Rainbow colored spotlights played out over the audience, reflecting off a sea of bald heads. Most of the crowd looked like they qualified for a senior discount. But by the time The Moody Blues finished "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band," everyone in the auditorium was propelled out of their seats, rocking with the legendary group.
We headed for Asheville last Friday to catch The Moody Blues on tour. It was a great excuse to spend the weekend in one of my favorite cities. Asheville feels like a college town. There's a diverse group of people gathered together, extremely tolerant of their diversity. A vibrant downtown is crammed with outdoor cafes, art galleries and head shops. It's the perfect place to indulge in one of my favorite activities - people watching.
At last night's concert, watching the audience was almost as much fun as watching the band perform. Across the aisle from us, a gray haired rocker never missed a beat on the air drums. A flower child whose bloom has faded a bit came dancing down the aisle to sway in front of the stage when guitarist John Lodge stepped forward for a solo. You could see the years disappear from her face when he grinned and reached out his hand to acknowledge her.
Only three members of the original band remain. The other two have retired from performing.
Midway through the concert, drummer Graeme Edge stepped forward to announce that he'll be turning 69 in a few days. "I'm still into sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll," he announced. "But nowadays the drug is Viagra."
Although it was great to hear all the old favorites, I missed the experience of hearing the rich fullness of a symphony orchestra backing up the band when they played "Nights in White Satin."
But getting to see an iconic rock band up close and personal, doing what they love to do, is a rare treat.
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