I’ll Send An SOS To The World
Back in the day when dinosaurs roamed the earth and Martha Quinn was this crazy thing called a VJ when MTV actually played videos, I went to a concert in Montreal at Olympic Stadium where I got to see Stevie Ray Vaughn and Peter Tosh.
Sponsored by MTV, it was an all-day event.
It was incredible. Then it was the Talking Heads. They were so awesomely wonderful, even when David Byrne threatened to throw one of the cameras into the audience because MTV wouldn’t put their act on the big screen. Aww, my misspent youth, thinking that was cool when I was 17 years old.
And then it was The Police. As I know very little French, Sting spoke language of love the entire concert, although I could only identify the dirty ones.
So, it’s no surprise that I just heard they are going back on tour. Why? It doesn’t matter.
I could listen to Synchonicity and Message in a Bottle everyday. These were the days when Homer and I would listen to The B-52’s, The Police and other various bands that felt so different than everyone in my community playing REO Speedwagon and Journey riding around in their cars with boys so loud it would set your teeth on edge.
I really hated that. The Police set me apart from it, or it did in my teenage mind.
Will I go see them? Probably not. I don’t really do concerts anymore, although I do adore small venues. (Tom Waits. Nora Jones. Nina Simone. Bela Fleck. Yes, yes and yes.)
So, The Police were part of my coming of age, and I’m pleased they are together. The reasons mean little to me, I just think it’s groovy.
I saw them in Memphis during the Crustaceous(acne prone) Era. I think that if they are playing Bonnaroo, they are reaching out to a different generation than mine.
See, me too.
As I age, I realize these moments are in my past. That’s cool but I guess I’m romanticizing them now as I get older.
I’m wondering how long it’ll be before they’re in a fist fight…
Good question, AT.
You have no idea what the Police meant to me in my youth. Now, i also dug Journey and REO, but the Police were one of the few acts I actually paid to go see (the Ghost in the Machine tour).
I actually bought the Andy Summers / Robert Fripp instrumental album.
Anyway, the young hippie wannabees are going to be ticked off that so many moms in minivans are going to show up to their drunk-fest this year. This brings a smile to my face, for some reason.
Hey, I bought the Summers/Fripp album too.
Yeah, I remember albums from back in the day.
And your right about Bonnaroo. I used to go the Bluegrass Festivals.
My days of swerving to the music in a crowd of people who haven’t had a shower in a couple of days is long over and romantacized only in my youth.
I joked to my mom yesterday that she could get me a ticket to Bonnaroo for my birthday so I could see The Police. There was this long silence, then she said, “I just don’t see you standing around in the mud with stinky kids. Unless it’s Baby Fishmouth and her little friends.”
Ah, how we change.
I’m wondering how long it’ll be before they’re in a fist fight…
Y’all, I totally agree. I know it’s because we know the history, but I kept thinking I could see “Oh, right, there he goes AGAIN, the big ponce” all over Stewart Copeland’s face at the Grammys. There must be a LOOOOOOT of money changing hands for this, plus Copeland must be imagining Sting’s face on the drumheads every time he hits ‘em.
I need to go listen to some Talking Heads now.
Talking Heads… ummmm.
I love them.
I was at that Police Concert too in Montreal. Do you remember what year that was. I know that it wasn’t 30 years ago. The Police’s ad for their upcoming show in Montreal says first time in 30 years. They are wrong and I would like to prove it. You’re the man. Please help.
Heh heh.
‘Coma knows what I’m laughing about.
Told you so, ‘Coma. :p
Lynnster,
Heh.
Joanne, I think it was in 1983 if memory serves me right.
Lynnster,
Hehe.
I don’t know why it is, NC. But it’s only a blog thing. Freaky.
Thanks – I believe you are right. 1983 sounds about right. Great daytime concert. And not 30 years ago. Thanks again Lynnster.
They played with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Peter Tosh and the Talking Heads and it was sponsored by MTV. Martha Quinn was hosting.
It was pretty awesome.
And thanks newscoma – just realized who posted that. Thanks again for proving me right. I still have my concert pass but the year wasn`t printed. Thanks again newscoma for reminding me what a great concert we saw. Joanne
Hi,
I was at that concert back in 1983. It featured Talking Heads (who I believe were the best act of the night), Peter Tosh, Stevie ray Vaughn and The Police. It was held on August 3rd, 1983 (which apparently was a wednesday). The thing that shocks me most is that it feels like yesterday and not almost 25 years ago !!!
Incidentally, I don’t know if anyone remembers but the night before, The Police had given a kind of preview concert which was filmed at The Spectrum. For me the highlight of the night at Olympic Stadium was definitely the Talking Heads. Their music was so powerful that people couldnt help moving to it. (One couple standing in front of me was actually grinding to the music).
Does anyone remember the festival that took place (I believe in 1985) at the former Jarry Park location that included James Brown and Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks? I cant seem to find the date that those concerts took place….
Jon