaging that I gained a better understanding and appreciation of John Cage's music
Rocking with Peggy: My First Romance at a Rock Concert
Another unconventional experience was at a rock concert when I was 16. I was walking with a girl named Peggy, whom I barely knew, on the way to a rock concert. We came across a steep downward slope that looked dangerous. My gallantry got the better of me, and I offered to carry her down the slope. To my surprise, she accepted, and I carried her down with one arm behind her shoulders and the other behind her knees. This act of gallantry marked the beginning of a budding romance with Peggy.
ZZ Top Show: Save the Friend, Refuse the Dealer
At another rock concert, this time with ZZ Top when I was 13, I purchased a t-shirt but saw a cool hat on offer. During the show, someone came through selling hats, but my friend’s father insisted they move on. Later, it turned out that the hats were not, as I had hoped, but something else entirely. My friend's father made the right call, as it turned out the "hats" were actually for sale as "hash." Despite this, I still managed to get the hat I had wanted after the concert.
These experiences highlight the unpredictable and sometimes bizarre elements of rock concerts, from immersive artistic performances to unexpected interactions with vendors and the world at large. Whether it was Cage's innovative Music Circus or the cautionary tale at the ZZ Top show, there's always a story to be told about these unforgettable rock and roll experiences.