Hair Bands and Stadium Shows… My First Concert
By Melissa Walker, Author of Violet in Private
My older brother Johnny took me to my first big stadium concert when I was 11 years old. It was Poison’s Open Up and Say Ahhh… tour, and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” was my ballad of choice when I thought about how sad I was that Scott Dzierlenga didn’t notice me in class. This was 6th grade—1989—and Brett Michaels was perhaps the hottest hair band member ever. Obviously, this was also pre-“Rock of Love.” Oh, Brett, what happened?
Anyway, here’s what I remember about the show: 1. The girls in front of me were screaming so loudly that I couldn’t hear the songs that well, 2. A total of four—four—pairs of panties ended up on stage, 3. My brother bought me a black t-shirt with neon-green lettering that is still in my drawer (it makes a great nightshirt).
It was a mixed experience. I learned that I like smaller venues when I want to see a band I love, but I also learned that stadium rock can really, well, ROCK. And did I listen to “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” while writing the Violet books? Does Brett Michaels still have a crazy head of hair? Heck, yeah!
Thanks Melissa for including a blog/giveaway for our Stephanie Kuehnert week!Comment until THIS Saturday, Midnight EST time, to be entered for a chance to win Violet by Design by Melissa Walker. If you don’t want to be entered, simply say so in your comment!
Wow. In 1989 I was almost turning 2 in December and getting a little brother in November. So obviously I have no idea what music was like back then, but I know that smaller venues do rock when you want to see a band you love. Love the Violet books, Melissa!
~Meredith
rosesaremyfavorite@hotmail.com
OMG. Funniest post ever. I guess I was a bit cooler than you in ’89…but I was also OLDER. I was more of a U2/REM/Sting/rockers-for-the-greater-good fan that year. (When I was eleven, though? I think it was Journey…Rick Springfield…the Go-Go’s…and, yes, the J. Geils Band.)
Of course, I went on to work for Poison’s record label…and to LOVE their music for its retro butt-rockiness…and of course, to watch ROCK OF LOVE like nobody’s business. 🙂 xo
I’ve never been to a concert. I’m boring! Great post!
I was not born yet. =P But I have been to concerts in stadiums and in smaller venues with an audience count of thirty. Both have pluses and minuses, in my opinion. But that must have been fun, Melissa!
Kelly
notbob43@aim.com
Wow! Sounds like a fun time! I’ve never been to a true concert. I’m lame. Oh well.
TCR
Hmmm… My first concert? Alabama. *shudder* I was dragged by my aunt to go to this awful thing. >.>
Travis
spongyman1026@yahoo.com
haha i love that picture, i love the 80’s music! i have been to many concerts in theatres, (so no wild things there but that is ok with me) mostly shows with musical theatre songs (like And the world goes round from Kander&Ebb) Every year there is this festival here at the last week of august, to start the new theatre season, (a sort of broadway on broadway, only here it is called Uitmarkt, wich means Go Out! market) a lots of free concerts and previews of the new shows, musicals and plays that will play in the official theatres. I am already looking forward to the last weekend of august!
haha great post!! i’ve never been to a concert but the one you went to sounded fun…and just a bit crazy :]
Grace L
The only rock concert I’ve been to was a Scorpions concert. LOL!
My first concert was Sunday only of the Austin City Limits music festival. Definitely NOT a small venue! It was awesome, even though I got lost in South Austin trying to get back to the dorm. (Thanks to the super awesome bus driver who gave me a ride back after hours.)
Great post! I admit I was at a Bon Jovi concert that was wild fun just last year!
I was at a Bon Jovi concert just last year, what a wild good time!
I absolutely love it. Your post reminded me so much of the book “But Enough About Me…” by Jancee Dunn.
Erika
erikasorocco@yahoo.com
Haha, I love seeing rock stars now and then. Although I bet Bret was a man-slut back then too. 😛
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“Every rose hav its thorns” wow, dat is such an inspirational quote! I love it, it kinda give me a wakeup call dat u hav to becareful out there, you don’t trust ppl by the way they act or from the outside! It’s an awesome quote!
-Nisha
chhadapheak@hotmail.com
oh man! I was turning 10 at that point but man did I love me some Poison!!! WHOOT WHOOT!!! Never got to see them in concert. I don’t think they toured the Philippines back then… AHAHAHA!!! I agree, I enjoy the smaller venues for the bands I love, but at the same time, nothing beats a huge rock concert!
the only concert ive been to was a kansas concert last year, so it was a bit different =)
Awsome Post!!
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Lauren
Pot17ter@aol.com
Love the pic, I was born in ’86 so I don’t remember much about the music, mostly just about kiddie shows and clothing back then. Me and my hubby are planning on going to a concert at the end of the summer, it’ll be both our firsts!