Happy Birthday, Roger Daltrey!

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey turned 68 today.  He may be nearing 70, but he still sounds and looks magnificent.  It may be Justin Bieber's "big 18th" today, but I find myself much more inclined to commemorate a man 50 years older.  Roger Daltrey will forever remain an inspiration to me for his outstanding talent.

Unfortunately, I am far too young too have lived through Roger Daltrey and The Who's prime.  That does not mean, however, that I can't fangirl and fawn over the man - both then and now!  Young Roger Daltrey had the hearts of a slew of women and he has mine too.  With a voice that epitomized pure rock, that boyish  grin, and that mane of curly hair, Daltrey drew in the fans.

If you somehow have never heard a song by the Who, do yourself a favor and listen to as much of their music as you can.  Here is an example of this man's insane vocal ability, not to mention a brilliant song. 

The great thing about Roger Daltrey is that he did not fade away over the decades.  Despite necessary throat surgeries in 1978 and 20120, the man's voice will still send shivers down your spine. 

Here's Roger rocking it to the fullest with the Who at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2010.  I remember watching this in awe.  Almost 50 years after the band's inception, Daltrey (and Townshend!) have still got it.

The Tommy star may be all grown up, but he is certainly far from washed up.  The musician, actor, and charity supporter  is currently touring Europe taking on the Who's famous rock opera.  He may also tour with Pete Townshend later this year and take on the band's second rock album, Quadrophenia.

Daltrey continues to work hard and I continue to be inspired.  What does he have in store for the future?  His mixture of sheer talent and diligence propel him toward further success as he nears his eighth decade.

So to Roger Daltrey I say rock on, and happy birthday.  Time's got nothing on you.  I will wait in anticipation for you to roll on through New York and hope I can afford to witness your genius live.  Thank you for the music.

Check out Rolling Stone's "WHO is Roger Daltrey?" gallery (see what the did there?) for a look through the musician's long career.  The magazine also included Daltrey in their list of the "100 Greatest Singers Of All Time."

It's Never Too Late

You know what they say - it's never too late to learn guitar!  What, they don't say that?  Well, they should start.  They do say that it's never too late to learn, and though it may indeed be harder to, you will definitely be better for having tried.
So I have decided to follow that method and start taking guitar lessons with a brilliant jazz guitarist, teacher, and friend.  I had attempted to teach myself using YouTube and other internet goodies for a few years prior, but it really isn't the same as learning from a master of the art.  If you can make it happen, I would highly suggest it.
I have consistently walked into lessons feeling nervous and walked out feeling empowered.  Not to brag (okay, to brag) but I am doing rather well.  Perhaps that is because I do have musical background, or perhaps it is because the high that I get inside from producing music in a new way manifests in talent.
We have been using Mel Bay's books, and I would highly suggest them.  They are really well done, and facilitate the learning in a way I would not have thought possible from book on the subject.  My teacher has had my partner and I start with a mix of exercises to enable dexterity and reading music.  He has also taught us some chords through songs we enjoy (like "Stand By Me" and "Something") along the way, so that we can really get into the process and enjoy it.  Yes, the exercises are important, but who doesn't want to be able to play some recognizable music?
If you have time to invest in learning and bettering yourself through an art that makes you happy, I would highly suggest that you do.  Even if you do not have the time, I would advise that you make at least some.  You will be happier for it, I assure you.  I cannot claim to have that much time to practice, definitely not half as much as I would like to, but when I am practicing my heart sings along.  It cannot compare to the high you would get from any drug.  Okay, so I have never done a drug, but practicing guitar has to be better.
Well, that argument started to go sour, but go practice guitar, or piano, or painting, or street performance or what have you.  If I haven't convinced you to, maybe this adorable picture of my cat enjoying my guitar-playing will.

Gotye: Rising to Global Fame

Last summer, I was introduced to the music of the man with the name I could not yet pronounce, the music of a man that you have almost definitely heard of by this point - Gotye.  Now, I do not want to sound like one of those people who shows off because they knew about an artist before everyone else...but I did know about Gotye before many other Americans did!
Today, however, you can't go on a social media outlet without seeing someone post one of his hits, "Somebody That I Used To Know" (featuring Kimbra) at the forefront.  This multi-talented musician with a voice that sounds like it has been sent from the gods is not just huge in Australia anymore, but has worked his way into the hearts of the rest of the world.  I have noticed people I never would have guessed would like his work posting it to Facebook or their Tumblr's.  Keep in mind, however, that I didn't think some of these people would ever have a Tumblr, either!
More recently, his music has moved from the web to radio stations here in New York.  I've had friends inform me they heard him on Q104.3 and Fresh 102.7.
Let's just say I'm glad I got (cheap) tickets to one of his shows at Webster Hall when I did!  He has already added a show in NYC, noting the desire for one by new fans.  The next time he tours and passes through the city, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to get tickets so easily (and for so cheap).
How do I feel about that?  Sad that I'll have to dole out more money in order to see him, but happy that his music has now gone global.  This man deserves it.  His music makes me weep, and dance, and sing with all my might.  Other people should get to live through the experience, and he, the true talent that he is, should get to give it to them.  I'm happy for him and I'm happy for us, the listeners.
So, if you have yet to listen to Gotye, do yourself a favor and make it happen.  After you do, you may want to attempt to find a ticket to one of his shows.  I cannot express how excited I am to finally see this man.
I leave you with the first song I heard by Gotye, a song I have heard again and again and again since that first time.  This is one of those songs, and music videos, that has made me cry all of the tears.