SATURDAY, 13 JULY 1991 – WEMBLEY STADIUM
The day of the show, the nervousness was building. We all met in the lobby of the Carlton after lunch. The singer, HT, was there with this permanent foreign born A list model. Guitarist KG had gone ahead to the venue to see the opening bands. Everybody else in the band took a bus to the stadium, complete with police escort. When we arrived it was unlike any crowd I'd ever seen. There were over 200 people just backstage alone.
We all went to grab some grub and drinks pre-show, and all these massive stars were there for the show. From (former A list singer who had several big hits in late 70's early 80's) – who was not nice; to (foreign born permanent A++ list singer), who was amazingly nice; to dozens of British stars back in the 90s. So much so, the band got uncomfortable and started to peel off to hide. Both KG and I slithered around a corner to smoke and hide. That blind fool had fallen and nearly broken his foot at the airport, (sober I might add), and had it all taped up. Within 15 minutes, HT the singer joined us laughing about ditching the gig and escaping to Piccadilly. Saying we could crash a karaoke pub instead of this gig. Thankfully, nobody escaped that night.
My date for the event was a foreign born woman who was known as a two-hit wonder in the U.S., from a musical family. We will call her just MS. She and I had met back in January of that year at a party for this band in their home country. MS was widely respected and admired for her amazing vocal range, beauty, and the musicianship of her pop songs. On this day in 1991, she was 30 and I was not yet 20. Hey, don't judge. She'd been in a long term relationship that recently ended, and was dating a new guy – kinda/sorta, but wasn't serious yet. So she decided to be my date for this event, as friends. That was the plan anyway.
She was a total woman. A mix of Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe, and the eyes and attitude of a Joan Collins. She was all blonde hair, lips, hips, and…uhh, eyes. Yes, those two incredible, large, round…eyes. Hypnotic eyes. She was self-deprecating in a humbly-sweet way, and funny as all hell. Her words, her heart, and her sarcastic sense of humor really did it. I was honored when she accepted my invitation to accompany me that evening as a friend. Dress casual, arrive comfortable.
About a year earlier she'd given a French television-shattering performance in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower behind her – in a dress that made even the French TV censors nervous. It was a very tight, very short, very low-cut-dip little black dress. I honestly think she'd been sewn into it. Wrapped around her figure it was shimmering and stunning. She had that exact same dress on tonight and – good GOD. My mouth was dry when I saw her arrive at the check-in gate. For about five minutes I think everyone forgot about the band and the show, and she was the center of attention. Just…wow. H3 says no kidding, and he still recalls that dress. When he saw her he asked me if I would play drums during the show, and we'd just trade places. But I told H3 that I don't play drums. He didn't care. Even HT wanted to bring her out for a duet but she was too nervous.
I didn't know HT's new girlfriend, the supermodel, too well. She seemed very sweet and very in love. HT was a hopeless romantic who fell in love twice a day, so I'm sure he loved her too. But backstage, HT called me over to ask me a favor. He said a close friend of his was there, and would I let her watch the gig with me and my date? Apparently the two ladies knew one another and despite tabloid crap – they were friends. Sure, HT, who is she? That was when he introduced me to his lady friend, who was (foreign born A list singer who all of you know but never reached anything close to A list here) and had flown in just for this epic show. Looking at the two of them – arguably the two most beautiful ladies in London – I said "duh, of course", like I'd refuse that.
So with two lovely ladies beside me, we dutifully took our place in the shadows at the side of the stage, where I could look to the sound boards and cameras if needed. I had an ear-piece to my radio to monitor the production, and I could look ahead and see the band. We stood behind the camera track rig in the shadows of stage right (or screen left/house left for the viewer/crowd). Apparently HT liked it like that – to know friends are standing close since his vision was very limited past 12 feet.
The day of the show, the nervousness was building. We all met in the lobby of the Carlton after lunch. The singer, HT, was there with this permanent foreign born A list model. Guitarist KG had gone ahead to the venue to see the opening bands. Everybody else in the band took a bus to the stadium, complete with police escort. When we arrived it was unlike any crowd I'd ever seen. There were over 200 people just backstage alone.
We all went to grab some grub and drinks pre-show, and all these massive stars were there for the show. From (former A list singer who had several big hits in late 70's early 80's) – who was not nice; to (foreign born permanent A++ list singer), who was amazingly nice; to dozens of British stars back in the 90s. So much so, the band got uncomfortable and started to peel off to hide. Both KG and I slithered around a corner to smoke and hide. That blind fool had fallen and nearly broken his foot at the airport, (sober I might add), and had it all taped up. Within 15 minutes, HT the singer joined us laughing about ditching the gig and escaping to Piccadilly. Saying we could crash a karaoke pub instead of this gig. Thankfully, nobody escaped that night.
My date for the event was a foreign born woman who was known as a two-hit wonder in the U.S., from a musical family. We will call her just MS. She and I had met back in January of that year at a party for this band in their home country. MS was widely respected and admired for her amazing vocal range, beauty, and the musicianship of her pop songs. On this day in 1991, she was 30 and I was not yet 20. Hey, don't judge. She'd been in a long term relationship that recently ended, and was dating a new guy – kinda/sorta, but wasn't serious yet. So she decided to be my date for this event, as friends. That was the plan anyway.
She was a total woman. A mix of Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe, and the eyes and attitude of a Joan Collins. She was all blonde hair, lips, hips, and…uhh, eyes. Yes, those two incredible, large, round…eyes. Hypnotic eyes. She was self-deprecating in a humbly-sweet way, and funny as all hell. Her words, her heart, and her sarcastic sense of humor really did it. I was honored when she accepted my invitation to accompany me that evening as a friend. Dress casual, arrive comfortable.
About a year earlier she'd given a French television-shattering performance in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower behind her – in a dress that made even the French TV censors nervous. It was a very tight, very short, very low-cut-dip little black dress. I honestly think she'd been sewn into it. Wrapped around her figure it was shimmering and stunning. She had that exact same dress on tonight and – good GOD. My mouth was dry when I saw her arrive at the check-in gate. For about five minutes I think everyone forgot about the band and the show, and she was the center of attention. Just…wow. H3 says no kidding, and he still recalls that dress. When he saw her he asked me if I would play drums during the show, and we'd just trade places. But I told H3 that I don't play drums. He didn't care. Even HT wanted to bring her out for a duet but she was too nervous.
I didn't know HT's new girlfriend, the supermodel, too well. She seemed very sweet and very in love. HT was a hopeless romantic who fell in love twice a day, so I'm sure he loved her too. But backstage, HT called me over to ask me a favor. He said a close friend of his was there, and would I let her watch the gig with me and my date? Apparently the two ladies knew one another and despite tabloid crap – they were friends. Sure, HT, who is she? That was when he introduced me to his lady friend, who was (foreign born A list singer who all of you know but never reached anything close to A list here) and had flown in just for this epic show. Looking at the two of them – arguably the two most beautiful ladies in London – I said "duh, of course", like I'd refuse that.
So with two lovely ladies beside me, we dutifully took our place in the shadows at the side of the stage, where I could look to the sound boards and cameras if needed. I had an ear-piece to my radio to monitor the production, and I could look ahead and see the band. We stood behind the camera track rig in the shadows of stage right (or screen left/house left for the viewer/crowd). Apparently HT liked it like that – to know friends are standing close since his vision was very limited past 12 feet.
The model was Helena Christianson.
ReplyDeleteSix years to the day after Live Aid, Wembley Stadium was rocking to another all-star bill, and the headliners were the biggest Australian rock band in the world.
DeleteOn July 13, 1991, INXS were top of a bill that was packed with big names of the day, also including ‘International Bright Young Thing’ hitmakers Jesus Jones, Irish favourites Hothouse Flowers (‘Don’t Go’), melodic San Francisco rock band Jellyfish, British soul-rock outfit Roachford and Deborah Harry, the once and future figurehead of Blondie.
INXS-Live-Baby-LiveThe band’s tour was called ‘Summer XS’ with good reason. The sellout crowd that day was estimated at precisely 73,791, and the box office gross was £1,426,617. The event took place as INXS continued to enjoy the status of rock giants both in the UK and around the world. Indeed, at the BRIT Awards five months earlier, they had won Best International Group, while frontman Michael Hutchence was named Best International Male Artist.
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/when-inxs-rocked-wembley-stadium/
They teach you a lot at CDaN if you're paying attention.
My grandfather's birthday was July 13
DeleteCancers are my people
13 is my lucky# & my daddy is a cancer@geeljire.I'm adding the not so nice singer is Jim Reid(lead singer of Jesus & Mary Chain)Psycocandy is still a favorite album of mine though
DeleteYep Helena, and the other Kylie.
ReplyDeleteYa, Helena for the model.
ReplyDeleteKyle for the A list singer who flew in
The love towards INXS makes me question this whole website.
ReplyDeleteFemale singer is Kim Wilde
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/MEFR9EkkqmI
HIMMMM confirmed on Twitter - Kim Wilde.
ReplyDeleteKylie wasn't 30 in 1991 she was 23. I did think of her first because how many female Oz pop singers are there?
ReplyDeleteWrong girl
DeleteDamn I was about to say Kim Wilde!!!!
ReplyDeleteKim Wilde and Kylie for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteShe was in the papers here today talking about being visited by aliens
ReplyDeleteNice score! Kim Wilde and Kylie.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCould HIMMM number one be Cole Hauser?
ReplyDeleteHe was 16 in '91. Besides aren't his people more film industry (mom's a Warner and dad's actor Wings Hauser)?
DeleteIIRC Kyle did have a relationship with Hutchence for awhile. I didn't pay attention to ages in the blind.
ReplyDeleteHimmmm 'sends us a message' ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe love INXS I suspect because many of us are around the same age...not to mention they were/are awesome. MH was sex on freaking wheels.
ReplyDeleteWow, that dress on Kim looks more like body paint. I'd gladly murder all of you to look like that.
ReplyDeleteOh damn, Kids in America. I loved loved loved dancing to that song!
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to have guessed it. Well done!
ReplyDeleteKylie was his girlfriend for a while, he was the one who was supposed to have raunched her up. He actually dumped her for Helena Christensen.
I guess Debbie Harry for the "former A list singer who had several big hits in late 70's early 80's" who wasn't very nice. That's a shame; I love her and love Blondie (speaking of vastly underrated drummers, Clem Burke is one of my favorites).
ReplyDeleteKim Wilde in Paris w/Eiffel Tower
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEFR9EkkqmI
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI saw Kim Wilde the last night of Tommy in London. Got 2 of the very best seats in the house - through the last minute ticket window! - and it was awesome. Townshend sat in the row ahead of me.
ReplyDelete(foreign born permanent A++ list singer), who was amazingly nice
ReplyDeletePaul? Elton? Freddie?
I’m dying over this blind. So many memories.
ReplyDeleteFormer A list who wasn't very nice must be Bob Geldolf
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFEK6LIUReI Kim Wilde in "the dress"
ReplyDelete@ZantiMissKnit Clem is on Twitter @clem_burke Great tweet stream full of music tweets.
ReplyDelete@Sal Sallington - My first thought for the supernice star was David Bowie. He was known to be charming and well-mannered.
ReplyDelete"Suicide Blonde" Kim Wilde
ReplyDeleteI love Helena, incredible woman.
Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats with hits in the 80s) as the asshole?
Not sure about the permanent A++ singer, was thinking either David Bowie, Mac but not sure
https://youtu.be/MEFR9EkkqmI
ReplyDeleteKim Wilde performing in front of Eiffel tower in black dress. Holy hell.