Yes or no? Mother nature says no.

I was really excited when I heard the news.
Yes was scheduled to appear in Oklahoma City at the Zoo Amphitheater! Recently (and about time) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they finally were coming back to town.
I had been to their concert once before... several years ago. It was at the Brady Theater in Tulsa. But, Ashley suffered an asthma attack midway through the show and we had to leave. Ash was so apologetic, but it was unavoidable.
The band had gone through a few changes. Chris Squire had passed away. he was the only member of the ever fluctuate
ting membership of the band that had been a constant. Jon Anderson sang on most Yes Lps, but had recently left again. Rick Wakeman had gone for a long time and the band's keyboard are now in the hands on the previous member of the Buggles (Video Killed the Radio Star) geoffrey Downes. Downes had been a member of Yes once before when both hwe and fellow Buggle Trevor Horn were Yes for one LP.
Steve Howe had been on most Yes LP's. When gone, he was replaced by Trevor Rabin. Howe had played with GTR and Downes also played with Asia.
The extra bonus of this show was Todd Rundgren. Todd has been touring like mad the past couple years and released several LPs. I saw him with Ringo a couple years ago, but it was not a Todd show. All of these tours missed Oklahoma. One person told me ir was because there were too many Trump voters here.
But, Todd is my fav, right behind the Beatles. He's the chameleon, changing with every album.
The show was rounded out by the Emerson Lake and Palmer Legacy show. Palmer is the only surviving member with he recent death of Lake and suicide of Emerson.
Jackie Caseboldt and I drove to OKC. The weather was great... in fact, I was whining because I had forgotten my sun glasses. We got there early.. got a parking place cheap across the street from the Amphitheater. We were there at least an hour before showtime, so we went in, sat and ordered a beer. I brought a blanket for our tickets on the lawn, but turned out the blanket stunk! Probably from the last flood that hit our house! So, we sat on a ledge.
The crowd trickled in slowly. The shade grew and I began to sweat less. Finally, Carl palmer came on stage with a couple guitarists. No keyboard. I had read it was in honor of Emerson...,. and they did have some recorded keyboard.. which I assume was Emerson's from the lps
During the set, the clouds began to roll in, followed by a cool breeze. First a few drops during "Knife's Edge" and by the next song, rain started to fall. Palmer's set was completely instrumental. It was pretty good, but unusual to hear ELP dongs with no vocals. They had started their set with one of my favs, "Karn Evil Number 9."
The rain fell in sheets. Jackie said he was heading for the shelter of the trees. I was optimistic. I took the stinky blanket and covered my head to wait for the end of the cloud burst. After all, the weather said it was only a 20% chance.


It didn't stop. It got worse. The thunder literally shook the ground like Palmer's bass player. The lightning put on a better light show.. intense and scary as the rain soaked my stinking blanket and everything under neath. Finally I retreated to the cover of trees as even the people in the front reserved seats fled the rain. While there, a flash of lightning crackled light all around us, and the accompanying thunder shook the trees. "How close was that?" One lady screamed@ I left the copse of trees to take shelter near a bathroom, already packed with smarter people. After a few moments of rolling thunder and sheets of rain, an official looking man raced by screaming that the show had been cancelled!
I was ready to wait out the storm. I came to see Todd and he was supposed to be up next, by god!
cancelled??
I tried to text Jackie to find him. It was complete chaos with most people not really sure what was going on. I made my way to the front hoping Jackie was near there. By then, blanket or nor, there was nothing dry on me. I called him, but the pounding rain was so loud I couldn't hear his reply. I decided to gather myself and my now 20 ton wet blanket (but no longer stinking) blanket and head back to the pickup and hope Jackie was there .
Dragging my self in small crowds of nearly drowned people, amidst the fivers of rain water up to my ankles, and the repeated rash of thunder and flashes of lightning... no end in sight...I trudged to the parking lot. No Jackie.. so, finally able to find shelter under a nearby church porch, I called and got him. He made his way to the pickup and we two drowned rats trode wet and cold the hour plus back home with only a large order of McDonald fries to warm us.
I am disappointed to miss Yes since they just got in the Hall of Fame. I am also sad to miss a chance to see Todd. I never know if he will come to our red state on his own.
So, the next day ar school... Todd playlist on the IPOD all day

sigh

Ringo Peace and Love

Yesterday Ringo Starr turned 77 years old. The man is still touring with his All Star Band and is about to release another album. THe man is the proverbial Energizer Bunny.
Ringo had requested that on his birthday, July 7th, at noon, everyone was to tell others “Peace and Love.” I posted a picture of me giving the Peace sign on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter along with the “Peace and Love.”

A Little over a year ago, Ash and I saw the All Star Band at the Tulsa Joint. They puts on a great show. Ringo was in great form and plays the crowd really well. There was a lot of sing Help.a long in the song choices. His band is a collection of great musicians. It includes Steve Lukather of Toto, Gregg Rolie Of Santana and Journey, multi talented Todd Rundgren and Richard Page of MIster Mister.Ringo’s All Star band over the years has featured everyone from Joe Walsh, NIls Lofgren, Sheila E, Levon Helm, Billy Preston, etc., etc. Somehow, on his tours and on his albums, Ringo Starr is the nice guy of rock and roll who draws these people to him.

In 1963, Ringo, or Richard Starkey, replaced then Beatles drummer Pete Best before they started their recording career for EMI. Ringo had net and chummed with the Beatles in Hamburg when they were playing the Star Club. Ringo was there on tour as drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. When it was decided they needed a stronger drummer, Ringo was John Lennon’s first choice.

Ringo, the drummer with the big nose, made his way into notoriety with his comedic performances in both Beatles films, “A Hard Days Night” and “Help.” He gained other movie roles from those performances including “Candy,” “The Magic Christian” with Peter Sellers and after the break up, “Cavemen.”

Ringo released two albums the same year the Beatles broke up. The first was an LP of standards and the 2nd a country album Ringo had always been a country fan, even recording Buck Owens song “Act Naturally” on a Beatles LP and another country themed song, “Don’t Pass Me By” On the Beatles White Album. IN ‘732 he released his biggest LP, “RingO” that featured appearances by the other ex-Beatles. Ringo even released a song “early 1970” in which he stated he wanted to see all three Beatles together.

Ringo released a series of fairly well received LP’s but none reaching the status of "Ringo.” IN ‘82, an LP he recorded with Joe Walsh producing was not picked up by any US distribution and floundered in overseas markets. The companies thought it was subpar. Later, Ringo left sessions of a proposed country LP in Nashville. It wasn’t much longer till he entered a 90 day alcohol rehab program along with his actress wife, Barbara Bach. His increased alcohol use had been affecting his work. Ringo claimed to be missing years of himself.

A new sober Ringo Starr started the All Star Band In 1989 to tour for the first time since 1966. Different incarnations o the band have toured for nearly 28 years producing several live LPs. Meanwhile Ringo continued to record his solo work with such co-writers players and producers as Dave Stewart, Mark Hudson, Jeff Lynne of ELO, Don Was, Peter Asher, David Gilmour, DEric Clapton, Peter Frampton and more.
Ringo is also a spokesperson for a meditation organization formed by David LYnch. He was joined by Paul McCartney in the production.

So far, Ringo shows no evidence of slowing. It is now July, and the All Star Band is slated to hit the road in October.
As Ringo sang, “I think, therefore, I rock and roll.”
Apparently, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy