Rock 'n roll never forgets – and neither do midlifer rock fans.
Personally, I will never get the image of the last Bruce Springsteen concert I saw in Phoenix circa 2009 out of my mind.
What I didn't know at the time was after seeing Bruce about 25 times over my lifetime, this show would be the final time I'd see Bruce perform with his legendary "Big Man" Clarence Clemons who died of a stroke in June of 2011.
On that searing hot Phoenix night, I had tickets in the front row, side of the stage, on the Clarence side.
That meant this was also Bruce's side of choice. It was just two old friends on stage giving each other a high-five when they sang "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and sweaty bear hugs after "Born to Run." When he wasn't playing sax, The Big Man took some time to wave to fans and even flirt with the ladies.
Last summer Bruce promised his fans, "Clarence doesn't leave the E Street Band when he dies. He leaves when we die."
To that end, Springsteen and his E Streeters will release a long-awaited new studio album in 2012 and go on the first tour post Clemons – or without the man described as their spiritual heart. "Together, we told an older, rich story about the possibilities of friendship that transcended those I'd written in my songs and in my music. Clarence carried it in his heart," Bruce said at Clemons' funeral.
Now, Bruce and his band mates will carry on the tradition.
Mark your calendars because Springsteen isn't the only midlifer who will have us up out of our seats, dancing in the aisles in 2012.
Remember, you're never too old to rock and roll – or plan ahead.
Midlifers who will make the music is 2012:
*Madonna. Just when you thought the Material Girl might have gone Hollywood with her new movie "W.E.," which also opens in January, comes news that in February she will be the half-time act at the Superbowl. You gotta love the fact that even if you're not a football fan, this will be mandatory watching. She will also release a new CD in 2012 that reportedly includes some spiritual topics to a dance beat.
*Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The artist behind hits like "Freefallin'" and "Don't Come Around Here No More" will embark on an extensive tour of Europe and America in 2012 including a headlining set during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in late April. They will also be joined by the Eagles at the Fest.
*The Eagles. Band member Joe Walsh has said that the legendary band will come together again for their 40th anniversary with a tour that will offer new twists including material from the band's early days.
*Shania Twain. The country rocker is calling Vegas home in 2012 with a two-year residency at Caesars Coliseum. "I feel like I'm on top of the world," Twain said. "Honestly, I feel like I climbed a giant mountain. My whole career has been in competition. I'm not counting or anything. It takes too much energy. I'm just gonna get out there and do what I do."
*Boy George and Culture Club. Do you really want to see him cry? Probably not. But fans might tear up from the reunion of this '80s band in 2012. Boy George announced in 2011 that 2012 will be the year that his old band comes back together for a new studio album.
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