Sunday, May 18, 2008

Call of the Wild

“Tonight. Tonight. Tonight. Tonight. La, la, la, la, la, la, tonight.”

Age fifteen came rushing back again like the proverbial freight train just a few minutes ago, although I’m quite sure my friends experienced just a bit more hearing loss over it than I did. I received my concert call the very moment New Kids on the Block hit the stage at Kiss Concert 2008. Every year a few local stations have their version of an all day concert. There are generally a few stages with varied acts from local “who?” bands to “holy freaking crap, its them!” type bands. WXKS, Kiss 108 FM, has been featuring the hottest pop bands since 1979 at their Kiss Concert; an annual show that is a staple for Bostonians. I have been to a few over the years but none as exciting as tonight must be for all us thirty something bubble gum chewing, pegged jean wearing, side ponytail sporting fans who wear the shirt of the band they are going to see on the night of the show; la, la, la, la, la, la. Sorry, it just slipped out.

For the first time in over fifteen years the New Kids are taking the stage, and busting out a few moves that hopefully will not land them in ICU after a hip replacement from on-stage injuries. All joking aside, I will go right ahead and own this one. I loved these cute little dudes from Boston. That’s right. I have their music in my iPod and every time one of their songs comes on I smile thinking back on all the fun we had obsessing over their music and posters, even though most of the words escape me after all this time. I could not bring myself to actually attend the event so instead unabashedly requested my concert call in a text this morning while on my way to work.

When the song started playing and all I could hear were hundreds of screaming fans then singing (likely my friends and the people around them, not the actual band) that same smile crept out again. I decided to sit down and write this because in all truth the smile was in direct relation to remembering a simpler time in my youth when there were not so many complications; bills to pay or dishes to wash. Well maybe there were but the mind sure can soften over time huh? I was a high school student, part time worker at a dentist’s office (not even touching that irony), varsity gymnast, girlfriend, friend and writer. I got to work in a preschool for one of my classes even though I did not go to a vocational high school and belonged to the Home Economics Club. It is safe to say I was just as random then, as I am now.

One of the most exciting things to ever happen in relation to NKOTB was to be featured on television, screaming for our Boston band. It was the day before Thanksgiving and we all skipped school. Our sense of adventure sent us into the city via subway; when cutting we could frequently be found eating lunch at TGI Fridays then buying music at Tower Records on Newbury St. On this day we were just about to leave Tower when we saw some familiar faces going up the escalator; it was the two hosts from the now defunct, local celebrity news show Evening Magazine and Billy Costa a host from Kiss 108. We went right back up, went over to talk to them and heard the magical question “you girls don’t happen to be New Kids fans?” Off came winter coats to reveal the gift shop of merchandise we were all wearing. I figure we put at least one of their kids through college so your welcome Jordan Jr. (please note I have no idea if any of the guys in the band have kids, this is for humor solely). We spent the next two hours cheering and clapping on cue under the hottest lights ever, listening to the same lines over and over. To a sixteen year old fan it was awesome. We got autographs and the air date then headed home discussing a good timeline seeing as though we were just taped for television and we were supposed to be in school.

The randomness of me means that I will never stop feeling some kind of high school elation every time I hear one of their songs because days like that will always come flooding in. My jaw hurts from smiling so big when listening to my call through screams and nostalgia. To complete my journey to 1988 I need a vanilla coke, ice cream sundae and a Marlboro Red. On second thought, there are some things I would rather remember as perfect the first time than ever live again.

“Well, I guess, it’s a brand new day after all, every time we hear the curtain call”

14 comments:

High Desert Diva said...

Ah Jenn...happy memories.

Never was a boy band fan, myself. Missed out on all that...

draagonfly said...

Good times. :) Can't say I was a NKOTB fan, but I liked Backstreet Boys before the Tweens got hold of them, and some of the dudes from Menudo grew up to be pretty hot. Thank goodness Menudo gave up the spandex tho. As Katy mentioned the other day after we passed a fashion faux paux, "Spandex is a privilege, not a right!"

Julie said...

This made me smile. :)

I know this will sound weird, but I wasn't quite cool enough to really get into NKOTB, though I did have a big framed poster of the boys that I won at an amusement park. I was a late bloomer in that arena. I was still listening to my parents' light rock station then. (*coughcoughgeek* I know.) Mostly, though, I lived in a bubble

Suldog said...

I was never a NKOTB fan, but I'm sure glad you have such good memories of the time. More power to you!

Now, the contest currently running over at my place has a prize of 10 (crummy) CDs, guaranteed to leave nobody with good memories. Come on over and take a shot!

Bridgete said...

I was a very late bloomer with "cool" music. I listened to Disney soundtracks for a lot longer than should be allowed. But I am glad you were able to reminisce about your happy memories from the days of NKOTB. =)

Julie said...

Haha! I was a Disneyhead for a terribly long time too. I didn't even think about that. I still know every word to the Little Mermaid, Lion King, and Aladdin soundtracks.

Rosebud Collection said...

My daughter/husband are heading to N.H. for one of their concerts..New Kids..that is.

Rosebud Collection said...

My daughter/husband are heading to N.H. for one of their concerts..New Kids..that is.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Oh god, now I am just picturing Ricky Martin in spandex and that is enough to keep me laughing the rest of the night.

Chris Stone said...

Not sure I even know NKOTB music, but sure sounds like fun!

Andrea said...

Oh man, I loved Joey like no other. Hearing the songs reminds me of elementary and middle school and the cute little boy who sat next to me who pretended to like the group to impress me. Basically the good ol'days. My friend has already met them since they reunited. I have to admit I was a bit jealous.

Judi FitzPatrick said...

Holy cow, I remember the night I took you and your sister to NKOTB in the old Boston Garden. Trish gave me earplugs and I still felt like I'd be deaf before we got out of there.
Glad the group can still make you smile; happy memories are a beautiful thing! Love, Mum

Bree said...

I read "tonight, tonight" and immediately thought of the Smashing Pumpkins. Guess what I was listening to in high school! haha

Lovely nostalgia, Jenn.

Octavine Illustration said...

For me it was the Violent Femmes. Nothing makes me think of cutting class, smoking reds (obviously the cigarette choice of all good girls looking to be bad) and cruising around while singing "Kiss Off" at the top of my lungs. Love the memories....