I usually don’t remember much before High School. I have a notoriously bad memory for stuff unless something specific triggers it….such as music.
I remember getting a tape copy of The Great Radio Controversy, maybe from Eric Venable, maybe Jeff McKinley, maybe Christopher Brotherton, maybe from Scott Langnecker…don’t remember, but until that point I had really just listened to the radio…which meant I didn’t get any hard-rockin’ music. Back then to listen to something different was a big deal. Ozzy Ozbourne was the devil. Kiss was evil. AC/DC stood for Anti-Christ/Devil-Child.
Anyway, I listened to that tape (I loved tapes) over and over, and it was great. Jeff Keith had this great, raspy, screech and the songs…well….rocked. The Great Radio Controversy was and still is a terrific album.
I made Marty and Marc listen to it one day in the car (Marc was the only one that could drive I think), and they were like “What is this crap?”. Tesla taught me it is ok to be different. Well….not really, but I do remember thinking “Why don’t they like this as much as I do?”
Anyway, I don’t get to remember childhood that much, but Jeff Keith’s classic rock rasp takes me back:
“Hey! yeah, yeah. Uh huh.
Bustin’ ass all day
Just to put food on the table.
And I always will for as long as I am able.
Done all I could,
Ev’rything that a man should do.
Still they refuse to call me,
Call me what I am. Hey!
Do you know what it takes to be a man?
Don’t take a whole lots of money,
Diamond rings upon your hand, no.
That ain’t what it takes to be a man.
Do right by the ones you love,
Always give a helpin’ hand. Yes, I do.
Now I’ve been through it all
Seen the good, the bad, the ugly.
Always take care of my share of responsibilities.
Now, just because I grow my hair
And play in a rockin’ band,
Old folks are always telling me,
“Boy, why don’t you grow up
And be a man.” Hey!
I know what it takes to be a man.
It ain’t the way you look
Or the clothes that you wear.
That ain’t what it takes to be a man.
Do right by the ones you love,
Always lend a helpin’ hand.”
Thanks Jeff.
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