25 Years Ago Tonight

 This being Joe McIntyre's 52nd birthday, the math reminded me that 25 years ago today Lisa and I flew to Boston to see him in concert!

Technically, we flew out on the 30th. I sold some of my savings bonds to come up with the airfare, and with fares being dirt cheap (everyone was afraid planes would fall from the sky with the Y2K bug looming on New Years) that was enough to pull it off. 

We stayed at a Howard Johnson's right by Fenway Park, and as I recall I was so tired when I arrived I was a jerk to the hotel clerk when we checked in - but I apologized to her the next morning. I do remember the cab driver, on the way in from the airport, pointing out the Big Dig to us. 

Tired or not we went from the hotel, by cab, to the Paradise Club, where Joe was to perform the next night. His rehearsal was taking place, and we sat outside the bar. We saw his sister come and go (with McDonald's if I'm remembering right) and thought she was kinda snooty when she saw us. At some point Lisa suggested I sneak inside, and I did so. I stood for awhile watching the rehearsal, with not one person questioning my presence, until I shot this photo: 

That got me escorted out. 

The next day was New Years Eve, and Lisa had been tipped off by a friend about Joe's home address. So we went out there to see it. Nothing crazy, no trespassing, no stalking, but at some point his fiancé did drive past and ask us to move on. 

Joe had two concerts that night, an all ages show and a later, 10pm adults only show. We went to the latter. 

It was cold, and the line and the wait was long. 

I should point out that while Lisa was rocking a shiny silver dress, my lame butt picked out THIS and khakis as appropriate concert apparel. SMH

You'll have to excuse the quality of many of these photos. They haven't been properly scanned yet, and I went hunting for the old scrapbook when I thought of this post. But for what they're worth, here are some pics of the concert proper: 

We were, as you can tell, to Joey's left on the side of the stage. 

If you want a detailed record of the show, you're in luck. Here's a summary: 

It really was a great show.  On the way out of the club we were greeted by Joe's Dad, who shook our hands and thanked us for coming to the show. 

The cab driver on the way back to the hotel, btw, was the only person we encountered on the trip with a "genuine" Boston accent. 

When I got back to the hotel I called my co-workers in Milwaukee right away - my boss had requested that I give them a heads up if civilization crumbled at the stroke of midnight because of Y2K. 

On New Years Day while Lisa napped I went for a walk around Northeastern University, former employer of my favorite author, Robert B Parker. 

Then before we left the city Lisa and I stopped by Fenway Park so I could say I had seen and touched that hallowed ground. 

It was a great trip, and I'm glad we did it. 25 years - a quarter century! Man, the days are long, but the years sure are short - and getting shorter every time the calendar turns a page. 

Happy NKOTB Day!!

Today is the 35th annual New Kids on the Block Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as first decreed by then- Governor Dukakis.

 In celebration NKOTB has released "A Love Like This," with Jordan on lead vocals, from their forthcoming new album.

The 2023 NKOTB Cruise - arrival day

Wednesday, after months of planning and stress, Lisa and her friend JJ departed to Miami to embark on the 2023 NKOTB Cruise. This was to be the second such trip for Lisa and the first for JJ. 

As we learned from our own cruises together, it is always best to travel to the port city the day before embarkation, not only to avoid any travel delays that make you miss the ship, but just to de-stress and unwind. 

(Update: the next day a bomb scare in Baltimore delayed/canceled many flights and yes, some fans missed the ship and lost out on their vacation)

I dropped them off at O'Hare for an 11am flight and they were on the way!

Once I got to Miami they went to a merchandise pop up for the cruise where they were excited to see and take a photo with Danny Wood!

And they met Danny's Dad!

They eventually met up with Carina, Lisa's European friend and her roommate last year on the cruise.

Officially the vacation I hadn't even begun yet so there was a lot more to come . . .

Joe McIntyre at the Turner Hall Ballroom

Saturday night Lisa and I went downtown to the Turner Ballroom, right across from the Fiserv Forum, to see Joe McIntyre. This was the 3rd time I've seen him perform solo, and Lisa - I don't know if she can even count the times, given the cruise, the convention, etc. 

There was of course merchandise, and my lady bought - and looked great - in a t-shirt from the stand. 

This might be one of my favorite pictures of us, ever: 

This picture is from well before the show started. The main floor was sold out (400 seats if I heard the guard correctly), but the balcony, where we bought tickets, only sold 20 or 30 seats. I think that had to be by design, because what the heck otherwise? Yet why turn down revenue; tickets were being offered for $100 on the secondary market, so it isn't like the demand wasn't there. 

(even though Harley's 120th birthday party was in town) 

That pic too was well before the show but even so, we were front and center to the stage, had a table to ourselves, and best of all (hey, I'm almost 50!) there was a restroom only 25 feet away. It was like we lucked into a private suite LOL!

Now Joe, of course, is a member of New Kids on the Block, and idgaf if you like the group or not, as I do, but the point is moot at a Joe solo show. He performs a couple of NKOTB hits, some of his solo stuff, and covers.  He leans traditionally to the standards of the Rat Pack era, and included a few, but this time around it was largely covers of rock artists. 

He performed accompanied only by backing tracks and a single guitarist/pianist who also co-wrote a song Joe performed. 

I will not come up for excuses for his bright red sequin suit. 

 Turner Hall was built in 1882 and wears its age on its sleeve as a badge of honor. This includes netting to prevent any stray chunks of ceiling to crash into the crowd - something that Joe mentioned between songs, along with a few other friendly jabs to the appearance of the venue.  I don't believe it was said with anything other than affection; Joe is a sarcastic and blunt performer. Case in point: two women insisted on standing in front of the stage, in front of all 400 seats. He sarcastically called them out: "I appreciate you coming and standing there, but you know, you can see the same thing sitting in your seat"

It was a fun show, full of the talent and natural theatricality of Joe. Here's a setlist from a PRIOR show on the tour (none was available for this one yet.)

Like I said. A great show, a great time, a great night with a great woman!