In 1975 I worked a short stint in a bar that featured disco music (aka: discotheque). Yes, I did. Don’t go hatin’ on me. Remember, the Bee Gees song “Stayin’ Alive” was part of that era in music. And you know you secretly wanna dance every time that song starts. So, stop with the disco dissin’.
But I’m not talkin’ about disco music today.
Well, maybe a little. But not mainly.
During my time around all that disco music I met a guy, named Bill, who liked to say his full name was really Moondog Froggy. And everyone just called him Moon. He and his buddy, Ernie, had moved to Kansas from California (go figure). And they got jobs at the same disco bar as me. That’s how we met. They were roommates in an apartment complex near the disco. And it became an after work meeting place.
Oh yeah, they were about six years older than me. And I got a kick out of their antics. They both had an infectious sense of humor. And I always appreciate humorous, generally positive, attitudes.
Anyway…
After a few months, Ernie decided to return to California. And Moon asked if I’d like to take Ernie’s place as his roommate. I had been living in a small Kansas town, south of the “big city,” and I figured it would be a fun, maybe even exciting change. So, I accepted the offer and moved in.
And during that time, Moon introduced me to Pink Floyd. Yep, I hadn’t followed them or their music. But I’m not averse to checking out music I’ve never heard. Of course, if you share some new song I never heard of, don’t think I won’t tell you it stinks, if it stinks. Because I will.
But Pink Floyd’s music didn’t stink. It wasn’t my favorite kind of music. Still isn’t. But, at least it wasn’t the disco music I listened to every night at work. And their album, “Wish You Were Here,” went to #1 on the UK chart in 1975 (on this day, 10/4 as a matter of fact). So, they were a fairly big deal. And a song from the album, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” made it to #1 on the U.S. charts.
Moon was eager to share that whole album with me.
And I agreed to listen if he was willing to listen to my current favorite album from 1975, “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.” His first reaction to that deal was, “Elton John?! His music is bubble gum. And he’s a fruitcake.”
That actually surprised me. Because I had no idea about Elton John’s sexual “preference.” I had just never looked that deeply into the personal lives of my favorite musicians. Just wanted to listen to songs I enjoyed.
Anyway…
I told Moon that the other tracks weren’t all like “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.” And that Elton had tons of music, that never made it to the radio, that was way better than his top 40 hits. And Captain Fantastic included a song I’ve mentioned before, Better Off Dead. It was a song my fellow workers would have me sing to, on the huge sound system, after work, when we could all break from the disco music.
So, we both listened to each other’s recommendations.
And we both ended up liking each other’s recommendations. Cool when that happens.
Are you a Pink Floyd fan? If so, click or tap the link and see if you can find something of theirs you like. And if you enjoy their music, let me know what your favorite is and why. And shine on you crazy diamond.
Stay tuned,
