By the time 1985 hit, the term "new wave"
was not as recognizable as it was some years prior, however, there were some
artists still hoping on board at the chance to gain some attention. MTV was
slowly shifting towards a new direction and labels began to care less and less
by promoting the bigger names and not spotlighting those who truly deserved it.
Some artists that fall into this second wave category as I
call it would be Belouis Some, King, Latin Quarter, The Adventures, Iam Siam,
Lady Pank among countless others.
All of the above were on major labels so I am not even
including the one off acts.
Belouis Some was best known for his single "Some People."
He recorded 2 albums in the 80's and a final album released in 1993 which I have
not yet listened to. As far as the first 2 releases are concerned they are
perfect and well constructed but easily overlooked. While he wasn't big here in
the states he did gain the respect of those overseas and believe it or not he
landed 3 top 20 hits in South Africa.
King aka Paul King another one who released only 2 albums
but both brilliant in their own way suffers from the same fate as Belouis did.
Many awarding singles but only one that received the hot spot, "Love &
Pride." Which can still be forgotten at times by the MTV generation. Paul King
did release a solo album in 1987 with the stand out track "I Know" and again
failed to do anything. I think there is something to be said about Epic records
and I will get into that at another time.
Latin Quarter were a band who released 7 albums altogether
but didn't have the spunk as Belouis and King did. The only noteworthy song was
from their 1986 album, 'Modern Times' with the single conveniently named the
same. Though, they did have a handful of singles "Modern Times" is the true
winner.
The Adventures, two words. The Adventures may be the
strongest out of all the artists I clumped into this category. Releasing 4
albums in all, I can say each album gives you a different taste of what the band
is capable of. My favorite release is 'Theodore & Friends' with the ever so
smashing "Send My Heart."
Iam Siam a band with a purpose but the public wasn't ready
for. One solo album that contained 2 amazing singles "Talk To Me" and "She Went
Pop."
Lady Pank were internationally known but here in the
states they may be best remembered for the 1985 release 'Drop Everything.' It
was released in English as most of their material was recorded in their home
land of Poland.
I will begin a more detailed journey on the above
mentioned and as time goes on I will expand to more of those artists who sadly
missed the boat. It's not to say it was only during these two years but when you
think of it music was changing, a harder sound was awaiting and there was a lot
of talent lost in the middle of the decade.
Showing posts with label 80's music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 80's music. Show all posts
Friday, February 3, 2012
My First Official Concert
It was July 16th, 2004 when I went to my very first official concert. I don't consider seeing Jay & The Americans some years prior an official concert at Hershey Park only because I was too preoccupied with contemplating which ride to go on next. As the saying goes, "it seems like only yesterday." I went to see Bow Wow Wow perform with my Dad at B.B. Kings' Blues Club located in New York City.
I was and still to this day a big fan of Bow Wow Wow so being able to see Annabella on stage accompanied with original bass player Leigh Gorman was quite the privilege. I don't think Bow Wow Wow has played on the east coast since so I do consider it one of those rare treats. When my Dad and I arrived to the venue I was stoked, not only being in New York City but being able to attend the concert I anxiously awaited months prior when we ordered tickets. It was general admission but we did manage to get a table where we ordered food and sat patiently for Annabella to come out to the stage.
I wish I could remember the set list song for song but I do remember that two new recordings were played in hopes of a new CD being released later that year. Unfortunately there was no CD released and I am not sure if the songs were officially canned or not. Out of the songs I do remember being performed were "W.O.R.K.," "Do You Wanna Hold Me?" and "Sexy Eiffel Tower." Her voice was flawless and the energy on stage was incredible from all members. I couldn't have asked for a better show.
A personal favorite Bow Wow Wow song is:
From the album: See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang, Yeah. City All Over! Go Ape Crazy
I do have many favorites, however, and favorites tend to change frequently but I can safely say as far as kick material "Golly Golly Go Buddy" was the one.
Kick Material: "songs that you obsess over for a short time, later in time to reflect upon the time you overplayed it."
After the show I got to meet Annabella & Leigh as well as drummer Adrian Young who played drums for No Doubt. I was most excited to meet Annabella though. My Dad and I waited in line for almost an hour just to recieve and autograph and the chance to talk with the band. I do regret not getting a picture taken with Annabella, I cannot remember why I didn't but it may have been because my camera died. Isn't that always the case?
I was star struck, nervous as one can be. Obviously that momentum wears down after attending a few shows and being able to interact with the artists, but this being my first time meeting someone you idolize was pretty overwhelming for a 14 year old boy. I remember standing in front of her as she sat there and I shook her hand telling her how great she is and how amazing the show was. I brought up her 1986 solo album and she was not quite thrilled about it. She wasn't mean, but she basically denied the fact one ever existed.
Here is proof:
My Dad and I both received nice compliments that night. While we waited in line the couple behind us started talking and asked me if my Dad was my brother, I guess that is always a nice thing to hear. However, I received the greater deal when Annabella basically made me turn bright red when she said "You are really cute! If I were your age now, I'd totally date you." What is one to think when you are 14 and she was 14 in 1981.
I was and still to this day a big fan of Bow Wow Wow so being able to see Annabella on stage accompanied with original bass player Leigh Gorman was quite the privilege. I don't think Bow Wow Wow has played on the east coast since so I do consider it one of those rare treats. When my Dad and I arrived to the venue I was stoked, not only being in New York City but being able to attend the concert I anxiously awaited months prior when we ordered tickets. It was general admission but we did manage to get a table where we ordered food and sat patiently for Annabella to come out to the stage.
I wish I could remember the set list song for song but I do remember that two new recordings were played in hopes of a new CD being released later that year. Unfortunately there was no CD released and I am not sure if the songs were officially canned or not. Out of the songs I do remember being performed were "W.O.R.K.," "Do You Wanna Hold Me?" and "Sexy Eiffel Tower." Her voice was flawless and the energy on stage was incredible from all members. I couldn't have asked for a better show.
A personal favorite Bow Wow Wow song is:
From the album: See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang, Yeah. City All Over! Go Ape Crazy
I do have many favorites, however, and favorites tend to change frequently but I can safely say as far as kick material "Golly Golly Go Buddy" was the one.
Kick Material: "songs that you obsess over for a short time, later in time to reflect upon the time you overplayed it."
After the show I got to meet Annabella & Leigh as well as drummer Adrian Young who played drums for No Doubt. I was most excited to meet Annabella though. My Dad and I waited in line for almost an hour just to recieve and autograph and the chance to talk with the band. I do regret not getting a picture taken with Annabella, I cannot remember why I didn't but it may have been because my camera died. Isn't that always the case?
I was star struck, nervous as one can be. Obviously that momentum wears down after attending a few shows and being able to interact with the artists, but this being my first time meeting someone you idolize was pretty overwhelming for a 14 year old boy. I remember standing in front of her as she sat there and I shook her hand telling her how great she is and how amazing the show was. I brought up her 1986 solo album and she was not quite thrilled about it. She wasn't mean, but she basically denied the fact one ever existed.
Here is proof:
My Dad and I both received nice compliments that night. While we waited in line the couple behind us started talking and asked me if my Dad was my brother, I guess that is always a nice thing to hear. However, I received the greater deal when Annabella basically made me turn bright red when she said "You are really cute! If I were your age now, I'd totally date you." What is one to think when you are 14 and she was 14 in 1981.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Justin, I am 22 years old and have a strong passion for music. I have the most caring and loving girlfriend in the entire universe, Lyn, who also shares the same taste in music as myself. Together we could rule the world if we could only get the parts. This blog is dedicated to the life happenings, childhood memories and obscure taste I have in music. I am very nostalgic which leads me to become sentimental to many things. Some say I was born too late, I was born right on time. I was fortunate enough to grow up and live in the last great decade which was the "90's," though some would disagree I guess you just needed to be there.
I am a big fan of old, old as in good that is. I love cartoons, movies, television shows, and vintage toys all associating with my youth as well as prior since anything in the last 10 years is very hit or miss, much like album Seven And The Ragged Tiger by Duran Duran.
Though I didn't live through the 80's, this blog is also associated with my love for the music that came out in that decade. I will share with you my favorite albums and singles as well as interviews I have held over the years with the artists themselves. My obsession for music started at a young age. I went through many phases, the first being instrumental music. What I mean by that is not necessarily classic classical music but more of an updated rock platform. Artists such as Apollo 100, Hot Butter, and The Blue Hawaiians took me thru those days, mixed with the occasional highlights of Mike Batt and The Wombles & They Might Be Giants.
I also listened to what was on the radio at the time as well, as I am sure most pre-teens did. My Dad managed his own record store at the time and I can distinctly remember always hearing music in our household. On Halloween he would put together a Halloween theme mixed for the Trick or Treaters and when we put up the Christmas Tree every year you would always hear those "Z" classics as I call them now.
As time went on and the early 2000's hit my music taste broadened and it all began. My favorite television show of all time is Full House. I owe that show a lot and it's mainly to the fact that in one particular episode a group of 3 little old ladies that called themselves R.E.M. performed "Whip It" at the ever so popular Smash Club. When my Dad came home from work I told him how much I loved that song, not knowing at the time who or what R.E.M. really was. Shortly after I realized it was Devo who originally recorded the song and from that point on the rest is history.
So much for an introduction post... huh? Anyway, as I mentioned above this blog is all about what I find interesting and the legacy that goes along with it. I tend to ramble on, my girlfriend can vouch for that. I often say I am like Danny Tanner in that aspect, though I share more with Joey Gladstone in personality. I hope you all enjoy what I have to share and comments and remarks are always appreciated. I will say this now, no one ever said I had good taste.
Justin
I am a big fan of old, old as in good that is. I love cartoons, movies, television shows, and vintage toys all associating with my youth as well as prior since anything in the last 10 years is very hit or miss, much like album Seven And The Ragged Tiger by Duran Duran.
Though I didn't live through the 80's, this blog is also associated with my love for the music that came out in that decade. I will share with you my favorite albums and singles as well as interviews I have held over the years with the artists themselves. My obsession for music started at a young age. I went through many phases, the first being instrumental music. What I mean by that is not necessarily classic classical music but more of an updated rock platform. Artists such as Apollo 100, Hot Butter, and The Blue Hawaiians took me thru those days, mixed with the occasional highlights of Mike Batt and The Wombles & They Might Be Giants.
I also listened to what was on the radio at the time as well, as I am sure most pre-teens did. My Dad managed his own record store at the time and I can distinctly remember always hearing music in our household. On Halloween he would put together a Halloween theme mixed for the Trick or Treaters and when we put up the Christmas Tree every year you would always hear those "Z" classics as I call them now.
As time went on and the early 2000's hit my music taste broadened and it all began. My favorite television show of all time is Full House. I owe that show a lot and it's mainly to the fact that in one particular episode a group of 3 little old ladies that called themselves R.E.M. performed "Whip It" at the ever so popular Smash Club. When my Dad came home from work I told him how much I loved that song, not knowing at the time who or what R.E.M. really was. Shortly after I realized it was Devo who originally recorded the song and from that point on the rest is history.
So much for an introduction post... huh? Anyway, as I mentioned above this blog is all about what I find interesting and the legacy that goes along with it. I tend to ramble on, my girlfriend can vouch for that. I often say I am like Danny Tanner in that aspect, though I share more with Joey Gladstone in personality. I hope you all enjoy what I have to share and comments and remarks are always appreciated. I will say this now, no one ever said I had good taste.
Justin
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