James M. Dunlap
(An Autobiography)

About Me

I was lucky when I was young, because I had a father who really loved music, and he instilled in me that same love.

I always had "different" tastes in music from my friends. The first record that I ever purchased with my own money was the 45 of "Space Oddity/The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie in 1974 when I was 9. Yes it was a re-issue, but hey, I didn't know any better! All through my formative years, while the other kids were buying Boston, Kansas, and Yes albums, I was listening to Lou Reed, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music and Peter Gabriel. Of course they made fun of me for listening to that "weird" music, but now, as time goes on, we see so-called "Progressive Rock" as the corporate-rock dinosaur that it was!

In 1977, when I was 12, the album that changed my life was released in the US--"Never Mind the Bollocks--Here's the Sex Pistols." From that point on, at least to me, music would never be the same. Believe it or not, my Dad sat down with me to listen to it! He said, "I don't like this 'punk' music, but I think that it's going to be the next big thing." How right he was...two years later, punk and new wave shoved disco aside like five people who just went off their diet going for the last Sara Lee cake in the store.

As time went on, New Wave became Modern Rock became Alternative Rock. I have always loved the sounds in rock and roll that were different from the mainstream. As I grew up, I bought records by the hundreds each year. Now I have over 6,500 LPs in my collection, and about 75% of them are Alternative Rock from 1977-1987.

I love to share this music with people, (which is what kept me coming back week after week to DJ at the Melody Bar, and now at the Court Tavern) and this web site seemed the next logical step. I hope you enjoy your stay here, and please feel free to me with any comments or questions you might have.

Here is the link to the Court Tavern's site, where I play 80's music every Thursday:

www.courttavern.net

Last Revised: 26 March 2002
Copyright © 1999 Save-The-Wave

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