Music Saves My Life

Yes I am given to dramatic statements, I know, but the title of this post is no exaggeration. During the lowest, most wretched, heinous, hideous, horrible times of my life, music was my lifeline, keeping me tethered to the light, to the life force, until whatever personal storm I was enduring had passed.

During high school it was Motown and especially soul music that kept me from going off the deep end. Thank you Otis Redding! Thanks, James Brown! What would I have done without you? When I reflect on any era of my now rather long life, a soundtrack of the music that got me from one day to the next accompanies my memories.

During my 20's, I used to buy records from the dollar bins at the record store, based only on whim and intuition. It was in that way I discovered Lambert, Hendricks and Ross whose music was crucial during that decade of my life. I also discovered Django Reinhardt via the dollar bins. I could go on, but you get the idea, yes?



I guess itunes is the new dollar bin, isn't it?

All the arts are important, every form helps me become more fully human: kinder, more open minded, more open hearted. But music is the primary art, at least for me. Without music, where would I be? It kind of freaks me out to think about it.