Hi, everybody, welcome to "FLASHBACK CONCERT". This is page is going to be about reviews of past shows. Anyone can post a past experience they had at at concert, but I'll start it off. This is about my experience at my very first Duran concert back in 1994....Enjoy!
At first, though, I didn't know what the reason was for the cancellation. They said that one of the band members was "sick". I later found out what happened.
Anyway, I went to call the place where I got the tickets to see if I could get a refund; and they told me to hold onto them because they will be rescheduling. So, a couple of days later, I called again; and they told me; so I was anticipating what to expect. I mean, I kind of knew because I've seen some of their live shows on video; but to actually see them up close and live was another story; and it was my first live concert since seeing Denice Williams back in 1985 at GREAT ADVENTURE of all places!
So, there it was. October had come and gone (my original tickets were for the end of October). November came and went, December (a long 2 1/2 month wait); and finally it was Januarary. Yeah, Januarary 1st! (The countdown began. 13 more days! 13 LONG DAYS. [VERY LONG DAYS.])
Finally, the day arrived. It seemed like an eternity; but it was here. It was on a Thursday (like I said before), and my mom and I had this all planned out (my dad was at work). She would call my job asking to speak to me, and then I would tell my boss that an emergency came up; and I had to leave early (and it worked too! So, people, next time DD does a concert and you have to leave work early, try that! [If your place has access to a phone that is.]).
I was scheduled to work from 1-7pm. (The concert started at 8:00pm.) So my mom calls at 5:00; and by the time my drawer was counted (I was working for A & P at the time), it was 5:30; and I was out! Luckily, my house was a five minute drive away; and I was already dressed for the show!
If you hadn't guessed by now, my parents drove me to the place (because I had NO idea how to get there). Let me tell you, if you don't know your way around NEW YORK CITY, you can get lost; and the last thing I needed was for me to get lost on this very special night! So they took me.
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, if you have never been in there, it's really a big place; and a good place for a show I believe. Someone from WPLJ radio was there to introduce the guys. Some guy named JAMES was the opening act. (Or it could of been a group name, I don't know). He was okay I guess, but a lot of people were talking throughout his act. (In other words, no one was paying attention to him). At least from where I was sitting. (I had second balcony center).
Now it just figures, the opening act starts on time. It took awhile before DD showed up (but not that long, maybe 10 minutes; but knowing that the main act is about to come, it was a LONG ten minutes!).
Booming noise started (we all knew what that meant); and then silence for a split second, then "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" starts (the crowd went CRAZY!). The people by me, though, weren't screamers (which was good for my ears....LOL). The sound was great, and I can tell you what at least SIMON & JOHN were wearing. SIMON was wearing a silver suit (which he takes off the jacket later to have on a black shirt); and JOHN was wearing that famous kilt of his. I don't remember what NICK was wearing (I think he had something silver on too....I WILL FIND OUT FOR ALL YOU NICK FANS! I KNOW EXACTLY WHO TO ASK FOR THIS). WARREN was wearing all black as usual.
The next song was "A VIEW TO A KILL". Great as always, and I have to say everyone was standing up dancing and singing (actually, since the first song they were doing that). In other words, NEW YORK CITY is the place to be to see a show!
"HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF" (you remember that slow tired version?), everyone sat down for. I liked it at the time; but looking back, what the hell were they thinking? If the song was supposed to be slow, the original would of been that way. However, I did like it back then.
Next came "ORDINARY WORLD", and there was this really annoying guy two seats away from me that kept calling out "REFLEX"! Every five minutes (even during SIMON'S speech that he does before the song). I just glanced at him, wanting to say "shut up!" Yes; and to my relief, SIMON did a great job hitting the high notes at the end. (I heard [and felt] no straining.) IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!
"SKIN TRADE" was a nice surprise for me. Considering they haven't played that song live since 1989. I liked the rendition they did of that. It was different, and that was the whole point.
One of the highlights of the show for me was "WHITE LINES" (which came after "ST"). I have to admit, at the time, I never heard of that song; but I liked it; and it had a great beat to it. I knew it wasn't there's, though; because I know in earlier shows they did "SUCCESS" and "CRYSTAL SHIP"; so I knew this was a cover (just didn't know the group who originally did it at the time. There is an interesting story behind all of this, BUT that will be for another time). The song was great, though, and it was nice seeing SIMON on the floor (for that brief moment in the beginning). I also liked the fact that they changed it from a rap to an actual song. Really cool. I don't recall smoke, though, for this performance. Oh well.
Then came "FIRST IMPRESSION" (another surprise for me. I was expecting "SERIOUS", since they played it on "UNPLUGGED"), "PLANET EARTH", "COME UNDONE" (no finger sucking here - REMEBER, THIS IS 1994 [although, wishful thinking....LOL]. However, LAMYA did a great job at the end), and "LOVE VODOO".
I have to talk about the next song, "GIRLS ON FILM" for a minute. Yes, SIMON was on the floor for this one (another highlight); but I don't know what happened; but the next thing I know people are pointing and saying "look, he's up there". I look over; and sure enough, there he was sitting ontop of some ledge or something. I mean, he was really high up (I had second balcony remember; so I had to turn only a little bit to the left; but was looking straight ahead). I don't think it was a ledge really; but in any case, I don't know how he got up there; and how he got down!
"NOTORIOUS" was another highlight for me, I liked the way they had us do the audience participation thing. That was fun!
Remember when I was telling you about that annoying guy who kept calling out "Reflex!" every five minutes? (And it was after every other song just about.) Well, they finally played "THE REFLEX"; and he was so happy he was like "all right!" So I think to myself, "okay, he'll shut up now". Oh, but was he satisfied? NO! After they played the song, he kept calling out "SAVE A PRAYER". Oh boy, I wanted to strangle him. Luckily, after "RIO", they did play that song (and JOHN was playing a stand-up bass. Really cool.)
The last song was "WILD BOYS", and I was hoping SIMON would come out in his shorts and no shirt; but oh well, he still looked good. Also, knowing this was the last song, I didn't want them to leave.
When the show was finally over, SIMON said "adios, amigos"; and the band leaves. Now, I had on a sweatshirt (it was freezing outside); but I was sweating by the time the concert was over from all of that dancing. So I walked out of there holding my coat. I didn't even put it back on.
While walking outside, I noticed their limo. Too bad no one was inside! I guess I must of passed their backstage door. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait to see if they would show up because my ride had come for me. Oh well, there will be next time! I can say, though, I was at their backstage door and saw their limo (LOL)!
Overall, this was an awesome show, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I would do ANYTHING to relive it again. (Oh, but wait, I did didn't I? Yes, I saw them again in 1997.) LONG LIVE DURAN DURAN NOW AND FOREVER! This is Starr saying "peace out and WHOOSH!" I can't wait for the next tour! (Hey, I did good considering this show was in 1994. I have a VERY GOOD memory when it comes to DURAN shows!)
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This "FLASHBACK CONCERT" was sent to me from KAREN WILKINSON. Thanks Karen, I'm sure people will enjoy this one! (I copied it EXACTLY as she wrote it.)
IT WAS JUNE 18,1987. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW THEM IN CONCERT. I HAD WANTED TO SEE THEM IN 84 BUT I WAS THE ONLY DURAN FAN IN MY SCHOOL SO I HAD NO ONE TO REALLY GO WITH.
SO ANYWAY, I MET A FRIEND IN SCHOOL DURING MY LAST YEAR, SO WE WERE FRIENDS RIGHT AWAY. THE ONLY THING IS DURAN DIDN'T TOUR UNTIL '87, SO WE WERE SO OVERHYPED TO SEE THEM FINALLY. WE WERE THERE AT 3AM THE NIGHT BEFORE TICKETS WENT ON SALE. AFTER ALL THAT WE WERE IN LINE.
WE HAD TO GET A COUPLE OTHER TICKETS TOO SO WE DECIDED'TO SPLIT AND GET 2&2 FOR A CHANCE AT BETTER SEATS. WE SEPARATED AND GOT THEM. MINE WERE OK.
JEN{MY FRIEND} CAME BACK AND WAS ACTING WEIRD. SHE WENT UP AND THE AGENT SAID, "WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SIT?" SHE SAID, " AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE." ( DUH! HOW ABOUT 2ND ROW??)
SO, SHE GOT THE TICKETS; AND UP UNTIL THAT NIGHT, WE DIDN'T BELEIVE WHERE THE SEATS WERE. (YEAH RIGHT SECOND ROW?)
SO AS THE FLOORPERSON'S WALKING US, WE KEPT MOVING FURTHER AND
FURTHER TOWARDS THE STAGE! DON'T KNOW IF ANY D2 FANS REMEMBER THE STAGE IN '87, BUT SIMON'S AREA IN FRONT WAS A COUPLE OF FEET (EXTENDED IN THE AUDIENCE?). THAT'S WHERE WE WERE. IF HE HAD SHORTS ON, WE COULD'VE SEEN THE CROWN JEWELS (IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT).
ANYHOW IT WAS MURDER WAITING FOR THEM TO COME ON, ERASURE WAS THE OPENING ACT. I HAD MICKEY MOUSE EARS MADE UP IN FLORIDA WITH SIMON ON THEM, AND BROUGHT THEM AND A BALLOON THAT SAID "I WANNA JUMP YOU!" HE SAW BOTH! I THREW THE EARS UP ONSTAGE AND HE PUT THEM ON I WAS SO HAPPY. HE IS THE HOTTEST!!!!
THE SHOW WAS PHENOMENAL!! THAT WAS THE BEST, AND TO BE 2ND ROW
SEEING THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME!
If you have a "Flashback concert", you'd like to talk about (from any year), please e-mail me and I will post it!
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