Oldies Music, Concerts & TV Shows: the New Explosion that Connects Generations

The success of sold-out oldies concerts with audiences from all age groups, award-winning Broadway shows based on oldies music and performers, and the newest popular TV game shows, Singing Bee and Don't Forget the Lyrics are proof that the Baby Boomer's generation can connect with newer generations. As we belt out tunes at those oldies concerts, wondering how our favorite 60's and 70's rock stars can still stand, we feel young, have fun, and shock the young.

It is truly shocking for a Mother who was born in the'50s to hear her daughter say, "Mom, I got this really great CD today from a new band that rocks. Can we play it in the car on the way home? It's kind of heavy rock, so I don't know if you will like them." The Mother said, "Sure, honey. Who are they and what's the name of the CD?" The daughter replied, "Led Zeppelin and it's called Houses of the Holy."

HAHAHA - this Baby Boomer didn't have the heart to tell my gen-Xer daughter that I grew up with Led Zeppelin, saw them 3 times in concert, and had to buy two copies of Houses of the Holy because I wore out the first LP album. However, when she played the CD in the car, she was shocked to hear me blast out the words to Over the Hills and Far Away, with the speakers on HIGH volume. What a way for an old Mom to connect with her teenage daughter. After I dug out my old albums and played Stairway to Heaven for my daughter, there was instant bonding gratification.

I continued to discover this marvelous way of connecting with my daughter through oldies music, when we went to the Kerrville Folk Festival one year because I wanted to see Peter, Paul, and Mary perform. My teenage daughter camped with us and I was stunned once again, that she knew all the words to Puff, the Magic Dragon, If I Had A Hammer, and Leavin' on a Jet Plane....where did she learn all those songs?

I don't consider Elton John in the "oldies" genre yet, but he is older than I am, so I was amazed when my daughter played an Elton John CD and knew every song during our road trip from Alabama to Arkansas. Elton John is one of my favorite singer/song writers of all time. And, yes, I have seen Elton John 4 times in concert. Next time, I am taking my daughter.