Say YES to Asbury Park
Even after recently visiting Cape May, the allure to other beaches was too tempting for my family to resist. When me and my brother were younger it was hard for my parents to take us to places deeper into New Jersey. However, because I am now 21 and my brother is now 17, the ability to take us to different areas around New Jersey has become easier for my parents to do. One of said places we were finally able to visit was the famous Asbury Park in New Jersey and better yet witness a live performance of the iconic Jon Anderson from YES.
Asbury Park, while known for its beachfront boardwalk lined with cafes, restaurants, and arcades, is also homed to extensive live venues. While arriving you can experience the Silverball Museum Arcade which houses machines from the 1930s to the present. Also, famous New Jerseyans have performed here like Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi making Asbury Park one of the most iconic places to visit for music. Upon arriving to Asbury Park, live performers were immediately noticed on the boardwalk preempting the night I would soon be experiencing.
As for dinner, my family and I ate at the Stella Marina Bar and Restaurant. The Stella Marina Bar and Restaurant is a boardwalk Italian food option with a featured wine list and patio seating. Upon observation I noticed an older crowd dining in there sixty's with YES t-shirts on. This came as no surprise but I soon realized the audience I would be seeing at the concert. The good news was that the restaurant was near the concert venue, so it was convenient after we were finished to walk over to see the concert.
Arriving at the Paramount Theater, where Jon Anderson would be performing, me and my brother were approached by a man in his late 60s. He asked my father if he was showing us Jon Anderson for the first time but little to his knowledge I have always been a fan. My father explained to him that it was actually my idea to see Jon Anderson and with a puzzled look from the man we proceeded inside the venue. It seemed clear that many people tend to stay with music from there own generation but for me my tastes have always been varied from everyone else.
Looking down from the top of the venue, the famous Wonder Bar could be seen. This famous bar houses frequent live music, is dog friendly, and houses TV sports. Seeing this took me back to the hay days of Asbury Park in its prime, combining that with the swarms of late 60 year old's in the audience.
As the concert began, Jon Anderson appeared singing YES's hit Owner of a Lonely Heart with the roar of his fans. He himself, not only singing, but dancing to his own tunes like Long Distance Runaround and his tracks from his new album 1000 Hands: Chapter One showed he still had it in him even after all these years. I also realized that even though the people in the audience would be considered old, listening to this music made them feel young as they themselves got up and danced like Jon Anderson.
As the concert was slowly ending, Jon Anderson closed with the iconic Roundabout initially released in 1971. This iconic song has become one of the best known YES song's even appearing during YES's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2017. After the concert I realized that music can not only be enjoyed for the sake of it but it takes you back to a time where you were potentially younger and those memories can never be forgotten.
Arriving at the Paramount Theater, where Jon Anderson would be performing, me and my brother were approached by a man in his late 60s. He asked my father if he was showing us Jon Anderson for the first time but little to his knowledge I have always been a fan. My father explained to him that it was actually my idea to see Jon Anderson and with a puzzled look from the man we proceeded inside the venue. It seemed clear that many people tend to stay with music from there own generation but for me my tastes have always been varied from everyone else.
Looking down from the top of the venue, the famous Wonder Bar could be seen. This famous bar houses frequent live music, is dog friendly, and houses TV sports. Seeing this took me back to the hay days of Asbury Park in its prime, combining that with the swarms of late 60 year old's in the audience.
As the concert began, Jon Anderson appeared singing YES's hit Owner of a Lonely Heart with the roar of his fans. He himself, not only singing, but dancing to his own tunes like Long Distance Runaround and his tracks from his new album 1000 Hands: Chapter One showed he still had it in him even after all these years. I also realized that even though the people in the audience would be considered old, listening to this music made them feel young as they themselves got up and danced like Jon Anderson.
As the concert was slowly ending, Jon Anderson closed with the iconic Roundabout initially released in 1971. This iconic song has become one of the best known YES song's even appearing during YES's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2017. After the concert I realized that music can not only be enjoyed for the sake of it but it takes you back to a time where you were potentially younger and those memories can never be forgotten.
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