“Cheers everybody! Good health and be well! Thank you for being lost with us!” Tony Hadley, formerly of Spandau Ballet, in his headlining performance at Rewind Fest ’17’s Lost 80’s Live concert at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater on Sunday night. Filling out the line-up was Wang Chung, Berlin, Missing Persons, Cutting Crew, Naked Eyes, Trans-X, The Flirts, and Pretty Poison. World One Presents continues to bring out the top 80’s era live shows to Thunder Valley every summer, and this one was really great.
What: Rewind Fest ’17 Presents Lost 80’s Live
Who: Tony Hadley formerly of Spandau Ballet
Who: Wang Chung
Who: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn
Who: Missing Persons
Who: Cutting Crew
Who: Naked Eyes
Who: Trans-X
Who: The Flirts
Who: Pretty Poison
Venue: Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater at Thunder Valley Casino Resort
Where: Lincoln, California
Promoter: 101.5 K-Hits, Lost 80’s Live and World One Presents
When: September 3, 2017
Seating: (photo pass)
2017 continues the tradition of World One Presents and Rob Juarez collaborating to bring together their Rewind Fest and Lost 80’s Live franchises together, with a packed night of favorite 80s artists coming to the stage to perform short sets of their most popular music.
Most of the sets ran about 20 minutes each, with headliner Tony Hadley having the most time on stage.
A portion of the proceeds from the event was designated to benefit Easter Seals of Sacramento.
DJ Bobby G framed the whole night, spinning 80’s hits in-between acts.
Pretty Poison
Pretty Poison was originally comprised of members Jade Starling, Whey Cooler, Kaya Pryor, Bobby Corea, and Louie Franco, forming in Philadelphia in 1981. Lead vocalist Jade Starling was born in NYC.
Their biggest hit was “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” in 1987, which was also featured in the movie Hiding Out starring John Cryer. It broke the Top 10 on Billboard and hit #1 on the dance chart.
Jade Starling is the sole original member currently touring as Pretty Poison.
Jade continues to record new and contemporary dance music under her own name, which you can find via her official website at www.jadestarling.com.
Below are some photos of Pretty Poison performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
The Flirts
The Flirts was a trio created by Bobby “O” Orlando featuring one blonde, one brunette, and one redhead. Their biggest hit was Jukebox (Don’t Put Another Dime)” along with “Hi-NRG” songs “Passion”, “Danger”, and “Helpless”. Orlando created the music – wrote the songs, played and recorded the instruments and produced them – and employed professional session vocalists to sing. He then auditioned women to be the “face” of the band, and went through different line ups over the years. The Flirts put out six albums between 1982 and 1992.
Representing The Flirts at Thunder Valley on Sunday night were Christina Criscione and Kim Rowe, with Rob Juarez on drums and Francisco Pancho Burgos Goizueta on keyboards.
Christina Criscione has training as a classic opera singer and performed in several of Bobby Orlando’s groups, ultimately becoming the lead singer for The Flirts and recording the three albums.
You can keep up with The Flirts on their official site at www.theflirtsband.com.
Below are some photos of The Flirts performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Trans-X
Trans-X was created in Canada by Pascal Languirand. Pascal recruited Steve Wyatt in 1982 to create a demo, though Wyatt’s participation in the project was short lived, leaving in 1983. They are best known for their hit song “Living on Video”. Languirand then recruited Laurie Ann Gill. The initial album released by Trans-X was titled after the hit song and released in 1983.
Trans-X was retired in 1986 as Languirand pursued a solo career, though over the years he has released quite a bit of material both solo and under the Trans-X name, including remixed/remakes of that original hit song.
I’ve always loved the song, “Living on Video” and never seen Languirand perform live, so it was quite cool. My friend Francisco Pancho Burgos Goizueta also performed on stage on keyboards.
Languirand was quite entertaining and quirky, with keytaur in tow.
Below are some photos of Trans-X performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Naked Eyes
Pete Byrne from Naked Eyes made a return to Thunder Valley, last having toured with The Go-Go’s a few years ago.
Byrne founded Naked Eyes as a British New Wave duo, but he sadly lost his musical partner Rob Fisher in 1999 (who passed away following a surgical procedure).
Originally, Pete Byrne was the vocalist and Rob Fisher was the keyboardist.
They had a number of big hits in the 80s, and those remain staples of classic New Wave/synthpop songs.
Probably the most known song is “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me”, which was a Burt Bacharach cover, remade New Wave. Nearly as popular is their original hit, “Promises, Promises”.
Interestingly, they never toured back in the 80s due to the technological challenges reproducing their synthesizer sound in a live setting.
I was such a huge fan of their music growing up, so it’s always quite an amazing experience seeing Byrne perform live today. Awesome energy and sounds great.
Below are some photos of Naked Eyes performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Cutting Crew
Nick Van Eede of Cutting Crew played at the Rewind Fest last year as well, joined by Nick Feldman of Wang Chung on guitar and Gareth Moulton on bass (with Van Eede returning the favor providing backing vocals on the Wang Chung set later).
As mentioned last year, Nick has a very English personality, and I thought had a really great stage presence.
Nick started played in bands while in his teens, and the early days of Cutting Crew go back to 1985. Their first album, Broadcast, included their huge hit (and debut song), “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”.
While the band (like most 80s artists) has gone through it’s share of line-up changes, break-ups, and other set backs over the years, the current incarnation of the band released a new album, Add To Favourites, in 2015.
The performance of “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” was definitely one of my favorite moments of the night, as it was last year. Really a fantastic song that holds up today – it’s one of those songs where every element and every moment is just so rich and catchy and unique.
Below are some photos of Cutting Crew performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Missing Persons
The American band, Missing Persons, is of course legendary. As one of the real pioneers of New Wave as well as MTV, they made a huge impact on pop culture in the early 80s.
Originally made up of Dale Bozzio on vocals, Terry Bozzio on drums, and Warren Cuccurullo on guitars, they were founded on exceptional talent and creativity.
Retrospectively, Dale Bozzio is now credited as a big influence on music and fashion that continues today, most obviously with Lady Gaga.
Dale and Terry – who met while working with Frank Zappa – were married in 1979, before forming the band a year later at the dawn of the 80s.
“Mental Hopscotch” was their first local hit, following promotion on KROQ. Their most popular hits came a few years later with “Words”, “Walking in L.A.”, and “Destination Unknown”.
Terry and Dale broke up, as did the band, in 1986.
Warren Cuccurullo went on to have a long and successful run with Duran Duran while Dale Bozzio went solo and Terry Bozzio collaborated with Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, The Knack, Korn, and others.
As much as she has received acclaim, I feel like Dale still hasn’t received the recognition that she deserves, as she was really way ahead of the times with her look, sound and attitude, which she carries with her today.
Below are some photos of Missing Persons performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Berlin
Members
- Terri Nunn (vocals)
- Jamie Miller (guitar)
- Chris Olivas (drums)
- Dave Schulz (keyboards)
I’ve seen Berlin quite a few times over the years (one of my favorite bands and live shows).
I’ve been a huge fan of Terri Nunn, Berlin, and their music going back to the early 80s, so currently I try to see them play live whenever I can.
Berlin formed in the Los Angeles area in the late ’70s, and their first single – “A Matter of Time” – was released in 1979, and it was also played in concert Friday night.
They were very much a fundamental and pioneering part of the “New Wave” movement in the 80s. The song ‘No More Words’ is for many a classic 80s song and synonymous with the times.
They put on an amazing set as per usual, though the shortened time just left me wanting more.
Below are some photos of Berlin performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Wang Chung
Again, one of my favorite songs – “Dance Hall Days” – was performed at this show, by the original artist… in this case Wang Chung (best known for that self-referential hit song, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”).
Though formally founded in 1980, the core of Wang Chung began in 1977 when Jeremy Ryder (“Jack Hues”) responded to an ad by Nick Feldman (“Nick DeSpig”) in Melody Marker. They first formed as the band The Intellektuals. They then began a new band called 57 Men, which was also short lived. After some personnel changes, they called themselves Huang Chung circa 1980-1982. They released an earlier version of “Dance Hall Days” as Huang Chung but without the success.
The band then changed their name to Wang Chung, with Jack Hues as vocalist/guitarist and Nick Feldman as bassist. They released Points on the Curve with a re-recorded version of “Dance Hall Days”. Interestingly, their third album took them in an entirely different direction, creating the soundtrack for the film, To Live and Die in L.A. In the same year, they created the song “Fire in the Twilight” for The Breakfast Club.
They found their biggest mainstream success a year later in 1986 with their fourth album, Mosaic, which included “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go”.
The band went on hiatus through much of the 90’s, with Feldman forming Promised Land with Jon Moss (formerly with Culture Club) and Jack Hues doing work in film on soundtracks.
They have since reformed and performed over the years, and even released a new album with 2012’s Tazer Up!, which I thought was fantastic.
With the show at Thunder Valley this weekend, as with last year, Jack Hues is no longer touring but Gareth Moulton performs with both Cutting Crew and Wang Chung.
Below are some photos of Wang Chung performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley was the founding lead singer of English New Wave band Spandau Ballet.
Spandau Ballet was originally formed as The Cut in 1976, with a group of students at the same grammar school.
The band’s classic line-up is considered the one featuring Tony Hadley on vocals, brothers Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp on guitar, Steve Norman on sax, and John Keeble on drums.
Though they had a huge hit with “True” in the U.S., they hit #1 on the UK charts with the same, as well as #2 with “Gold” and #3 with both “Chant No. 1” and “Only When You Leave”.
The band broke up in 1990, and then reformed in 2009.
Interestingly, Hadley, Norman, and Keeble sued Gary Kemp for a share of his songwriting royalties from his work with the band, but were unsuccessful. The three then toured as a trio, but sold their shares in the band to Kemp to pay off their legal debts, and then no longer had the rights to tour under the name, Spandau Ballet.
The band reformed in 2009 and toured, as well as released a new album, Once More, which included re-recorded versions of their music and two new songs.
In 2014, the band released a documentary called Soul Boys of the Western World, as well as a TV show, Spandau Ballet – True Gold. They also had another world tour in 2015.
This summer, Tony Hadley made a statement on Twitter announcing that he was no longer a member of the band.
Coincidentally, this came up again in the news this week, with mainstream media reports about the band seeking a new front man and vocalist to replace Hadley. (see The Sun article)
Outside of Spandau Ballet, Hadley has released a significant amount of solo material, which also branches out from the familiar sound and style of the band he founded.
I’d never seen either Spandau Ballet or Tony Hadley perform live, so I was really excited about this one. Bottom line is that you don’t come across too many 80s-era vocalists with pipes like Tony Hadley. Wow, the man has a gift, that hasn’t diminished over the years.
I also laughed at the Jack Daniels-centric performance; “Good for the soul, good for the soul…”
One of his funniest lines of the night: “..in fact, someone said backstage just earlier, ‘I had my first sexual experience to this song…'” Tony Hadley, in preface to singing the classic 80s international hit “True” by Spandau Ballet.
Really an impressive and enjoyable set, bringing back those 80s era good vibes.
Below are some photos of Tony Hadley performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Jason DeBord