My Rock Story: When Dad Knew Me Better Than I Did

🖤 “Total madness: Flared pants, chunky boots, white socks, and a screaming organ. Dad knew I’d be hooked.”

“Dad… I didn’t really like your rock music,” I replied after one of those concerts—I don’t even remember which band we had just watched.

“Well, Katya,” he said, “rock comes in all kinds. You told me you liked the more lyrical songs, right?” And with that, he wandered off.

I remember he always hoped at least one of his daughters would share his love of music, especially rock. Ideally, we’d be playing Beatles songs on the piano — but that dream never quite materialized, even though we both graduated from music school as piano majors.

He returned holding a CD.

“Lyrical songs in rock are called ballads. Look at this cover! See the woman-scorpion? You’re a Scorpio, aren’t you?” he added, piquing my curiosity. “This is a band called Scorpions. They have a lot of ballads. Want to listen?”

Of course I did. In fact, that ballad album became one of my favorites for a long time.

Then came Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Guns & Roses… At some point, my dad sensed a rebellious spark in me and handed me an AC/DC concert. We watched it together — at one point, Arnold Schwarzenegger himself appeared on stage alongside the band. The rockers were in tiny shorts, white socks, and little caps. Grown-up schoolyard troublemakers.

We were both thrilled — I, with their audacity and rock-n-roll rebellion in “school uniforms,” and my dad, with my reaction to it.

To keep my interest going without overloading me, he introduced me to Slade next — “Rock & Roll Preacher” and “Cause I Love You.”

The key was always live concerts. I loved watching the people, the style, the makeup, the outrageous stage outfits: chunky platform boots, flared pants, cropped checkered trousers, and sideburns galore!

“You know, the keyboardist in Deep Purple has a classical background? He plays an electric organ,” Dad would comment during yet another live show. “And you play piano.”

“Wow, Dad! Did you see them play the speaker with a guitar?!” I’d blurt out in awe.

I remember one evening after work, Dad was unwinding with some Pink Floyd.

“Can I listen with you, Dad?”

“Hmm, Katya… You’re still too young. You won’t really get it.”

And he was right, of course. It was painfully slow. But I wanted to spend time with him, and I stayed. Besides, I was convinced I was incredibly mature and would understand it.

I didn’t even realize how it grew on me. Soon, I started asking him what else he had for me. Then came Queen, Rainbow, Jethro Tull, Genesis… Some bands didn’t click right away, others grew on me later, but the truth is — I’m a true music lover. And yes, I love rock. I keep exploring its vastness to this day.

And for years now, I’ve dreamed of owning a record player — and treasuring my vinyls just like my dad always did.