Just a Small Town Girl

Julian Lennon, Joan Jett, Janice Joplin, Jackson 5… Joy to the World, Juke Box Hero, Jack and Diane, Janie’s Got a Gun… Jug band, jive, jam session, jazz… just to name a few.

Don’t Stop Believing was on the Escape (E5C4P3) album that Journey released in July of 1981. It was a favorite of my friends and I, so much so that we did a lot of talking to our parents as soon as we heard Journey would be in town. We successfully negotiated being allowed to go to our first concert unaccompanied by parents, for me it was my first concert all together.

It would have been a memorable show just from the amazing performance Journey did on stage. But honestly, my most vivid memory came from my time sitting in the seats – I was the last one on the right. We were clapping and screaming and dancing in our seats when the lady in the seat just in front and to the left of me turned around and asked if I wanted a hit, holding a joint. Now, first concert, first encounter with a physical joint in my presence and you must remember my dad was on the police force. I felt like it took eons for me to answer her with a no, but I really only stumbled over my words for a short time. I turned to my friend on my left and just raised my eyebrows and we both started to laugh. I was a very naïve teenager probably 15 at the time. What an introduction to the world of rock and roll.

Now the night was not a total goodie two shoes night. One of my friends called her friend and he brought a six pack of beer for us. I think I had maybe two drinks and was not impressed. But we were on a live music high… and maybe a little second-hand smoke from the couple in front of us. Ha, ha!

I will always remember seeing Journey for my first concert, do you remember your first concert?