Music

The Beatles

Bill Haley and His Comets

Elvis Presley

Jenny Lind

100 Most Important American Musical Works of the 20th Century

Paul Simon

Concerts I’ve Attended

Olivia Newton-John — International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois (11/29/1974). She sang a short set during the intermission of the rodeo. I was there with a group from my church.

Chicago/The Beach Boys — Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois (6/5/1975). My first real concert. I went with my girlfriend of the time and another couple.

The Lettermen — Mill Run Playhouse, Niles, Illinois (10/7/1978). I double-dated with my roommate and two girls neither of us had gone out with before or ever would again. I recall that neither of the girls had heard of The Letterman and weren’t impressed. They were mostly concerned with getting back to college before curfew so they wouldn’t have to use any of their late minutes. We got them to their dorm with a minute to spare and then drove out to my house for the night so we wouldn’t enter our dorm late and get docked. As for the concert, I just remember that it was an awkward evening all around. This was the only date I went on with another girl after my first date with my wife. She would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Johnny Cash — Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis, Wisconsin (8/12/78). I attended with a friend. I remember that he sang One Piece at a TimeBoy Named Sue, and Sold Out of Flagpoles.

Michael W. Smith

Josh Groban

Paul Simon

Chicago

The Beach Boys

Frankie Vallie

Benny Goodman

Chicago/Earth, Wind, and Fire

Lee Rocker