I was born in 1964, just three months after The Beatles came to America.

As far back as I can remember, music was always a part of my daily life.

My parents grew up in the 1950’s when “rock & roll” was born, watching 21 year old Elvis making his national debut on the Ed Sullivan show. I recall my Mother sobbing uncontrollably in August 1977 at his unexpected demise at age 42, unaware I wouldn’t understand the grief she was experiencing until years later upon my hearing Eddie Van Halen died.

There was almost always a radio on or vinyl record playing at home. I recall dancing (ok, toddlers twirl) and having favorite songs that I would ask to be played “again!”. Elvis, Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin, The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, and so many more that became a source of income for me as I got older when my Dad would say: “For a quarter…Who is singing this?” and if you wanted that .25 cents you better know the answer, so I worked really hard on memorizing all the songs and artists I could just to be able to take my winnings to the candy store several blocks from our house.

Dad would also play music from the big band era and there I would be introduced to, and fall in love with, the DRUMS. Drummers Buddy Rich & Gene Krupa were two of Dad’s favorites. I begged my Dad for a drum set. Nope. Girls don’t play drums, he said. (Years later I’m sure I threw the name Karen Carpenter back in his face.)

As I got older, the music I was listening to was more of my own choosing sometimes to the dismay of my father who disliked pretty much any music that came out after 1969. He despised the fact that Cheap Trick did a remake of “Ain’t that a Shame” (Fats Domino) and I’m sure he almost stroked out hearing me blast Van Halen “Dancing in the Street” off a cassette in my car as I pulled into his driveway the summer of 1982.

The music of the 1970’s carried me through my elementary & middle school years. I honestly loved nearly all of it. From Easy listening (The Carpenters, Bread, Chicago) to ..dare I say it.. disco, to pop and hard rock (Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Queen, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Sweet, Boston, ABBA) The list of what I didn’t care for would be easier to list, but you get my point. I still recall the very first time I heard Van Halen in 1978. The song was “Running with the Devil”. I was 14 and I was in love with EVH. Weren’t we all?

My freshman year of high school began in the fall of 1979. I didn’t have a lot of money to buy entire (vinyl) albums so it was easier and more cost effective for me to buy “singles” on 45 rpm. I do believe I wore out my first 45 of “My Sharona” by The Knack within a month of purchase. I would later do the same with Joan Jett’s “I love Rock and Roll”.

Because I became a mother at an early age (I was not quite 19) I didn’t get an opportunity to go to many live concerts. Lack of money the major reason. Thankfully, the birth of Music Videos (MTV Channel) filled that void, although of course not the same as live music but was still better that just listening to a vinyl record or cassette tape.

The year 1987 is a memorable one for me. Not just because my second child was born that year, but also that was the release of Def Leppard’s Hysteria album. Their best selling album to date (20 million copies worldwide) with seven (7) hit singles: “Animal”, “Women”, “Hysteria”, “Armageddon It”, “Love Bites”, “Rocket” and the infamous “Pour Some Sugar on Me”. It is also the last album that featured Steve Clark before his untimely death in 1991. This album was the gateway to how and why I am passionate about local live music bands today……..

1987: I was 23 and a single mother to a 4-year-old AND a newborn. Not having extra funds to buy concert tickets, my primary source of music entertainment was watching the MTV channel (when it actually was music videos 24/7) and listening to my HUGE collection of cassette tapes on my commute to and from work each day. Thank goodness for BMG and Columbia House. (Remember when you could get like 11 records or tapes for a penny?)  It was also the year Def Leppard released their Hysteria album.  I was instantly in love.

The album sold over 20 million copies and pumped out 7 hit singles; “Animal”, “Women”, “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, “Hysteria”, Armageddon it”, “Love Bites” and “Rocket” and are covered by many local cover bands to this day. 

My kids threw a surprise party for me when I turned 50 in 2014. I was told I was going to see a Def Leppard cover band at a VFW. Dressing up was optional, but I enthusiastically put together a mock 80’s outfit: black leather mini skirt, purple top, black sequined jacket, heels and enough hairspray on my head to justify a “do not light match/flammable” sign on my back.  I walked into the VFW hearing ‘Pour Some sugar on Me’ with all of my family and many close friends “surprising” me.  My kids know I am not easy to surprise. They had one chance and they nailed it.

The years rolled by and I had fallen into a pit of emotional despair; my marriage crumbling and my youngest kids aging out of the nest.  In 2019, I wasn’t sure who *I* was, or what my purpose was anymore. I was struggling to find myself. Who am I if not someone’s daughter, mother, wife, employee? With the help of therapy, it would take me a couple of years to find those answers I was desperately seeking. We won’t even talk about “2020” since that depressed likely every single person reading this. (typed with eyes rolling)

December 2021: I had found out that a Def Leppard cover band named Rok Brigade would play at Sundance Saloon in Mundelein, Illinois for a New Years Eve show. Brain: ‘Okay, I’m in!’. I get my “Def Leppard Hysteria” T-shirt and reserve a room nearby so I’m not driving home after midnight. Listening to live music in a small venue, I am blown away by the talents of the musicians and felt such a renewed passion for the music of my youth. Meeting the band members (who have become friends) was another highlight of the evening for me. What a great way to start a NEW year!

Since that fateful night, my life has gone through several major changes; end of 25-year marriage, sale of home with a move to apartment living in a rural town. I’ve also seen countless bands at various venues across northern Illinois. I’ve made many friends (both musicians and fellow music lovers) and have discovered a passion in promoting our local bands by sharing pictures, videos and their upcoming events. Music was, and still is, a huge part of my “therapy” and my newfound ‘life’s purpose’.  While not everyone may have musical talent to play an instrument, there are countless other areas of the business for persons like myself who have the passion, motivation and devotion to music.

I have dedicated myself into the ‘promotion’ part of the music world, not just enjoying the music at shows, but also paying particular attention to overall musical talent, stage performance, audience interaction & participation, the “setlist” (many bands play the same songs), lighting, sound & special effects and, of course, the venues. I’ve had many musician friends reach out to me for my thoughts & opinions that I am happy to share because I, as a FAN, want to see them reach their full potential and have a great fan base following.

Music is my happiness. Music is my peace. Music is my passion. Music is my life.

Rock On!  \m/

P.S. I still have my collection of cassette tapes.