Old rockers never die, they go to Mexico (Friday Nite Video)

If you ever wondered “whatever happened to…” , and assuming they didn’t OD or pull a Buddy Holly, they’re probably still on the Mexican circuit.  At least the music is.  True story:  I used to teach two nights a week out in Tlahuac, south-east of the city.  I was riding a ruta that featured a disco ball hanging behind the driver, who kept us entertained with his CD collection.  The route went past the Secretaría de la Marina, so after loading up with indians and construction workers, we had a complement of sailors.  Just when we stopped for the bomberos — who got on collecting contibutions for a new firestation — up came Y.M.C.A…. I had to check my calendar.  Yes, it was the 21st century.  Ok, so life moves slower in a Mexican village, people.

I’ve been to two Jethro Tull concerts in my life… one in Syracuse New York in 1974, and another at Auditoria Nacional in 2005.  Aerosmith, which is relatively youthful by comparison, was in Monterrey earlier this week and is playing at Foro Sol in DF this weekend.  

And el TRI?  Geeze, they’ve been together since 1968.  Alex Lora isn’t quite as old as Keith Richards, but Alex hasn’t slowed down quite as much.  Rock n’ roll is supposedly about rebellion, but I guess in Mexico, rebellion is part of the tradition.  They sing Che Gueverra, but aso about “normal” people… truck drivers, futbol fans, prostitutes…and, as far as I know, they’re the only rock band ever to sing about the Virgin of Guadelupe… for the late John-Paul II (another old guy who kept on performing forever), who reportedly enjoyed el Tri a lot more than he did Bob Dylan. 

Their secret?  Alex Lora told Batanga.com a year ago:

Rock and roll is the fountain of eternal youth, that’s why I recommend everyone to never stop taking their rock and roll pills three times a day because it truly is the fountain of eternal youth and besides, it’s a meal that will never give you indigestion!

The real rocker is an adolescent all his or her life. If you look at the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Who, Jerry Lee, they keep on acting dressing, singing and rocking exactly as adolescents, because they suffer from many things.

Keep on sufferin’, cabrones…