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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2006)
46 JUSt|OUt JULY21.20W Encore Presentation Reliving my favorite concert moments I t was 20 years ago today. Well, almost. As someone with a pathological ability to recall trivial dates, 1 recently realized that a big milestone is approaching: the 20th anniversary of my first live concert experi ence. Of course, I’m not counting all the times my dad dragged me and my brother to see him conduct the Salem Pops Orchestra. I’m talking about rawk ’n' roll. It was July 25, 1986, and Eurythmics were kicking off their Revenge tour right here in Portland at Memorial Coliseum. 1 managed to score a fifth-row seat because 1 went solo; as a sexually confused 14-year-old, 1 didn’t dare tell any friends about my obsession with Annie Lennox for fear that they would suspect 1 was queer. This was back in the days when everyone was still titillated by the notion of an “androgynous” female rock star. “Always an enigma, Lennox has blurred the lines between the sexes with her short cropped hair,” The Oregonian wrote in its preview of the concert. (Another sign of the times: The ticket price was a mere $16.) Annie Lennox strips down during Eurythmies’ Revenge tour—my first concert ever. As the Hack curtain slowly unzipped—it was designed to resemble the leather top worn by Lennox in the video for "Missionary Man”—I near ly passed out. In my haze of glee I remember blow ing a kiss to her, and I swear she blew me a kiss in return. Sweet dreams are made of this! All of these flashbacks got me to thinking about some of my other memorable concert experiences, for better and for worse: • The Pretenders: “We’re not that good, real ly!” Chrissie Hynde told the overjoyed crowd in 2000 at Roseland Theater. Talk about humility. • Red Hot Chili Peppers: Sure, I have fond memories of staring at shirtless Anthony Kiedis back in 1992 in my hometown of Salem, but the real draws were the soon-to-explode opening acts: Pearl Jam and Nirvana. • The B-52’s: Another incredible triple head er, with the party band from Athens, Ga., joined by The Go-Go’s and The Psychedelic Furs. 1 flew all the way to Reno, Nev., for this show in 2000. • Junior Senior: What a shocking surprise this 2003 Seattle show turned out to be. The Danish BY JIM RADOSTA gay-straight duo was joined by two equally energetic openers, Ima Robot and United State of Electronica. • Frankie Goes to Hollywood: What a shocking disappointment this 2000 Berbati’s show turned out to be. 1 thought the band had broken up, but 1 bought tickets anyway. Turns out 1 should’ve done my research: A bunch of crappy impostors somehow acquired the rights to the name, so instead of queer singer Holly Johnson, we were stuck with some straight dude who dry-humped the stage during his excruciating rendition of “Relax.” Lesson learned. • Don Henley: Another good rule of thumb: Don’t see the same artist twice in a row, unless you want to hear the same “spontaneous” banter repeated verbatim to different crowds. During my short-lived fancy for the ex-Eagle in 1991, I saw him in Salem and in Irvine, Calif. Never again. • Moby: Yeah, the guy’s eco-friendly, but did he have to recycle his entire schtick? I admired Moby for putting together 2001’s Area: One Music Festival in George, Wash.—a stunningly eclectic lineup that included OutKast and New Order with surprise guest Billy Corgan on guitar—but he went from my hit list to my shit list a year later in Bristow, Va. Not only did he basically do the same set, complete with self- congratulatory comments between songs, hut he made David Bowie play second fiddle to his headliner status. The nerve! • A Flock of Seagulls: In 1982 they were in the Top 10 with “I Ran (So Far Away).” In 2004 they were on a street corner in downtown Portland performing that new wave classic for dis interested athletes zipping by the stage during Nike’s ill-conceived Run Hit Wonder tour. Did I mention the showtime was 8 a.m.? • Hole: What were they thinking? Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson hardly share the same fan base, but someone thought it would be a good idea for them to share the same bill in 1999 at the Rose Garden. After being heckled by her former hometown, Love cut her set short and soon dropped out of the tour. • Paul McCartney: As with any good show, let’s end on a high note. When the former Beatle performed in 2002 at the Rose Garden, I was blown away by the breadth of his catalog, the enduring relevancy of his compositions and the strength of his live show. Tears came to my eyes when Macca capped it off with a finale featuring the most inspired segue ever: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” into "The End." Truly music to my ears. © Arts and Culture Editor JlM RADOSTA needs your feedback. Write to jim@justout.com.
