Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band played by the Atlantic Ocean at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater last night and I must say, I did not hate it. I’ve never been a fan of Buffett’s novelty songs about sun, surf, and tequila but last night at the beach I finally got a feel for the Parrothead community and the tailgate party that precedes the show proper.

The weather cooperated for a glorious sun filled day in the Jones Beach parking lots that started to fill up in the early morning causing “late comers” arriving two hours before showtime to walk a good distance to the concert.

Jimmy Buffett and band hit the stage at 8:15 and played many of the most popular songs in the first hour. 

A highlight of the show was a tribute to Glenn Frey during a bluegrass segment that included a nice take on the Eagles classic “Take It Easy”.

I would not want to live there but this night in margaritaville was an enjoyable end of summer jaunt.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Rock on!

GQ

The reeling New York Mets open for Styx at what will be a stifling hot Citifield tonght.

Jacob deGrom pitches for the Metsies so they should at least keep it close tonight against a bad San Diego Padres team the embarrassed them last night. The Mets will need to compete tonight to keep an increasingly frustrated fan base in the stands for tonight’s post game concert.

Styx and Dennis DeYoung parted ways many years ago and replaced him with Liza Minelli who performs DeYoung’s hits capably.

Too Much Time on My Hands

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GQ

A band calling itself Yes plays at the NYCB Bank at Westbury tonight. There is no Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman just Howe.

And of course no Chris Squire.

There are plenty of tickets still available at the box office for this quasi-cover band.

Yes was my favorite band in high school and I’ve seen the band so many times in so many varied line ups that I’ve lost count.

Jon Andrrson plays with Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin in the fall as a more legitimate Yes incarnation in my opinion and I am undecided as to whether I will attend tonight’s Yes performance.

The last time I saw Yes, drummer Alan White looked like an old guy you would see in the gym sauna at L.A Fitness on a Wednesday morning.

And the ticket prices for a good seat this time around are borderline obscene. The Album  Series angle is not selling tickets and the house will likely be close to half filled.

Sad but True

Perpetual Change

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GQ

On the heals of finding out that Gregg Allman is at the Mayo Clinic  with serious health concerns and  that he has canceled the remaining dates of his tour until October 29, 2016  I go to see another elder statesman act of rock and roll at The Space at Westbury tonight.

Mr. Allman sounded phenomenal at the Laid Back Festivsl at Jones Beach recently and while he looked slightly frail, he appeared to be in pretty good health considering all he has put himself though in his lifetime.

Jorma and Jack are both over 70 years old and the road really does not go on forever.

See the music legends of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s while you still can because many of out heroes are eligible for social security and in varying states of health, fitness, and voice.

Tony Bennett turns 90 and Yes tours without Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, just Howe.

Let’s party like its 1979!

Death Don’t Have No Mercy

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GQ

in what has been a long hot day at the beach. Gregg Allman is about to hit the stage following a nice performance by former Drive by Trucker Jason Isbell as the headliner to his Laid Back Festivsl at the Jobes Beach venue.

Marshal Tucker Band played a lackluster half our set on the main stage after Allman Brothers Band legend Jaimo started the day off with a bluesy set in the Low Country second stage. America played an hour of hits and deep tracks on the Laid Back main stage which an appreciative crowd enjoyed but the big revelation for me tonight was how much fun the band Orleans is.

As a cool ocean breeze blows into the amphitheater, Mr. Allman and his band will take us home.

Still the One

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GQ

Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy appear at the Theater at Madison Square Garden tonight with Billy Joel playing the big room upstairs at the same time. I think the last time I remember this happening Van Morrison was in the Theater while the Rolling Stones shook the Garden arena.

There will be a Traffic Jam in midtown Manhattan tonight.

Rock on

GQ

Florida Georgia Line headline a country lineup at the Jones Beach Theater tonight on a hot and humid mid-July evening on Long Island.

I happened to see the band’s tractor trailers and tour buses traveling westbound down Merrick Road in Seaford on their way to Wantagh Parkway and the beach.

The road goes on forever.

Rock on.

GQ

I’ve heard of Cowboy Junkies but don’t know their music; another musical adventure.

Early show starts at 7 and ends at 8:30-

This must be what Florida is like.

Rock on

GQ

My seat to the extreme right of the stage would have been ideal except for a tent next to the stage. Being unable to see Mr. Dylan from this vantage point just adds to his mysterious persona as his gravelly voice wafts into the cloudy Queens sky.

There’s a slow train coming and it’s not the 7 line.

A legend’s road goes on forever.

Rock on

GQ

Paul Simon performs at Forest Hills Stadium tonight and Friday night in support of his recently released “Stranger to Stranger”. I last saw Rhymin’ Simon with Sting at Madison Square Garden. Sting is currently on a similar type tour with Peter Gabriel.

Now I first sort of saw Mr. Simon with Art Garfunkel from quite a distance at the now legendary Central Park concert. The venue at Forest Hills will most definitely provide a better vantage point at least for me.

Paul and Art Garfunkel grew up in Forest Hills so these shows are a bit of a homecoming for Simon.

My daughter is getting married in August and I discovered the perfect father-daughter dance song on Simon’s “Surprise” CD. Until recently,  I mistakingly believed I was the only one who had found the beautiful song “Father and Daughter” only to find that it is a top ten most popular wedding number.

Thank you Google.

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard

I Am a Rock

GQ