Oh ya... the 80's

Had my first computer back then (might have even been the late 70s)

Apple II

Played hours of role playing games on it with friends while we listened to Rush, Kansas, Boston, Iron Maiden, Yes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Genesis... and so many more...

Saw tons of concerts (being in the S.F. Bay Area)

A close friend was handicapped in a wheel-chair, and we always got to enter into concerts 10 minutes before everyone - so we were almost always right on the stage - incredible experiences.

Even saw U2 in 1982 or 1983 in San Francisco (don't remember exactly) before they released the War album (which made them famous) - they opened up for the J. Giles Band (who remembers them? - "Love Stinks") - can you believe it?

I too played in a garage band - and now miss my 3 basses as they gather dust somewhere in California...

I knew most of "Permanent Waves" and "Moving Pictures" bass lines from Rush (plus many others) - Geddy Lee is phenomenal how he can play such complex bass lines and sing at the same time... kind of like walking and chewing gum, but different...

I can play the guitar and sing, but not those bass lines... too fast and complex.

And Neil Peart is a drummer God desended on Earth... my drummer friends revered him (and John Bonham - from Zep)

My nickname in high school was "War" - mostly from the school soccer team - we were good. Several of us went on to semi-pro level play in the late 80's - very fond memories...