Oct. 14th, 2010

I figure I've been to well over one hundred concerts by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. I first became a subscriber, for the 1988/89 season, as far as I know (ticket stubs). That's a six-show package every year but one, since then. But there were very few years which I actually remembered all the shows throughout the year, and the occasional show where I wasn't able to attend and gave my tickets away. And then the times I bought extra tickets, for special shows, like Ithzak Perlman or Yo-yo Ma or Bugs Bunny on Broadway. My best guess puts me at around 120 concerts. In addition to that number, there were the occasional shows before I started subscribing. I know I went a few times with school groups when I was a kid in the early seventies. The Symphony used to come to Grafton, too.

Zdenek Macal was the director when I started going. Then Andreas Delfs. Now Edo DeWaart. I've enjoyed tracking the orchestra membership changes over the years, and watching the musicians who have been there the whole time - even back to those I saw when I was a kid.

Twenty years ago, they didn't have soloists for every show, like they do now. As much as I enjoy the solos, I actually prefer the regular pieces for the orchestra. I love the intricacy and interplay between the sections.
There are many bands I remember seeing, but don't remember when.

America and The Buckinghams at Marriott's (now Six Flags) Great America amusement park. Probably 1986, give or take a year. They just happened to be playing when out Boy Scout troop went to the park. Phil and I caught the show.

America again in the early nineties. One of the big Summerfest sponsors was having their "Big Barbecue" later in the summer. Food, beer and bands. Steve, Keith and I went down to see America. The bassist played one of my all-time favorite bass solos. I wish I knew who that was.

Mo Tucker at the Cactus Club, late nineties. Victor DeLorenzo's Ash Can School opened for Tucker's garage rock show.

I know the Violent Femmes played at Miller Maritime Days, one night. This was Guy Hoffman's debut with the band, just after the release of New Times, which would make it late summer, 1994. Were those festivals on Labor Day weekend?

The Tea party, The Rave/Eagles Ballroom.

Did I see Collective Soul at Summerfest on 7-7-99?

Mrs. Fun at the Miramar Theater, for a CD release party (1998's Groove?). I didn't think I got there very early, but when I arrived, there were less than a dozen people in the lobby, and no one in the theater. I went in and sat down. After a while, the two musicians came in and tinkered with their kits. Connie sat down in the seats, and I wanted to say, "hi, my name is Kevin, and I'll be your audience for tonight." There ended up being a good crowd, though.

Emo Phillips at the Comedy Cafe, in early 2001, with Cyn.

Saw Gravity Kills at least three times, opening for someone or other. At least once at Summerfest. Once opening for the Sex Pistols (see entry).

Fifteen year old phenomenon, Shannon Curfman at Shank Hall. With Doug. Probably 1999.

Reptile Palace Orchestra at the Harmony Bar in Madison.

Guitar slinger Chris Duarte, Shank Hall. 6/13/02, 5/29/03, 11/20/04 or 8/25/05. He was totally hard rocking. So much that everything ran together and turned dull.

Buddy Guy at Racine Harbor Fest, early aughts.

Edgar Winter, Port Washington Fish Day. Plus some blues-type bands there, including local band Dave Steffen Band, possibly that same year.

Mighty Blue Kings at River Rhythms, Pere Marquette park.

Indigenous at Summerfest, early aughts.

Joe Bonamassa, several times. Possibly 1/15/05 and/or 3/5/06. Twice at Shank and once at Summerfest? First time, he opened for Savoy Brown. We saw Savoy Brown once after that, about a year later.

American Standard, previously named The Chris Aaron Band. Shank Hall, possibly 2/1/01. And then the return of American Standard, minus Chris Aaron and Corey Sterling, which all viewed in disbelief. That would have been Summerfest '03. This band was soon renamed Reversr, and dissolved after the release of their CD.

Michael Manring at a south side bar, with The Danglers opening.

The Tony Levin Band twice at Shank Hall. Once for Pieces of the Sun (Spring 2002) and once for Resonator, if I recall correctly.

I saw The Mighty Blue Kings with Cyn at Summerfest one afternoon.

Cyn and I went to Linneman's with a friend of hers, to see Sam Llanas do some solo work. this was around the time of his Absinthe project, but it didn't feature that band. Probably 2001. Seems like it was cold outside.

We also saw The Mosleys at Linneman's, probably mid-2000's.

Chapman Stick player Drew Rittgers opened up for some prog artist at Shank.

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