Column for June 30, 2005

Recently Bob Seger was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His friend Kid Rock gave the induction speech. After Kid Rock was done, he handed the microphone to Bob Seger who said "Take them old records off the shelf, I sit and listen to them by myself, today's music ant got the same soul, I like that old time rock and roll."

In the last week my band has performed at a nudist resort, a city festival, two car shows, four night clubs, an assisted living home, a church strawberry festival, an Elks Club, the Northville Marathon, and did I mention a nudist resort. Yes, from the old folks home to the nudist resort, each gig we played Bob Seger's Old Time Rock and Roll song and they loved it. They smiled, clapped their hands, danced and had fun.

Rock and Roll has always been about having fun. But you can't forget or discount the economic and social impact it has had. The social impact people like Woody Guthrie who sang this land is your land this land is my land. Or Bob Dylan who sang end the war songs during the Vietnam War.

The Beach Boys sang about girls, the Beatles sang about drugs. Both effected the sexual revolution. Bob Geldof's Live Aid concert not only raised awareness it raised $80 million for famine relief in Africa and became a cultural landmark.

I am starting to believe one way or another, we all love rock and roll. The music, the beat, the economic or social impact, everyone has a reason to love rock and roll.

Wal-mart and their stockholders made a lot of money impart because they sell so many CDs. Apple Computers and the web itself grew because so many kids were using it for music. Tickets for the up coming Rolling Stones concert in Detroit are going to be as high as $400 each and people from T-shirt sellers to parking lot attendants will make money indirectly from the music.

Now I see an Iraq official on TV saying half the people in Iraq are young, under 25. They want freedom. They want to be able to dance and listen to rock and roll. Listen to it in public.
I thought wow, freedom may move in strange ways, even via rock and roll.

I can't mention rock and roll with out mentioning Bill Haley's Comets. Benny and the Jets, The Fabulous Oldies But Goodies band and the Original Bill Haley's Comets who's songs include "Rock Around the Clock" "Shake Rattle and Roll" "See you Later Alligator" will appear Saturday, July 16, at 7pm at Pease Auditorium on the EMU Campus at the corner of Cross Street and College Place. For more information call (734) 487 2282 or via the web at www.tickets.com.

To reach Ben E. Jet call (313) 730-1627 via e mail benejets@aol.com and see the web sites www.bennyandthejets.com and www.reverendguitars.com. Benny and the Jets band can play at your club, event or house party for $250.