019. (EP 27) Walking on the Moon: Police Picnic ’83, CNE Stadium, Toronto, Canada, Aug.5
Вставка
- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- It’s the third and final Police Picnic on August 5, 1983, once again at CNE stadium as well as the 4th and final consecutive summer of attending a huge, open air festival.
This time around the fest featured James Brown, Peter Tosh, King Sunny Adé, Blue Peter, and The Fixx along with the titular hosts.
While the first fest ran overlong but otherwise smoothly, the 1982 edition was the worst concert experience of my lifetime, even if the music was good.
As was also the case with 1982, this 1983 excursion came complete with a drug misadventure …. wait, scratch that last bit. What’s the opposite of “misadventure”?
For this episode, not only will Special Guests aka Phil Robinson be re-joining in looking back on this event, his pal from back in the day, Noelle, also joins us in this episode. The two of them went to festival along with a group of people and reconnect live for the first time since the 80s, and help each other piece together their experiences from that day.
So, it’s a first for the podcast, with a 3-way interview and reminiscence. We not only recall the show but also touch on late-night speakeasys, mammaried Police enthusiasts, how lucky we were to have The New Music, import 45s, and where did Simple Minds play here in London in the early 80s?
Tune in dear listeners for a euphoric day of great music, accidently taking narcotics, being trapped in a revolving door, smashed porcelain smokers on Queen Street West, and a goodbye to the tea-drinking Police, who were in Synchronicity with the world at that moment.
Next on Stage: Join me next time as I recall one of my Top Three best shows I have ever seen here in my hometown of London, Ontario, Canada, when the one, the only, the legendary & the regal Marianne Faithfull grants us an audience on a packed-to-the-rafters Fryfogles on a steamy, August night.
This hotly anticipated show was a distinctly more intimate experience than the Police Picnic. By this point in time, the former ‘60s pop icon and former Jagger paramour was in the final throes of a triumphant, early ‘80s comeback, triggered by her late 1979 LP Broken English, one of the true all-time classics. At this point in ’83, she was touring her third Island disc, A Child’s Adventure.
Conveniently, she began her tour at my local watering hole.
Indeed, this date kicked off her first-ever Canadian tour, with London lucking into hosting this debut performance.
Join me next time for thigh-slappin’ rhythms, backstage gossip, contented smiles and … dangerous acquaintances.
021. (EP 28) Dangerous Acquaintances: Marianne Faithfull, Fryfogle’s, London, Ontario, August 15, 1983
It was nice listening to three different versions of your experiences at the same festival. It almost sounded like you were all at different shows, lol. I was always so envious of all of the older kids in my neighborhood who got to go to the Police Picnics. I was probably about five years away getting to see those shows. Also, it’s nice hearing y’all mention the old bars and clubs around London. I moved away over 25 years ago and I haven’t heard the names Mingles or Call the Office in years. Thanks again for these wonderful memories of yours.
So glad you enjoyed and it brought some memories back. Yeah, I look back at these festivals and realize how lucky I was to be in the right place, time and circumstances. I want to help document all this for history.
Simple Minds played at Fry Fogles on Oct, 23 1981. They also played at the Talbot Inn on March, 19 1982. I looked it up online and saw ticket stubs and a photo from those shows.
Yes, we finally managed to deduce it was Mingles the second time. What a bizarre venue for them to play. When Simple Minds played here in 2018, Jim Kerr asked the audience if anyone had been at their early 80s shows here and a number of hands went up.
I was there it was great I actually got to see the Police play at the bar the EDGE before they hit it big there was about 50 people there. We were sitting at table touching distance from the band . Never heard any of their songs before it was their first appearance in TO . The Gary's were there Slaight from Q-107 Great listening to your experience brings back tons of memories. All the concerts at the Gardens all well LOL 😆
That's great that you got to see them at that early show with just a few people. Glad that the podcast triggered some memories.
California sunshine and i was completely floating during walkin on the moon and i wasn't worrying about breaking my legs .also i remember James Brown in a dress lmao didn't he start the show as one a the back up singers and revealed himself slowly by removing the drag show man that was weird i thought .