Was it really that long ago when synthesizers and cotton-candy hair seemed oh-so modern? Not for The lost ‘80s Live! This 1980s era tour features some of the most recognizable acts from that great decade.Tickets go on sale Friday, March 4.
Artists include:
A Flock of Seagulls – Wing-haired singer Mike Score rocks the shaved head look these days, but he and the Seagulls still take flight on their hits, including “I Ran,” “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You),” “The More you Live” and Grammy® winner “DNA.”
Wang Chung – Originally Huang Chung, which is Chinese for yellow bell. Good decision to stick with the Chinese translation, as a chorus of “everybody yellow bell tonight” would have doomed the chart performance of “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” Happily, that tune wang chunged itself all the way to No. 2. The Brits also had hits with “Dance Hall Days,” “To Live and Die in L.A.” and “Let’s Go.”
Missing Persons – Missing Persons singer Dale Bozzio was flaunting her sexuality years before Madonna made bank off it. Dale may not be a household name like Madge became, but “Words,” “Destination Unknown” and “Walking in L.A.” were textbook new wave and great singles to boot.
Naked Eyes – English synth-poppers Naked Eyes had their biggest hit with "(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me,” a song penned by master songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Their second biggest hit was an original with the same title of a Bacharach-David Broadway show and title number, “Promises, Promises.” Subsequent releases with no Bacharach-David connection were less successful.
Musical Youth – Fun fact: These youngsters covered the Mighty Diamonds’ “Pass the Kouchie” as “Pass the Dutchie,” substituting a term for cookpot for a term meaning marijuana pipe. Perhaps inevitably, “dutchie” became a slang term for marijuana rolled in the wrapper of a Dutch Masters cigar. Fun fact #2: The original members of Musial Youth are in their 50s.
Stacey Q – We know you just want to hear “Two of Hearts” but don’t forget that the former Stacey Swain has been a circus elephant rider and a Disneyland performer. She appeared on “The Facts of Life” and “Full House.” “Q” is a James Bond reference. And you still just want to hear “Two of Hearts.”
The English Beat – One of the finest acts to emerge from England’s late ‘70s ska boom, the Beat fused pop, punk and roots reggae with hyperkinetic ska beats for a sound that was dangerously danceable. Singer Dave Wakeling fronts the 21st Century touring version of the band, which means you might get to hear a hit or two from Wakeling’s post-Beat outfit, General Public.
This show has been described by thousands of concert goers as a greatest hits show of the 80’s and a rare opportunity to experience so many great bands in one concert, one night, on one stage!
Event Venue
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N WC MacInnes Pl,Tampa,FL,United States
Tickets