Music and Family Blog-My Dad

 For this blog, I decided to interview my dad, he was born in the 70s. I’ve known a few of his music stories and what he liked because we enjoy a lot of the same music, and I think that’s how we really connect. Honestly, a lot of the questions he answered really surprised me, in a good way. He played the drums, seen Reba in concert, and a lot more.

It’s also really neat to hear him talk about music and how its inspired him too because its also a therapy for me as well, especially when you find the right song for the right day. Music can have such a powerful impact on someone so it’s neat to see how it impacts him and his life as well. Especially since he is an army veteran, I’m sure he has some songs that really resonate with what he has been through. I think it is safe to say that I have a rockin’ dad.

So, here’s the transcript. I was not at home, so this was done through a phone interview. The transcript is mostly his words, verbatim! And a few mind thoughts from me as I was typing up what he was spitting out at me. So, enjoy it, here’s my dad and his awesome experiences with music.

What sort of music-culture did you grow up in?

Dad: End of the punk era and start of new wave. Band examples were Duran Duran, Depcshe Mode, Erythmetics, Tears for Fears, Boy George, and there were a whole lot more but those were some of the big names. Medona, also started then.

Where did you grow up? Dad: Los Angeles, California and then moved to Ventura, California.

What kind of music did you grow up with? Dad: In elementary, Beetles, the doors, 60s and 70s music. Rolling Stones, and my parents liked Neil Diamond.  

What did it mean to you and the people around you? Dad: Music was my escape when I was young. Most influenced like the bands of U2, Duran Duran.

 Did music have any particular function? Dad: Therapeutic.

When and where did you listen to it? Dad: Usually after school until they came out with walkmans…hhahaha…then we could listen to our cassette tapes anywhere we wanted. You grew up with CDs, but the generation like your younger sister hasn’t had to worry about that, they’ve got it all on their phones.

Was the kind of music you listened to growing up popular at the time, either in general or within your friend group? Dad: Yes. Extremely popular. In the friend group it was a mixture of the left-over punk scene and the new wave.

Were you involved in any music groups at school or church or anywhere else? Your garage? Dad: Briefly with a mixture group, I was the drummer. (ME in my head: NO WAY) We didn’t have much of a name, we practiced mainly in a friend’s garage, and record mostly, we just ripped off everyone else and didn’t make any of our own music. Then I left and went towards sports. Typical boy band style.  

How did you listen to music? What kind of technology did you have? Dad: Walkman, CDs came much later. Tape player, and vinyl records.

Did you go to concerts? What were they like? Dad:  When I went surfing at surfers’ point, I stumbled on a grateful dead concert on the beach in Ventura California. Last concert I went to was Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn.

What was the first concert you went to? Dad: U2 was first concert at the LA coliseum.

Have you ever met any famous-y musicians? Dad: Michael Jackson (most famous I met) and that was on a family outing at universal studios, and my sister stood up and screamed “there’s Michael Jackson.” I then had to jump 3 fences to catch up to him and got 3 autographs from him for me, my brother and sister. The man known as “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen.   

Has any musician inspired you? Dad: Bonno from U2. They were singing against English rights violations in Ireland, they were a rebel group. They spoke out against the government about wrong doings.

Did you play any instruments or sing growing up? How did you feel about that? Do you still play/sing? Dad: Drums and I tried the guitar. I couldn’t play a lick right now, but I could still beat the drums.

How did your parents influence what you listened to? Dad: Well, music was a form of entertainment when there was not much cable tv, if any. So, music was used for entertainment.

What is your first memory of music? Dad: My mother singing to me. Grandma Douglas trained for the Opera. She has a beautiful voice.

Me: I didn’t know this about grandam….very sweet.

How has your relationship to music changed over the course of your life? Dad: I stayed pretty much with what I grew up with. But I listen to everything to classical, all the way though my era.

What sort of music do you listen to now? When do you listen to it? Dad: Usually the end of day when my work is done. Sometimes in the car, or when I’m working in the garage or in the yard. I guess when I need inspiration too.

What do you think of popular music today? Do you like my music? Dad: Well, I always call in bubble gum music. Yep, I don’t really care for it. And I think their private lives are made way to public, so it takes away from the music. The more drama they have, it seems the more money they make. Its not entertainment anymore, its drama shows. Does that make sense?

If you’ve done any traveling in your life, did you hear any interesting music along the way? Dad: (He was in the army) I heard our music (US) In foreign languages. In Germany, Spain, Italy, and some Arabic music I’ve experienced.

Do you like the music of any other sort of culture? Dad: Yes, mainly, Irish and Scottish bag pipes, (me too), some Hispanic music-salsa, sometimes I like Island music, some Japanese, when they’re playing on the Dobo.

Do you like any type of music that might be surprising? Dad: No, I have always tried to expose you girls to different types of music. (this is true, he really does)

Me: Well that worked because my favorite music is the 80s and rock and of course Elvis.

Are there any special pieces of music in your life? Dad: Really depends of what kind of mood I’m in. So, I asked what mood he’s in today: So today, he said, Tennessee Whiskey. That’s the kind of mood I’m in!

What’s your favorite piece of music or artist? Dad: U2 is my favorite ever. It’s a tough tie between U2 and Elvis. 2 different time frames, 2 different feelings. You’ve got to be in the mood for either one, but they both strike deep in your heart. (Me: wow that’s powerful, and a really good song, now its stuck in my head.)

If you had to describe your life in one song, what would you choose? Dad: Still haven’t found what I’m looking for by U2. I always think there’s improvement to be made in my life.

What does music mean to you? Dad: Music can free the soul.