Reflections

I apologize to the author I'm plagarizing (badly). You most clearly see your own age reflected, not in oneself, but reflected in the face of a close friend.

I hadn't seen them in perhaps a decade, but they're like my old college friends. I eagerly looked forward to each chance I would get to see them, and indoctrinated many of my friends. I was a member of their fan club, before they became national stars and Brian's face was featured in a major movie. I knew the words to all of their songs and was sure they would make it big one day. And they did for one brief moment, but then it fizzled, while I loved them no less. Brian had a string of solo albums, but occasionally the group would do some infrequent reunion concerts always in Michigan and Chicago, too far to visit. I even tried to get them to come to Paris to play in my friend's flat.

They quietly took the stage, without introduction, and before the lights even came up. Surely these weren't the same skinny, holey T-shirt clad local celebrity rockers from my college days. I was nearly convinced that these guys were the opening act--that is, until I saw Brian. Then I was sure. It had been more than 15 years and my god, do I look that old myself? They're old! I mean, I'm looking at the definition of aging rocksters here. When the hell did that happen? I don't feel old?! Ok, sure I'm married now and have a (very) few grey hairs of my own. But I don't feel like I've settled into grown-upness quite yet! I guess I should have known when this particular reunion tour was promoting their new children's album. So they all have kids, that's cool, I thought.

They played a great set, so me old old stuff and the ghosts of youth flitted across the stage with Brian and the guitarist, AJ, playfully battling over who could out-rock the other. The formerly stick-thin AJ had the same hair, but that angular nose and frame had morphed into, well-- a dad's face. And look at the wedding bands on every finger; I fingered my own and smiled. Perhaps we're all getting grey, but they still rock, man.