It must have been on a weekend, probably Saturday, because I didn't have school that day. It was late morning and after a hearty breakfast I went out for a ride on my bike. I noticed how the pool seemed inviting, the red bugambilias in full blossom adorned the landscaped gardens of this one story house, located in the neighborhood of Rancho Cortez, which is in the north part of town. Spring was here and the mountain air brought a cool breeze, how I love Cuernavaca, particularly this side of the City. I was on my way to my schoolmate Neils Hinke's place, when I heard my neighbor calling my name. Him and his wife were a cool couple, they must have been on their late twenties back then, I remember I was just eleven. I don't remember his name but I do remember he was into cycles, I think he had a Kawasaki. He was also a Queen fan, I him and his wife found it strange that a kid my age liked the same music they did, like Baez, Joplin etc.
He had bought a new LP and wanted me to check it out, so I came inside.
His wife brought some cookies and coffee or something as he opened a drawer and proudly placed this new record on my hands, it was "Permanent Waves" by "Rush".
Who? I had never heard about them. He played it on a not so fancy record player, yet, their sound was so unique, while it was Progressive it was like nothing I had ever heard before. At that moment I became an instant fan, and remain until this day.
Betsy and I saw them for the very first time in 2004, on their R30 Tour at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn. I had waited 23 years and it was well woth it.
As the lucky SOB I've always been, I now get to see them in May at The Gorge, on their Snakes and Arrows Tour, with Genie and her daughter Emily, and I can't wait.
I will be eleven again and remember how I went out and bought that record that very same day, years ago.
The cover art for Permanent Waves is also one of my all time favs. Gotta love a cotton-clad mons pubis Donna Reed amidst a chaotic flood, I mean, that panty peek-a-boo is heavenly yet Kafkian in an absurd and delicious way, just like Rush.
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