Ok. I am officially admitting to my mid life crisis. First it was the blue mini, complete with the Union Jack on the roof. Then it was the new wardrobe I bought myself this spring, after I lost a few kilos. Now, I am finally hitting rock bottom. Today I went to buy tickets to see Simple Minds in concert in Verona. I cannot even believe that I did this. The last time I went to a concert.... I cannot even recall. But this, I cannot miss.
Way back when, in the 1980s, I was a square peg in a round hole growing up during the punk years of rock -n-roll on Long Island. I was completely into all things British and new wave. My favorite bands were, U2, Simple Minds, and Depeche Mode. I loved the Clash, though they soon broke up, and I wanted to grow up to be just like Debbie Harry or Crissie Hynde (Who incidently, was briefly married to Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, they even toured together). I was sneaking into NYC when I could out fox my mom and going to every seedy downtown nightclub catching the latest acts from the UK or, hanging in the discos that catered to the new sound trying to look oh so cool in my latest new outfit. (Sorry Dad, but hey, I had fun and was always careful)
Amazingly, many of these bands I was chasing to see put out new CD's last year and are touring again! OK. U2 is, hands down, the megaband of the last two decades and still going strong, but who new back then we would still be listening to this sound and these new wave/alternative college radio acts and their music would still be relevant today. I can remember having this discussion with my older (by 13 years) brother of mine who was convinced this new sound was going nowhere and the 1960's was where rock and roll began and where it ended. This new wave/punk sound, according to him and many of the others of his generation, was going the way of disco, nowhere. How wrong he was! Bono and U2 put that theory to the rest with their success and talent and now all things 80's are back again including the music. If you live long enough, all things cycle back into fashion. A nod to my brother, even the Rolling Stones are on tour now and coming to Milan! But, I think I will pass on that one just like I did when I was in my teens.
In 1984, when I left High School, I was a rebel screaming just like others of my generation who had to follow the dinosaur bands of the 60's or the Disco queens of the 70's, which, by the way, were the only choices on the FM radio back then. For us, the generation who became know as "Generation X", what crumbs were the baby boomers going to leave us and did we want them? They had all the good jobs and the "me generation" dominated the culture by their sheer number, they weren't called baby boomers for nothing, who wanted to listen to their music too? I, like so many others of my age, choose the punks of England, and marched to the beat of their drum! I craved the new and different. I dared to be different! WLIR changed their format from AOR/Southern Rock to Alternative/New Wave and my world would never be the same again. In 1984 I started to work at the station with my best friend and partner in crime, Sharon, we answered the request lines for free, just for the chance to meet the artists and get the free perks, like concert tickets and our names on the guest lists at clubs. I have many an autograph and many a back stage pass and many a story to tell. I lived that rock and roll life till 1988. And what fun I had and how many different colors of hair I went through!
Today, the eighties are back, even more popular, and some of it still sounds fresh. The 80's are hip once again. Even many new bands today sound like the music back then, even ska is back. And, have you looked at what the teenagers are wearing today? It is all so 1985! Thank god that the puffy shirt didn't make it to the revival!
Keep rocking, and remember, you are only as young as you feel and choose to live! And, as Jim Kerr says....
Don't you forget about me....
Krista
PS. The first time I got to see Simple Minds in concert I sat 2nd row at Radio City Music Hall. I was so close, that I had his sweat all over me. I had only 2 tickets and brought my best friend Sharon. 6 of my other friends who were in like row 15, rushed the stage and we all were singing, dancing and having a great time, that is, until the ushers made us sit in our seats! Ahh... Those were the days.
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Krista,
You are too funny! The 80s indeed. I remember the first concert I went to in New York. Nassau Colosium (sp?). 1974, punk rock and the air was blue! Whether you were smoking or not you were high. I don't have any idea who played. I just remember thinking...I hope we don't get raided! I'll lose my good government job! GO Stones!!!!!
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