I wrote this post a few weeks ago, but got lucky when Jenn’s Theme Thursday prompt was concerts. So I’m recycling. Saving the earth, one blog post at a time.
Where: A third-grade classroom
When: 1989
Why: Valentine’s Day Extravaganza
There we were, decorating our shoe boxes with pictures of Edward Furlong and The New Kids On the Block. My man, Jordan Knight, was the focal point of my artistic creation, as Joey was much too “baby” for my taste, but I wasn’t quite bad ass enough for Donnie. Although, I would later come to lust after his younger brother’s “Good Vibrations” and Calvin Kleins. Holy Moses and the Red Sea that body. Mmmmmmmmm. Also in the unforeseeable future, I would fall head over heels for his legit Boston accent in The Departed.
Excuse me a moment, I have to find a cool cloth for my forehead…
Okay.
I was in the third grade when I began my love affair with NKOTB; those boys were my first ever concert (thanks, Mom!), and last night I got to relive that part of my childhood.
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
When: 2013
Why: Because we’re awesome
Two of my college roommates and my BFF celebrated 25 years of so-so music with some yummy Sangria, the kind of laughing that doubles as an ab work-out, and some weird ass food.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t have time to crimp my hair or grab something neon to wear, but my girls did me proud.
Throwback t-shirt and hot pink. Well done, ladies!
One of my favorite bands from the 90s, Boyz II Men, opened the concert and I’m proud to say that I remember every word to every song. And I proved it by serenading those around me. They loved it.
98 Degrees performed. No one cares. Let’s move on.
There we were, waiting for NKOTB to take the stage, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a man in a sweater vest offering to sit us near…er. My man James upgraded our seats and BOOM! just like that, we were a stone’s throw away from the big screen and the stage!
And then it was time.
Time, ladies and gentleman, to scream sing along, dance like a fool, and muffle my embarrassment for Joey when he dropped to his knees and dedicated “Please Don’t Go Girl” to “every single one” of us. I guess I am growing up. Sigh.
The Kids’ sexy gyrations that once elicited screams from my adolescent self kinda made me cringe; that, coupled with the fact that the strobe light had me on the verge of a seizure, I felt “old” for a split second. And then the screen zeroed in on some adoring fans who were rocking out whilst plugging their ears. I couldn’t help but find the irony in it; our collective hope was to revive our childhood for just one night, but does our childhood have to be so loud?!
I shook it off by dancing to “Hangin’ Tough.” I am tough enough.
Jordan dazzled us with his falsetto cover of Prince’s “Kiss.”
Danny’s (remember him?!) steroid use allowed him a brief break dancing interlude.
Jonathan has a beer belly and I admire that about him.
Donnie served as the ringleader, but I couldn’t get his creepy character from The Sixth Sense outta my mind.
Joey still sounds good and gurrrrl he look GOOD, too!
I imagine there were quite a few women who left the concert feeling hot and bothered. And that’s why I have to give this guy props:
The only dude in the place, but you know he’s gettin’ the good stuff when he gets home. Well played, sir. Well played.
I had forgotten how much I love going to concerts, especially with my girls, and last night was not only hilariously nostalgic for us, but so much damn fun. If you haven’t spent quality time with your pals lately, please get off of your computer and GO! RUN! It just may be the best cure for raging PMS or an overwhelming day on the job. And even though I didn’t return home with the skin or figure of my former self, I definitely recaptured some of that youthful glow that is only found in the company of good friends.
Jealous! I wanted to go on Long Island for my birthday. Two of my friends were willing to go with me but my sister and my bff both said some version of “Ew, no.”
Tell your sister and BFF to get off of their high horses and party with the common folk 😉
This sounds amazing! I was a Joey fanatic, myself. I think I still have some NKOTB trading cards around here somewhere…
Oooh! I bet those cards are worth…nothing. But it was a GREAT time!! 🙂
NKOTB was my first concert, too!!
I went to the NKOTB and BSB tour in 2008 and I still have the pictures on my phone. I still swoon every now and again. And I, too, have a fond memory of Joey singing directly to me. Le sigh….
Seriously, Joey’s facial expressions and dramatic flair were a little over the top, but it’s probably just me being 30-something instead of 9. He is one sweet piece of eye candy, though 😉
A little jelly…looks like you had fun! And who doesn’t love an upgrade?!!!
I would have responded earlier, but I had no idea what jelly meant.
#old
Awww this was nice Stephanie. Our cohort of awesome (as I love to call my girls) really make this journey FUN!
You said it, lady! Girls rule, boys drool. That wasn’t really on topic, but I’ve wanted to write it for a really long time.
NKOTB was my first concert, too! Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you! Looks like an awesome time! And, hot damn! Joey grew up!!!!!! I may have to print that picture out and hang it next to my bed…I’m sure my husband will love that. 😉
Your hubs can get him a poster of Alyssa Milano. All’s fair in love and childhood obsessions.
So so jealous! I’m 4 years older than you, and by the time you were obsessed they were *almost* old news to my friends and I. I would love a throwback concert to be near enough me to go.
I remember honestly thinking that if Jordan just met my third grade self, he would fall madly in love and BOOM. All would be right in my world. Wow.
Sounds like a fabulous night out!! I would LOVE me some Jon Bon Jovi and I’m thinking Hubs would be okay with it too!!
Mmmmmmm Jon Bon… saw him in concert a few years ago. That man has great teeth!
I was a Donnie girl. Still am. I wouldn’t kick Mark out of bed either, and was recently thinking I would take any of the Wahlberg brothers. Then I saw a picture of one of the nonfamous ones, and I changed it back to just Donnie or Mark.
You and your friends are adorable.
“I wouldn’t kick Mark out of bed either.” Bahahahahaha! I’ve never seen the other brothers, but I can’t imagine there would be much sexy left to go around. Poor guys.
Thanks, Amy 😉
Wow. I’m so jellly I’m green right now. NKOTB were the best and Boys II Men used to make me cry.
Everyone keeps saying “jelly” and I didn’t know what the hell you people were talking about and now I just feel old and un-hip. You’ve been banned from here, woman!
Just kidding.
Please come back.
So jealous. That sounds like fun. I definitely need a girl’s night out!
Come to the ‘burgh the last Saturday in June, Julie! We’ll party it up with Scary Mommy and drink too much wine 🙂
Whose fool idea was it to add 98 Degrees to that bill?
I loved the shit out of that “nachos” caption.
You gave me a total 90s flashback there… Good times, good times…
I bet you had incredible 90s hair. I know I did. Can you say permed bangs?
BOYS TO MEN?!?!?!!? Totes jelly, brah.
I had a thing for Jonathon. You’ve ruined it by informing he has a beer belly now. I’m going to go cry in a corner somewhere for my lost youth.
(And who doesn’t lust after Marky Mark? DYUM! )
The beer belly really spoke to me though. It said I will not let my past boy band stereotyped flat abs get in the way of drinking myself proper. Amen to Marky Mark!
Sounds like you had a blast! I missed the boy band craze, so have a hard time understanding it all. But anything that involves a Wallberg has to be good!
Right?! Marky Mark is good for the soul.
Let me tell you – Joey Mac is a doll face. I did several radio appearances with him and he is so sweet and down to earth. One of the coolest celebs I met. And, yes – Marky Mark is ALL that and a bag of chips – still to this day. Donnie redeemed himself with Blue Bloods and then with his reality series about the Boston police force.
Oh my goodness, love this recap! I was in NYC several years ago for the comeback performance on one of the morning shows. My sister won tickets. It was a blast. We also went to the concert in Philly that first tour. It was awesome since the last concert I had tickets to when I was in ninth grade went to waste as I ended up with a stomach virus that day. My sisters went without me and I cried! Anyway, thanks for letting me relive another NKOTB night!
I’m headed to Philly tomorrow for The Rolling Stones! Not necessarily a comeback tour but it’ll be amazing!
I was a BIG Jordan Knight fan too! They came here a few years ago, but I was to cheap to shell out the nearly 100 bucks for tickets…
I wouldn’t have spent that much either! Our tickets were $38. Woot woot!