Enjoy David Bowie – Changes
Now and then I see concert ads in the newpaper’s entertainment section for Old School bands, like Earth, Wind & Fire, Heart, Foreigner, Stylistics, etc. I’m not sure whether I actually want to see these bands today or if I should keep the rock and soul in the past when they sounded so hot. I haven’t followed any of the 70’s and 80’s groups, so I wouldn’t even know if most of them still have original members or are mostly reconstituted shadows of their former self.
Besides, the tickets nowadays are pretty damn expensive. Or maybe they just seem to cost more relatively, since as adults, we have so many other obligations now other than scoring concert tickets. God knows I need to pay for my glucosamine supply for a rickety shoulder – and Metamucil.
I wasn’t much of a concert-goer as a youngster anyway, but I was surprised at which shows I did get lucky enough to catch. My first concert was at the Long Beach Arena in 1982 when Iron Maiden opened for The Scorpions. I still can’t hear right. And I’ll die happy knowing I got to see Stevie Wonder in the late 80’s, as well as Heart. Oh, and Stevie did jump up onto his piano bench and start dancing, which scared the jeebus out of me. I even got to see Frank Sinatra in ‘92. I had tickets for Ella Fitzgerald in ‘93, but she canceled due to illness and never recovered. The last concert I attended was Bonnie Raitt in ‘94.
What was your first or favorite concert? Do you remember it much or did the ganja that you didn’t inhale still mess up your memory of it? Oh speaking of, here’s an image that should serve as a well-meaning but disturbingly nightmarish public service announcement:
I present — Eddie Van Halen, then and now. Special thanks to Joe at 70s-Child; he prompted me to do an image search on Eddie, which then brought a hideous moment into an otherwise beautiful spring day. (Children: Hide under the bed and close your eyes!)
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24 kids playing along so far ↓
1 Joe
// Apr 4, 2009 at 4:38 am
I saw Tina Turner in concert in ‘85. It was The Private Dancer tour. She was great.
2 ReformingGeek
// Apr 4, 2009 at 8:39 am
Yeah. That picture is scary.
I lived a sheltered life. No rock concerts for me but when I was active in a Baptist church in college, I went to a few Christian band concerts. Um….
Yawn.
Anyway. Hubby went to see Boston when he was in college!
ReformingGeek’s last blog post..Cooking Up the Thursday Trio
3 marissa
// Apr 4, 2009 at 9:17 am
Joe: Tina – the ultimate Comeback Queen in the mid-80s. She totally rocked the mini-skirt & denim jacket combo.
ReformingGeek: I saw a Christian rock band once in the 80s (I wish I could remember the name), but surprisingly, they REALLY rocked. Boston is one of the bands I really would’ve like to have seen back in the day.
THAT’S what I wanted to ask everyone: What band/singer would people have wanted to see? I pick Chicago. And even though I would’ve only been a toddler, I would’ve love to have seen The Doors!
4 marissa
// Apr 4, 2009 at 9:21 am
I can’t believe I forgot that my REAL last concert, if it counts, was Weird Al Yankovic in 2007. Isn’t that how Alzheimer’s works? You remember details of long ago, but not recent stuff???
5 CoolStuffForDads.com
// Apr 4, 2009 at 11:30 am
One of my first concerts was Tom Petty at an outside music center in Philadelphia, we had a lot of fun and he put on a great show. Suprisingly, his was my last concert also, inside in Philadelphia. That too was a lot of fun and the performace was good also. Our seats were a little better this time around.
CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Beer & Happy Hour T-Shirts for Guys
6 marissa
// Apr 4, 2009 at 2:17 pm
CoolStuff: Tom Petty put out some outstanding music over the years. Did you like being at an outdoor venue rather than indoors? That’s what I would prefer.
7 grannyann
// Apr 4, 2009 at 2:24 pm
My first was The Kingston Trio at a sold out performance in the field house at Oklahoma State University around about 1960 or so. They were wonderful.
grannyann’s last blog post..From My Soap Box……..
8 Betty
// Apr 4, 2009 at 2:54 pm
My last concert was a Kidd Rock Concert… I got backstage and I’ll never do that again. There were cougars every where and I do recall standing next to some of them. You never realize how well those tube tops can support until you walk back to the “refreshment” room and see them uncovered…
MY EYES!!! I left right away!
Betty’s last blog post..Bird poop can make you gag and maybe end your life
9 CoolStuffForDads.com
// Apr 4, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I did like being outdoors. I think what usually makes the difference is who you end up going with, definitely more fun with the right group of friends. Betty – interesting story!! At least you got backstage.
CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Beer & Happy Hour T-Shirts for Guys
10 marissa
// Apr 4, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Grannyann: I’ve heard so much about The Kingston Trio. I finally looked up some YouTube videos of them. What a good looking, harmonizing group. Did they make you swoon??
Betty: LOL! That’s crazy! See, now I’m beginning to think I was as sheltered as ReformingGeek.
So that’s what a backstage pass gets ya?
CoolStuff: Yes- the right friends. Same thing with going on a cruise or any vacation.
11 Chris
// Apr 5, 2009 at 7:24 am
Haha – I love that I read your title and immediately break into song … and don’t stop until I finish your article. Oh, Marissa, you always manage to get me to “engage” with your blog post. Even if my flatmates don’t appreciate the singing.
Last concert – Mr Mraz. I’m yours … do de do … do de do …
Chris’s last blog post..Poke me in the face: Sunday Song Time
12 Betty
// Apr 5, 2009 at 3:53 pm
being a geek just means you’ve shielded your eyes from the nasty! reforming is never a good idea.
Betty’s last blog post..Bird poop can make you gag and maybe end your life
13 marissa
// Apr 5, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Chris: “I’m Yours” – now THAT’S a fun song to sing along with.
Betty:
Whenever I shield my eyes, I make sure to leave a little gap to peek through. Wouldn’t want to miss anything!
14 dani
// Apr 5, 2009 at 5:59 pm
It’s been a long time for me…though I do miss going to a good concert or two..
dani’s last blog post..Tampons , tampons everywhere !!!
15 marissa
// Apr 5, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Dani: What the eff? I totally imagine you as a full-on Rockin’-type Babe. Guns ‘n Roses, No? Green Day? How about The Cramps? (Just noticed your new post title. Lol.)
16 Old School
// Apr 6, 2009 at 7:08 am
There are so many memorable concerts and many for different reasons.
My very first was Bon Jovi way back when Slippery When Wet had just come out. There was a group of us kids and a parent accompanied us.
Then I remember a few Run DMC concerts which I might have been one of the youngest and whitest attendees back in the mid-80s (pre Raising Hell album).
More recently some of my favorites have been James Taylor (several times), Styx (last tour when Dennis DeYoung was still with them), New Edition (reunion tour and I saw one of the first shows before Bobby Brown left again), Hootie & the Blowfish (at an outdoor venue when a thunderstorm came through during the show), John Mellencamp (seats were in the 2nd row center with a fun group of 8), Prince (small venue and he was joined by Morris Day & Jerome for a couple songs because they happened to be playing down the street the same night).
That’s all I will list for now. What great memories. I love music so much and have had the fortune of seeing some really amazing concerts.
Old School’s last blog post..Back to the 80s: Flashback Video – Eddie Murphy ‘Party All the Time’ – Kickin’ it Old School
17 marissa
// Apr 6, 2009 at 7:53 am
Old School: That’s what I’m talking about! YEAH Baby! You’ve seen some great artists. Hey that’s one cool parent to accompany kids to Bon Jovi.
LOL. Run DMC – “whitest attendee”. All the ones you listed, I would’ve liked to have seen myself. Man, you know how to LIVE.
18 Old School
// Apr 6, 2009 at 10:33 am
I don’t know about that “know how to live” comment because I feel I have become quite conservative in those regards over the years.
I have refocused most energy towards my daughter. I still play ball one night a week and go on a road trip with a couple guys each summer (which always ends up being outstanding).
The concerts I listed were just a few that came to mind right away. There have been many more. I always try to see one or two good shows a year if I can.
Saw Billy Joel and Elton John together twice. Saw Boyz II Men a couple times. Don Henley by himself once and The Eagles reunion tour as well. Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, the BoDeans. Too many to name, but if I try they will keep coming back to me.
I remember one more that was funny. It was called the Club MTV tour. I saw 2 different versions of it 2 summers in a row. It had like 6 or 7 acts who all only played 3-4 songs each. I remember it had Paula Abdul and Milli Vanilli among others one year. Milli Vanilli had some sound troubles and had to leave the stage for a little while (which made a lot more sense when they admitted to lip-synching to someone else’s songs). Another year had C&C Music Factory, Bell Biv Devoe & Tone Loc among others. Wow, I forgot all about those until just now.
I also worked as security at a venue for a while which allowed me to see many shows that I would probably never had paid to see. I won’t count those, though.
Have a GREAT week, Marissa!
Old School’s last blog post..Back to the 80s: Flashback Video – Eddie Murphy ‘Party All the Time’ – Kickin’ it Old School
19 marissa
// Apr 6, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Well at least you got to soak it all in for awhile with going to concerts. Kids grow up fast, so time dedicated to them is always well-spent.
Would’ve loved to have seen Billy and Elton and The Eagles back then. LOL Bell Biv Devoe. I’m still a Paula Abdul fan. Milli Vanilli – beyond tragic.
20 marissa
// Apr 19, 2009 at 9:56 am
AAaaaHHHHHHH!!! Just scored some decent seats to AEROSMITH! Jealous Much??!!
I’ll definitely be posting about it at the end of August. I’m taking my son for his 12th birthday. He jams on guitar; his fave band is Guns ‘n Roses. I so Happy!
Too Cool
21 Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com
// Apr 22, 2009 at 9:55 am
Marissa, that’s awesome, sounds like a very COOL time!!
Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Cool Recycle Bin Kit
22 marissa
// Apr 22, 2009 at 10:18 am
Yeah, I just wanted to treat myself to one rock concert of a band from my generation. I just used my son’s birthday as an excuse to get tickets. Sometimes timing is just beautiful and self-serving.
23 marissa
// Apr 22, 2009 at 10:21 am
But being older now, I’m probably going to hate the crowds, parking, traffic, that suspicious smell in the air, gratuitous profanity. And the audience will all probably be in their 40’s and looking worse for the wear. But NOT ME!
24 Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com
// Apr 22, 2009 at 10:34 am
You guys will have a great time … keep an eye out for the Eddie Van Halen look alikes!
Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Cool Recycle Bin Kit
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