Blogathon Vancouver 2008: "R" is for Rock and Roll

The following has been contributed by John Bollwitt

Let’s be honest, R is truly for Rebecca.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

However, the other love in my life, no matter how hard it is to believe or scandalous that it might be, is rock and roll.

A man by the name of Hagen Meyers once told me something that is now a mantra that I live by on a daily basis. Basically, it comes down to this… No matter what music you listen to, like, love, and enjoy, then that’s rock and roll. Society’s preset definitions of genre and what rock and roll actually is doesn’t mean a thing. It’s all about what makes you happy, like an inner zen or path to enlightenment. Then and only then, do you understand what rock and roll is.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Based on that principle, I find that there is so much rock and roll in Vancouver that you are nearly drenched in what this city has to offer you to fulfill your every need. No matter what type of music you like, there always seems to be a place, time, or location for you to get your fill. Combined with the ever growing population of numerous cultures flowing through the lower mainland, yet alone acts stopping by, there is so much to see and hear.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Sadly we will be losing Richards on Richards in the very near future, but rock and roll will find another home and life will go on. Just look at Rebecca’s series on the history of punk music in Vancouver to see the tales of what once was. It’s true that we may never get the chance to return to those blissful days of a landscape untouched by corporate hands, but that passion will always be there in some form.

From Pat’s Pub to the Media Club to the Commodore Ballroom to GM Place, there’s so many places to see a good show by so many different artists. Local, regional, Canadian, American, North American, or international, there is always an opportunity to see something new, unique, or someone that you’ve been dying to see since the day you first heard that one track that made you have to have that one song or album added to your collection.

Many of my personal, long time desires have been fulfilled over the three years that I have lived in Vancouver. Matthew Good, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Mates of State, Nada Surf, and Sparta are just a few of the bands that I have had the extreme pleasure of seeing in this city after a long time of wishing for the opportunity.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Never under estimate the power of rock and roll in the city of Vancouver. Not only are there great places to see great shows, but I implore you to leave comments on this post for great local acts for the world to know. You never know what might show up on RadioZoom if you do.