It was 1981 and I was 14 years old when the crowd began to roar as the lights began to dim. It was The Police on stage and it was my first concert. I have a patchy recollection of the set list and the impact it had on me --- the volume, the beat, the crowd --- just the intensity of it all. But it was my first time... and it changed my life.

Years later I brought my 11-year-old brother Tommy to see The Ramones at The University of Rochester Palestra. Via my indoctrination and influence he was already a fan but he had never been in front of something that big, nor had he been in the middle of something so wild and chaotic. The band came out and his eyes got big. He started howling with me. We were right in front. It was his first concert, and in a way it was mine, too... again.

Which leads me to last night. Angelina, my 13-year-old niece has been ga-ga over The Format. This was going to be her first concert and Uncle Frank was able to get her in early to meet the band, get an autograph, and some snapshots. The Water Street Music Hall show was outstanding and she and her girlfriend seemed to have a great time bounding around and singing along for the first time in a way I hope she'll want to do a lot. It was my third shot a first time and I couldn't be more proud. You always remember your first time. I've been lucky to have three of 'em.