Play it Steve

 I found Steve Simels. And that’s a big deal to me.

I don't think he looks like this anymore

Not that he was lost or anything.

Who, you may ask, is Steve Simels?

Maybe not a household word to you, but he played a major role in not only my love and appreciation for rock and roll, but in inspiring me to write about it, even as sporadically as I have done for many years. Simels used to write for “Stereo Review” (among other pubs) back in the day, and I found his opinions to be in concert with mine maybe more than any other critic. In fact, it was his line regarding side two of “The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle” that stated “it’s been giving me goosebumps for weeks.” That was the clincher that convinced me to head out to buy the album. (Yes, I bought Springsteen’s second album before the first – news traveled more slowly to the Badlands of PA).

He was right, and then some. Side two has been giving me goosebumps for nearly 40 years.

But I have not kept up with him; in fact, to my embarrassment I hadn’t even tried, and he fell completely off my radar. Especially since it has seemed to me for years that that serious rock criticism is going the way of the dodo bird (just like rock music itself), and the fact that other responsibilities have meant I don’t religiously pore over every review the way I used to.

While searching for his long lost “Wild and Innocent” review, I found his blog. Which has been in existence for NINE YEARS.

Where in God’s name have I been?

In reading over 15-20 posts, he seems to be the same Steve Simels I remember (I’m sure he would glad to hear that), and I am thankful for that. He has already caused me to give The Shoes yet another listen. Again, he’s probably right.

But I now have literally hundreds of posts to catch up on – not everything on the site has been posted by Simels himself, but overall, it seems to have a cohesive feel to it.

Now, excuse me, but I have some PowerPop to read (and listen to)…..