Steve, Bob & Rich Evolve at Parody Hall
“Rockin’ at the T-Dance” is the story of the Apollo 1 tragedy, the Hyatt Hotel disaster, and similar mishaps where they “Let the monkey go but blamed the monkey wrench.”
BoDeans Take Parody
Live Review: BoDeans at Parody Hall in Kansas City, MO, May 20, 1986. Waukesha, Wisconsin’s BoDeans were touring in support of their debut, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams. The title is clearly inspired by a line from the Rolling Stones’ “Shattered.”
Simple Minds At the Top of Their Game
Live Review: Simple Minds with The Call at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO, May 9, 1986 My Scottish brethren Simple Minds were on a career high, with “Don’t You Forget About Me” a worldwide fave after 1985’s The Breakfast Club featured it during end credits (you saw […]
Loverboy Live in KC
Loverboy with The Hooters at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO, March 21, 1986 This was a result of my fleeting Top 40 weakness. These guys were all over the radio, which later in life was something I would abhor in a band completely. But the crowd was […]
The Elvis Brothers Shake the Lone Star
The songs are enough for a slot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but the true measure of a band is their live performances. And this band exceeded that mark. Funny, physical, and self-deprecating, these boys came to entertain.
R.E.M. Reconstruct the Fables in St. Louis
Live Review: R.E.M. with 10,000 Maniacs at Kiel Opera House in St. Louis, MO, November 17, 1985 After recently becoming a student of R.E.M., this was a night I was excited about. I traveled to St. Louis from Kansas City (about a four-hour drive) to witness a band […]
Sting Shares Blue Turtles with KC
Live Review: Sting at Sandstone Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, KS, August 31, 1985 This was Sting’s first solo tour supporting his first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. The outdoor venue was the perfect setting for my then fave performer. This would be the first time […]
Steve, Bob & Rich at The Blue Note
Live Review: Steve, Bob & Rich at The Blue Note in Columbia, MO, (1985) The Kansas City trio made up of Steve Phillips, Bob Walkenhorst, and Rich Ruth brought their bigger-than-life show to the (old) Blue Note in Columbia. As a college town, it’s always a full house […]
Pretenders Live Under Starlight
Live Review: Pretenders with Simple Minds at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO, August 23, 1984 Touring in support of their best album ever, Learning To Crawl, the Pretenders rocked in a big way that night. Chrissie Hynde was more of a man than most of us in […]
The Cars Bring Heartbeat to KC
Live Review: The Cars with Wang Chung at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, MO, August 16, 1984 Touring in support of their fifth studio album Heartbeat City, The Cars are at the height of their game. With big hits from the beginning (“Just What I Needed” from six […]
NO EARPLUGS 