“Cheers everybody! Good health and be well! Thank you for being lost with us!” Tony Hadley, formerly of Spandau Ballet, in his headlining performance at Rewind Fest ’17’s Lost 80’s Live concert at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater on Sunday night. Filling out the line-up was Wang Chung, Berlin, Missing Persons, Cutting Crew, Naked Eyes, Trans-X, The Flirts, and Pretty Poison. World One Presents continues to bring out the top 80’s era live shows to Thunder Valley every summer, and this one was really great.
What: Rewind Fest ’17 Presents Lost 80’s Live
Who: Tony Hadley formerly of Spandau Ballet
Who: Wang Chung
Who: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn
Who: Missing Persons
Who: Cutting Crew
Who: Naked Eyes
Who: Trans-X
Who: The Flirts
Who: Pretty Poison
Venue: Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater at Thunder Valley Casino Resort
Where: Lincoln, California
Promoter: 101.5 K-Hits, Lost 80’s Live and World One Presents
When: September 3, 2017
Seating: (photo pass)
2017 continues the tradition of World One Presents and Rob Juarez collaborating to bring together their Rewind Fest and Lost 80’s Live franchises together, with a packed night of favorite 80s artists coming to the stage to perform short sets of their most popular music.
Most of the sets ran about 20 minutes each, with headliner Tony Hadley having the most time on stage.
A portion of the proceeds from the event was designated to benefit Easter Seals of Sacramento.
DJ Bobby G framed the whole night, spinning 80’s hits in-between acts.
Pretty Poison
Pretty Poison was originally comprised of members Jade Starling, Whey Cooler, Kaya Pryor, Bobby Corea, and Louie Franco, forming in Philadelphia in 1981. Lead vocalist Jade Starling was born in NYC.
Their biggest hit was “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” in 1987, which was also featured in the movie Hiding Out starring John Cryer. It broke the Top 10 on Billboard and hit #1 on the dance chart.
Jade Starling is the sole original member currently touring as Pretty Poison.
Jade continues to record new and contemporary dance music under her own name, which you can find via her official website at www.jadestarling.com.
Below are some photos of Pretty Poison performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
The Flirts
The Flirts was a trio created by Bobby “O” Orlando featuring one blonde, one brunette, and one redhead. Their biggest hit was Jukebox (Don’t Put Another Dime)” along with “Hi-NRG” songs “Passion”, “Danger”, and “Helpless”. Orlando created the music – wrote the songs, played and recorded the instruments and produced them – and employed professional session vocalists to sing. He then auditioned women to be the “face” of the band, and went through different line ups over the years. The Flirts put out six albums between 1982 and 1992.
Representing The Flirts at Thunder Valley on Sunday night were Christina Criscione and Kim Rowe, with Rob Juarez on drums and Francisco Pancho Burgos Goizueta on keyboards.
Christina Criscione has training as a classic opera singer and performed in several of Bobby Orlando’s groups, ultimately becoming the lead singer for The Flirts and recording the three albums.
You can keep up with The Flirts on their official site at www.theflirtsband.com.
Below are some photos of The Flirts performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Trans-X
Trans-X was created in Canada by Pascal Languirand. Pascal recruited Steve Wyatt in 1982 to create a demo, though Wyatt’s participation in the project was short lived, leaving in 1983. They are best known for their hit song “Living on Video”. Languirand then recruited Laurie Ann Gill. The initial album released by Trans-X was titled after the hit song and released in 1983.
Trans-X was retired in 1986 as Languirand pursued a solo career, though over the years he has released quite a bit of material both solo and under the Trans-X name, including remixed/remakes of that original hit song.
I’ve always loved the song, “Living on Video” and never seen Languirand perform live, so it was quite cool. My friend Francisco Pancho Burgos Goizueta also performed on stage on keyboards.
Languirand was quite entertaining and quirky, with keytaur in tow.
Below are some photos of Trans-X performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Naked Eyes
Pete Byrne from Naked Eyes made a return to Thunder Valley, last having toured with The Go-Go’s a few years ago.
Byrne founded Naked Eyes as a British New Wave duo, but he sadly lost his musical partner Rob Fisher in 1999 (who passed away following a surgical procedure).
Originally, Pete Byrne was the vocalist and Rob Fisher was the keyboardist.
They had a number of big hits in the 80s, and those remain staples of classic New Wave/synthpop songs.
Probably the most known song is “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me”, which was a Burt Bacharach cover, remade New Wave. Nearly as popular is their original hit, “Promises, Promises”.
Interestingly, they never toured back in the 80s due to the technological challenges reproducing their synthesizer sound in a live setting.
I was such a huge fan of their music growing up, so it’s always quite an amazing experience seeing Byrne perform live today. Awesome energy and sounds great.
Below are some photos of Naked Eyes performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Cutting Crew
Nick Van Eede of Cutting Crew played at the Rewind Fest last year as well, joined by Nick Feldman of Wang Chung on guitar and Gareth Moulton on bass (with Van Eede returning the favor providing backing vocals on the Wang Chung set later).
As mentioned last year, Nick has a very English personality, and I thought had a really great stage presence.
Nick started played in bands while in his teens, and the early days of Cutting Crew go back to 1985. Their first album, Broadcast, included their huge hit (and debut song), “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”.
While the band (like most 80s artists) has gone through it’s share of line-up changes, break-ups, and other set backs over the years, the current incarnation of the band released a new album, Add To Favourites, in 2015.
The performance of “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” was definitely one of my favorite moments of the night, as it was last year. Really a fantastic song that holds up today – it’s one of those songs where every element and every moment is just so rich and catchy and unique.
Below are some photos of Cutting Crew performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Missing Persons
The American band, Missing Persons, is of course legendary. As one of the real pioneers of New Wave as well as MTV, they made a huge impact on pop culture in the early 80s.
Originally made up of Dale Bozzio on vocals, Terry Bozzio on drums, and Warren Cuccurullo on guitars, they were founded on exceptional talent and creativity.
Retrospectively, Dale Bozzio is now credited as a big influence on music and fashion that continues today, most obviously with Lady Gaga.
Dale and Terry – who met while working with Frank Zappa – were married in 1979, before forming the band a year later at the dawn of the 80s.
“Mental Hopscotch” was their first local hit, following promotion on KROQ. Their most popular hits came a few years later with “Words”, “Walking in L.A.”, and “Destination Unknown”.
Terry and Dale broke up, as did the band, in 1986.
Warren Cuccurullo went on to have a long and successful run with Duran Duran while Dale Bozzio went solo and Terry Bozzio collaborated with Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, The Knack, Korn, and others.
As much as she has received acclaim, I feel like Dale still hasn’t received the recognition that she deserves, as she was really way ahead of the times with her look, sound and attitude, which she carries with her today.
Below are some photos of Missing Persons performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):
Berlin
Members
- Terri Nunn (vocals)
- Jamie Miller (guitar)
- Chris Olivas (drums)
- Dave Schulz (keyboards)
I’ve seen Berlin quite a few times over the years (one of my favorite bands and live shows).
I’ve been a huge fan of Terri Nunn, Berlin, and their music going back to the early 80s, so currently I try to see them play live whenever I can.
Berlin formed in the Los Angeles area in the late ’70s, and their first single – “A Matter of Time” – was released in 1979, and it was also played in concert Friday night.
They were very much a fundamental and pioneering part of the “New Wave” movement in the 80s. The song ‘No More Words’ is for many a classic 80s song and synonymous with the times.
They put on an amazing set as per usual, though the shortened time just left me wanting more.
Below are some photos of Berlin performing on stage (scroll downward and photos will begin to appear – click any image to open a virtual lightroom with higher resolution versions of each photo):