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 Contact Lee
Where to begin? Let’s
start in Chicago, where I entered reality 40 years ago. Gene Simmons had yet to
strap on his first codpiece, but even then, I sensed a primordial urge to rock.
That compulsion enjoyed its first fix when KISS’ Rock And Roll Over hit my
turntable. Things would never be the same.
As time passed, other bands invaded my record collection: Van Halen, Styx, Led
Zeppelin, The B-52s … yep, you read correctly. Though hard rock and metal guided
my tastes, a few odd choices began infiltrating my vinyl kingdom. Not even KISS’
theatrics proved as disturbing as watching Georgia’s new-wave oddballs crank
“Rock Lobster” and “Dance This Mess Around” on “Saturday Night Live.” This was
weird stuff, and soon Devo, Gary Numan and others wormed their way into my
otherwise leather-studded world.
As middle school turned to high school, writing and guitar gave purpose to my
musical passion. But jamming “Walk All Over You” and “Rainbow in the Dark” made
me realize six-string shredding wasn’t in the cards, so I fled garage bands and
focused on rock journalism.
I was probably the only high school scribe to write side-by-side reviews of The
Cars and Scorpions in his student newspaper (when not ditching reporting class
snookered on cinnamon schnapps, that is.) Eventually, college inherited
this rock ‘n’ roll miscreant, and I majored in journalism and served as
entertainment editor of the student newspaper. How many college writers give
glowing reviews of Tony MacAlpine and Slayer while interviewing Chris Poland
about his new band called Megadeth?! I fulfilled my promise to make The
University Star truly rock. School soon ended, and I embarked on a
newspaper career that’s 15 years and counting. More than 25 years after
writing my first record review, I’m still at it, this time with Classic Rock
Revisited. And I couldn’t be happier.
The Nuts and Bolts
Name: A. Lee Graham
Birth date: 77 BC
Birthplace: Chicago, Ill.
Currently: North Texas
Married: Single
Children: None
Personal Motto: Life is what you make it.
How did you come to write for Classic Rock Revisited?
While writing for Electric Basement, Jeb Wright took notice of my scribbling and
asked if I could contribute (he obviously has no taste!) Seriously, I’ve enjoyed
and respected Classic Rock Revisited from its inception. Its in-depth interviews
and incisive reviews – on bands I actually enjoy! – make it a rare pleasure in a
world choked with cookie monster death metal and metalcore mall pap. When
Electric Basement folded, I offered my services on a steadier basis, and here I
am today.
First album you bought:
The first album to grace my Realistic turntable was Elton John’s first Greatest
Hits. But KISS’ Rock And Roll Over changed everything – and melted my stylus.
Approximate number of concerts you’ve attended:
Hundreds. I’d have better luck recalling numbers of staples or paper clips I’ve
used over the years.
First Concert:
OK, confession time. My first concert was … The Village People! A
friend reserved tickets for his birthday party, leaving his not-so-excited
seventh-grade pals – including me – with no choice. My first “real” concert was
The Cars’ Shake It Up tour. Not the greatest show, but definitely a step up from
the men in chaps. And sailor uniforms. And Indian headdresses.
Favorite Concert: Michael Schenker Group Built To Destroy tour. Never had
I tried so hard to see a show (see “craziest thing I ever did for rock ‘n’ roll”
below).
Worst Concert:
I honestly can’t remember one. Guess I’m lucky.
Favorite Rock n’ Roll movie:
“This Is Spinal Tap.”
Favorite Band:
Rush
Least Favorite Band:
Warrant
The most embarrassing CD in my collection is:
No CD is embarrassing if you truly enjoy it. And that leads to my
objection to the expression, “There are two types of music: good and bad.” I
prefer: “There are two types of music: that which you enjoy, and that which you
do not.”
Biggest Rock Nerd Memorabilia I own:
Pink guitar picks inscribed with “’Diamond’ Darrell Lance” and “Rex Rocker Roxx
Off!”
Favorite Rock T-shirt I ever owned or still own is:
Michael Schenker Group Built To Destroy white sleeveless T-shirt (which I left
at the venue! Aaarrggghhhh! Talk about lifelong regret.)
Craziest thing I ever did for Rock ‘n Roll:
The craziest shenanigans I pulled in the name of almighty rawk aren’t fit
for publication, but here’s one the stands out. The Michael Schenker Group was
set to play Dallas on its Built To Destroy tour, and there was no way this high
school hooligan was gonna miss the show! Sure, I was under-age and without
transportation, but that wouldn’t stop me. A friend’s Chevelle meant passage to
Nick’s Uptown, where we encountered a huge line snaked around the building.
There I was, clad in skin-tight jeans and Dokken T-shirt (MSG and UFO pins on my
denim vest, of course), but no ticket for a show I quickly learned was sold out!
But we joined the line anyway and begged anyone for extras. Finally, my friend
snagged a ticket for $15. But mine didn’t come as easily. An hour passed before
I finally noticed someone selling tickets. But he wanted $20! Fortunately, I had
$50 in my wallet, but someone else offered $25 when I reached for my cash. Well,
a bidding war ensued, which required borrowing $20 from my friend. So I ended up
paying $70 for a show that would rank among the greatest moments of my life.
Hoisting a frosty Heineken as Metal Mikey ripped in “Captain Nemo” in a room of
MSG fanatics? I had died and gone to heaven. The craziness continued a few
months later when MSG returned to open Ted Nugent’s Penetrator tour at Reunion
Arena. But for some reason, I forgot the MSG shirt I purchased and spent weeks
backtracking to find the lost garment. To this day, I’m convinced it shares
space in that mythic graveyard where all socks at the bottom of dryers go to
die.
Top 10 Desert Island Discs
Ten discs? How does one decide? Come to think of it, how would one choose 100?!
That’s like a father deciding which children to save from a house fire. OK, bad
comparison. Still, picking music you simply can’t live without requires much
thought — and resisting a maddening urge to list Rush’s entire catalog under a
single entry.
These selections aren’t necessarily the greatest albums, but ones that for
whatever reason fill a special place in my heart.
1. U2 The Unforgettable Fire
2. Rush Signals
3. Beethoven “Choral” Symphony (No. 9)
4. U2 The Joshua Tree
5. The Cult Love
6. Metallica Master of Puppets
7. Scorpions Lovedrive
8. Elton John Greatest Hits (Vol. I)
9. Dream Theater Images And Words
10. Rush Hemispheres
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