It’s been a while since I’ve taken off work.
It’s been even longer than that since I’ve flown across the country.
And it’s been even longer than that since I put my Stevie Ray Vaughn Rule into full effect, which often conflicts, and supersedes, with my never take off work rule.
The SRV Rule simply states if you get the chance to see an artist perform live, DO IT, for you never know that you’ll get a chance to do so again. Fully aware of this credo, as well as my never-ending affinity for funk, old school soul and R&B, I was gifted one of the most thoughtful presents one human has ever given another: tickets to this humble little event called the Fool In Love Festival.
BCole done splurged on her man.
What is Fool In Love, you ask? I am so glad that you did.
Consider it a one-day concert event compiling some of the most iconic acts in music history, the largest ever put together of its kind.
Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Chic, Al Green, Santana, Charlie Wilson, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, The Isley Brothers, The O’Jays, The Jacksons, War, The Spinners, The Emotions, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Zapp, Kool and the Gang, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, The Chi-Lites, Morris Day and the Time, The Bar-Kays, Heatwave, Cameo, The Dazz Band, The Pointer Sisters, The Mary Jane Girls and… deep breath… that’s barely half of them.
This line-up was so loaded that, for the months leading up to it, every time I told someone about the concert, I’d accidentally forget some of the artists performing simply because there were so many. Those listening on as I babbled about the bill would look at me in disbelief, and then outright jealousy when I showed them who was going to be on stage.
So, fly across the country we did, to catch up with old friends, and gaze at the sights and sounds that only Los Angeles can offer, none more iconic than the slew of Grammy-winning artists that helped shape my childhood and the childhood of so many others.
But before the concert, there were other things to do and more sights to see.
Make no mistake about it, while known for Hollywood stardom, Los Angeles is a sports town of the highest order. Accordingly, a visit to the artist formerly known as Staples Center, now the Crypto.com Arena, was a must. The building is the former home of the Clippers and current home to their much more successful, popular and banner-raising stepbrother, the Los Angeles Lakers. Talk about a bitter break-up, not a single item of Clippers gear was found in the Crypto gift shop, not even on the everything-must-go, clearance rack.
Within the last month, the Lakers unveiled a new statue celebrating the life and memory of Los Angeles icon Kobe Bryant, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020. Kobe’s presence is still felt around the league and without question all throughout Los Angeles. I can’t count how many murals we found celebrating one of the most dynamic and beloved Lakers of all-time. On a random Thursday afternoon, along the side of the street, there were people selling jerseys and shirts bearing his likeness.
Also featured outside the arena are statues of L.A. Kings players (Boo!) and other legendary Lakers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and the late Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant (yes, another) and announcer Chick Hearn.
Our walk around the stadium, mid-day, off-season, sun shining brightly, made us wonder what the place must be like on game nights, the bustle of expectation, how much tickets must dent a pocketbook and how much of an impact the Lakers, like them or not, have historically made upon this community.
I can’t think of any other team in college or professional sports that have had as many athletes wear a jersey and be recognized as the best to ever do it… and Wilt and LeBron don’t even have statues. It’s enough to make a sports fan of any other team purple and gold with envy. After all, only last year did my Orlando Magic retire its first number… for a guy who won multiple championships in L.A. and has a statue outside of Crypto!
But enough with the basketball talk before I get myself upset. Let’s get to the real reason we flew to Los Angeles…
Not to sound dramatic, but walking up to the status or Kobe and Gigi, it nearly took my breath away. The energy surrounding even the statue was palpable. As a parent, I can’t even imagine the feeling of imminent death with my child going with me, but I pray to God that Kobe and Gigi look down and see how absolutely adored they are and the impact their lives and deaths have had on this city. Each mural was a blessing and a punch to the gut, even for an outsider looking in. They were beautiful and heartfelt and despite the unbelievable amount of graffiti everywhere in that city, not one of them was defaced by another artist. They were sacred and I am honored to have been to the city to experience them firsthand.
This post makes me want to dig out my old transistor radio and tune into the station that plays that great Motown sound. Heaven.