My Life in Concert.com

Flipper, San Francisco’s sludge rock contrarian refuseniks, come to town one month after that  Beat/R.E.M. show from April of 1983.  An evening of debauchery and over-indulgence ensues for myself and crew of people on that night, with Flipper — both as persons and performers — interweaving with us at various points of our night (and their lining up to see Return of the Jedi, too).

Tune in for missing persons, dangerous fire escapes, hostile groupies, and massed stimulant consumption.

Next On Stage –> June was bustin’ out all over when The Velvet Underground’s John Cale came to Fryfogle’s and played an intense, extraordinary set.  

It was particularly extraordinary for me that I finally got to see him at this point in time, not only because I was way deep in Velvets-mania in the early 80s — with all the original Velvets albums finally being widely and easily available — but because I ended up sitting cross-legged on the stage about three feet in front of Cale as he performed. 

Tune in next time for a disciplined bladder, a set list of my dreams, and being able to see the pores on John Cale’s face. 

Click below to read the original 2011 blog entry. 

(EP 26, no.18) John Cale: I Keep A Close Watch, Fryfolge’s, London, Ontario, Canada, Monday June 13, 1983

This concert crystalizes a moment in time, representing a changing of the guards in the alternative music world, when The Beat—or The English Beat as they were called on this side of the pond—come to Alumni Hall in London, Ontario with a new, unknown American band called R.E.M. in tow as the opening act.  

The show took place as The Beat were in the last throes of their career but also peaking in popularity in North America.  Meanwhile, R.E.M. released their classic debut LP, “Murmur,” during the week of this concert. 

Retrospectively, it marks the sundown of one era and the sunrise of the next. 

Returning Special Guest Phil Robinson has a lot of great memories from the night which he shares.   

Tune in next time for stage invasions, a cultural shift, and wondering what the hell I was thinking. 

We also discuss R.E.M. at Glastonbury and in Ottawa, why the Buzzcocks were the nicest guys in punk rock, hanging out with INXS, standing next to Jerry Dammers at the Blackheath festival, and seeing Pauline Black at Manchester Mardi Gras. 

See the original blog entry on mylifeinconcert.com here

Next on Stage: Tune in next time for what was quite an, er, interesting evening, when San Francisco’s sludge rock contrarian refuseniks Flipper come to town to decimate Fryfogle’s and its audience, about 6 weeks after the Beat/R.E.M. show.  

An evening of debauchery and indulgence ensues for myself and crew of people on that night, one that involves missing persons, dangerous fire escapes, and a foggily-remembered aftershow party comprised of massed stimulant consumption and much silliness, with Flipper — both as persons and performers — interweaving with us at various points of our night (and lining up to see Return of the Jedi, too). 

(EP 25, no. 17) Fucked Up Once Again: Flipper, Fryfogle’s, London, Ontario, Canada, Monday May 30, 1983 

mylifeinconcert.com

Welcome to my first anniversary episode, celebrating the second anniversary of the mylifeinconcert.com podcast (I didn’t do one the first year so I’ll be doing two this year to make up for that). 

For these anniversary EPs, I will be jumping into the future of my series and selecting gigs from throughout my concert=going years that are personally significant for me or that I really want to highlight or talk about. 

And this first anniversary podcast jumps into 1988 and a gig wherein I had some extraordinary revelations that I have never forgotten. 

Join me next time for this Episode 23, concert no. 51, and an unforgettable show by Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos at the then-recently—and beautifully—refurbished Fox Theatre in Detroit, on December 8, 1988. 

Unexpectedly, and through a bizarre merging of synchronicity and happenstance, I find myself directly in front of Keith, about 10-or-so feet away, for his entire encore.  And it results in an epiphany. 

I have written a new, full blog entry on the show as a companion piece to the podcast. 

Tune in for avoiding a strip search at the border, being in agony and the healing power of music, and some realizations about rock stars.

Next on Stage: The next concert crystalizes a moment in time, representing a changing of the guards in the alternative music world, when The Beat—or The English Beat as they were called on this side of the pond—come to Alumni Hall in London, Ontario with a new, unknown American band called R.E.M. in tow as the opening act.  

The show took place as The Beat were in the last throes of their career but also peaking in popularity in North America.  Meanwhile, R.E.M. released their classic debut LP, Murmur, during that same week. 

Retrospectively, it marks the sundown of one era and the sunrise of the next.

Returning Special Guest Phil Robinson has a lot of great memories from the night which he shares.  

Tune in next time for stage invasions, a cultural shift, and wondering what the hell I was thinking. 

 Read the original 2011 blog entry here …  

(EP 24, no. 16) The (English) Beat with R.E.M.: End of the Party, Alumni Hall, UWO, London, Ontario, Canada, Tuesday April 12, 1983

In February 2020, Caribou returned with his first new album after an absence of six years.  It was released to universal critical acclaim and commercial success, and an extensive world tour was planned. 

And then …. Suddenly …. Everything was off, as the Covid pandemic shut down the planet, including live music.  2020 turned out to be the first year since 1976 wherein I did not see a single live music performance. 

A seriously depressing proposition for an admitted live-music addict.  It also meant I could not finish my initial sequence of podcast episodes of one show from each decade of my concert-going.

And then … Suddenly, in the summer of ’21, through vaccines and the socially responsible sacrifices of many good people, live shows were on again including Caribou’s delayed tour which included a stop here in London, Ontario, in November. 

“But if we buy tickets, will there even be a show?” We wondered.  Or will everything close back down and, Suddenly, it’ll be off again? 

Join me and my guest—Colin, my nephew, aka Fast and Bulbous in past blog entries—for a night of magic (albeit with some asterisks and apprehensions), last-minute decisions, and sprightly social intercourse with the over-served and mushroomed.

Next on Stage: Join me next time for another out-of-sequence show with one of two anniversary podcasts I’ll be doing in 2022.

While I originally launched the written blog on OpenSalon.com on June 3, 2010, and celebrate every year on that date with my own mock-up of a favourite album cover—it was the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers for 2021— I didn’t get around to marking the podcasts’ first anniversary on Feb. 7, 2021.

So, to make up for that, I am going to do two anniversary episodes this year: one coinciding with the podcast launch, and one in June in tandem with the blog’s 12th anniversary.

What I will be doing with these anniversary episodes is that I will be selecting gigs from throughout my concert-going years that are personally significant for me or that I really want to highlight or talk about.

And my first anniversary podcast jumps into 1988 and a gig wherein I had some extraordinary revelations that I have never forgotten.

Join me next time for Episode 23, concert no. 51, and an unforgettable show by Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos at the then-recently—and beautifully—refurbished Fox Theatre in Detroit, on December 8, 1988.

Unexpectedly, and through a bizarre merging of synchronicity and happenstance, I find my self directly in front of Keith, about 10-or-so feet away, for his entire encore.  And it results in an epiphany.

I’ll also be writing a full blog entry on the show as a companion piece to the podcast.

Tune in next time for avoiding a strip search at the border, being in agony and the healing power of music, and some realizations about rock stars.

The delayed Beat & REM show from 1983 will be Episode 24.

(EP 23, no. 51) Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos: Connection, Fox Theatre, Detroit, Michigan, USA, December 8, 1988

Leeds’ furious and funky post-punk innovators The Gang of Four make an indelible, unforgettable visit to London, Ontario’s Wonderland Gardens, four months after the chaotic Iggy Pop gig at the same venue. 

Euphoria ensues. 

I had been listening to the band incessantly during that 1980-83 corridor and was thrilled they were coming.  

This March 1983 concert was not only my first ticketed gig of a musically busy year, it also marks the start of a new and welcome chapter in my life as well.  

This podcast recalls the concert but also reflects on key changes in my social life at this time as I began my 20s and finally found my local co-conspirators. 

Special Guest Phil Robinson, who I met at this time, returns to share his memories of the gig and the party after. 

Phil and I also reminisce about first meeting each other and our favourite live music haunts (Fryfogle’s, The Vic, The Embassy), dance clubs (Notes on Monday Nights, Studio 812), and drinking dens (Singapore’s, The Brunswick, The Richmond) that we and our friends frequented circa 1983-4 in London, Ontario. 

Phil’s cat Oliver also makes an angry and verbal guest appearance. 

Tune in for intensity and celebration, a lipstick covered forehead, and finding your own tribe. 

That and standing next to Catherine O’Hara and Kate McGarrigle in bars. 

You can read the original blog entry at the mylifeinconcert.com blog.  

Next on Stage: The next concert crystalizes a moment in time, representing a changing of the guards in the alternative music world, when The Beat—or The English Beat as they were called on this side of the pond—come to Alumni Hall in London, Ontario with a new, unknown American band called R.E.M. in tow as the opening act.   

The show took place as The Beat were in the last throes of their career but also peaking in popularity in North America.  Meanwhile, R.E.M. released their classic debut LP, “Murmur,” during that same week. 

Retrospectively, it marks the sundown of one era and the sunrise of the next. 

Returning Special Guest Phil Robinson has a lot of great memories from the night which he shares. 

Tune in next time for stage invasions, a cultural shift, and wondering what the hell I was thinking.  

(EP 22, no. 16) The (English) Beat with R.E.M.: End of the Party, Alumni Hall, UWO, London, Ontario, Canada, Tuesday April 12, 1983 

mylifeinconcert.com

Three weeks after the Joe Jackson concert, Iggy Pop comes to town with Toronto’s bandaged electronic mummy, Nash the Slash, in tow. 

I first and finally got to see Iggy the previous year when he gave a spirited performance at Police Picnic ’81, a festival I covered in EP 15: The Boiler. 

So how did this second appearance, this time at the historic Wonderland Gardens, stack up against that first one from the previous year? 

Tune in dear listeners for musical scuffles, pushed buttons, and a mini lake of spilled beer. 

To read the original 2011 blog entry, go to 014. (EP 20) Gimme Danger: Iggy Pop with Nash the Slash, Wonderland Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada, Wednesday October 27, 1982 

Next on Stage: Leeds’ furious and funky post-punk innovators The Gang of Four make an indelible, unforgettable visit to London, Ontario’s Wonderland Gardens, four months after the chaotic Iggy Pop gig at the same venue. 

Euphoria ensues. 

I had been listening to the band incessantly during that 1980-83 corridor and was thrilled they were coming. 

This March 1983 concert was not only my first ticketed gig of a musically busy year, it also marks the start of a new and welcome chapter in my life as well. 

This podcast recalls the concert but also reflects on key changes in my social life at this time as I began my 20s and finally found my local tribe. 

Special Guest Phil Robinson, who I met at this time, returns to share his memories of the gig and the party after. 

Stay tuned for intensity and celebration, a lipstick covered forehead, and finding your tribe. 

Read the original 2011 blog entry here …. 

(EP 21, no. 15) The Gang of Four with The Hoi Polloi: I Found That Essence, Wonderland Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada, Saturday March 5, 1983

One month after The Clash—and from one Joe to another—I take in a second, very different five-star, three-hour show from Joe Jackson. 

This marathon set is the subject of Episode 19, Night & Day.  Once again, the effervescent triumvirate of Lady B, Le Chateau et moi take in another concert together: one that far surpassed all our expectations.  

And with the best view in the house.   

The music was ebullient, spirited and unforgettable, even if a certain someone was intermittently beset by curmudgeonness. 

This concert also marks my return to Alumni Hall on the campus of Western University for the first time since seeing Elvis Costello and the Attractions there in November 1978 (Episode 8, Concert no. 3).  Luckily, the student rent-a-cops had officially chilled since then. 

Stay tuned for on-stage elbows, the bitter toll of insincere clapping, and going into Another World. 

Next on Stage: Three weeks after the Joe Jackson concert, Iggy Pop comes to town with Toronto’s bandaged electronic mummy, Nash the Slash, in tow. 

I first and finally got to see Iggy the previous year when he gave a spirited performance at Police Picnic ’81, a festival I covered in EP 15: The Boiler. 

So how did this second appearance, this time at the historic Wonderland Gardens, stack up against that first one from the previous year? 

Please return next time dear listeners for musical scuffles, pushed buttons, and a mini lake of spilled beer. 

To read the original 2011 blog entry, go to Episode 20 (Concert no. 14) Gimme Danger: Iggy Pop with Nash the Slash, Wonderland Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada, Wednesday October 27, 1982

It was one of the best and most exciting concerts I have ever seen. 

After five years of obsessing over my favourite band in the world, I finally get to see The Clash as part of a huge, passionate, and excited audience at the CNE Grandstand. 

Black Uhuru also delivered a stunning and memorable opening set.  It was also one of the best double bills of my lifetime. 

To say that this visit to CNE Stadium was a far better experience than the 1982 Police Picnic just three weeks earlier is an understatement. 

Special Guests not only drops by once again with his memories of the band and the show, but also reveals his real name! 

Stay tuned for a spirited performance, stage invasions, getting “The Message,” and The Story of Lady Bump. 

Note: Apologies for occasional distortion during the Skype interview portion of the podcast. 

NEXT PODCAST: One month after The Clash—and from one Joe to another—I take in a second, very different five-star (and three-hour) show from Joe Jackson. 

Once again, the effervescent triumvirate of Lady B, Le Chateau et moi take in another concert together: one that far surpassed all our expectations.  The music was ebullient, spirited and unforgettable, even if a certain someone was intermittently beset by curmudgeonness. 

This concert also marks my return to Alumni Hall on the campus of Western University for the first time since seeing Elvis Costello and the Attractions there in November 1978 (Episode 8, Concert no. 3).  Luckily, the student rent-a-cops had officially chilled since then. 

Stay tuned for on-stage elbows, the bitter toll of insincere clapping, and going into Another World. 

013. (EP 19) Night & Day: Joe Jackson, Alumni Hall, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada, Monday October 4, 1982 

mylifeinconcert.com

It was Friday the 13th in more ways than one. 

Dear Listeners and Readers: Welcome to THE WORST CONCERT EXPERIENCE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE! 

One poster for the show read “…make this your lucky night.” Yeah, right.  

While Police Picnic ’81 was a fairly sober and orderly experience for me and my compadres, the ’82 edition felt like a sadistic joke that wouldn’t stop.  It was a day of being trolled by the concert gods. 

The Talking Heads once again completely blew me away and The Police were radically improved from the ’81 edition, but even those silver linings couldn’t make the metaphoric dark clouds pass.  Even the day’s one miraculous positive came with a big negative. 

It was also my first of many visits to the now long gone CNE Stadium: the 60,000-capcity-for-concerts mega-venue in the heart of Toronto. (I made many visits there between 1982 and 1989, and shows by The Clash, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones are all coming up in this series.) 

Special Guests returns once again, sharing his more cheerful experiences from the day that include hotel stalking, Sting/Boris/pizza confusion, and sleeping in a Henry Moore sculpture. 

Join me in this delightful descent into festival misery and stay tuned for bad drugs, bad sound, obnoxious neighbours, pointless preparations, naive assumptions, swollen bladders, and a nightmare bus ride. 

Correction: The Ginger Ale I mention at 18 minutes is of course Orange Juice.

Read the original 2010 blog entry that I first published on OpenSalon.com here.

NEXT PODCAST:  Come back next time for one of the best concerts I have ever seen. 

After five years of obsessing over my favourite band in the world, I finally get to see The Clash as part of a huge, loving and excited audience at the CNE Grandstand. 

Black Uhuru also delivered a stunning and memorable opening set. 

One of the best double bills of my lifetime. 

To say that this visit to CNE Stadium was a far better experience than the Police Picnic just three weeks earlier is an understatement. 

Stay tuned for bouncing masses, getting “The Message,” and The Story of Lady Bump. 

(EP 18, no.12) The Clash with Black Uhuru: Clash City Rockers, CNE Grandstand, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Sunday September 5, 1982  

mylifeinconcert.com

Electropop comes to London, Ontario on a freezing March evening with Liverpool’s Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, or as they are more simply known, OMD.

Their set may have been egregiously delayed amid a brutal Ontario winter storm, but OMD more than made up for it, playing a blazing show to a small but dedicated audience who danced right through the whole thing.  London’s own Mettle, featuring former Demics guitarist Rob Brent, also delivered a terrific opening performance.
 
My special guest, “Special Guests” now in Leeds, UK, will return once again with his memories of the show.
 
Stay tuned for OMD restaurant waving, happy hoofers, and frozen winklepickers.  

Read the original 2010 blog entry here.  

NEXT PODCAST:  It was Friday the 13th—in more ways than one. 

Dear Listeners: Welcome to THE WORST CONCERT EXPERIENCE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!

One poster for the show read “…make this your lucky night.” Yeah, right. 

While Police Picnic ’81 was a fairly sober and orderly experience for me and my compadres, the ’82 edition felt like a sadistic joke that wouldn’t stop.  It was a day of being trolled by the concert gods.

The Talking Heads once again completely blew me away and The Police were radically improved from the ’81 edition, but even those silver linings couldn’t make the metaphoric dark clouds pass.  Even the day’s one miraculous positive came with a big negative.

It was also my first of many visits to the now long gone CNE Stadium: the 60,000-capcity-for-concerts mega-venue in the heart of Toronto. (I made many visits there between 1982 and 1989, and shows by The Clash, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones are all coming up in this series.)

Join me in this delightful descent into festival misery and stay tuned for bad drugs, bad sound, obnoxious neighbours, pointless preparations, naive assumptions, swollen bladders, and a nightmare bus ride. 

(EP 17, no.11) Police Picnic ’82 with The Police, Talking Heads, The (English) Beat, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, A Flock of Seagulls, & The Spoons: What A Day That Was, CNE Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Friday August 13, 1982 

See the original 2010 blog entry here. 

mylifeinconcert.com