JOAN JETT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

This is definitely the best show I've ever seen for $1. Joan was rocking!

She basically played the same set I saw her do about three years ago in Austin -- all the favorites -- "Bad Reputation," "Crimson & Clover," "Do You Want to Touch Me," The Replacements' "Androngynous," Sly's "Everyday People," "I Hate Myself for Loving You," etc. And, just like the last time I saw her, she sang The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme. (Hey, it was written by Sonny Curtis, who also wrote "I Fought the Law.") She should do more TV themes. I suggest The Patty Duke Show ("Our Patty loves to rock 'n' roll/A hotdog makes her lose control ...")

We left the park as the fireworks were going. As we drove away Lee Greenwood's putrid "God Bless the USA was blaring. I hope Joan was out of there before she had to hear it. Maybe I'm a traitor, but somehow "I Love Rock 'n' Roll seems far more patriotic to me.




Before Joan hit the stage, Mayor Marty Chavez came out and played guitar with the band Redline 7,000. He did three songs -- "Wild Thing," The Kinks' "You really Got Me" and a medley of "Louie Louie," "Hang on Sloopy," and "The Game of Love." He didn't sing, just played guitar. (All these tunes have near identical chord patterns.)

I don't think Ms. Jett will be calling soon to ask Marty to join The Blackhearts. But it was pretty cool that the mayor was rocking.

See more of my photos of the Joan Jett show, plus Pancakes on the Plaza and other stray shots I took on the Fourth on my FLICKR site.