“I hope the four guys who make up the band, whose names don’t matter, are putting money away for the future, the near future. Because KISS won’t last long.” — Seattle Times, May 27, 1974 (as seen on the back of a KISS concert T-shirt)

Some are harder to admit than others, but here goes.

My first concert was The Oakridge Boys when I was 10. I followed that up when I was 14 with Tesla and have since seen everything from Depeche Mode to Pearl Jam to Cyndi Lauper to Yanni.

I saw U2 in a rare performance at the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium, watched Garth Brooks appear on stage through an elevator-equipped piano, went to KISS in 2000 for its first farewell tour, took a road trip and saw Metallica, and went to the state fair and heard The Steve Miller Band.

In between those, my concert trips included They Might Be Giants and Def Leppard, just to name a few.

While summer’s a great time for fishing, boating and bike rides, it’s also one of the biggest concert seasons of the year, with scores of artists and bands touring.

Here’s a rundown for the Twin Cities.

Classic rock enthusiasts can take in the sounds of Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire Wednesday, July 1 at the Target Center and Loggins and Messina at the State Theatre Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Fans of Green Day can see the alternative band Saturday, July 11 at the Target Center, while punk band Sonic Youth plays First Ave. Tuesday, July 21.

The list is nearly endless.

Other acts include rock band The Church Sunday, June 21 at the Varsity Theater; Beyonce Thursday, July 16 at the Target Center; The Fray, Tuesday, July 21 at the Target Center; American Idols Live, Tuesday, Sept. 1 at the Target Center; and The Cult the same day at First Ave.

Comedy lovers can get their fix as well. Dane Cook takes the mic Saturday, June 12 at the Target Center; Bill Cosby looks for laughs Saturday, June 27 at Orchestra Hall, while the Smothers Brothers appear at Orchestra Hall a month later for a Sunday, July 26 show.

Metallica fans can stretch the season a little longer and see the heavy rockers play the Target Center Oct. 13.

And there you have it.

Minnesota is well-equipped with places to go and things to see this summer.

The big-time venues and the concert halls complement the picturesque lakes and the fishing spots.

And who knows, perhaps your favorite band is touring this year.

If not, you can always see KISS, back for 2009 and another tour.