'Now that you're gone, I still want you back'

The Regeneration Tour may have left Las Vegas, along with the rest of the Stuck in the 80s party-goers, but the show marches on across the country, including tonight in Universal City, Calif. (Click here for a full list of dates.)

This is one of those tours you'll kick yourself for missing if you decide to pass on it. ABC and The Human League do sets that will have your head and heart spinning with delirium. You'll hear just about every hit from their careers, along with a few new tunes that will have you running to iTunes.

Open letter to ABC's Martin Fry: For the Aug. 30 show down here in Clearwater at Ruth Eckerd Hall, try adding "All of My Heart" to the set-list. You'll be doing me a big favor.

Adios, Vegas, but never say goodbye

LAS VEGAS -- The first official Stuck in the 80s weekend is nearly over. We just gave Tonianne a hug goodbye, and Jane and I are sitting outside our Southwest gate for our 11:10 a.m. nonstop flight back to Tampa.

The weekend started off with a bang, and it's ending with signature sobbing and overall melancholy. Just like poor Duckie in "Pretty in Pink." Sometimes the pain comes just as hard as the euphoria. I keep humming along to "Together in Electric Dreams" and "Be Near Me," but it's only making things worse.

It's hard to say goodbye to so many good friends, and it's my most sincere hope that we'll all be together again soon -- and that more of you other fans out there can join us. Next time, will someone just bring a few extra boxes of tissues?

I've had a lot of thoughts about future get-together destinations: our home region of Tampa Bay (obviously), London, Chicago, somewhere on the West Coast. But Las Vegas surely provided all the possible tools to having a great time.

Should we end up in Las Vegas again next time, here are some lessons learned from the weekend.

1. PACK HEAVY: Every one of us ran through every outfit we brought. I know this is the opposite of common sense, but Vegas is the opposite of traditional vacation location.

2. EAT MORE: Gin and tonics minus no food in 20 hours is a bad mix. Just bring extra money if you want to live off the $5 hotdogs at Nathan's inside the Luxor. The best food decision all weekend? Our opening night's feast at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. Never ate so good in my life. We didn't make it to CraftSteak on Sunday night, as we planned, but maybe next time.

3. BEG FOR UPGRADES: Tonianne was the only person to score a great suite, giving us all a nice location to party. Though I pity the crew of 50 maids it will take to dispense of the party remains.

4. CONSUMPTION CONTROL: If you can't count the number of Jager-bombs that Jane has had on one hand, things are going to go bad REAL soon. (Tape a $20 bill to your shirt with the name of your hotel, so a cabbie can get you home.)

5. THE CURSE OF GLITTER GULTCH: The old-school adult cabaret club in downtown's Freemont Street was ground zero on Thursday night. We arrived about midnight, and left about 4 a.m. I've been sworn to secrecy on all the events that happened within. I just know my wallet was mighty light the next day.

6. ENJOY THE SHOWS: We stood on our feet all night for ABC, Human League,  Naked Eyes, Belinda Carlisle and A Flock of Seagulls. Some of us -- Jane in particular -- danced through every tune of the night while others held their significant others and shared the ballads more privately. And while we're all bruised in unusual places and aching from our effort, I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

That's the point of Stuck in the 80s and the community that now surrounds it. We've missed you ... but we're coming home.

'Let's nuke Las Vegas!'

LAS VEGAS -- More than 12 hours, most of us here in Sin City for the Regeneration Tour still can't get a few songs out of our heads. Human League's "Heart Like a Wheel" for starters. ("Johnny Seven's coming over the sea!")

Blame it on the gin, or blame it on the unruly knowledge that we each paid about a grand for this adventure to the desert.

Right now, we're watching "War Games" on TV while we slowly digest our Sunday brunch feast of mimosas and shrimp cocktails. (I'm winning major points for quoting every other line in this flick -- I knew it was only a matter of time til this 80s schtick paid off.)

Some more Sunday observations:

DRESS CODE: Every female in town wears dresses that barely cover their NC-17 regions. And Matthew Broderick disturbingly likes to hack without wearing a shirt.

THE SUITE: Toni's ultra-suite was the hangout for much of the weekend. Here you see Mike and Angelina from Austin, who held court after the Regeneration show, thanks to Mike's "Pepe the Prawn" imitations.

WHY LAS VEGAS?!?: Why does Broderick have to nuke Las Vegas? Doesn't he know about the great, roomy suites at the Luxor? They fit at least 10 drunken 80s fans. When at the bar, ask for Larry.

TOP 5 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM SUNDAY:

5. "I totally can't feel my tongue now "

4. "Your bruise looks like the Virgin of Guadalupe!"

3. "I don't want to see an 11-year-old's chest!"

2. "You know what I could really go for now? Some milk and stew."

1. "You had mimosas and shrimp cocktails for breakfast, and I had freakin' Funyuns?!? I want everyone to know how much you suck." (They do know, Toni. They do now.)

The "Dream" is realized

LAS VEGAS -- Put the Regeneration 2008 Las Vegas tour stop officially in the books now.

Our gang of 80s addicts just returned home to our luxurious suite at the Luxor after the four-hour music fiesta. With a wet bar stocked with all the necessary poisons -- and not a bag of Funyuns in sight -- here are the highlights of tonight's mega-concert.

HALFWAY HOUSE: Let's get the sad news over with first. The auditorium was only halfway full tonight for the Regeneration show. But with Rod Stewart and Pat Benatar also in town tonight, 80s fans were scattered across town.

LOUD AND PROUD: I've never been at a concert with more enthusiastic fans. People were on their feet most of the night, singing along word for word to almost every song. The performers on stage seemed surprised by the devotion.

SAFETY DANCE: Though it wasn't billed as a dance party, performers on stage repeatedly encouraged fans to ignore security personnel and to dance up next to the stage. The bouncers finally gave up and let people go nuts.

NAKED EYES: Pete Byrne was in top form, starting the show bravely with an acoustic version of "Always Something There to Remind Me," which transformed into the full electronic version we all love. They only had four songs, but their finale -- "Promises Promises" -- brought the first standing ovation of the night.

A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS: Singer Mike Score knew what the fans wanted -- the hits -- and delivered with strong performances of "Space Age Love Song" and "Wishing" before finishing up with "I Ran."

ABC: Martin Fry was the star of the night, no question about it. The band played two songs off their new "Traffic" CD, then showered the awed fans with "Be Near Me," "How To Be a Millionaire," and "When Smokey Sings" before finishing up with "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love." They could have played for another hour and the fans would have still wanted more.

BELINDA CARLISLE: The Go-Go singer used ABC's backup musicians as her band and did both solo and Go-Go tunes during her set. "Circle in the Sand" was a popular pick with our group, but her finale of "Mad About You" was the highlight.

THE HUMAN LEAGUE: Wow. Just wow. The stage was totally redesigned for the headliners, and Phil Oakey didn't disappoint. The band whipped through their greatest hits, starting with "Mirror Man" and then springing into "Heart Like a Wheel," "The Lebanon," and "Human." The finales were "Fascination" and "Don't You Want Me." The band returned for an encore -- the long awaited "Together in Electric Dreams" -- before calling it a night.

So with the music done, and the review written, it's time to record some audio for our upcoming Vegas podcast. And pour a glass of amber magic.

FIVE MORE GREAT QUOTES FROM TONIGHT:

5. "After I make love, I make love again..."

4. "Oh, Mike, you're really good at this."

3. "I still love the Hooters."

2. "Just wash it off and come over here."

1.  "Who brought the Funyuns?? DALY!!!"

Vegas is Stuck in the 80s

Greetings, everyone, from Las Vegas, where we're a mere 6 hours away from The Regeneration Tour tonight at Planet Hollywood.

Sorry for the infrequent posts. But my roommate dropped acid, and my laptop was hijacked by a busload of penguins, so it's sort of a family crisis. Sorry, Johnny.

Last night, we caught Morris Day and The Time at the Flamingo. Un-freakin-believable. Seriously. The crowd was dotted with celebrities including Boston Celtic super Kevin Garnett, radio's Tom Joyner and soul-singer Teena Marie.

Morris and the band were super-tight. He saved "The Bird" as the set finale and came back for "Jungle Love" as the sole encore. Everyone at our table sat around with goofy grins on our faces the entire show. It took hours for the euphoria to fade.

Latest rumor: We think Phil Oakey from The Human League is staying here at the Luxor. That's Tonianne's theory since his iTunes network is showing up on her laptop. She's busily trying to hack into it to see what he's listening to.

Meanwhile, Motley Crue was also in town last night, playing Mandalay Bay. The requisite crowd of hungover headbangers are slowing making their way out of town now.

Best zen moment of the trip so far: Hearing "Don't Stop Believing" on the cab ride to the Famingo for The Time show, followed by "Our Lips Are Sealed."

TOP 5 QUOTES SO FAR FROM VEGAS:

5. "I missed Kevin Garnett? Shut. Up."

4. "What time is it? 8 a.m.? OK, we can start drinking."

3. "Look for the adam's apple."

2. "Is there a group discount for lap dances?"

1. "When Steve says something potentially offensive, he's like a little puppy making a mistake on the floor. You just can't get mad at him."

Stay tuned for more updates later today or tomorrow!

Anyone know how to fly a plane?

Today's the big travel day to Las Vegas for a group of brave (read: "foolish") Stuck in the 80s fans who are congregating (read: "drinking then passing out") in Sin City for the Morris Day and The Time show and the Regeneration Tour.

It's probably a bad time to confess that ever since seeing all the "Airport" disaster movies of the '70s, I'm a wee bit anxious about flying. But I figure as long as I'm not flying Trans Global airlines and the captain doesn't look like Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin or George Kennedy, I should be OK.

But then there's 1980's "Airplane," and my confidence drips away. What mystic force caused me to watch this movie 4 hours before heading to the airport is anyone's guess. But here are the lines from the movie that scare me most.

TOP 5 FLYER-UNFRIENDLY LINES FROM AIRPLANE:

5. "I've got to concentrate... concentrate... concentrate... Hello?... hello... hello... Echo... echo... echo... Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon... Manny Mota... Mota... Mota..."

4. "The life of everyone on board depends upon just one thing: finding someone back there who can not only fly this plane, but who didn't have fish for dinner."

3. "I know but this guy has no flying experience at all. He's a menace to himself and everything else in the air... yes, birds too."

2. "They bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash."

1. "There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"

Talk to you soon from Vegas!

Planning the perfect concert experience

This is a big concert week for a small group of Stuck in the 80s fans and particularly me. And big concert weeks require a lot of strategic planning.

It begins tonight with seeing Journey for the first time in 27 years. (And seeing Heart for the first time ... Cheap Trick for the third time.) But it continues with a small contingent of blog/podcast fans going to Vegas to see Morris Day and The Time on Friday and the Regeneration Tour on Saturday.

Considering the historic significance behind all these shows (Morris' first reunion show in 20 years; a rare U.S. appearance by The Human League), there's added pressure on the planning -- anything to make sure these became ideal experiences.

So without further hyperbole, here's my fool-proof, 10-step "day-of" plan for a great concert experience.

1. TAKE THE DAY OFF: Concerts are better enjoyed when you not rushing to the venue from the office. Plus, at our age, a nice afternoon siesta after a late afternoon, pre-concert feast of Taco Bell gorditas never hurts.

2. NO PLAYING THE MUSIC OF THE BANDS YOU'RE SEEING: Sure, it's OK to overdose on Journey's new album in the weeks leading up to the show, but I have a strict policy against it on gameday. I want the music to feel fresh. (I should say that my frequent concert pal Sean Daly maintains the opposite of this rule.)

3. CHOOSING A WARDROBE: Don't wear the shirt of the band you're going to see. ("Don't be that guy," as Jeremy Piven says in "PCU.") These days, I go with my patented black Tommy Bahama knockoff shirt, usually with jeans and shoes that won't be ruined by sloshing through concert arena muck. But by all means, mentally undress those of the opposite sex who wear the faded baby-doll concert tees from previous tours.

4. BRING A GOOD FRIEND, NOT A DATE: You won't remember the date's name a month from now. But your friend and you will talk about the show 'til the day you're both sitting side by side in the nursing home, waiting for your sponge-baths.

5. ARRIVE EARLY: Back in the old days, when it was general admission to most arena shows, this was mandatory if you wanted good seats. Now it just makes sense so that you can relax and even browse the concert tees (Hint: take then back to your car after purchase, since you parked so close).

6. GO EASY ON THE DRINKS: A shocker, I know, but everyone remembers the tragic ending to my "ziplock bags of rum" story from the Sting concert back in '85. To this day, I rarely have more than one or two drinks before or during a show. Remember, you don't drink beer ... you only rent it. And I hate paying the rent check while missing out on great tunes.

7. KNOW THE SET-LIST: This is a controversial practice of mine, but lately I try to look up the band's set-list on the Web ahead of time, so I know at what point in the show is a good time to grab a hot dog or a final beer. You want to be surprised? Fine. But I was more than happy at the Rush concert to head for my car early rather than listen to the 10-minute, head-numbing encore of "YYZ."

8. MINIMIZE DANCING: At our age, chances are you can't dance anyway. Feel free to stand up, sway around like someone sucker-punched you, but don't annoy your neighbors by pulling out moves best left to the days when you only had to shave twice a week.

9. SING ALONG: I'm anti-dance, but pro singing-at-top-volume. Go figure. Chances are no one can hear you anyway. You honesty think I'll have my mouth shut if Journey plays "Stone in Love?" I'll be in full air-guitar mode as well. Have fun -- it's a concert.

10. PULL A FERRIS THE NEXT DAY: Oh, yeah, the dreaded "stomach flu" (nod, nod, wink, win, know what you mean) -- why does it always strike the morning after the big show? Surely the boss won't begrudge you a few extra hours of downtime. (Oh, he will? Then schedule a phantom doctor or dentist appointment. You'll actually get sympathy for showing up late.)

Will I pull a Ferris the day after this long concert week ends? No need. I'll be vegging in our private pool cabana at the Luxor in Vegas on Sunday with the rest of the die-hard '80s fans. That's my final rule in concert planning: Allow plenty of time afterward to bask in the memories with those who went with you.

[AP photo]

9 days left to get 'Lost in America' with us

Let's just come to a friendly arrangement: You agree to come to the Las Vegas get-together for Stuck in the 80s, and I'll agree to stop this daily countdown feature right now.

You're gonna be stubborn, I see. OK. And so we march on.

Though the '80s don't give us nearly enough opportunities to discuss the genius work of Albert Brooks (I'm in love with 1991's "Defending Your Life"), there's at least one movie of his with a Vegas theme -- "Lost in America" from 1985. And wouldn't you know it, Brooks also turns 61 years old today.

You know he wants to be doing the "Jungle Love" slide with Jerome, Jellybean and us in V-town. (Only he's rich, so he'd score the Pharaoh's Suite at the Luxor.) Drum-roll please...

TODAY'S MAGIC NUMBER .... NINE days 'til the Vegas trip and ...

TOP 9 LINES FROM "LOST IN AMERICA":

9. "Shut up Brad! Your song stunk, I hate your suit and I could hurt you!"

8. "Twenty-two, twenty-two, come on back to me, come on back to me!"

7. "He'll buy that boat from that stupid boat catalog he's been making me look at for the last two months, and he will crash that boat off Catalina Island, and he will drown and die and seals will eat him."

6. "Nice dam, huh? Do you want to go first, or should I?"

5. "I lost a woman! A whole woman!"

4. "Why didn't you tell me when we got married that you were this horrible gambling addict? It's like when you have a venereal disease - you tell somebody!"

3. "If you pick up that Keno card, I'll kill you. I'll kill you."

2. "I've seen the future! And it's a bald-headed man from New York!"

1. "Say it! Say it! Say 'I lost the nest-egg.' Go on, say it!"

10 days 'til Vegas: Join us or else!

Just 10 days until the first-ever Stuck in the 80s get-together in Las Vegas. Are you still sitting on the fence about coming along to see Morris Day and the Time on Aug. 1 ... AND ... The Regeneration Tour, starring The Human League, ABC, Belinda Carlisle, Naked Eyes and A Flock of Seagulls on Aug. 2?

We'll give you one reason each day for the next 10 days, leading up to our epic journey to the land of 99-cent shrimp cocktails and 190 Octane frozen drinks.

Today's magic number... TEN: The number of albums released by Martin Fry and ABC, from the landmark "The Lexicon of Love" in 1982 all the way to "Traffic" in 2008.

Fry joined the Stuck in the 80s podcast a few weeks ago and was easily one of the best interviews we've had on the show. Expect to see our gang of 80s fanatics on our feet for the entire ABC set, singing along to classics like "Poison Arrow," "Be Near Me," and "How to be a Millionaire."

We still have one extra ticket in our block of seats for both the Morris Day and the Regeneration shows. E-mail me if you're interested in coming along. It's a can't-miss event. Don't believe me? You've got nine more reasons coming over the next nine days. Oh, you'll change your mind. Or you'll slowly go insane.

Phil Oakey never stops having fun

There's something just sublimely simple and happy about talking to a guy like Philip Oakey, the long-time frontman of The Human League.

Like fellow Sheffield native Martin Fry of ABC, Phil seems to motor through life with a smile on his face and a warm greeting for those who want to talk about his music. The Human League's upcoming headlining status on The Regeneration Tour, which brings the band to the U.S. for its biggest tour in 20 years, gave me a chance to chat with Phil for a half hour last week for the Stuck in the 80s podcast.

What will you discover during the interview? Phil hates making music videos. He prefers dance music to ballads (though he's no fan of Madonna's latest disc). And if all goes well, there'll be a new Human League disc for us all to enjoy in 2009.

Click here to download the show, featuring the interview and loads of music. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes. If you have time, drop us a blog comment and tell us how we did. Unlike Phil, co-host Sean Daly and I require constant positive reinforcement.

NO CHAT TONIGHT: Now that we're in the midst of summer-vacation season, let's move our chats to every-other week, skipping our chat tonight. Oh, I'll probably be online here anyway and on yahoo messenger ("spears22") if you want to talk about Phil, the Vegas trip, the new podcast or what happened at 80s Night at the Rays game last night. Always feel free to drop me an IM, e-mail or blog comment.

The A-B-C's of Martin Fry

Our latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is now online, featuring an interview with ABC's Martin Fry.

New to ABC? Then you'll enjoy this show because it's packed full of clips from the band's biggest hits, including "Look of Love" and "Poison Arrow" but also lesser-known gems like "All of My Heart" and "Ocean Blue."

Plus, you'll be among the first people to hear ABC's brand-new single "For the Very First Time" off the band's upcoming "Traffic" album.

Click here to download the show. Or click here to get all our episodes for free via iTunes.

TICKET GIVEAWAY: More details on getting free tickets to 80s Night at Tropicana Field -- featuring Kool & The Gang and Rubix Cubed -- are in this episode too! Even if you don't score free tickets, come buy a ticket and hang with Sean Daly and me anyway. (And check to see if I've got any "ziplocks" on me.)

Way past Time for a reunion!

Look who's getting back together for the first time in 20 years: Ladies and gentlemen ... please welcome ... The Time!

The original 80s lineup -- Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Jelly Bean Johnson and Monte Moir-- will play two short runs at The Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, according to Pollstar.com.

The Time is taking over the spot at the Flamingo that opened up when Toni Braxton ended her two-year gig early. Shows run from June 24 through July 5 and July 29 through 2.

According to Pollstar, the reunion was inspired by the band's surprise reunion on stage during this year's Grammy Awards.

GREAT TIMING: The Time's second run of shows overlaps with the Regeneration Tour stop in Vegas, which is a designated Stuck in the 80s get-together. As if you needed another reason to come party with us!

Ready to get Regenerated?

This summer's most impressive 80s music fest -- the Regeneration Tour -- is starting to ramp up its publicity machine. Now there's an official website to keep fans up to date on tour news.

Only 16 dates have been announced for this tour, which includes The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Dead or Alive, A Flock of Seagulls and Naked Eyes.

Keep your eye on the Aug. 2 date for Las Vegas, because a group of Stuck in the 80s fans are planning to attend (yeah, myself included.) Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 10. E-mail me at stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com if you want more information on what we've got planned for that weekend.