Irving Plaza, New York, NY...... Although Gin Blossoms would go on to having four top 40 hits in the U.S. including one top 10 placement while Del Amitri would only have three top 40 hits (including one in the top 10), when this concert took place Del Amitri was the bigger band and thus the Scottish group was the headliner. Del Amitri released their brilliant debut album in 1985 but it came and went with little notice in the U.S. outside of some college radio stations (including my WICB, at Ithaca College). I loved that release but when no follow-up album came out for years, I figured sadly that they were a one-and-done band. But then, they had a new album in 1989 on a new record label and lo and behold--the band scored their first top 40 hit in "Kiss This Thing Goodbye." It took the label two tries to make it a hit, releasing the song as the album's first single without success but then re-releasing it in the summer of 1990 and taking it to the lower depths of the top 40...
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA .... While I had never seen ELO before and was interested in catching them live, I really went to see Dhani Harrison. As it turned out, Dhani and his band were OK but ELO was extremely enjoyable. Dhani Harrison ELO setlist : Standin' in the Rain Evil Woman All Over the World Showdown Do Ya When I Was a Boy Livin' Thing Handle With Care (with Dhani Harrison) Rockaria! Last Train to London Eldorado Overture Can't Get It Out of My Head 10538 Overture Shine a Little Love Wild West Hero Sweet Talkin' Woman Telephone Line Don't Bring Me Down Turn to Stone Mr. Blue Sky encore break Roll Over Beethoven
The Haunt, Ithaca, NY..... About 9 Times was a trio from Texas, I believe from the Dallas area. We played their "Walking Through Elephants" (off the 1985 album Play Jacks ) at WICB, and though I really liked the song I probably wouldn't have gone to the show had fellow DJ Glenn Raucher not talked me into going. When we got to The Haunt, it was so empty we momentarily thought we had the start time wrong and arrived way too early. But no, the band came out soon enough and began their set to less than a dozen audience members. Glenn and I pulled up chairs and sat to watch the show, a novelty since The Haunt had only a few tables with chairs and I rarely, if ever, snagged one for a show. About 9 Times was a trio, featuring brother and sister Wendy and Chris Broadstone and Jim Cocke. Wendy was the flute player/lead singer, Jim was the keyboard player/backing vocalist, and Chris was the drummer. Of course, when I say "drummer" that only gives you a small impression ...
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