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| David Diamond |
It's entitled 'The Letting It Go Tour', it's another '80's night. Why? Because that music is timeless. Here it is 2023 and we are still listening to music and going to shows of bands from 40-years ago. Funny when it was the 80's, there were no performers from the 40's that were still touring and filling up arenas. That's why, another 80's night. Because we love them and we show up for them. That was a special time we can never go back to but at least we can relive a few great memories.
Speaking of '80's concerts, have any of you reading this heard of 'The Darker Waves' music fest in Huntington, Ca. in November? It is the inaugural, it is like the grand daddy of all 80's shows. Tears for Fears and New Order are co-headlining. It is already sold-out so that means only one thing... You have to go! That's in the future, tonight we are visiting 'The Garden State' of New Jersey.
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| BERLIN |
Berlin is the act I am here to see most. I have never seen them. The other two I have seen (and loved) before. The song I want to hear live, at least once in my life, is 'Sex (I'm a...)'. I first heard it in the clubs when I was 19-years old in Kaiserslautern, Germany. I rode the metro throughout Europe to other clubs in London, Paris, Barcelona, etc... where I danced to that jam. It was really interesting to see their career go from a band known only throughout the clubs in 1983 to a band being known by everyone after winning the Academy Award in 1987, taking home the Oscar for the tune 'Take My Breath Away' from Tom Cruise's movie 'Top Gun'.
They took the stage with great enthusiasm. Their latest drummer, Ric "ROCC" Roccapriore was sitting there behind the drum kit, ready to keep the beat, which he did very well all night long. His timing was impeccable. The keyboard player, Dave Schulz, a prodigy, comes from a family of super talented musicians, by 11-years old he mastered Mozart's C Sonata. Dave's on a whole other level, he was in place. The rhythm guitarist, Carlton Bost, had great rhythm and great stage presence. He's a rock star. He was up there ready to show his chops as the last three of them came out. The three that have been there pretty much since the start.
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| Terri |
First came the lead-guitarist, David Diamond. This guy has got swagger. He looks like he could be on the cover of shaved-head daddies magazine. And he can play guitar. Next to make their appearance was the incredible bass player, John Crawford, he was a driving force all night. Then she came out. And that she is the magnificent Terri Nunn. She was blinging. Her earrings were dazzling as was her necklace. She was wearing a black cocktail dress with a black see through long, flowing, overcoat. It gave a nice 'layered' effect. 'Masquerade' was the opener. It was great, the crowd loved it.
'No More Words' followed that. I was so embarrassed that I thought this song was performed by Missing Persons all these years. I am still learning everyday. Apparently I was mixing this song up with 'What Are Words For'. Now I know, it was a great surprise. It would not be the only surprise of their set. When this song finished Terri spoke to the crowd and said "Welcome to The Letting It Go Tour, and what that means to me is, Terri let that shit go!' And they cheered, as they can relate. She went on to say that "she is finally starting to have some fun in her life, better late than never". You got that right girl!
Hey I just came up with a riddle right now. I'm a writer, that's what I do.
"If Terri Nunn, of Berlin, and Dale Bozzio, of Missing Persons, were to perform a duet, what would it be titled?
A: 'What Are No More Words For?'
Yes? No? Please let me know in the comments. Anyway... I will see myself out.
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| Carlton & Terri |
Band intro-
The surprise of the night came next, it was filled with mixed emotions. Earlier in the day, the world lost the great Irish singer Sinead O'Connor. Terri said "We lost a great one today, this song is for Sinead O'Connor, if you know it, sing it." The band then launched into a cover of The Cult's classic 'She Sells Sanctuary'. What happened next was just... The placed erupted (with John's bass line pounding away) and then Terri (I want to say jumped into the audience, but she's a lady, she did not jump, she was escorted by security into the audience.) went about 20-rows deep and sang.
Some of the people near her were dancing but then they came to a stop and got their phones out to film her. Instead of living in the moment and dancing with the great Terri Nunn, the only opportunity they will ever have in their lives to dance with her, they filmed her instead. If it were me, I would have danced with her the entire song and danced with her all the way back to the stage and try to get myself up front because I knew what was coming. It will be the last tune of their set.
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| Ric "Rocc" Roccapriore |
She gets back to the stage and the song starts. This is it and it was so great, better than I expected. I never knew 'man voice' was performed by bass player John. Very entertaining, the band members didn't just stand there and sing into the mic, they added some flair with the theatrics. John and Terri acted the song out, simply phenomenal. It really brought to mind the question "did those two date at one time?" Then shaved-head daddy comes in with his big solo. It was so perfect.
The band was perfect, how often do you go to a show and you know every song that the opening act plays? That just doesn't happen, 9-songs, 40-minutes, perfect. I want to see them again at an inside venue now, preferably a big club. I hope they keep 'She Sells Sanctuary' in their set list. And I know, if I ever get the chance to dance with Terri that would... take my breath away.
Oh, Howard and George were there too.
