Music of Summer Drifts From Parks to Sea

Summer is a highly evocative word that rarely fails to conjure vivid, emotionally charged memories. Sadly, if we continue to be lashed by El Nino’s tail, we might remember summer ’98 for the skiing in August or the ice fishing at the beach.

Normal seasonal associations, though, tend to feature languid, seemingly endless days; cool breezes on hot skin; tall glasses filled with icy, sweet drinks; Fourth of July picnics; and summer music.

For someone of my generation who grew up in Southern California, summer provokes thoughts of the Beach Boys (and beach boys), Jan and Dean, surf music and concerts in the parks, by the sea and under the stars.

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy . . . but maybe not for musicians,” said Bill Locey, who wrote this week’s Centerpiece story on the forthcoming musical season (Page 40). “In the summer, musicians tour more, there are more festivals and more album releases. Of course, musicians make more dough than we do, so it is about time they worked.”

They will be working pretty hard this summer, it seems.

“There are an inordinate number of local festivals and concerts this year, about one every week,” said Locey. “It’s a good way to make a lot of money, so promoters are jumping on the bandwagon. And good weather, long days and music just seem to go together.”

Let’s break out the parkas.

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