The Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel Concert at the SoFi Center – March 2023

When I received the announcement for the “Billy Joel/ Stevie Nicks” Concert in my email, I knew I had to go. I have never seen Billy Joel live and though I have seen Stevie a few times, I knew I couldn’t miss it.

I knew that if I did, and then something happened to either of them after, I would really regret it. The way I had regretted not having seen Tom Petty when he played at the Rose Bowl at that weekend concert a couple of years and then died about a week later. That’s where I am.

Grateful for my experiences thus far and reluctant to bypass new ones, because I’m tired or can’t do it later, because that has become less true and less reliable.

In what might be the “late afternoon” of my life, I realize or believe that I cannot afford the luxury of putting things off until later because sometimes, there not be a later at this point. And, I am so glad that I have adopted this method of decision making, because the concert was spectacular. Stevie was on first and was reminiscing, singing and “twirling”, like she does, and always has and despite her age, continues to do. She and Billy Joel did not disappoint.

To see both of them separately and together, sharing the stage in two different duets, was heartwarming and joyful. The music of both artists were like a warm hug and a big smile, combined with a comfort that comes from being familiar with what you are hearing and being reminded of other happy times. A part of the soundtrack of my life. Just spectacular!

This feeling of not wanting to “miss” an opportunity is especially urgent for me after having longer with them or us brought tears and gratitude for having known them and the gift that lives on now that they are gone.

This feeling of not wanting to “miss” an opportunity is especially urgent for me after having seen Jeff Beck with Johnny Depp in the Fall and finding out about a month later that Jeff Beck had died. Man, I was so grateful I had just seen him. He was “on fire” that night. Articulate with the music and in good spirits. Miles apart from the feeling I had after not having gone to see Tom Petty and then learning of his death a short time later. “Damn, I should have gone” is

all I could think of.

So from now on, I am going to take a “carpe diem” attitude about opportunities that present themselves, because you just never know when that opportunity will lose its ability to present itself again.

I do still need a solution for finding my car successfully after the concert, but that is a matter for another day!