It's Only Rock and Roll...

I've just finished watching one of the "bonus" DVDs which are part of the 30th Anniversary edition of Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run album. The original album was released in 1975 and I got the boxed edition when it came out. I've been a Springsteen fan since the first time I heard Born to Run (and which I think is the greatest rock album ever) and while I normally am somewhat cynical about record companies and their constant attempts to pry our money away from us for stuff we already have, this boxed set is something I value.

The DVD I watched is of Bruce's first concert in Europe - at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, a great old venue ( a former movie theatre) with atmosphere you could cut with a knife. It's obvious from the movie that he and the E Street Band were at the top of their game and were having an absolute blast playing to an audience who were completely new to the band's amazing live shows - which regularly ran for over 3 hours.

Watching the movie on my iMac in full screen, the concert footage goes from sharp, well-lit close-ups to grainy, shadowy images and back again as the lighting changes for each song segment. The music rocks (and how!), the band come across as incredibly well-rehearsed and professional and, of course, their leader exhibits his superb showmanship.

As I considered when this was recorded, it struck me that in 1975, Bruce Springsteen was 25 years old. And that reminded me - just because someone is young is no reflection on their capabilities. We, as an older generation, need to bear that in mind as we come across young entrepreneurs - we need to up our game, or they will quite likely leave us in their dust!

Des Dougan is Principal of Dougan Consulting Group, which provides technology support services to small businesses in the Metro Vancouver area.  Des has over 30 years experience in the computer business and can be contacted here and via @ddougan on Twitter.