OK, is anyone else watching this show? VH1 sends this guy all around the world searching for members of 80's bands and tries to get them to meet and agree to play a "reunion" show. So far, the bands have been A Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, Romeo Void, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Klimaxx, and Kajagoogoo. I didn't like any of these bands in high school and some of them I've never even heard of but that's not the point. The show is great because all these people are now in their 50's and most of them are just working stiffs with families. None of them have seen each other in 20 years, much less played their instruments. VH1 puts them all in a room with equipment, gives them 1 day to rehearse and puts them in front of a club full of fans to play a show. Great stuff! If you're an 80's buff like myself, you should really check it out. It comes on every night at 9 Houston time.
This is a little off topic, but has anyone ever heard of the 80's band Roman Holliday? They didn't get a whole lot of success here in the states, but apparently they did get a couple of top 40 hits in the UK. Anyways, one of my professors was the guitarist/songwriter for the band. It is pretty funny to look stuff up about that band and see pictures of my professor as a rock star....
I have enjoyed this show as well. One thing is for sure... Teri Nunn from Berlin still looks good despite being "old".
I would like to see Prince get back with the Revolution. I went to Pointfest a few years back and saw Berlin, Flock of Seagulls, and The Fixx. The Fixx rocked (the reason I went).
They had Berlin and FOS on the show and the members hadn't seen eachother in 20 years. Did the bands you saw have all original members? I used to love The Fixx. I'd like to see a Missing Persons reunion. A former Playboy Playmate fronting a band full of Frank Zappa castoffs. What's not to love? Probably won't happen because the drummer (Terry Bozzio) and the playmate (Dale Bozzio) who were once married had a nasty divorce and don't speak anymore. BTW, on tonights episode, they are having Extreme. Apparently, the reason they broke up is because one of the band members slept with another band member's wife...and still is. Should be an interesting episode.
It's funny, over the weekend I talked to my friend who I went to the show with about this. He is an walking eighties music encyclopedia. He said none of the bands there had all the original members then. I figured that much. Berlin was "Teri Nunn featuring Berlin" etc. I know the Fixx had the original singer and guitarist. I think all the bands there had their original singer except for Asia. The Outfield was there too. I kind of felt like a dork for being there anyway, but seeing the Fixx was worth it.
Maybe they could work their magic and reunite Johny Marr and Morrissey for a Smiths world tour? One could only dream...
I watched a bit of the Kajagoogoo episode last night while I was channel surfing. Kajagoogoo's lead singer looks like he has been spending a wee bit too much time in Sado-masochism-land.
I've seen the Kajagoogoo and Frankie Goes to Hollywood episodes. The Frankie lead singer was the most pompous douche ever. He comes strolling in with his (homocessory) little dog and refused to even jam with the old band, even though everyone else wanted to at least give it a shot. His reason? "I didn't facy it." The guy still thinks he's some kinda hot $h!t and not just some 80s one-hit wonder. I just wanted to go up to him and say "Relax..."
Ain't that the truth or better yet, how about reuniting Roger Waters with the rest of Pink Floyd (David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright)? Boy, that would be sweet! I would like to watch this show but it seems that I never have time to watch anything at night except "The Family Guy".
A couple of things ... First off, VH1 should be commended for spending the amount of money they are on this show. Flying that veejay around the world, with crew, flying the members around the world, renting ancient anologue synths, getting the rights to the old footage, et cetera. And then, renting out a rehearsal space and legit club (the Roxy, among others), then advertising it enough for the fans to come to the (admittedly, free) show. Secondly, I'm a bit anxious to see the Squeeze episode, because I'm a big fan. Thing is, the group never really had a set lineup, their biggest hit was with a singer (Paul Carrack) who only appeared on one (brilliant) album, and the group's two songwriters were together until the late 90's. And the split was far from acrimonious. Most of these bands are borderline unlistenable, but it is interesting TV.
Also, that host is becoming a bigger Anglophile than I am, if at all possible. Every ex-band member has been "sacked," and the keyboards were "nicked" after the "mates" got "pissed" at the pub.
Thing is, Holly Johnson has had some success as a solo artist in the UK, so that's probably where the attitude comes in...
I'd like to see them get "Triumph" back together for a show. I may have to send that in as a suggestion. Screw all these 80s pop bands. Berlin was an interesting one to watch, though.
IMA, When Duran Duran fired Warren C. he said that Missing Persons was going to regroup and tour. Don't know if it's going to happen but that's what he said. Meogi, Sheila E recently had a reunion-type of show for charity. All of the former Revolution members participated, along with a few other Prince-related musicians. There was an open invitation for Prince to show up but it didn't happen. Hippieloser, Actually, they had more than 1 hit. Relax, Two Tribes, and Power of Love were all big hits from their first album. The second album bombed but the single Rage Hard did well in England.
Tonights episode features Extreme. Did they do anything besides "More Than Words"? I know the singer joined Van Halen for one album, but that bombed. It should be interesting to see what happens, since their one hit was just a singer and a guitar player, and there are 4 in the group.
How about just getting Pink Floyd without Roger Waters to play again? We may never see that again. Nick Mason just turned 59. So, their all going into their 60s. At least David Gilmour is doing solo stuff still. RIP Pink Floyd
