2008
1. The number one song in America the day I was born, June 19th, 1968, was Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson." (If I had held out another 3 days, I would have got a Herb Alpert jam. Shame, that.)
2. The first new album I purchased was Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp." That's a fond recollection; it could have been way, way worse considering the time period in question. I believe that was 1980; the album came out in '79, according to Wikipedia, but I'm fairly certain I was 12, not 11. This is still one of my all-time favorite albums, and I think I'm on what could quite possibly be my 10th copy. Interestingly, this 10th copy is the first album I purchased on iTunes. Go figure. At least I can't wear it out now.
3. The first stadium concert I attended was the Cars "Heartbeat City" tour in 1984 at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. Wang Chung opened. That's hard to swallow, but I think I still get karma points from the Joe Jackson purchase to cover for that.
4. The number one song the day I graduated high school (June 3rd, 1986) was "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald. In all honesty, by that time, I wasn't that interested in pop music (read: at all), so it's not a real surprise that I have no recollection of that particular gem.
5. When I was born, putting an 8-track deck and/or FM radio in a car was a pretty new idea. By the time I could drive, putting a cassette deck in a car was a pretty new idea. Now that I can go and buy a relatively expensive vehicle with many options, putting satellite radio and a hard drive music player in a car is a fairly new idea. But that car still can't fucking fly. What the hell?
6. A high-end recording console that left the factory on June 19th, 1968 that still exists today has somehow gained the ability to make songs better in the intervening four decades. I guess consoles are like wine.
Anyhow, happy birthday to me. In lieu of buying me something, you're more than welcome to just Paypal me cash.
UK number 1 on June 19th 1968 was Jumpin' Jack Flash. Does that make you feel any better?
I get 'Get Back' (end of April 1969), then it goes bad- first album, Regatta de Blanc by some old guys who just played the Isle of Wight, - first gig, Howard Jones at Liverpool Royal Court, sometime in 1983? But maybe that gig sparked my gearlust...
posted June 17, 2008 by scousebloke
Seeing as I hit 40 in January I had a peek at the US charts for then: "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" - John Fred & His Playboy Band. No, me neither.
First self-bought album was probably Madness "One Step Beyond" which I'm not totally ashamed about, trouble is it may also have been Queens "Hot Space" which, funky as it is, wasn't their best (sliding scale I know...)
First big show was Peter Gabriel in 86ish, 'So' tour. Still remember more about that show than a hundred lesser ones since...
posted June 17, 2008 by wquoyle
Happy aging.
posted June 17, 2008 by shamann
posted June 17, 2008 by nylarch
First major gig was Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Think my first albums was Boney M but could have been a Beatles greatest.
posted June 17, 2008 by johan
Fucking Wings.
(Ironically, if I were 2 years older, it would have been "Band on the Run," which I'll admit I actually like.)
OTOH, the first album I bought (on cassette, natch) was the first Van Halen album. Considering that this was in New Jersey in the mid-80's, I definitely could have done (much, MUCH) worse.
posted June 17, 2008 by JG
I was just thinking the other day that kids graduating from high school this year were born probably born in 1990.
posted June 17, 2008 by D' MacKinnon
First actual going to see a live band was Mobile, Al's The Vomit Spots. First stadium gig - Guns N Roses opening for Motley Crue... first vinyl I purchased with my own money was Crowded House's first, but before that Mom and Dad gave me Kiss - Destroyer, Queen - The Game and a ton of Elvis and Supremes stuff.
Oh yeah, and the soundtrack to Xanadu. Mwa hahahahaa.
posted June 17, 2008 by Aahzekiel
posted June 17, 2008 by tngregory
I was perfectly happy being ignorant to the fact that Boogie Oogie Oogie was at the top of the charts the day I was born. It goes down hill from there, lets just say Bon Jovi and Marilyn Manson (as an opening act, give me some credit) are involved.
posted June 17, 2008 by giantm