In early January 1985, my mom and I were 7th in line at Fiesta Mall waiting outside the Diamond's at 7 AM. It was quite brisk for an early Arizona January morning, but I was determined to get tickets for The Kinks at ASU Activity Center.
Luckily, I got amazing 3rd Row center seats (closer to singer Ray Davies microphone). So compared to NO tickets to see Bruce and the E Street Band in November 1984, these tickets were incredible indeed. Note the ticket price, $12.50!!!
My dad and I picked up my friend Miami Zany EP (long story about the name which I won't go into here) and dropped us off in Tempe at the ASU Activity Center. I was wearing a London shirt (a hand-me-down from one of my cousins) but I bought this very cool Kinks concert shirt (back of the shirt is shown above) which I put over the London shirt. I felt like this was just so amazing! We were going to see one of the British Invasion bands (20 years on) and they were still making vital, exciting rock and roll!
Before the concert started, some frat boy who most likely had seats in the nose bleeds snuck his way down to the floor and near the stage. He started talking to us and he kept asking about the Kinks song "Destroyer" and also, "when will they play that 'Lola" song?" He was highly annoying and I tried my best to ignore him especially once the lights dimmed and the Kinks came out on stage. I didn't keep track of the songs, but remember they played most of the material from their newest album, Word of Mouth. The performance was amazing--Ray always wanting audience participation with the "Banana Boat" chant "way-oh" and of course, the audience bits in "Lola." Brother Dave Davies was incredible on guitar and it was a fantabulous show!
I had one other opportunity to see the Kinks in 1987, even had tickets for a performance at the Mesa Amphitheatre, but the tour got cancelled due to the bass player dislocating his shoulder. Why they couldn't have recruited another bass player (John Entwistle was always keen to gig) I have no idea.
But I have seen Ray Davies since then in 1998 and 2010 and these stories will have to wait for another blog post or two...
