I just turned 67 (yes, just last week, so gifts are welcome…), and I’m sitting here listening to the latest Dirtwire release as I read your piece. I try talking to my friends about this topic, and I try to introduce them to new music, and take your approach — hey, if you liked the Dead, maybe you should really try listening to Dirtwire or, more importantly, go to a Dirtwire show. But, these friends, they hold on religiously to the music they listened to back in high school, and in college. It seems like they still like to pair their bong with Clapton, the Byrds, Zeppelin, the Who, Lynrd fucking Skynrd and (please put a bullet to my head) the Beatles.

Sure, they were good but, for fuck sake, most of them have passed away into the great beyond anyway (god bless you, Jerry), and maybe some should have just followed Jimi and Janice and not hung on for so long. Or, at least, they could have just remained on heroin. Cold, I know, but let’s just call it cultural if not actual Darwinism.

But…I digress. I mean, it ain’t like these friends still watch Mannix, the Brady Bunch or Love American Style on TV…They don’t still read Harriet the Spy. They don’t still care for their Pet Rock. They’ve moved on from that, they evolved, so to speak, but they just refuse to evolve in their music.

Music evolves, we evolve…and new artists, new musicians, there are so many possibilities, they deserve our support. Our ears and souls will appreciate our doing so.

And, yes, OK — some still watch Love American Style reruns, but I can’t really blame them that transgression on the edges of cultural r/evolution. It was a great show and I and my at the time 12 year old hormones appreciated it.