Original image by There Stands the Glass.
The death of U-Roy compelled me to excavate a favorite family photo. The image above shows an exceedingly relaxed member of my brood at a 1996 reggae festival at Penn Valley Park in Kansas City. If memory serves, U-Roy and Burning Spear were the headliners.
My history of dragging kids to concerts began in utero. Upon spotting my pregnant wife dancing to Buckwheat Zydeco in 1994, the late George Myers, co-owner of the Grand Emporium, hustled us out of his fabled nightclub. Myers was aghast at what he considered our grossly irresponsible behavior. Several months later, a pediatrician scolded us when informed we intended to take the baby to Royals Stadium. He shrieked “will she know she’s at a baseball game?” We dismissed his warning.
Our kids attended countless concerts without incident. The good times ended in 2004 with simultaneous meltdowns midway through a Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson concert at a minor league baseball stadium. I’m no longer tethered to tots, but I’m gladdened every time I spot children at events intended for adults.