Friday, July 26, 2024

2017 - My Concert Memories

Concerts I've attended:

1976
The Lewis Family (Gospel)
Wilson, NC

(Dad, Mom, Grandma V, Paula)
One of my most fond memories of Grandma V. She loved to visit and she loved to go to see the Lewis Family Singers. The smile on her face was wonderful. Dad purchased albums and made sure that she got one. She was on a limited budget. Funny, I think she wasn't much older than I am now, and that's hard to imagine. LOL. Grandmas looked like Grandmas back then.


1976
The Kendalls

This concert was at Northern Nash High School (my rival high school).  The Kendells are a father /daughter team and they sang beautifully. "Heaven's just a sin away" is one of my favorite Kendells Song.

with Billy Crash Craddock


@ Northern Nash Senior High
Rocky Mount NC

(Mom, Dad and Paula)
Billy Crash Craddock was "OLD" and sang a song called "Rub it in, Rub it in". He would gyrate on the stage and I thought I'd die of embarrassment for him. It was like a male hootchie koochie dance, but I actually enjoyed the concert anyway. LOL. The older women in the crowd were swooning. It was like a G rated Chippendales show. Funny - He was probably 30 or 40ish. That's young, but I was 16., so there. LOL.

1978
Tom Jones

@ Reynolds Coliseum
Raleigh NC

(Joyce from RMSH.....and her Mom)
Tom Jones concert was in Raleigh. I spent the night with Joyce. What do I remember about her. She was almost what we would call today (2017) goth, no emo. she carried a thick notebook around that was her journal and wrote her inner most thoughts and doodled. I wish I'd done that, however, I'd been mortified if someone read my thoughts back in the day. (Maybe today too). Joyce lost that journal and never found it as far as I know. I hated that for her. I stayed with her overnight. She was a super sweet girl.  

We went to the concert on Saturday night. Tom Jones was one SEXY MAN!!! He was grinding and dancing sexy as all get out.... Especially beautiful Tom Jones with his lovely lilting Welsh accent.  I do remember women throwing their panties on the stage.  Lort....


1979
Kenny Rodgers

Kenny sang a combination of his old stuff from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as some of the new stuff. One of his most popular songs during the 1970s was a duet he performed with Dolly Parton called "Islands in the stream" He had Crystal Gayle sing with him on this, that night. It was great.
with Crystal Gayle

Crystal sang some of my favorite songs "Don't it make your brown eyes blue?" and "Dont Take Me Half the Way" Her hair was so long, it was down past her toes. She had to carry it around. That's just too much hair friends.
and with Gallagher (Comedian)

*Gallager is on stage before and between acts and as final act.
He is walking around with a long wig (like Crystal Gayles hair) under his hat and he was pretending to be prissy and prance around, flipping the long hair (wig). He pulls the hat off and everyone groans because he has long hair on the fringe, but is bald. He says "You think you're disappointed" "You know they say having hair is hereditary, it's in your genes"...."Hell, I've got plenty of hair in my jeans".
Also known most for smashing watermelons over the front rows. We were row J. (10 rows), so we got trashed....some.

@Greensboro Coliseum
(Jeanne Privette, Sandy Voutsas)

1982
Bread
@ Greensboro Coliseum
(Greg Voutsas)
It was a wonderful concert.  Low key, not a loud show.  It was Bread.  Beautiful music.  Beautiful harmonies. 

5/22/1982
Rick Springfield

Album: Working Class Dog

OH MY GOSH@ What can one say about a Rick Springfield Concert? He is a Rock GOD! In 1982, rocking his 1980s jacket with the sleeves rolled up, skinny tie, and sexy from head to toe. Paula and I went to that concert and we had a wonderful time. we were in the nose bleed section - all the way at the other end of Greensboro Coliseum, but it was still great. Jessie's Girl was and is one of my favorite songs.
with Tom Chapin (Opening Act)

*Tom Chapin is the brother of Harry Chapin who wrote/sang "Cats in the Cradle".
Tom was booed the entire set as he opened for Rick Springfield. I hated the rudeness, even if I was waiting for the main act. WOOHOO.
when he sang his last song "Cats in the Cradle", written and originally recorded by his deceased brother Harry Chapin, the crowd went wild.  He sounded just like his brother.  
@ Greensboro Coliseum
(Paula V)


1982
Heart
Private Audition Tour


There is nothing bad to be said about the two most gorgeous and vocally, instrumentally talented women to ever rock a song. Ann Wilson has the voice of a rocking angel and her sister Nancy can play any instrument you give her. This concert rocked from beginning to end. Unfortunately, there were 2 things that were wrong at this concert. The tickets had 'obstructed view" on them. I couldn't understand as other than a pole, we had a side view to the stage. After the concert started, I knew. Our seats were the 1st row on the landing. So, people would get out of their seats in the nose bleed section and walk in front of us and lean their bacsides on the ledge in front of our seats and just block our view. I was livid before the concert was over. Rob was barely keeping me in check. I went to get help from the staff a few times. I told them they should keep an eye on who is standing around and send them on their way. I started poking people in the back and when they turned around, I yelled "DO YOU MIND?" You're blocking our view. I was eating M&M's and starting throwing them at the people. Rob put his foot down when I started to throw my drink on them. He caught my hand just in time. It didn't help that I had a raging sinus infection, but still went. The worse I felt, the more butt I was ready to kick. One of my less than gentle moments. Oh dear....
with John Cougar Mellencamp

My My My, John Cougar Mellancamp gave one of the most high energy wonderful concerts I've ever been too. The combination of Heart and JCM. WOW! He sang "Jack and Diane', and "Little Pink Houses' and all of his 1980s hits. I do remember he ran across the stage once and jumped up and landed on the guitar payers shoulders. It was SICK, or AWESOME as we said in the 1980s. I'd love to see him in concert again, but heard his tickets are very pricey.
(Rob F)  *Note:  currently (2024) seen video of JCM telling everyone to vote for Joe Biden.  People booed.  He was pissed iff and said Ill shorten the concert.  Sang
 2 lines and said concert over.  I don't care how about his politics.  He is not right to demand people choose his nasty old geriatric man, and now cackles the woman who made her way on her knees,  not by any skillset.  My opinion, don't care. 

1982
.38 Special
Special Forces Tour


Rob and I went to a lot of concerts the summer of 1982. He and I worked together at Canton Station (Chinese high end restaurant). Everyone had gone home and I didn't date a lot my last year or so of school. Was so busy with school and trying to graduate before I was 30. (Kidding, but it did seem that way sometimes). We went to the .38 Special concert and the opening act, "Jefferson Starship" was pretty good, but they aren't my favorite band of all time. Anyway, .38 Special rocked it hard. Rocking into the Night, So Caught up in You, on and on, the hits went on.

with Jefferson Starship

<b>@ Raleigh Fairgrounds
Raleigh, NC

(Rob F)
Rob had an old car and you would be driving along and the transmission fluid would deplete and he'd pull over and put some more in the transmission. He carried a container in the trunk. The sound the car would make would make Rob look at me sheepishly and sing "Let's all sing like the birdies do". He was hilarious. He was a great guy.

It had rained a lot he day before the concert and possibly that same day. We parked on the grass. When we got there, everything was fine and we had plenty of room around us. When we left, we couldn't get the car out of the grass/swampy area because a car had parked so close to us, it was frightening. Rob finally gave in and went back in the Coliseum to see if he could get help. I stayed in the car. While he was gone, I tried to get the car out. I waited a while. I found out later, he almost got access the the band (or at least he thinks he did LOL). The people in the closely parked car came and left. I got behind the wheel and I was stuck, racing the engine and throwing mud everywhere. The car that parked behind us got covered and I mean totally covered. I was scared for Rob to come back and the people to come to their car at the same time, as he would have been blamed and probably beaten up. I see this guy come out to his car and he stopped several feet away and stared and tilted his head to the side like he couldn't believe it. (I was slumped down in the seat so far he couldn't see me - I hoped). I waited till he got behind our car and he was staring at the mud all over his car and shaking his head. He cleared the windshild and drove off. After he left, I was pretty much alone in the parking lot. Rob came out and his expression was what the heck. I'd almost gotten off the mud, grassy area, but I didn't relize there was a piece of wood (used to stop vehicles) in front of the car. He got in the car and the look on his face was priceless. He started up the car and drove us out of the parking lot. I nearly got my butt beat that night...if that guy had seen me.

1982
Psychedelic Furs


"Love my Way, It's a new road". "I follow where my mind goes". I love this song and "Pretty in Pink". I absolutely adore the lead singers voice. They are headed back to Europe to start a tour there in September. I'd love to chase them around. Nothing weird, just to do tourist stuff and listen to their music. I'm not nor have I ever been a groupie. LOL
@ Chapel Hill NC
(Sheri F)

1983
Eddie Money


What can I say about Eddie Money. WOW! He gave a seriously great concert. I always thought he looks like he's had a stroke when he's singing and dancing around (facial drawn up mouth), but "2 Tickets to Paradise" was great. I seriously don't remember where this concert was at, but we were close to the stage. Seriously close. It was like a small venue. There were a couple of concerts where I don't remember the venue and it drives me crazy! I saw Loverboy 3 times in the 1980s. I swear one of the times, it was at a small old venue like a movie theatre with wooden seats screwed to the floor but he seat flipped down for you to sit in. I was sad that I'd rather be in a larger venue further away than in this uncomfortable place. But that memory is gone..... no idea where that place was.
with John Waite

I had not idea who John Waite was. I knew his song "I ain't missing you at all", but little more than that. I learned to love his music.
@ Raleigh, NC
(Rob F)

1983
Loverboy "Keep it Up"


Loverboy. Any time, any place I can get to....I'd go see them. To this day they are one of my favorite 1980s bands. I've seen them 4 times, although I can't remember the date or venue of one of those events. Part of the reason I'm writing blogs is to document these memories that I do have.

with Cheap Trick

@ Reynolds Coliseum Raleigh NC
Cheap Trick was a fun concert. I'd honestly forgotten I'd seen them (college and alcohol will do that....or maybe old age). It seemed the concert was short, but they were the opening act. They sang many of my favorite songs. I'd go see them again. :)
(Rob F)

1983
Roman Holiday

Great band and in a night club. Stage was right at your fingertips nearly. These guys were so cute. Rockabilly. Wore navy "Dixie Cup" cap.. All had cute 1980s punk hair styles. I think this is where I learned to dance the 'European white people dance'. No idea what the name of the dance is. LOL
@ London, England
(Tessa W)

3/17/1984
Big Country "The Crossing" Album
@ Boca Raton, Florida. Florida Atlantic University. University Center Auditorium (supported by Wire Traigreat concert.  Great voices and great scottish accents.  Paula and I got into an argument and were out of it just like that.  Sonny looked at us like we were crazy.  Lol.  

(Paula V and Sonny "Alex" M) Spring Break


1985
Loverboy
Lovin' Every Minute of It Tour


Raleigh or Chapel Hill


1985
Styx "Kilroy was Here" Albu jum

@ Reynolds Coliseum
(Paula V and her friends)

1985
Loverboy
Lovin Every Minute of It Tour


After having dinner at Darrell's Restaurant (with Strawberry Margaritas), we went back to our favorite venue, Reynolds Coliseum at the Fairgrounds. This is a beautiful piece of architecture. Lots of steel and glass. I love it. One of the people who went with us had never been to a concert. Adrian I think was his name. He sang at falsetta at a higher pitch than I've ever hit (of course I'm an alto...) He sat beside me at the concert. He kept yelling in my ear, "It's too loud" and "I thought it would be like listening to the radio". Regardless, we couldn't hear when we left. While inside, I finally just ignored him and adored my wonderful Loverboy. To date, I've seen them 4 times. And there will be more.
@ Reynolds Coliseum
Raleigh, NC

(Paula V, Mike and friends)


1/13/1985
Bruce Springsteen and E-Street Band "Born in the USA" Tour

Ahhh, how much should I share about this concert? LOL. Let's start with "We rented a bus and 50 or so of us went to Greensboro". I was drunk before we got to Raleigh. Granted, I was a light weight. I do remember, that the bus driver turned onto a different road (40, or 440) and everyone in the bus was stone sober at that moment, questioning his turn. He knew where he was going. When we made it to Greensboro, I had to go. Lee waited wile I used the bathroom at the back of the bus (GROSS). Anyway, I touch nothing..... We went inside and I was basically swept up inside the Greensboro Coliseum. Up the escalators, and into our seats. Bev W and Bill M and Joe M. I don't remember how many others. The concert was great!! This was back in the day when "Red" was a singer in the band and he was married to the movie star. "Red" or Patty is his 2nd wife.
@ Greensboro Coliseum
(Lee B and College friends)

1986
Genesis with Phil Collins
The Invisible Tour


Gail, Beverly, .....
Dean Dome (brand new building)
UNC Chapel Hill Campus
It snowed the day before we went to this concert. I went with Gail C, Bev
W and Bill Mt. We had a little bit of a walk when we got there, but it wasn't bad. This was at the new Dean Dome (Dean Smith) at UNC Campus. I was again drunk and barely getting around. (light weight). I smoked cigarettes back then and there was no smoking in the new complex. I knew this and still lit up. A student working there admonished me, and tried to get me to give him the cigarette. Instead I used the concert below me to extinguish the fire. I can still hear him stuttering, 'Nooo, I"ll" Too late, it was done. I gave him the extinguished cigarette. Thank you GOD that I don't smoke any longer. Some folks I love do. :(

1986
Can't remember who as I wasn't a fan).
(Concert with Lee B and people worked with at Drugcare Moyock NC.
Norfolk Va

1989
FireFall


Gregg and I went to the Rocky Mount Down East Festival and I drug him there to hear Firefall. That and a funnel cake and caramel apple was all I wanted. His Dad's 1931 Ford "Henry" there with the other antique cars. I adore the song "The last I've Seen of My Heart". I was just standing out there singing. Great concert. No crowds!
Rocky Mount Down East Festival
(Gregg B)

2001
Peter Paul and Mary


Memaw purchased tickets for Cathy B and Me and the kids to go to Walnut Creek to see Peter Paul and Mary. Unfortunately I was sick with an intestinal virus, so I couldn't eat. Nothing but water. I tried to enjoy myself and really did. Hardest thing was not being able to eat and the others eating all the yummy food....but I survived. LOL. I wouldn't have picked Peter Paul and Mary to see, but they gave a great concert.
@ Walnut Creek, Raleigh NC
(Memaw, Cathy, Megan, Cable, Celeste)

2009
Russ Varnell and his Too Country Band


Rocky Mount Down East Festival
Russ is a local start who also spends a lot of time in Nashville Tennessee. He is part of the Bakersfield sound. This includes Merle Haggard, buck Owens, and the Buckaroos, and believe it or not, carried on by CCR, Grateful Dead, Marty Stuart, the Mavericks, etc.

Russ plays a lot of places around Nash and Wilson Counties.  Great guy. Great family. I've met his brothers now and they are all good people. MY favorite cover he does is "Swinging Doors" and "House of Memories" made famous by Merle hggard.

8/2016
Rick Springfield


with The Romantics

and Loverboy

I can't get enough of Loverboy! They are awesome and Mike still has the vocal cords to handle the high notes. He seems to still like his bandana across his forehead. LOL. The keyboard player is phenomenal and it's just good music. Looking forward to the next concert. It's 2017 and I had the chance to buy $20.00 tickets to all kinds of concerts this summer, but didn't do it. I have too much work to do this summer, but this is the last summer I plan to spend working my life away. I'm ready to hit the road, get in an airplane and go. Time to see the world.... while I'm still young enough to do it.
@ Red Hat Amphitheater
(Angie B)


9/2015
Rick Springfield

with The Romantics

with The Romantics always give a great show. They are the first opening act and their part is during daylight. They all have unrealistically black thick hair. Lot's of coloring going on there. They give it all they have an make you want to jump around The base player is great and I love following the beat.
with Night Ranger

I enjoyed Night Ranger, but Angie wasn't as sold on them. I loved their song "I can take you all the way" and "Sister Christian". Great memories.
@ Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
(Angie B)



1/27/17
Rick Springfield

and Richard Marx
DPAC in January. Great seats (10th or 12th row back) Richard Marx and Rick Springrield Walk in. Richard Marks says "2 Dicks walk into a concert....". Rick and Rich sing a couple of songs together. Richard's range is higher than Rick's but that didn't hold Rick down. I managed to film the majority of the concert. Richard sang first, some of the "gratuitous P*ssy ballads" as he called them. We women love those ballads. Then he rocked it out, showed a video of his 3 gorgeous sons singing and playing instruments. Richard's 1st wife was the actress who played "Penny" on Dirty Dancing. People were yelling "I will be right here waiting for you". A couple got really belligerent and were walked out. I'm glad I'm nice. I don't want to miss out on Richard or Rick singing and we paid $75.00 (not a bad cost) and they lost out on their money too.
Rick came out and rocked it and he has spent some time and using software on his computer, created harmony and accoustic instrucments to assist. The videos behind him are awesome. Great show. Angie and I had a blast....
@ DPAC
(Angie B)

The Beatles "Love" Cirque Du Soleil show at The Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas. NV 6/1/2024.

This trip was wild. Vegas in 2 hours (actually 30 hours).   Left Macclesfield NC at 2am on 6/1, RDU airpirt to Charlotte Douglas airport.  Then to Las Vegas.  Arrived at 9am EST/12 noon PST.  Went into The Mirage took pics of Casino and Beatles Love Show area, shopped at Beatles Love Store.  Then walked around The Mirage, the Venetian, The Billagio and visited Art Galleries, shopped souvenirs, etc. I gave my gambling money to an old vet and his old dog begging outside the Bellagio.   I felt sorry for them amd everyone was ignoring them.  We came back to The Mirage, sat in the spirts gambling area in very comfy recliners, and drank the nastiest green smoothie.  Lol.  Then, it was show time. The show was fabulous. Unfortunately, The Mirage is being torn down and Hardrock Hotel will be built there.  Hardrock doesn't want the show, doesnt want to pay the licensing.  So the show after 18 years is gone.  Tessa is trying to get it moved to Liverpool.  I hope she suceeds.  The show rapped up at 830 and we walked straight out of the Casino, to a taxi.  Then back to airport.  We were delayed on the flight back, left at 1am EST and landed at Charlotte Douglas Airport at 6am EST.  At 630 we left for RDU at 7:30, and arrived at 8:30 am.  We left the aiport and back to Macclesfield NC by 10am. Asleep by 10:30 am. Lol
 
 

Here Comes the Rain!
Baby you Can drive My Car!


Something In The Way She Moves!

  Here Comes the Sun 


Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band!

Next scheduled concert:
September 2024
Rick Springfield at Weldon Theater, Roanoke Rapids, NC.