Rock Moment: Bob Seger, Pittsburgh Civic Arena, 1980

Bob Seger was flying high in 1980 and, for that matter, so were many in attendance on this hot summer night at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. His monster hit album, Against the Wind, was at or near the top of the charts and Seger was on his game this night ripping through hits like “Night Moves,” “Hollywood Nights,” and “Fire Lake.”

 

Being a sophomore in high school, older girls with a pulse always looked appetizing and I happened to notice a blond girl sitting/standing in front of me (put it this way, when I wasn’t looking at the stage, I was staring at her ass, a fact that is not surprising to anyone who knows me) who was extremely hot. A few songs into the set my friend turned to me and said; “That’s Bob’s (last name withheld to protect the “not so” innocent) sister.” Bob was on my baseball team and a good friend of mine, and yes, I dreamed about his sister who was a junior.

 

Well, lets just say, papa roach was getting a workout on this evening. The Doobie Brothers would have been proud. Everyone around us was taking a hit (I was too much of a goody two shoes to do it. It’s probably why I never got laid in high school, but I digress). Anyway, the joint made it to my friend’s sister and she was going to town. She and her girlfriend couldn’t get enough. Then in the spirit of sharing, she turned to offer it to us. The expression on her face was one of … I think I need a wipe.

 

She literally didn’t move the rest of the show, and after the lights went up, begged us not to tell her parents. Well, of course, we didn’t, and the next time I saw her, she didn’t know who the hell I was. Nice guys do finish last …

 

MP3: “Nine Tonight” (live)

MP3: “The Fire Down Below” (live)

MP3: “Feel Like A Number” (live)

 

Bob Seger official website

(Nearly) 30 Years Out: Billy Joel, Pittsburgh Civic Arena, 1979

 

“We don’t have an album coming out until sometime next year, we just came to play” is how Billy Joel addressed the sold out crowd at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in November, 1979. “However, we are going to try out a few new tunes on you tonight…this is called “All For Leyna.” Joel also debuted “Sometimes A Fantasy,” and “You May Be Right” on this night from what would turn out to be one of his biggest selling albums, Glasshouses, released three months later.

I became a Billy Joel fan after I heard The Stranger (I will have a review of the 30th anniversary edition next week) at a 7th grade party in 1978. When tickets went on sale, we stood in line (back when you had to do such things) and got four pretty good seats. I remember the arena workers going on strike a few weeks before the show and as it got closer, there was a chance it would have to be re-scheduled. But all’s well that ends well, an agreement was reached, and the show went on. (STYX had to cancel their show, but then again, who cares?).