What was the first concert you ever saw?
I saw Chicago back in 1985. I bought a black sweatshirt with bright-pink neon letters that said "Chicago." I wish I still had that sweatshirt.
What CDs are in your changer right now?
I absolutely love U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind and Roger Clyne and the Peacemaker's Americano! Plus, there may be Duran Duran's Rio and Rick Springfield's Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance.
How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, 8-tracks)?
It's got to be 600 CDs, 40 or so LPs, 20 45s and no more cassettes or 8-tracks--they've all been replaced.
Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?
For the purpose of this article, you bet I download legally! Not very often, though; I have most of the music I want. I still buy CDs, but really only download stuff to try it out.
What was the first album you owned?
My first LP was The Story of Star Wars when I was just a wee tike. The first LP I paid for was Marie Osmond's Paper Roses. Ah, Marie! My first cassette was REO Speedwagon, High Infidelity, and the soundtrack to Rocky was my first 8-track.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
U2, "Lemon," of course!
Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don't know about? What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
Rick Springfield. I've met him a few times. He's signed more than a few CDs and taken a couple of pictures with the man. Still, no restraining order!
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Rick. I like to dance, and I like to rock, but not always too seriously. It may be cheese, but it's very fun cheese with some great guitar--which means some great air guitar for me!
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Old school geek says Rick Springfield, Working Class Dog. The dude that still clings to being cool says it's U2, Achtung Baby. Plus, Pickel likes them both.
