Two sober loaders -- a good start

For all those out there who don't spend their days off scouring the Internet for 80s news, here's a lunchtime treat for you. The Smoking Gun website has a "Backstage Pass" area that lists the concert riders for hundreds of bands, including a slew from the 80s.

A backstage rider is basically the list of requirements each band has for a given performance. It can include stage, sound and lighting specifications as well as their catering demands. The venue's personnel are charged with the task of meeting the demands.

Here are some odd riders from our favorite 80s acts:

LOVERBOY: The Canadian rockers require the "two sober loaders" to help unload and reload their equipment before and after shows. No interesting catering demands (example: "1 Bic lighter"), which I can personally attest to, since I took an unauthorized visit to the Loverboy dressing room last fall when they visited Tampa Bay as part of the "We Are The 80s" concert series.

NIGHT RANGER: Don't tell me you love tea. These guys apparently do, asking for six bags of Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea. Also, the makings for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, lots of Dial soap and cinnamon hazelnut coffee creamer.

STYX: Lots of gummy bears, domo arigato. And two pizzas (1 cheese, 1 half pepperoni, half sausage.) And all juices must be sugar free. And for god sake, no Evian water!

U2: Sunday, Bloody Mary Sunday. Please buy them one case of Rolling Rock, four cases of Heineken, some Guinness Stout, a bottle each of tequila, vodka and Jack Daniels. Wait, there's more. Thirteen bottles of wine please. Yep, they're Irish all right. Click for the full list.

PRINCE: I saved him for last because it's EIGHT PAGES LONG. Dig deep and you'll find that Prince prefers yogi cocoa spice tea, hummus, salsa and cranberry juice. And don't forget the jasmine and lavender scented candles.

Comments

[Shelly]

I've worked in college student activities for about 15 years now and have worked with students to bring in a number of bands. I'm always amazed at the crap they specify for their dressing room prior to the concert and half the time they don't even eat and/or drink it. I think the fun comes in seeing if people will really do that stuff for them. Plus, working at colleges you get to cross out all the alcohol and tell them tough luck...you can't use university funds to purchase it.

[ed presley]

i think princes rider is incrediblely insane. he was at a buddy of mines bar one nite after a show , and thought everything should be free for him. so they threw him out. the ap picked up the story and ran with it. it was soo funny

Wow, that U2 list is something else. You gotta click on the link and see all the different bottles of wine.

I'd love to hang with them before a show. Though I doubt I'd be sober enough to watch it afterward.