While I never made it a career, music has been a cherished part of my life since I can remember. In my childhood, teens, 20s, 30s and now 40s, I have been surrounded by artists and musicians, and I'm eternally grateful for that.
It has certainly influenced my eclectic choice of music.
The first instrument I played was a violin, but the height of my skill would be showcased at an elementary school concert when I was 8, my solo performance immortalized on VHS thanks to my dad's enormous video camcorder.
Remember those?
I played guitar for many years after my fleeting love affair with the violin, and I taught myself how to play a little piano and some other instruments. To this day, the violin was the only instrument I ever received formal training in, and it was the instrument I played the worst of any I ever touched.
Though I was never good at the violin, it was an instrument I loved and respected very much. I love all stringed instruments.
Classical music (most especially Baroque era pieces) is high on my list of favorite types of music. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, YouTube some Arcangelo Corelli or Marco Uccellini sometime and prepare to be amazed.
My eclectic taste and deeply profound appreciation for music and art allow me to resonate with genres of all kinds: classical, rock, metal, underground punk, oi, ska, country, hip hop, rap, dubstep, EDM, 90's alternative, 70's glam, instrumental, bandari, flamenco, contemporary, jazz, blues, big band, ragtime, bluegrass, folk, dance, doo-wop, British pop, opera, rockabilly, and so on.
There is hardly a genre of music I don't like and appreciate. And these are not merely genres I dabble in; I love these genres of music.
My eclectic taste in music confuses some people. They don't understand how I can toss some money in a jukebox and play The Velvet Underground, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Miley Cyrus, Connie Francis and 2PAC all back to back.
It's strange, I know, but most people think it's pretty cool.
But there is one thing that certain people refuse to think is cool. They're obfuscated and perplexed by it. That is, my eternal love and admiration for hair metal (also called glam metal.)
Because I have a deep appreciation for complex and intricate rock bands like Rush and Pink Floyd, it's expected of me by some musicians and artists that I only like music that is robustly meaningful and artistic.
They're trying to box me in!
If it's not nerdy prog rock with 3-minute guitar solos that would make master composers like Beethoven or Mozart nod their heads in enthusiastic approval, then it's not good enough to listen to--and they don't want you listening to it either.
Some rock musicians are offended that you like Hair Metal. They think Sirius XM stations like 'Hair Nation' shouldn't even exist. The 80s glam metal scene was a stain on rock & roll and should be swept under the rug as an embarrassment.
The friends of mine who are musicians who know my deep appreciation for highly skilled, emotional and complex progressive rock raise an eyebrow when I tell them that I love "neanderthal" hair metal.
But, they are completely flabbergasted when I tell them that not only do I love hair metal, that it's my favorite genre of rock & roll as well.
"How the hell can glam metal be your favorite rock genre, dude, WTF!?"
They will say that hair metal has no real meaning. The song lyrics are empty and air-headed. They will claim that it's all about chugging beer, partying, hot babes in bikinis, cars, motorcycles, being macho, girls, girls, girls, and not giving a shit about anything but having fun.
And I would agree with them. Hair Metal is precisely all those things, and that's why I love it so much.
There's no right or wrong way to listen to music. Music can function as a mechanism that allows an individual to escape from the monotony of their everyday lives.
I think being intelligent and caring about the world you live in is noble. But sometimes, a person needs a break from politics, economics, and the disastrous state of the world we live in.
Constantly exposing your mind to news media broadcasts can be a form of self-inflicted torture.
Sometimes, you gotta turn off the T.V. and throw on some rock & fucking roll. And sometimes, rock & roll needs to be loud, fun and encompassing of everything that stands for freedom and not having a care in your head full of long, luxurious hair.
Sometimes, you need some straight-up, badass, beer-drinking, babe-loving, motorcycle-riding, glorious and thunderous hair metal music.
And that's why hair metal is my favorite rock genre; because it's a complete escape from all the serious bullshit we all have to deal with daily. Hair metal is the anthem of fun, being wild and rebellious (without a cause), and living life on the edge.
You only have one life to live, and hair metal makes you feel like you're ready to kick some ass and start living it.
Hair metal is awesome and, even though I have a true and profound appreciation for all types of rock music, it tops the charts for me.
I love it.
Hair metal is my favorite rock genre for sure!
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