My first rock concert. Wow. That was, quite honestly, one of the best nights of my life.
The show was Frankie Goes to Hollywood, I think it must have been 1984. It was my best high school friend and I, standing on the seats in the beautiful Saenger theatre in New Orleans. 4th row. The opening band was Belouise Some, who I really loved as well (we got to see the lead singer of Belouise Some in the lobby closeup before the show - and THAT was a big deal!).
From the 4th row, we were able to get a clear view of everything, including Frankie's bassist Mark O'Toole, who I thought was so cute. It was an awesome, heavily eyelinered crowd. The crowd even smelled good, something I have never thought of any concert crowd again.
I finally understood what it was like to go to a concert instead of always screaming at the TV when my favorites were performing (yes, I actually did that when Duran Duran were on television). Now, they could actually hear my screams! Wow, I felt on top of the world that night.
I would love to hear about the first concerts of some of you guys out there. Please post them in the comments, especially if they feature a group that personifies the 1980's.
During Hurricane Katrina, the Saenger Theatre went underwater. I believe it still remains unrepaired and unopened on Canal Street. Every time I pass it, or hear of it, I always think of how sad it is that the stage I first saw Frankie on is gone, and those red seats that gave us such a great view would not be abused by rowdy concert-going teenagers again. Its a sad feeling, and I hope someone renovates that place, since so many of my most memorable concert experiences happened there. Not to mention, its a beautiful building from an architectural and historical standpoint. But enough seriousness!
I still have the T-shirt I bought on that momentous night. It is still cool even by today's standards, and features the iconic block lettered slogan 'FRANKIE BANG!' on the back. Recently I had my husband wear this teeny tiny shirt to an 80's party some of my friends had. His beer gut hung out from underneath the hem. I am sure that is not the image that the FRANKIE guys had in mind when they first sold that shirt! I loved the irony of my man's big beer gut hanging out of this teeny shirt designed for, and by, a highly sexualized and mostly gay subculture of society. 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' indeed!
13 comments:
Glad to have discovered your blog. I like to relive the 80s from time to time....
Actually my first concert was Tina Turner, as a college Sophmore. I had the BEST up close expensive seats. She was my idol! Flock of Seagulls opened for her. That was pretty cool. And when she came on stage I FREAKED and RAN RIGHT UP to the front. I could have grabbed her feet as she danced by if I would have wanted to! I stayed there for the entire first part of the concert(with a a crowd of others of others who did the same thing.) I completely forgot about my friend and we only found each other again at the first intermission.
glad you are here, fabianna! I look forward to hearing from you again!
I remember doing that at a Paul Young/Nick Kershaw concert. I ran up the aisle and was right next to a speaker that made me half deaf for a week!
For some reason Flock of Seagulls and Tina Turner don't go together in my mind...
My first concert was Heart and John Cougar (no Mellencamp) when Hurts So Good was really big. John Cougar was great but I remember not liking Heart even though I liked them on the radio and videos. I think one of the best concerts I ever say in the 80s was Cheap Trick and Rick Springfield (not together).
ooops, that's saw not say
fabianna, I am so envious! Tina Turner was my IDOL and she never came near where we lived. I would have loved to have seen her live.
80sQueen, my husband is originally from southern Indiana and one of his neighbors was friends with John Cougar. He says when he was a kid and teenager John would go visit those people and everyone would see his fancy car there, and it was like no big deal.
I really love Jack and Diane, always have. And Pink Houses is a great song, too.
My first concert was the Moody Blues. I wasn't really there to see them...I wanted to see The Fixx, the opening act. After they played, my sister and I wandered around the outdoor arena and waited for our rides to come get us.
One concert that I really remember was David Bowie. We had general admission seats, and ran as close to the stage as possible! We were about 5 rows back. There weren't chairs, so it was a free-for-all.
karen, I loved the Fixx! I saw them getting out of their limo before a show at the World's Fair in New Orleans in 1984. We screamed at them and they waved! Hey, that was fun! Wow, these posts are bringing back all kinds of memories I have not thought of in eons.
I saw Bowie too in the late 80's, but was a bit disappointed. It was a big theatrical thing in an arena and felt too cold. I dunno, I just have always liked a show better in a more intimate setting.
Thanks for posting, Karen!
Here are some of the bands I saw....Talk Talk, Psychedelic Furs, INXS, Tears for Fears, Flock of Seagulls, Missing Persons, Modern English, The B'52s. But, alas, I was never so lucky to see Belouise Some or Frankie Goes to Hollywood!
Paul Young....Nick Kershaw? You lucky dog.....loved Nick Kershaw's song Wouldn't it be Nice from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack!
yes, kelly, I loved that one tons, loved Nik
Post a Comment