Memories sparked by photographs

I can barely remember a time when I wasn't enamored with the late Andy Williams. His music has soothed my soul for almost 50 years. 

I was recently reminded of just how long ago that was while cleaning out some cupboards in the garage. I found some old photo albums. I thumbed through them and was reminded about the time I saw Andy live in concert. Of course I had forgotten about these.

The pictures are poor, taken with a small film-fed camera from a seat fairly far from the stage. But even though details of his features are fuzzy, that stance is so familiar and recognizable. And, I will always believe that in this shot, he was singing just to me.

I still have the ticket stub from that concert. Andy performed with Michel Legrand on the piano. They were two superstars as far as I was concerned.

The concert was on a Friday night, Nov. 26, 1976 at Airie Crown Theater in Chicago's McCormick Place. It was a very cold, frigid night in the city with temperatures below zero with a cold, blustery wind whipping off the lake. It assaulted us as we crossed the parking lot to our car. Despite memories of the cold, that night burns in my memory.

This turned out to be a memorable night in my life. I was on a date with the man I would marry a few months later, the same man with whom I/ve shared my life ever since. 

I always say I married John because he took me to see Andy--that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I was even able to convey that to Andy when I had the opportunity to meet him in person at his book signing of "Moon River and Me," a few years ago. Meeting Andy was to fulfill the dream of a lifetime.

I was so anxious to read his book, so I started it on the drive home. I wrote about that too as I savored the reading of Andy's memoir. 

Though Andy has been gone for several years, I will never forget him and what he's meant to me. Despite the indelible mark he's made on me, I know the beautiful music he created will endure even longer.

I certainly don’t get Bieber fever

Image via WikipediaWhat do so many people see in Justin Bieber?

Now I admit that in my day I swooned over the likes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and even Andy Williams. I loved music by Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini, and Johnny Mercer. I love music. And I wonder what ever happened to it.

Sorry, but I just can’t put Justin Bieber into the same category as these greats whose music will live on timelessly. People are still enjoying John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Three generations have known The Beatles’ classics. And Elvis—everybody on the planet knows Elvis’ music.

Will Justin Bieber’s music stand the test of time? I don’t think so. At least not from what I heard last night when he performed on Dancing with the stars. He performed a number with Boyz II Men. Those guys have talent. They so outshined Bieber that I was almost embarrassed for him.

I admit this was really my first exposure to Bieber, so I hope I’m not characterizing him unfairly. I have heard his song “Baby” and except for it being a catchy tune, I doubt it will ever be a classic. In fact, it is now a little annoying.
Now this is not to say that Justin Bieber isn’t a stand-up guy. I also watched the clip of Ellen where he donated $100,000 and a free performance to poor students at a school in Las Vegas. That was very charitable of him. Put into perspective though, what is $100,000 to someone whose net worth is nearing $100 million?

Bieber started out as a cute kid who could sing, but he seems to be so strongly influenced by black performers that he emulates them. He’s no Usher, John Legend, Seal, or Michael Jackson, artists with their own particular style and sound.

I’m sorry, there is just something wrong about a baby-faced white kid, his pants slung far below his waist, as he tries to saunter on stage singing as if he is black. He isn’t. If he can sing, I didn’t notice. I’ve heard American Idol contestants that sounded better.

In my opinion, if Justin Bieber has a future in the music business, he should develop his own style and his own brand and stop trying to be a wannabe.