Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Rick Springfield, Loverboy and The Romantics @ Red Hat Ampitheatre Raleigh NC 9/4/15

Such a wonderful weekend. One of my besties Angie B. and met in Raleigh to see Rick Springfield, Loveboy and The Romantics in concert. Such a blast from the past. Both Angie and I went to the same concert back in 1982 (5/22/1982) at Greensboro, NC.

Rick's concert in 1982 (along with opening act Tom Chapin) was the first 'on my own as an adult' concert that I ever planned, paid for and went to. I took my sister Paula with me. I was 22 and she was 17. It's funny to think that for all I know, Angie could have been stting beside me in 1982 as she was in 2015. http://www.rickspringfield.us/library/concert1980.html

The Romantics played first and they were okay. I remembered they only had a few real hits in the 1980s. 'When you're talking in your sleep' was one of my favorites. I wanted to learn to play (now) the Bass guitar because I love the Bass on that song. On the way to Raleigh, I had memories flood across me of Lee Brickhouse Jr and myself dancing to that song so many times. I had to laugh to think that his dance style and mannerisms were as clear in my memory as if we had danced last week. But that is another story.

The Drummer for The Romantics made that part of the concert. He had a very lively personality. Funny how almost all of those guys had dark black hair. Like you would honestly have dark black hair in your 50s/60s.

The Romantics played:
(Cover) We Got to get out of this place (The Doors),
I hear the Secrets that You Keep, and
That's what I like about you. Some other songs I didn't recognize.

By the time they finished their set and Loverboy hit the stage, it was now dark. Loverboy had lots of equipment on the stage and their keyboardist hasn't lost a note in 30 plus years. Mike Reno came out on stage with the signature head band. He had gained afew pounds but was the same Mike Reno - the vocals were awesome. A big change in todays concerts verses the 1980s. Most smart phones have video. I recorded bits of songs. Unfortunately I sang along with them, so those videos will not make it to Facebook or social media.

The only disappointment was the 'break' they took (They only performed for an hour or so) with just the drums and bass guitar... and I was ready for some more music. Loverboy performed:
Notorious,
Lucky Ones,
The Kid is Hot Tonight,
Loving Every Minute of It,
Turn me Loose, and
Working for the Weekend.

Rick Springfield hit the stage around 9pm. Before the band came out, the video screen showed the history of Rick's Rock Music and acting career. From a very young Cher announcing a 'new' artist on her show, to news articles, MTV discussions, TV Shows, to more recent events and TV Shows. Rick is beautiful inside and out.

I found out he had a birthday a few days before. This gorgeous man is 66 years old. 66? We all sang Happy Birthday to him. :) Rick was his usual gorgeous yet so down to earth rocker. He reminded me ofthat first concert in 1982 when I fell in love with him (just like every other woman there). LOL!

Rick sang: Light this party up,
I've done everything for you,
Down - (New song written with Jay of Rascal Flatts),
Affair of the Heart,
Love won't wait,
Dont talk to Strangers,
Human Touch,
Jessie's Girl,
The eye of the Tiger (cover of Katie Perry) *Awesome*, and
Christina (new song from new movie 'Ricki and the Flash'.

*He played other songs as well as a medley of songs from the 1980s with the MTV Videos playing behind him.

It was an awesome concert. During the Human touch song, Rick went out into the crowd. At one point, he was standing about 6 rows in front of us, and stared (it seemed) right at us. He then walked across the chairs to our left and went up the aisle till he was about 8 rows behind us. Then he came right beside us. There were people HANGING on him. I wouldn't do that for any reason. Too intrusive. However the two people to our right, went out in the aisle, so we followed. Angie was able to reach out and touch Rick on the back and i caught it on video. I didn't realize it as I stopped viewing and just looked to see Rick- no more than 2 feet away. We giggled and screamed like teenage girls when we realized it was on film. I love Angie! She is awesome! :)

It didn't take us long to get out of the event when it was over. We walked back to the parking lot where Angie and I managed to park in the same lot - and I parked behind her on the opposite side of the small parking lot. How crazy was that? Just another coincidence with my sister from another mister.

I'm looking forward to more Rick Springfield concerts to come1 :)

http://www.rickspringfield.us/library/concert1980.html

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