July 14, 2005

Billy Idol at the Paramount

Billy Idol

I bought the ticket because I'll forever be an 80s wave fan. I had no idea the show would be so remarkable. Even though I was an hour late. The show was to start at 8. There would of course be an opening band, so I arrived at 9. No opening band and according to the guy seated next to me, Billy came on stage at 8. I presume I missed at least 7 songs, two of which would have been Eyes Without A Face and Dancing With Myself.

Thankfully Idol kept rocking for another couple hours. And he had the stamina. The boy's been working out. Idol is 49 and inspirational, as I'll turn 40 in 2 weeks. Granted I was in the balcony, but I thought he looked better than he did 21 years ago when I saw him with David Pinkis. That show was also in the Paramount, Tuesday, March 27, 1984. Show starts at 8. I definitely remember an opening act. That show was $13. The 2005 ticket was $40. I can now relate to the incredible prices my grandmother used to quote.

But back to the concert. Steve Stevens is still Billy's guitarist and to my ears his playing is sublime. Some critics say he's stuck in the 80s, playing all the old rock guitar cliches, and I'll have to agree. His technical execution was brilliant and it was just what I wanted to hear that evening. Particularly on his extendo solo during the Generation X tune Ready Steady Go. The rhythm section was unknown to me but brilliant.

The show ended with White Wedding and Mony Mony. Yeah the 80s were awesome. Yeah I'm homesick for London.