learn to fly
On the radio, bringing back memories of New England

Music reminds me of so many of life’s experiences. I thought I would share a few of them with you here for Music Monday.

Foo Fighters “Learn To Fly” – New England – October 1999

Back in October 1999, I took a personal sabbatical… a trip to find myself and to make a major decision in my life. I had never been to most of New England and wanted to see that part of the country.

Just myself, driving around the states in a rental car. The album “There Is Nothing Left to Lose” wasn’t out yet, but the first single “Learn To Fly” was getting heavy airplay. And I heard this song many times during my ventures into Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

And to this day, whenever I hear this song, I think of my 6 days in New England and the time I had seeing places I had never seen before and making decisions that were pivotal in my life.

Local H “Bound For The Floor” – Los Angeles – October 1996

This song was my first exposure to this Chicago-based duo. Which I am sure was the case for most that were not familiar with the grunge sounds of Local H.

I had just switched jobs from one hellacious and short stint as a Network Admin at Pioneer Valley Hospital to a great job at a telecom company called Teltrust. My ex-wife and I bought plane tickets to fly from Salt Lake City to Southern California to visit Disneyland for a few days. The plane tickets were $25 each way for each person. Who couldn’t turn down plane tickets for just over $150 for three people? Not us, that’s for sure.

My favorite radio station growing up in Orange County was KROQ and I heard this song while driving around Los Angeles and Orange County during that trip. Not only did it paint the picture of me driving around the freeways, but it embedded that Local H song into permanent memory of that trip each and every time I hear it today.

Blue Ram

blue ram
Original image found at Aquatouch.com

Back in the early 90’s, my ex-wife and I maintained a fresh water fish tank. We had several fish, including a couple Blue Rams.

We had trouble naming these fish. We kept saying Blue Ram over and over and as much as we were into music, the names Lou Gramm and Lou Reed would flow together in our repeated ramblings.

  • Blue Ram
  • Lou Gramm
  • Lou Reed

  • “Last Great American Whale” – Lou Reed

    The above song “Last Great American Whale” was pretty popular at the time and given that, the two fish got their names: Lou Gramm and Lou Reed.

    RIP Lou Reed

    With yesterday’s passing of Lou Reed, I was instantly reminded of these little fish we had. Of course, the fish died many years ago, with Lou Reed’s music playing on, as it will for years more after his death at the age of 71.

    Leaving you with one last Lou Reed classic from his short time with Velvet Underground.

    Rock and Roll

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs0BxTmQXA0
    Rock and Roll – The Velvet Underground

    RIP Lou Reed

    Share your music memories below in the comments. Or post on your own blog. I want to read your ties of songs and bands to life’s events.