Sue and Dick are two of my regulars at my job. They are great. They are parent-ish age, always bring us food (they look at the schedule, and if I'm working, they will even bring me something vegetarian to snack on). Last year, for my birthday, they gave me fifty bucks. They do it for everyone. They are just very generous, selfless people.

Anyway, Sue, Dick, and I got on a conversation about music. How I love music from the fifties and sixties, and the eighties and nineties. I totally skip over the seventies (with a few exceptions).

Lo, and behold, the next day, Sue brings me this giant box set called "Have a Nice Decade" filled with every hit by pretty much every band of note from the seventies. It took up a gig on my ipod.

Sometimes, I put my ipod on random and do stuff around the house. Last time I tried to do that, I got an earful of "Brand New Key" by Melanie. No more.

Yesterday, I put my ipod in its little docking station near the bathroom and proceeded to back-comb my hair (I love big hair. I think it is genetic. My grandmother lived in Texas for 20 years.). I was listening to Pavement, and the last track finished. Then Peter Frampton started playing.

I have never cared for Peter Frampton. But I remember having a conversation with my father not long ago about music. About the records that every kid on the block had and completely changed your life. He said "Frampton Comes Alive" was one of them for him and his contemporaries. Another was "Alive" by Kiss, and "Who's Next" by The Who, and a bunch of other ones I can't recall (we were most likely having this conversation over a few pinks of Guinness).

I was thinking about that conversation ever since I heard that song come on my ipod (and as i tripped over Jinx while I ran to change the song). What are the songs or albums that changed my generation. For me, I'd say the Blue Album by Weezer.

I am now opening this up to debate. I'm curious to see what other people come up with. All my readers range in age from early 20's to early 30's., so I'd consider it a pretty even playing field.

Discuss.





PS: If anyone would like to join me for lunch, beer, or coffee this afternoon here in scenic downtown Rochester, let me know.