Live from the Regeneration Tour!

Mike Score and A Flock of Seagulls at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

It's finally here: The ultimate '80s roadshow -- the 2008 Regeneration Tour -- has landed in Tampa Bay. I'm here, backstage at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall, to bring to all the juicy scoop -- or at least make a noble effort.

The show is set to start at 7 p.m. with Naked Eyes, led by my new best friend Pete Byrne, taking the stage. I'll be handling the introductions and then attempting to literally stage-dive into my chair so I don't miss a single note. (Note to security personnel: Just kidding.)

I'll also try to post some pics during the night as well. In the meantime, feel free to fire away with comments and questions. I'll do my best to get you the answers. (First answer: boxers, with little firetrucks on them.)

5:45 pm: Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls is walking around backstage. My first good deed of the night? Showing him where the restroom is. So all my hours here at the hall finally pay off.

6:50 pm: Just 10 minutes before I have to go slur my way through stage announcements. Cotton mouth sets in. Band members are wandering around freely backstage now. I just bumped into Chris Stainton from Rubix Cubed, the official '80s cover band of Stuck in the 80s. He's sporting a "Frankie Say" shirt. Nice tribute.

7:10 p.m.: We're running late, but about to get started. I just chatted with Pete Byrne from Naked Eyes and Dale Bozzio from Missing Persons. Just as friendly as you'd want them to be.

7:20 p.m.: OK, my stage introductions are over! And the best part was just hanging with Pete from Naked Eyes for the 5 minutes before going out. Fulfilling his promise, he sang "Rocket Man" to me right before I walked out with the microphone. And as has become tradition, I introduced them by saying, "Please welcome, my good friends ... Naked Eyes!"

I doubt I'll get this silly grin off my face any year soon. For the record, tonight Naked Eyes is opening with a killer version of "Voices in My Head."

7:35 p.m.: People are really enjoying Naked Eyes, so I slipped away backstage again. Martin Fry of ABC just arrived and is saying hello to the Seagulls, who are drinking beers and getting ready to go on next.

8:10 p.m.: Pete just popped by and gave me a copy of his single "Movies I Dream" from the "Piccadilly" album, which is due out in 2009. He peeled off the plastic wrapped and signed it -- "Steve, All the best! Pete Byne." Again, can the night get any better?

Dale from Missing Persons joined us for a quick chat. She told Pete she was always a big fan of his songs and so we all just enjoyed the moment. Dale has a crazed energy tonight -- she looks more eager for the show than I am, which is damn near impossible. A Flock of Seagulls is still on stage, playing "Wishing," a song that never got its proper due, I say.

8:20 p.m.: Seagulls is finishing their set with "I Ran." The crowd is really going nuts. Damn straight. This is '80s Night in Clearwater, and there's no going back to today's dull, monotonous music after hearing these bands play live.

8:40 p.m.: Dale Bozzio and Missing Persons got a huge reaction when they appeared on stage moments ago. Dale is constantly pouring champagne into a glass, which she is sipping between songs. (That's the secret to her ability to hit the high notes, I'm deducting.) She opened up with "Destination Unknown" and the crowd jumped to their feet for the whole song. She's still able to hit that "hiccup" note too.

And to answer the big question: No, she's not wearing the metal bikini that she made famous 25 years ago in all those killer MTV videos. She has on bell-bottom jeans, a big black jacket and a fedora.

9 p.m.: The meet-and-greet is on. About 10 of us are waiting for Martin Fry from ABC. Suddenly there he is, just as cool and unassuming as he was during my podcast interview with him. He introduces himself to everyone and poses for whatever photos we want. He remembers me from our podcast interview, and we have a short talk about that interview and the Las Vegas show. Martin says he has a couple new songs to play tonight that we didn't hear in Vegas.

And then I confess that I think ABC blew Human League away during the Vegas show. He gives me a nice grin, and says "Yeah, yeah? Ah, cheers mate! We sorta thought so too."

Just as Martin is finishing up, Mike Score from Seagulls comes in, and we get a chance for a photo with him. My friend John (who took the photo of Dale above) and I have a quick chat with Mike, asking him about "Space Age Love Song," which Mike confesses is his favorite song too. "The keyboard player from ABC asked how I came up with that song," Mike says. "I told him, I just put my hands on the keyboard and went da-dum, and there it was."

9:25 pm: Intermission time again. The Romantics guitarist just walked by my door, strumming along. No red leather suits tonight.

10:20 pm: You wouldn't believe me if I told you what I've been doing the last hour. Really. Let's just say rock n' roll is still alive, and Dale Bozzio is the current reigning queen of that movement. After her set, Dale signed autographs from the stage, from off the stage, outside in the lobby and then right back the backstage door literally for an hour. Maybe two. I've lost time.

"I'm NOT going to not sign autographs!" she tells the security around her. Once people realize she's there and being so accommodating, she's mobbed non-stop with people wanted ticket stubs signed, requesting hugs, photos, everything.

She ended up in the Green Room with a few hardcore fans and held court for all of us, spinning stories you would simply just insist I'm making up. I think she's still in there. I gave her a good hug a couple of times, just because that's what you do in moments like that.

I've missed the entire Romantics set, but I'm ok with it. I have a photo of Dale hugging me, and a special souvenir for uber-fan Johnny B. Goode. (This will make us even for the Eli Manning autography, buddy.)

10:30 p.m.: Martin Fry is outside my room now, dressed in black. Members of Missing Persons are hanging out with him, shooting the breeze. The Romantics are presumably finishing up their set with "What I Like About You." And yes, I've been told Dale's still in the Green Room, telling more incredible stories and sipping champagne.

Final line by the Romantics: "What's what we like about Clearwater, Florida!"

11 p.m.: Here comes ABC. The first song -- "The Very First Time."

11:40 p.m.: No gold suit, but does that really matter? It's ABC. It's Martin Fry.  They ran through a quick set of about six songs. Sadly, no "All of My Heart." But they did a particularly soulful version of "Be Near Me," which was just as endearing. And they had everyone on their feet for "Poison Arrow," "How to be a Millionaire," "When Smokey Sings," and the finale -- "The Look of Love."

Has it really been 25 long years since those songs were top of the chart? Tonight, nobody could remember. And nobody really cared.

I'll post photos of my encounters with Martin, Dale and Mike Score sometime soon, when the buzz from tonight's show wears off. In the meantime, special thanks to all my new friends who showed up tonight wearing "Stuck in the 80s" t-shirts. That meant a lot to me. A very special high-five to Jason Matteucci at Ruth Eckerd for sharing his photos with me. And as usual, never-ending thanks to the entire staff at Ruth Eckerd, who are like family to me on nights like this.

I hope everything was good in the world tonight!

[Photos by Jayson Matteucci of Ruth Eckerd Hall]

Comments

[Derek]

Dear Steve,

I stumbled onto this site by accident and what I felt is this is really sad...very sad. You are clearly in need of attention and have found a sad outlet for that attention. Take note of how many times you mention the words "I", "me" or "my." Yikes!!!

[Crockett]

The Romantics!
Windmills from a drummer!

AWESOME!
They kicked major butt!!!!

[Spears]

I'm pretty sure it was The Romantics with the most original members. Though remember, Naked Eyes was only a duo in the 80s, with Rob Fisher as the keyboardist and Pete Byrne as the guitarist and singer. So technically, they had half the original lineup.

As long as the lead singer and the songwriting talent remains, I consider all these groups intact.

[Machachi]

WHEN THERE'S UNWANTED HAIR
STICKING OUT OF YOUR UNDERWEAR

CALL JOE MACHACHI & SONS MANSCAPING!

[Linda White]

Being unfamiliar with the original lineups, I am curious as to which band last night had the highest percentage of original members. From the four groups we saw (we left before ABC), it seemed that the Romantics had the most originals.

[Spears]

Thanks Surfdog! It was great seeing you both again last night! It's not an 80s show without you both there!

[surfdog]

Hi Spearsie,
LOVED the backstage blogging & pix almost as much as the show itself. We're still on a HIGH BUZZ from it! Wish there were more acts & the nite would never end!

Surfdog & Robin

[Spears]

Hey gang, I'll have more photos in coming days. Just waiting on my photos with Martin and Mike to arrive via e-mail.

My one regret: I missed the entire Romantics set. But I was having too much fun in the Green Room with Dale.

[ARod]

I have to agree with Linda, I thought Flock of Seagulls and the Romantics were great - they both exceded my expectations. ABC was a great band to close the concert though, no doubt about that. He didn't dissappoint wearing a nice bedazzled jacket.

Steve, thank you for posting all the back stage info. It paints a great picture of all the stuff we couldn't see from our seats, specially the Missing Persons crazyness. It was great meeting you and once again thank you for the tickets!

[Linda White]

Thanks so much for this peek backstage! My husband and I were at this show last night and had a great time. Our favorites were Flock of Seagulls and the Romantics, who in my opinion brought down the house. Unfortunately we left before ABC took stage as we were both getting a bit tired by then.

I agree with the previous posters about the Missing Persons odd set and Dale Bozzio's strange demeanor - especially when she came back onto the stage during the Romantics last song. But I do give her credit for being gracious with the fans and autograph seekers afterwards.

[Marissa]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUGLAS!!!!!!!! May your day be chore free and filled with your daughter's laughter.

[Melissa]

I loved reading about this! I just posted about Missing Persons on my blog and what they meant to me when I was a teen. I love Dale and I don't care if she is a spaz or not. (I loved her husband even more I think)

[Johnny B. Goode]

Ah, Dale Bozzio. She's low maintenance. OK, from what you described, probably not. But I appreciate the effort.

[Spears]

Ah yes, apparently bears love apples, as my friend REHPhotoGuy and I learned first hand last night.

One of many things we didn't anticipate learning last night.

[REHPhotoGuy]

I wouldn't necessarily say that you were bumping into Dale last night, I would say she was just bumping into everything.

Remember: Dont throw food at bears!

hahahah

Talk to you later man!

[Spears]

Hey Brent -- Thanks for the Epic Trash shout-out. "Nobody has called me Obi Wan since, well, before you were born."

I miss those rush party performances.

[Douglas Arthur]

my guess is that Sam The Eagle is code for the same thing that Vilma ritualistically did to Dr. Evil. In which case I may just barf here on my birthday. Thanks for the present of TMI Spearsie!

[Spears]

Actually, ticket prices for this show were very reasonable. And there was basically 4 hours of music. So there's nothing wrong there.

[Tonka61]

The headliners "ran through a quick set of about six songs?"

I can only imagine what they got paid for barely breaking a sweat, especially with Ruth Eckerd's ticket prices.

[Brent]

The lineup was missing the most important band from the '80's: EPIC TRASH

Burn Burn Burn

[specialkness]

oh brother I can't even type, I meant Don Johnson

[specialkness]

while I'm reading about this fantastic tour I am suffering through Heartbeat by Don Johson... what an awful song and video! GOod call on VH1 Classic videos Steve, great nostalic trip this evening.
Sure wish the Tour ran close to me.

[Blaine]

Sweet post. What a rockin' night.

Did this encounter with Dale top the Belinda Carlisle butts-out hug?

[Marissa]

JJ, think garden tending.

[Sherrie]

Dale Bozzio scared the crap out of me, what was she on? My gosh, she's an odd duck!

The absolute high point of the night was "Be Near Me". Transcendent. Incandescent. All of those 'cents.

Spears, I was waving like crazy at you and you were lookin' right through me. I was on the opposite side of the hall right by the second entrance from the front. The folks sitting next to me were terribly entertained by my flailing, but I never got your attention. Sheesh, story of my life.

[Vegasgirlfriend]

Steve - shall I make a innuendo-laced comment regarding the meaning of Sam the Eagle?

[jj]

Somebody's gonna have to spill the beans on Sam the Eagle.....

[Former Producer Dave]

Keep up the good work, Spearsie. Are you recording any audio?

[Marissa]

I have to ask if you ran into Sherrie while there. I asked a favor of her and I'm curious if she managed its execution.

[Marissa]

Seriously, SS, I could have gone the entire night without knowing about Sam the Eagle. And sadly, I know what you're talking about.

[Jeff in Cuba]

We had our closest brush with Gustav Wednesday evening, as he passed about 60 miles to our south. He had just emerged from his tussle with the mountains of Haiti, so there wasn't too much to him. Our meteorologists tell us he was just barely a tropical storm at that point.

GTMO is on the extreme southeastern part of Cuba, some 500 miles away from Havana, so we're no longer feeling any effects. Cuban media is reporting gusts in excess of 200 mph in west Cuba, so you have to assume they won't be as fortunate.

As someone who's been through a major hurricane, I can offer this advice: If you're in the path of this beast, or even near it, take every opportunity to be somewhere else.

Jeff, what's the hurricane report from your island?

[Spears]

It's the same haircut I always have. "Sam the Eagle" is code for something else. Right now, Daly is spitting out his drink after reading that.

OK, The Romantics are off the stage, and we're running VERY late. ABC is next and you can bet I won't miss a single note of their set.

[Jeff in Cuba]

I wasn't going to mention the new look, but since you brought it up...

"It's the new Spearsy! Now with 50% more forehead!"

[Spears]

You like the shirt, Jeff? It's the new Spearsy. It goes nicely with my Sam the Eagle look.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Fearless Leader,

What's with the Daly-esque shirt? Have you moved on from your patented concert-T, "I'm-with-the-crew" look?

Obviously the VGF veggie life has awakened your inner metrosexual!

[Johnny B. Goode]

What's right is right, Spears. Close the sale, with Dale. I've never asked you for anything else...

[joe]

I am a missing persons fan but that was just painful. Dale went on rants between songs - made no sense at all - played destination unknown then six straight nonhits - I ran rocked - drummer rocked flocks hairdo

[Vegasgirlfriend]

Hi Spearsie,

Be careful when you "bump into" Dale Bozzio - you might catch something.

[joe]

Steve we are here what is dale bozzio smoking up there?

[Spears]

Gary -- I'm in one of the dressing rooms backstage. They all have bathrooms. Well, the good ones do. I'm technically in the room reserved for the production manager. The door to Stage Left is right next to me.

[Gary in Gilroy]

Spears!, I can see you're wearing a much envied back stage pass there, but from the looks of that photo, you're typing your blog entries at a baby changing station in the restroom. Say it ain't so?

[johnny B. Goode]

Spears,
What's right is right. Repay your debt to me! (That's from "Another 48 Hours," by the way.)

[Gary in Gilroy]

Ok, I'm gonna just watch a string of You-Tube Missing Persons concert videos while refreshing my SIT80s page in another window.... keep me posted!

[johnny B. Goode]

Spearsie,
Other than Erin Doyle, Dale Bozzio was the chick who got me through high school. You have to get me a souvenir. You owe me that much.

[ian]

Now this about as good as being there. If only it was legal to stream the music for the losers like me who couldn't make it to any of the concerts.

Bra-vo, Spears!!

[Spears]

I've been bumping into Dale all night. That's one more dream fulfilled I can cross off my list.

We're waiting for Missing Persons to take the stage now.

[Johnny B. Goode]

Dale Bozzio? How could you "bump" into her and recover enough to post a blog item? You're a team player, Mr. Spears.