Last week my husband and I went to a Blood, Sweat and Tears concert with friends we’ve known for over 35 years. Yes, Blood, Sweat and Tears’s 50th Anniversary tour. Does that make you feel old? It did me. It was held at a small concert venue that seated 300 people. When we walked in, my hubby said “Good grief. This is a Geezer Fest.” The average age of the audience was at least 60. Yep, I’m a geezer now. But it was one of the most fun evenings I’ve had in a long time.
While not the original members of the band–they must be in their mid-70’s now, if they’re still alive–the music brought back memories of the 70’s and 80’s, when life was simple and we weren’t stressed by world events, cancer and family drama. As soon as the band played the first chord of each song, the crowd immediately started singing. How can I remember all the words to “Lucretia Mac Evil,” “Hi-De-Ho,” And When I Die,” and “Spinning Wheel,” when I can’t remember what happened last week?
The “new” Blood, Sweat and Tears is a younger version of the original group, with Bo Bice performing the lead role. Remember Bo, runner up on American Idol in 2005, losing to Carrie Underwood? Amazing talent, amazing performance, paying homage to the original music in perfect form, right down to his leather bell bottoms and velvet blazer. I loved every moment. Yes, I’m a geezer now. Take a look at him here, performing the original music as if he were David Clayton-Thomas, and you’ll see why he’s touring with this band.
Perhaps one of the best parts of the evening was going to our friends’ house to watch old music videos from the 70’s. Blood Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, Steely Dan, America, Boston, The Bee Gees, Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones… They’re all on YouTube with unbuttoned silk shirts, puka shell necklaces and flowing hair. We swooned over these heartthrobs at one time, but now they made us laugh until we cried. Once again, we geezers were singing at the top of our lungs to songs from our youth, recalling memories of where we were and who we were with as each song played.
If you need a good laugh or a getaway from everyday chaos, spend an evening touring YouTube with friends and a bottle of good wine, singing along with your favorite 70’s rock bands. You may be surprised how may lyrics you can recall. I guarantee you’ll laugh uncontrollably as you wonder “why on earth did we dress like that?” And “we thought THAT was sexy?”
Here are two music videos, with links to entire mixes below. I dare you to sit still and be quiet while listening to them!
Click here for more Blood, Sweat and Tears.
Click here for Three Dog Night.
And click here for The Doobie Brothers.
I can hardly wait for the Chicago and The Doobie Brothers concert in June. I may tie-dye a shirt for nostalgia.
What music makes you happy? Turn it on; turn up the volume; grab a “salt shaker microphone,” and escape from the world, even for a moment. Music… It’s good for the soul.
17 thoughts on “Doobies, Dogs and Tears. You Should Be Dancin!”
Your videos from the 70s where you laughed until you cried about those you once adored? My old Tiger Beat magazines I went through recently with a friend.
I’d say: what was I thinking??
But I still sort of remember 🙂
Yes, Carla, we do remember! But our lips are sealed. 🙂
Chicago and The Doobies are scheduled to play on Long Island I can’t wait!
Linda, they will be in Austin June 17th, at an outdoor concert venue. This will be one of the best concerts ever!
I’m happy to know I’m not the only one who goes to YouTube concerts! I’ve been doing this for several years, especially after James died, and I couldn’t get to sleep. Many a night I’ve laid in bed and sung along with my favorite bands! xoxox, Brenda
Brenda, watching these old videos is the perfect way to shut out all the negativity and drama swirling around us these days. How can you not be happy re-living the good old days? We are lucky that the music of our teenage years actually has lyrics that can be understood, and tunes worth listening to. We can all grow old together, with our 70’s rock turned up as our hearing fails!
OMG this is perfect. We watch Youtube footage all the time and crack up.
Michelle, this will now be a preferred substitute for lackluster TV, which we seldom watch anyway. Maybe a fun date night or two, sharing memories of how we met, and laughing about the stylish clothing we wore!
I am such a geezer!The pants? The open shirts?
Didn’t we just swoon over those rock stars, Haralee? All that hair, bell bottom pants, and gold chains. Seems pretty clean these days, doesn’t it?
OMGosh! As soon as the BS&T’s video began, it took me back to my freshman year in college where they performed (free!) They blasted us out of the gymnasium. Crazy to think I saw them at a free concert.
Adela, we saw some pretty big bands in college, too. My first concert at 17 was Steppenwolf! I don’t think my parents even knew I went. My, how clever we were!
I haven’t thought about those groups in so long! Now, I just need a bottle of wine and Youtube!
Rena, once you start watching these old videos, all sorts of bands will pop up in the suggested videos. You can spend hours dancing down memory lane!
I quit watching American Idol after Bo lost. He was and remains my all time AI favorite. I’m glad to know he is using his wonderful talent to entertain the “geezers.” LOL!
Cassy, we were shocked when “Bo” said “Bo Bice” at the end of the concert! He’s had a total makeover! But he is so passionate about the BST music, and said a couple of times that it’s not about him or the current band, but about the legendary music. I hope you get to see him in this role someday! In the meantime, you can see him on YouTube singing BST tunes. Just search for Bo Bice Blood Sweat and Tears, and you’ll have plenty of entertainment…and memories!
Thanks for sharing this and the links! Can’t wait to watch! What fun! Geezerville is great!
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