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Wednesday 19 May 2021

51

I'm fifty one years old today. Last year's birthday, the big five- oh, took place in lockdown and despite everything it was a good day- lockdown brought some freedoms with it in a way, do what you can under the circumstances. This year's birthday means we can actually go to a pub although our booking for tonight is for sitting outside, it still feels a bit soon to be going indoors. 

Songs about being fifty- one are understandably thin on the ground. There aren't too many songs celebrating moving another year into your fifties. On Heartland in 1986 The The sang about the UK being the 51st state of the USA but that's not especially cheery for a birthday song. Instead here's Jimi Hendrix and his Experience in 1967 with a song about 51st anniversaries, the B-side to Purple Haze. Hendrix's guitar sings and swings, fuzzy and warm, switching between rhythm and lead or playing both at the same time, Noel and Mitch thudding away behind him. Jimi sings about the flipsides of marriage, a tale about not wanting to settle down, not wanting to be tied down- very much a young man's point of view. Jimi never lived to see his 51st birthday- he died four months after I was born, 18th September 1970. 

51st Anniversary

21 comments:

Rickyotter said...

Many happy returns Adam

drew said...

All the best Adam, have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday: https://soundcloud.com/richardnorris/sets/hypnotic-response-inner-mind/s-vcREOEjD7H0

Charity Chic said...

Happy birthay youth

Ernie Goggins said...

Kids of today, moaning about their age. Many happy returns.

TheRobster said...

Penblwydd hapus dyn ifanc.

C said...

A very happy birthday to you and enjoy your celebrations this evening.

Walter said...

Happy Birthday Adam and have a great one

John Medd said...

MHROTD! J

Martin said...

All the best, Adam, have a good day.

londonlee said...

Happy birthday me old cock

Stinky Jim said...

Anniversarial best, keep on keepin on

The Swede said...

Many happy returns of the day Adam!

Webbie - FootieAndMusic said...

From one old fart to another. Welcome to the club.

Alyson said...

Happy birthday Adam. Enjoy the outdoor meal - Simple pleasures.

Khayem said...

Happy birthday, Adam. Hope you had a great day all round.

Swiss Adam said...

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes in various languages and abbreviations, links to clips and all the rest. I love you all.

Brian said...

Welcome to 51, my friend. Roughly six months in I can assure you everything will be just fine. Hope you had a nice time out.

Anonymous said...

You have about 6 months on me. I disagree with pretty much all of your politics but I cannot fault your taste in music. Many happy returns and keep it up as long as you can!

Adam Turner said...

Thank you. On Twitter this would lead to a furious and escalting exchange political exchange but this is music blogging so we'll accept we have different views but love the music.

Tom W said...

Happy birthday, too late but still