The life of an opening act-Part 1

“Gettin’ robbed, gettin’ stoned, gettin’ beat up, broken boned. Gettin’ had, gettin’ took. I tell you folks, it’s harder than it looks. It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock n roll.”

These words by Bon Scott sum it up for me what it would take to live a life of music. As a young kid I wanted to be in Def Leppard, Motley Crue etc. It was easy. All I had to do was sing or play an instrument. I would have millions of dollars, and millions of girls lined up to sleep with. I could sleep in every day, drink beer and stay up every night until 4am. Then do it all over again the next day.

The reality is different than the dream. In speaking with band members, I get a picture of living in vans, driving across the country from one gig to another, often in sleazy joints, for next to nothing. Living off the meager wages from the show, and the few dollars brought in from selling merchandise. There is no road crew to set up and take down. The band members do this themselves.

It is hard to have a lasting relationship with a significant other because they don’t live the life, and they don’t understand that the love of music compels the band member to continue on. To do that cross Canada tour. To keep pestering the radio execs to play the new single, or the record company people to get signed.

This is the beginning of an ongoing segment about opening acts. I have some upcoming interviews, cd/concert reviews so keep checking in for more.