Ben Kweller’s first show

My parents took me to my very first concert. It was Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band, and they were on the Born in the USA tour. The show was at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, and it was in 1985. To be honest, I don't really remember much of the concert; I was 5 years old. But I do remember sitting in the upper deck and looking out on the stage. My father grew up with [E Street Band member] Nils Lofgren; he played drums with Nils and stuff. Through the years they kept in touch, and for the concert had backstage passes. I remember watching a little from the side of the stage, and I also remember falling asleep on one of the speaker cabinets [laughs]. That was sort of typical of me as a kid; I could just fall asleep anywhere.

Another early concert I really remember is the Beach Boys at what now is called the Smirnoff Ampitheater, which is also in Dallas. The concert was during the height of "Kokomo" [1988 "hit" that appeared on the Cocktail soundtrack]. I went with my best friend Marie; at the time she and I were practically brother and sister. Of course we listened to the Beach Boys in the car on the way to the show. I just remember dancing around with her, and walking around. We had lawn tickets. I remember hearing "Kokomo" and I was just so psyched. That was way before I knew anything about the members of the band. I mean, I didn't realize it was just [founding members] Mike Love and Alan Jardine at the time. I was only 10 years old, and to me it was the best thing ever because I got to hear "Kokomo" and "Help Me Rhonda".

From what I remember, the crowd was actually a lot of kids our age and then their parents. It was pretty much a lot of people in their 30s and 40s. It was a daytime show, and the Beach Boys probably went on at around 7 p.m., and they played for a few hours. I don't think there was even an opening act.

I don't really remember much about after the show, but I'm sure I was really excited, and I know I must've fallen asleep in the car. We lived around an hour away from the venue, and whenever you went to Dallas you'd fall asleep in the car and on the ride home.