It is the biggest thrill associated with being a music fan. It is something that brings excitement, pride and satisfaction. This ONE thing can make someone the envy of all their friends. I am talking about, what I call, an “Early Adopter”. An ‘Early Adopter’ (EA) is someone who discovers a hot new artist or band before anyone in their circle of friends. Not only did you scoop your friends, you probably are ahead of most music fans everywhere. This band you ‘discovered’ must go on to greater fame and fortune before you can officially be an ‘Early Adopter’. So it takes some time before you can earn the badge. Often, people THINK they are in the club only to be thwarted by a dysfunctional band’s early breakup.
Yes You Can Dance To It
When it comes to music, I can think of a handful of times where I was in-the-know before many. The first time I remember is pretty minor but it was very impactful for me. I was in the 7th grade. I was at an age when all I cared about was appearing cool. Music knowledge was a part of that. The kids in class were loving the song “Boogie Fever” by the Sylvers. It was 1976 and disco was king. We would have little class dances and everyone loved this toe tapper. Well I had the 45 rpm at home and the flip side was the song, “Free Style”. I listened to it and thought it was pretty good. So at the next class dance, I was talking it up. I remember the eye-rolls from the girls. The magic happened when we flipped the 45 over and played “Free Style” . The kids loved it and hit the dance floor. Those eyes stopped rolling. I gained some credentials that day.
Betting On The Money Man
Seriously, that day gave me confidence that I had a good ear. Even at that young age, I knew what I liked AND others agreed! The first REAL time I saw ‘Early Adopter’ energy was with my older sister and her boyfriend. They started talking about this guy they were seeing perform in the clubs in Berkeley. He was a transplanted New Yorker and they were really liking him. He had some catchy original songs and unique takes on the cover songs he sang. Plus he lit up a stage! Eddie Money went on to GREAT fame and fortune and they caught his act in the clubs.
Don’t Skip The Openers
The most common place to see new bands is as an opener for another band. Before MTV, before the internet, there really was no other way. Unless you were into the local club scene, you often saw an unknown as the opener to your favorite artists. In my case, I was seeing the headliner, Jefferson Starship, on a sunny summer Saturday afternoon in 1981. The opening band was catchy. I did recognize one of their songs but could not name them. Besides thoroughly enjoying their music, I was struck by the cool way they ended their set. I made the proclamation to my concert-mates, “These guys are gonna be big!” . The band was jamming out their final song, as the singer started introducing each player one by one. Finally the singer, Huey, raised his fist and yelled, “My name is Huey Lewis and you just heard The News!”. Needless to say, it was very exciting to see Huey Lewis and the News blow up!
Some headliners pride themselves on finding lesser known but talented bands to open for them. KISS was one of these bands who were never afraid that an opener would out shine them. Gene and Paul were great judges of talent. Some of the young bands who opened for KISS included baby versions of: Motley Crue, Blue Oyster Cult, Scorpions, and Ted Nugent, just to name a few. So the KISS Army gets a guaranteed GREAT show from KISS and a talented opener. Thank you KISS!
Back In My Day…
In some ways it’s easier today to be an EA than it used to be. There are many, many, many choices if you look into the corners of the interweb. Artists are grown differently today. It is possible to become ‘popular’ without the help of a record company or a live gig. Today’s adopters may find their golden gooses on Tik-Tok. TV shows , like American Idol, try to force the next big thing on us. Unlike past generations, today’s listeners will not find them on the radio. Radio stations don’t take chances anymore on upcoming bands.
Early Adopters are funny. A lot of them will abandon their favorites when the band hits it big. It’s a conundrum. You are happy for them! Now the band will play bigger venues, charge more money. Additionally, these NEW fans don’t even know the old stuff. God forbid a band changes their style a little. Some people call it evolving. An EA may drop a band if they try something new. Like playing slower, but still powerful, songs instead of constant speed metal. Hello early Metallica fans!! Sometimes the negatives can outweigh the positives. But those positives are pretty powerful.
Free Meet ‘n Greet
My favorite is the validation of knowing something is special and being proven correct. Other positives include the very possible chance that you can meet the object of your desire in person. For example, I saw The Tommy Castro Band in the early 90’s. It was at the Fillmore and he was an opener. After his set, he was in the lobby selling CDs. I told him how much I enjoyed his music as I purchased the CD. He and I had a nice little conversation. Castro is still active some 25 years later. He is not a major star by any means but that is the plight of most blues men. He is well respected and very active in the blues community. I have seen him many times since and done the same after-show chat with him. As an early adopter, I have continued to support Tommy Castro and enjoyed his evolution.
Discovered on YouTube
YouTube has given us many chances to become Early Adopters. One of the artists that is still cooking in my ‘EA oven’ is Lake Street Dive. YouTube showed me THIS and I was hooked. Now LSD has grown since I first became aware of them but not to superstar level. So we wait and enjoy their journey. Los Lonely Boys is another group I liked from the first time I heard them. Three piece brother-band playing “Texican” rock with harmonies that melt. I have my doubts about them going super big but that’s ok, they have a nice niche fan base. And finally, Charley Crockett, a rebellious western star who just may be on the verge with his latest Album, “Dollar A Day”. I just missed the beginning of his career but have caught up.
Other honorable mentions in my EA stable are: Y & T, The Greg Kihn Band, and Alabama Shakes. I would pick Journey but, to my surprise, the band had 3 relatively unknown albums before Steve Perry started singing. I thought I had discovered something big that afternoon in 1978, watching Soundstage. It was the start of something big, just not the beginning.
The Lucky Ones
I wonder about those lucky few who witnessed history. That handful of people who saw the Beatles at the Cavern Club. The sweaty headbangers who were in the San Francisco clubs when Metallica was building an empire. Did they know what they were seeing? Those Early Adopters hit the LOTTO! I saw Peter Frampton once at the Fillmore. Of course he had an opener. I remember not being annoyed by the opener, which is a win, but that’s all. Now, looking at the poster from that night, I see that the opener was Joe Bonamassa! The point is that you never know when or where you will find your next pick.
When your band hits it big, take pride in that! You see, it is us Early Adopters that inspired these performers to continue. We believed in them! We gave them the confidence that they were doing it right. We spread the word. Early Adopters LOVE to spread the word. We were “Street Teams” before they were invented. Without us, no Rockstars!
