Recently I had a full circle music moment. My husband’s friend scored two sets of tickets to see Styx in concert and he kindly offered us a set because he knew we were ‘of age.’ We’re of ‘that era.’ Ha. He got great third-row center seats on his first attempt. But he was trying to impress a lady friend and tried again. He scored front row tickets!
We all were winners. I told them my first concert was Styx. It was a few years ago 
In thinking more fully through my storied concert past, I think REO Speedwagon may have been my very first concert when I was in 7th grade. But make no mistake, Styx was one of my first concerts.
Flash forward thirty some years, gulp, and we found ourselves in the third row of an intimate concert hall in Colorado Springs. We were well within range to catch a drumstick or guitar pick. I would have been beside myself with glee had I been so close the first time around. Of course, it was when Styx was one of a handful of tour bands that could command a packed arena. My first concert seeing Tommy Shaw and company was most definitely viewed from the nosebleed section of the arena. Lighters held high for a chance of an encore. The aroma of a certain plant in the air.
Third row is the place to be at a concert!
The band sounds as crisp today, maybe even better, than when I first heard them live in the late ’70s. Our friends let me see what it was like in the front row for a few of the songs. I could reach out and touch them. I was so mesmerized I forgot to snap any photos from that vantage point. I carry them with me in my mind.
Another score? Autographed program! 
Check out some of lead guitarist Tommy Shaw’s new music. Love when artists reinvent themselves. He is still amazing!
Here’s one of my favorite tunes from Styx.
For more #TuesdayTunes check out High Impact Mom and ShanaMama. What was your first concert?
I am so jealous.
I was very proud of myself back in the day when I figured out how to play “Come Sail Away” on the piano. Today’s equivalent would probably be Adele’s “Someone Like You.”
You take good care of the friend who scored you those tickets!
Impressive piano playing Lori. I appreciate your jealousy, but now you know if they travel back this way again, the tickets are worth it. I wasn’t sure how they’d sound. It really was a great concert.
What a fun concert!!
That it was
The crowd-watching was fun too. Still a lot of long, rocker hair, simply gray! But there was a great mix of ages.
How very cool! I loved Styx back in the day. Hm, my first concert…hard to remember! INXS, perhaps? Depeche Mode? Maybe Blondie, I used to see them a lot in the Village. Could also be Rush, those days were a blur!
I would have loved seeing INXS. Blondie? She would have been a fun concert too. I did see Rush. A blur?
Sounds like a fun time. My hubby loves the Styx. I’ll have to share this with him.
Becca, tell him they sounded really good! A pleasant surprise. I’d go again.
Good for you for getting out and having fun!
With the kids, it is rare, but oh, so important!
Loved Styx. My first concert was The Motels at the Dixie Electric Company. A month or so ago I saw a show where Styx performed with an orchestra/chorus made up of teenagers from Cleveland. Great to see them rocking with the young folks.
The Motels? Wow. Throwin’ it way back. I love when rock bands hook up with orchestras, I bet that was a great concert too. If you get the chance, go see Styx again, Jack. You won’t be disappointed. Now I want to see Tommy with his bluegrass tour.
Ha! Styx was the first concert my son went to with his dad. Those two were such Styx junkies! What a great memory!
Julee, what a fun memory for the two of them. Next time they make it to town, you should join them!
I may not be from that Era but I know & love Styx! What an awesome opportunity. Are you ready for this…..my first concert was Jethro Tull with my mom back when I was like 10 or 11
Oh my gosh, Shana, Jethro Tull. Haven’t heard that name in quite a long time! I think it is fun that your mom took you to your first concert. I did the same for my older daughters, get ready for it, NSync. They thought I was such a cool mom (at that moment!). And we all adore Justin to this day.
It actually took me a day to remember the name. It’s funny when I was typing out my post it popped into my head but I couldn’t for the life of me remember who it was until I read your post this morning.
hahahaha NSync….my sister would have loved that. They weren’t my cup o tea, but who couldn’t love Justin, hello abs.
haha, Hello, abs, indeed. Wonder if Jethro Tull has abs?
And why didn’t you tell your friend who lives in Colorado Springs that you’d be here???
Honestly, I DID think of it, Jenny. But I only had time for Tommy Shaw and friends that evening
But it would be fun to get our ‘dates’ and head to a concert there. It was my first time in that part of downtown in the Springs. It reminded me a lot of Dayton. With mountains. Ha.
The Beach Boys!!!
Cool, Melissa! The Jimmy Buffet of our generation
Did you see their reunion recently on the Grammys?