I've never been a dreamer of big dreams. In my life, I've never had the means or more importantly, the opportunity to do some things others have. I've never been to Europe. I've never even ridden in a limo. The opportunity never presented itself.
The only item on my so-called Bucket List was to attend a concert by Eric Clapton. I've seen anyone else I ever wanted to see years ago. My "sister" and I had made a pact, probably thirty years ago, that if the man ever came back around to Southern California, we would go. When I heard about the concert date back in March, I knew I had to try. The venue was less than 20 miles from my home! It would be a sin if I missed it!
She begged off, big surprise. Sure her health has taken a turn, but they did have wheelchair access. But okay, no problem, I will go alone.
I tried to sell the ticket, especially after I lost my job. But I did list it at an inflated rate, and wasn't sorry when it didn't move.
I hate going alone somewhere. I'd rather have had a friend go too. But I wasn't then, and am not now, in a position to buy TWO tickets.
Steve doesn't do concerts of any kind (not since we saw Ron White) but was gracious enough to be my unofficial Uber driver. So, I went...alone.
There are two specific points to this blog entry. One of course is my impression of the concert. The other though is this: I am old. As I stood in the incredibly long merch line, I watched the people file past. I found myself thinking, "these people are my parents' age!" Then, the sad realization dawned: These are MY peers! Sure, they were mostly a little older than me, former hippies, maybe 10 - 20 years older. But still, pretty much, my peers.
Yikes. Because I know from the outside, I look like them, old. But from my perspective inside looking out, I am seeing the world with my still young eyes. It's something I have had some difficulty reconciling with, but we all reach this point at some time, if we're fortunate.
Okay, onto the concert itself. Grammy winner Jimmie Vaughan, the older brother of Stevie Ray opened for Clapton. Poor Jimmie. Talented beyond measure, yet forever eclipsed by his baby bro. Austin Texas has every right to be proud of their native son. He was personable and put on a perfect set. He did his job and warmed up the audience.
Next was the headliner, famous guitarist Eric Clapton.
It probably took a good hour listening to the man himself for me to realize I was really there. It hit me like a brick in the face. Then all I did was cry. Eric! Clapton! Omigosh. Omigosh. Omigosh!
Accompanying the legend was a group of consummate professionals. Each individual in this band is beyond talented! But what I most enjoyed was the one trait they all shared with Eric Clapton and each other, something very important to me: J O Y. The look on their faces when they were "grooving" said it all. They got lost in the music. Clapton's look is familiar, we've all seen it. Eyes closed, mouth relaxed, head slightly tilted. I imagine the first time he reached that peak, playing his first guitar, way back in the early 1960s. The other musicians though, they each had their own look when they found their groove. They transcended.
Clapton has always seemed reserved. He doesn't address the crowd, except to name each soloist. He keeps himself apart, almost, a little standoffish. He doesn't suffer from too much "stage presence."
Until he plays. It's like he unfolds and opens his entire soul to give it to you. That cold British reserve melts away and all that remains is the music. It is unbelievably intimate.
I cried. Today, I am still crying when I think of it. I am proud I gave myself this gift, even if I had to go alone. I am so very grateful I had the opportunity of this once in a lifetime experience. My memory of last night with Eric Clapton will never fade away.