The first rock concert I had even been to was Elton John at Madison Square Garden in August 1976. It was a graduation present from my sister Annemarie. Annemarie was primarily responsible for my Elton mania back then. She saw Elton on Thanksgiving night in 1974, when John Lennon came out and sang 3 songs with Elton and the Boys.

She told me the next day and she was still so excited. I also think she had a thing for Dee Murray, Elton’s bassist. She even mentioned that the next time Elton John came to New York, she would take me. So one morning while getting ready for one of my last days of Eighth Grade, she told me she had gotten tickets. It didn’t really register.

I graduated and dated a girl named Donna Rinaldi. We broke up after about 2 weeks. We had nothing more than a chaste kiss. Which was fine by me because I didn’t want anything from her or anyone, including myself. Late blooming, I was.

She lived on the other side of town and it was just too much of a long distance relationship for two 13 year olds. It was an easy break up. I ran into Donna a few years later when she was working at the Medi-Mart by Bradlees in Saddle Brook. It was a while since I saw her and promptly lied about most everything in my life.

Then I went to my car and got in and felt horrible about lying. So I got out and walked back in to the store and told her that everything I said was a lie, and I didn’t know why I said it. We awkwardly looked at each other and then I left, never to see her again.

I didn’t feel that much better afterwards. But now, back to the show.

It was Annemarie, our brother Brian and his friend Eddie Austeri I think, in the car going to the city. As far as I can tell, we got in the car and then we were at our seats at the show watching Billy Connolly open up, singing ‘Half Stoned Cowboy’, while playing a guitar in big yellow banana boots. I can’t remember the drive to the Garden or walking to the show. But I’m sure it was all vibrant to a 13 year old’s eyes.

I did see someone smoking a bowl though.

‘I’ll never do that’ I said to myself….I read ‘Go Ask Alice’ I knew better.

Elton was this tiny little thing at the other side of the Garden. In a green Lurex jacket and orange hair which was the only way to see him, besides being the guy next to the piano. It’s funny, I think the Paul McCartney show I saw in October, had basically the same seats I had nearly 30 years earlier but better visuals through video.

It was a fantastic time. The only songs I remember were Hercules and Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting. I was on such a natural high, though the aromas in the Garden may have had a hand in my lightheadedness. I so desperately wanted to go again then next night. I knew Elton was playing maybe 3 or 4 nights. Annemarie was going to the Nassau Coliseum to see Jefferson Starship. Brian and Eddie Austeri weren’t going to take me.

I was stranded. I believe I had a slight nervous breakdown. Not from not being able to go to the show, but from the combined effects of the night before and encroaching puberty.