Lowest of the Low and Ron Hawkins

Ah. My favourite band. And by far my favourite singer/songwriter in the entire world.

For several years in a row after the reuniting of the band, The Lowest of the Low played a concert in Buffalo on my birthday, December 29th. All my closest homies (including Lil Brother and Dayna and Aunt Carroll) would come along and we would dance and sing and drink our little hearts out. I was a very, very, very lucky girl.

The Low played their last show a few weeks ago here in Buffalo. I had a family commitment earlier that day and then one of my best friends little girl’s 1st birthday party that night. After coming back from Dunkirk/Fredonia I walked into the door of Rachy’s and she greeted me with “You didn’t go to the show? I would have skipped your baby’s birthday to see the show!”

Somehow, being at the last show without Rachel, who flew in from D.C. to see the Low with me the first time just wouldn’t be the same. So many, SO MANY memories together with friends and the Low. To say the music of Ron and his many permeations was the soundtrack of my 20’s would be an understatement. Every unrequited love, breakup, hookup, long distance longing, crisis of conscience, place in my world, coming of age and falling in love moment has been captured in a lyric and a song.

I explored and fell in love with the wonderful city of Toronto, discovered countless other artists and even had coffee and chatted with the band at SPOT coffee. I seriously couldn’t begin to count how many shows I’ve seen with with Ron. 100, maybe more? I have no idea where to begin.

Erin ended up taking a liking to Lawrence while Rachel fell for Mr. Stephen Stanley. I never strayed from Ron, unless he was playing with the Acoustic Review and Alex was playing the cello. (My longest standing girl crush.) I love Ron shaggy, I love him blue-collar preppy, I love him with glasses and without. (Could. Not. Breathe when Ron came out and played Black Monday with his glasses on.) I was confused during his shaved head phase, which is odd since I love bald men so very much but no matter what the look, Ron is the God of My Idolatry. Ah, “there’s a place in my soul that no one else can adore you.”

I might be reliving some of these moments of my youth today while browsing through YouTube.

Erin went to the last Low show with Rand and got all misty eyed here recording the last minute of Rosy and Grey. And oh the story I could tell you of the first time our dear Erin heard this song at a concert. Seems like half a lifetime ago…

My friend Karen was also supposed to go to the last show, but at the last minute decided not to because “this way, my youth isn’t ending and then band never really went away.” True. So true.