One Crazy 80s Summer in 2013, Part 3 – Richard Marx

Two days after the Huey Lewis and the News concert and the night before flying out to Las Vegas for a five day work trip, Richard Marx performed at Central Park in Andover, Kan. (Wichita). Seeing him in person was huge on my bucket list, however, it was a concert that I truly thought would never get checked. In fact, he had not played in the area in the last decade. Not only was he just down I-35 a couple of hours, but the concert was offered for free by the city. Although I was crunched for time with packing and getting ready to leave town, it was an opportunity that I could not let slip away, even if my lovely girlfriend had to cancel her hair appointment!

Tickets were available to pick up in person (and only in person) at several local businesses in Andover. Luckily, my good buddies Matt and Tony live in the area and were able to do me a huge favor.

Free Richard Marx tickets to his performance at
Central Park in Andover, Kan. on June 22, 2013

Courtney and I met up with them for burgers before hitting the park. It was already packed when we arrived. We did not set up shop with our camping chairs super close, but it was rather easy to make our way down to the stage. You can bet I did that for my favorite two songs, “Endless Summer Nights” and “Should’ve Known Better.” Lyrically, they are maybe not the best songs to hear with my girlfriend, ha! But, wow what positively gratifying and memorable moment.

Richard Marx performing "Endless Summer Nights"

In addition to playing a full range of my favorite 80s love tunes, Marx also added in a line of newer material and songs he wrote and produced for other artists. The night was made even more impeccable by the atmosphere and perfect weather, which was simply crazy for a mid-June evening in Kansas. Needing to be one of the first cars out of the area, we hightailed it for the makeshift parking lot as the music came to a close and he headed off stage. Fireworks capped off the evening and shot over head as we made our getaway, super dreamy!

My hottie girlfriend Courtney and me enjoying
the sweet sounds of Richard Marx

Up head in Part 4 of One Crazy 80s Summer in 2013—a free Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo w/ Loverboy concert in celebration of America!

One Crazy 80s Summer in 2013, Part 2 – Huey Lewis and the News

Ironically, the week after meeting Crispin Glover at the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Kansas City, Huey Lewis and the News performed one block to the north at The Midland by AMC on June 20. The band is a definite craze of mine that holds a sweet spot in my heart. They were my first taste of 80s music and also incredibly instrumental in my fall for the decade as they perform the soundtrack to “Back to the Future.” Their tour, which is still making stops, is celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the “Sports” album.

My copy of the 30th Anniversary edition of the
Huey Lewis and the News "Sports" album

This concert was highly anticipated as I bought tickets months in advance. I was sitting at my work computer one day when something in my head randomly spoke to me and said I should check the band’s concert tour. Much to my surprise, tickets were going on sale the next morning in KC. I must admit that I really could not manage the purchase at the time, but I deemed it one that I just could not live without making—a moment I could not miss—and so I splurged! The next morning I immediately accessed The Midland website on my Galaxy SIII and digitally waited in line for the second tickets went on sale. As this was a benefit show, floor seating was limited to the sponsors, but I feel that my gorgeous girlfriend Courtney and I still had some of the best seats in the house—front row of the lower level balcony!

My tickets to see Huey Lewis and the News
at The Midland by AMC on June 20, 2013

Huey Lewis and the News played every song on the “Sports” album, plus a load of other popular tunes. Quote of the night from Huey, “So many hits, so little time!” Indeed, it is true, but they sure unloaded a ton of them, including my obvious favorite, “The Power of Love” straight from the BTTF soundtrack. No better feeling must exist than hearing your favorite love tune live while next to the gal you love. We were also exceptionally charmed to hear “Do You Believe in Love” with one another.

Huey Lewis and the News live in concert
at The Midland by AMC in Kansas City

I sure did not want this night to end, but will certainly remember it fondly forever. With a bit of fortune and luck on my side, Huey Lewis and the News will visit the Midwest again in the future. Any time they are near, you can bet I will be there!

Huey Lewis and the News event program and tour tee

Stay tuned for Part 3 of One Crazy 80s Summer in 2013 featuring a free Richard Marx concert!

One Crazy 80s Summer in 2013, Part 1 – Crispin Glover

What an adventurous summer thus far, June was quite surreal—I feel like I am actually living in the 80s!

Last month kicked off with meeting Crispin Glover, an admired actor of mine who was extremely instrumental in my fall for the decade, having starred as George McFly in my most beloved movie, “Back to the Future.” In the latter part of the 80s, he launched the book publishing company Volcanic Eruptions, which also produced the two films he directed, “What Is It?” (2005) and “It is Fine! Everything is Fine” (2007). 

Travelling independently to perform narrations of his writings and screen the films, Glover appeared at the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Kansas City on June 11 & 12. The two nights featured readings and a screening of one of the films followed by a Q&A session and book signing.

Book signing with Crispin Glover after his performance and screening
at the Alamo Drafthouse in Kansas City on June 12, 2013

I attended the second evening with fellow Metro Pro star Steve Girthy, which showcased “What Is It?,” a fiercely intense and eccentric flick that largely casted actors with Down’s Syndrome and follows the happenings of a snail-obsessed boy highly afflicted by a brash inner psyche. In the Q&A session, Glover described the film as his reaction to corporate cinema, approaching several topics that are seen as taboo in our society. It causes viewers to question their own morality simply by sitting in the theater and watching. To my delight, he also shared some insights to “Back to the Future,” as well as how big business impacts the story of many Hollywood blockbusters.

The night closed with autographs and photos, but he also generously gave ample time with each audience member. He spent a good 5–10 minutes with everyone answering any further questions and learning about us individually. I fervently await his next stop through the city to screen his second title and highly recommend that fans track his tour. It is not only the best way to view these two films, but it is the only way—you will not find them available in video stores or on Amazon. Follow closely and quickly snag yourself seats for a personal encounter with the most colorful character in the movie industry when he visits a town near you!

Crispin Glover's book "Concrete Inspection"
with a personalized autograph

Next, Part 2 of One Crazy Summer in 2013 featuring the Huey Lewis and the News concert from The Midland by AMC!

Rare Finds | The Wild Life (1984)

Cameron Crowe struck mega success when he wrote the teen angst comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), which he adapted from his book published the year prior by the same title. It is indicative of the time with characters based on actual students he befriended when he spent a year undercover at Clairemont High School in San Diego. It was a herald film boasting a stellar line-up of actors, including Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Phoebe Cates, whose nude scene is forever etched in the annals of the decade. Put it right up there in my top three favorite movies!

 

Crowe then took the leftover material from his book to write The Wild Life (1984). However, this “sequel” of sorts never received quite the same recognition despite featuring another solid group of talent, including Chris Penn, Eric Stoltz and Lea Thompson.

It is not released on DVD due to controversy surrounding music rights of the Eddie Van Halen soundtrack, but I was able to hunt down a fine-tuned copy on DVD-R. However, I will have to do some work on creating a better cover for a traditional case so it can fit in nicely with the collection.

My DVD-R copy of The Wild Life (1984)

The plot revolves around high school graduate Bill Conrad who yearns to get out on his own. After renting an expensive luxury apartment, he is forced to allow Tom Drake the extra bedroom to make ends meet. However, growing up for Bill is near impossible with Tom's innate desire to live the wild life. Whereas Fast Times at Ridgemont High focuses a large amount of the plot in the school, The Wild Life is set during the summertime and focuses more on relationships.

The Tom Drake character played by Chris Penn is congruent to the Jeff Spicoli character played by his brother Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In the same likeness, the character of Bill Conrad played by Eric Stoltz is equated to Brad Hamilton as played by Judge Reinhold. However, the plots run in completely differing directions, and I quickly had to detach myself from viewing it as a sequel. The same motifs apply though—sex, corruption by drugs and alcohol, destruction of property—all the things that make a really great 80s teen angst film pop.

Every character has a strong position and personality that drive an incredibly sound story. I was immediately captured by the hilarious lines, anecdotes and exploits. The aged picture quality is completely forgotten as it all unfolds. Although, it is a certain shame that the film is unable to attain DVD release with digitally remastered picture. I was incessantly caught up in the comedy, and it left me wanting more as the credits started to roll.

If I was old enough to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Wild Life when they were first released, I certainly would have exploded upon news of the Fast Times (1986) TV series breaking.

Unfortunately, it only lasted one season. But, although a bit melodramatic, it still till this day fills a portion of that "I want more" gap. Ray Walston and Vincent Schiavelli reprise their roles as school teachers Mr. Hand and Mr. Vargas, and it features two of my favorite actors—Patrick Dempsey as Mike Damone and Claudia Wells as Linda Barret. All seven episodes are available in their entirety on YouTube.   

Cartoons | "Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears" (1985–1991)

The ultimate family animated series, “Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears.” Every Saturday morning we gathered around the television to watch the Gummi-Glen Gummis—Cubbi, Sunni, Gruffi, Zummi, Tummi and Grammi—bouncing here and there and everywhere. And, after all these years, I am still trying to get my hands on some of that Gummiberry Juice.

Thought of as mere legends after humans forced their species into exile centuries prior, the magically-skilled bears live inside a tree outside the medieval kingdom of Dunwyn as the last remainders of their civilization. In the first episode, the Gummis encounter and befriend a human, Cavin—the squire of Sir Tuxford—who keeps close to him a Gummi medallion passed down by his grandfather. Throughout their many adventures, they seek to protect their secrets of magic, as well as King Gregor and his castle from the exiled Duke Sigmund Igthorn and his army of ogres.

 

 

The series includes 94 episodes. It originally debuted on NBC where it spent four seasons before subsequently moving to ABC for the final season and afternoon syndicated programming. Many of the episodes are uploaded on YouTube, and Seasons 1–3 are available on DVD.

Watching “Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears” is extremely emblematic of my childhood family time. It is one of those cartoons with such well-developed characters that it is utterly impossible to pin-point a favorite. The series is charming and the adventures are so compelling that parents love to watch as well. It is an absolute classic and a precious precious gem.

Cartoons | "Denver, the Last Dinosaur" (1988–1990)

This one is quite the throwback for me and particularly special! I fondly recall the good ole days of my mom taking me to the public library to rent the VHS tape of "Denver, the Last Dinosaur." If only I could find the actual copy that I use to watch, re-watch and watch again, I would be on cloud nine! FYI, I am extremely sentimental about those sorts of things.

“Denver, the Last Dinosaur” was released in the United States in 1988 and only ran for two seasons. It was nationally syndicated with reruns airing up until 1990. Throughout the 52 episodes, it largely focuses on environmental issues and friendship. The story begins when a group of California teens discover a prehistoric egg near the La Brea Tar Pits, which hatches a cute and friendly Corythosaurus. Naming him Denver, they decide to keep him, but inhibit the knowledge of his existence. Through their enduring adventures, they teach the English-speaking dino about teenage life while simultaneously protecting him from the public. In contrast—with help from a piece of the egg—Denver is able to take them back to his prehistoric age and teach them about the time period. The character is voiced by the legendary Pat Fraley, whom performed in many of the most memorable cartoons of the 80s and 90s. 

 

 

As hard as I try, no one from my era ever remembers this incredible animation. I feel like “Denver, the Last Dinosaur” is all mine—it’s my baby, cute and adorable! Although I will probably never track down that VHS tape I use to check out from the library, I did locate 19 of the episodes on two separate volumes of DVDs. The majority of the series is also uploaded on YouTube, but I am a tangible type of guy. Plus, it is always worth spending a little bit on those things that impacted my life the most!

The Goonies, Good Enough For Me

When fate allows it, I occasionally find myself watching a movie in the perfect moment. The lighting and weather are fitting and the mood is just right. Sunset during the summer always leaves memorable movie-watching experiences for me, but every now and then it happens on the rarest of occasions. Never was this truer than the last time I watched The Goonies (1985).
 

My copy of The Goonies (1985) starring
Sean Astin and Corey Feldman


It was probably some time in October of 2000. I was a sophomore in high school and playing football for the Oberlin Red Devils. For some odd reason, we had a Saturday morning JV game against the Norton Blue Jays on their field. It was a frigid day. Horrifically wet and muddy, just miserable. Our towns are fairly close to one another, so we were receiving the same type of weather.

When I arrived home it was sleeting, but strangely I still went up to our local A&W/gas station and bought a smoothie. I got back to the house and resided to the basement to watch some television. Right at that moment, The Goonies started playing on TBS. I had our large basement window shades open allowing the dreary weather to seep into my quarters. It was relaxing, and my setting seemed to inexplicably match that of the movie. This was hardly the first time I ever watched the The Goonies, but this time everything jived. And, here I am 13 years later still trying to recreate that moment.

Set in the “Goon Docks” neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon, the adventure comedy follows a faction of pre-teens who attempt to save their homes from inevitable foreclosure. While exploring the attic, they discover an old Spanish map and artifact that sets them out on an exploit to excavate the hidden treasure of 17th-century pirate One-Eyed Willie. However, the coordinates take them to an abandoned seaside restaurant where they encounter a family of fugitives called the Fratellis. Escaping the villains through a cavern beneath, they trapse through a series of booby traps that subsequently lead them to a pirate ship full of gold.

 

 

The Goonies is an all around feel-good film, one created especially for dreamers—one that I would fantasize about, and put myself in the shoes of Mikey or Mouth. It embodies the culture of the 80s and is certainly one of the foremost teen and pre-teen films of the decade. It is packed full with unforgotten moments. The cast is incredible. Sean Astin and Corey Feldman are both iconic stars. And, the soundtrack includes some insatiable tunes, including Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough,” which I am felicitously listening to at this very instant. Fervent and impatient, I continue holding out for the day that my internal feelings collide with a frigid and perfectly relaxing Saturday when I can revisit this cherished movie.