On Nick Lowe and Levon Helm

Wednesday evening I caught Nick Lowe and His Band at First Avenue. The show began with Nick and his acoustic guitar doing the fairly new "Stoplight Roses" and the Rockpile gem "Heart." Nick spoke to us between songs. Thoughtful and light-hearted, he spoke and we listened. He spoke, not like a rock star (which he ain't), but like an old pal who had been away too long. He was genuine, self-deprecating and silly throughout. Years ago, I'd seen him there with with his Cowboy Outfit and once at the Fine Line solo and one post-Rockpile show in San Francisco. It had been too long. He gave a heartfelt thanks to the recently departed Dick Clark and launched into "Cruel to Be Kind." We got his take on "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" and, as a bonus encore, Nick's solo version of Elvis Costello's "Alison."

I spent Thursday thinking I was somehow a better person for having seen Nick Lowe again and woke up Friday to the news that Levon Helm had died. Back in 1974 ("just 18, proud and brave"), I attended my first concert: The Band at the old Civic Center, I think. Sure Robbie Robertson was the frontman, but the attraction for me was Levon Helm and his soulful, woeful voice on the drums. Again, no rock star; just a cat from Arkansas who made you feel every word he sang. The show had been advertised as "The Band and Special Guest." Early on in a wonderful show, fans rudely began chanting: "Dylan! Dylan!" Who else could the special guest be, right? Robbie calmed them with a teasing: "Maybe later" and the show rolled on, interrupted again by more Dylan chants and Robertson soothing them with: "Patience." Nonetheless, it was a fabulous show. We stuck around till the stage had been completely torn down and, of course, Dylan never showed—though I have no doubt he was backstage (yea, I'm talkin' to you, Bob!)

And so, Levon and Nick bookend my rock'n'roll experience. Not too bad. (As I write this "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" comes on Pandora. How 'bout that?) We miss you, Levon. And we'll see you next time around, Nick!