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Fourteen Is The Magic Number

Yesterday, I read an op-ed in the NY Times that mentioned Bob Dylan's 70th birthday was Tuesday. The author felt there was a musical and cultural significance to his age. He mentioned other musicians hitting that mark this year including John Lennon. The gist of his article was that these cats all turned 14 when Elvis was at his zenith. He also mentioned that Sinatra and Billie Holiday were 14 when Rudy Vallee became the first true recording star; and that Vallee hit that age as Scott Joplin's rags were the hottest contemporary songs. When we turn 14 we are at the beginning of adulthood and developing our own tastes. Or at least acknowledging popular trends.

So, I thought about my own 14th birthday in relation to the Hit Parade. In no time flat I rattled off 10 songs that are a permanent part of my cerebral fabric. Of songs released in my lifetime, 5 of these songs from 1983 rank among the most exciting pieces of music in my mind. I quickly created an iTunes playlist of 60+ songs from the month preceding my birthday to the end of the year; basically 1983. My 14 year old taste is permanently locked. Highlights included: "Billie Jean," "Is There Something I Should I Know?," "Let's Dance," "I'll Tumble 4 Ya," and "(Keep Feeling) Fascination." "Time (Clock of my Heart)" remains my favorite ballad of the era.

The first pop LP I bought with my own money was Culture Club's "Colour By Numbers." "Karma Chameleon" came on MTV; my Mom had to run an errand at the mall and I knew I needed to go along. I think I spent $8 for that album. Took it home and wore it out. I was already a fan of Culture Club, but this LP was stunning to me. Had I been 13 or 15 or 25, would I have been as in thrall? Culture Club (and MTV) were a gateway drug for my musical bent. From there it was ABC, Duran Duran, Madness, Bowie and myriad new wave/new romantic/British pop acts. Only Prince and the MPLS groups could pry my captured imagination from the likes of Boy George, Simon LeBon and Martin Fry after turning 15.

Of course there was the zeitgeist of my 14th year, who moonwalked all over us in the 8th grade. Only thing is, as influential as Mike was, his musical stamp doesn't seem to be on people my age. Perhaps he got too odd too quickly. There aren't that many 42 year-old pop singers out there to begin with, or at least that I interact with to know which influence is more important or what we'll remember at age 70.

Peace & Disco Beats

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