Teen Idols Tour-Mark Lyndsay, Micky Dolenz and Peter Noone 
This is going to be a bit challenging to write, as I have nothing but praise for the performers, but could go on for a three-page rant regarding the horrible
set-up and disorganization of the venue. Oh well, let's begin at the beginning:
When I first looked into purchasing tickets for this event, I noticed that the pricier tickets included a private M&G after the show, so thinking that this would be a hoot for my family, I splurged. At Micky's solo shows, the sound had never been ear-piercingly loud and my daughter had handled it well enough last year, so I figured, how could this show be much different? Thus, these were my first two mistakes, but more on that later.
After watching the forecast for yesterday continually get cooler during the past week, we expected the temps. to be in the "warm" range (mid-80s for us). Well, it was about that here when we left, but after about a 40 minute drive north to Sacramento, we discovered on getting out of the car that it was quite a bit warmer there. The venue was Raley Field, home to the Sac. Rivercats minor-league baseball team. The tickets said that the show started at 5:00 and we got there right around then, figuring we could get our food and take our seats during the opening acts.
As it turns out, there were-get this-two hours of opening acts! The first was Maxine Nightengale, who did some Donna Summer-esque tunes. She wasn't a bad singer-but the sound quality was terrible. I've heard better sound set-ups at small local fairs, so that was disappointing. Not only was the sound bad-it was loud and bad! Next up were "The Heroes of Rock and Roll", consisting of some guitar and drum players. They played really heavy rock, some bordering on heavy metal, which I thought was a very odd opening act for 60s pop icons. And they were even louder! We spent the first two hours up in the bleachers not only because none of us wanted to be near the speakers (which were all in the front), but our reserved seats were directly in the late afternoon sun. I also spent the first two hours apologizing to my husband for making him come so early, but who ever heard of a 2 hour opening act? At one point we were wondering if Micky's plane from NY had been delayed.
After that torture was over, the d.j. from the local oldies station came on stage to make some announcements and good ol' Peter Noone brought out a fan on stage for him! Finally, it was shady enough to move to our seats, but before doing so I went to the restroom to get some t.p. to put in the kids' ears. I'm sure I'll go down in the record books as the world's most uncool mom for doing that, and my daughter was absolutely mortified, but at the same time, they weren't replying "Huh?" to everything I said today
At least, no more than ususal 
Things got better as the three " men in black" burst on the stage to "I Saw Her Standing There". Micky and Mark wore dark glasses throughout the evening and Peter joked that he hadn't gotten the memo. He teased them about maybe having some "work" done, but after seeing that youtube clip of Micky talking to an O.D. about a lazy eye, I wondered if perhaps that's why he had them on. Peter asked who wanted to go first, Micky or Mark, Micky said "I'll flip you for it", then proceeded to act like he was going to "flip" him in a wrestling mood. It was easy to tell from the beginning that all the guys had a good rapport with each other and were generally having fun together.
Mark somehow "won" the flip and was first to take the stage for his solo spot. I'd never seen him perform live before and he was very good. He sang "Arizona" "Cherokee Nation" "Kicks", "Hungry" and a couple other songs, but didn't have much interplay with the audience. Still, he was a good, solid performer and very well received. Micky and Peter sang the backup vocals (and dancing, too!) for him and seemed to be having fun.
Well, it's getting late-more tomorrow!
When I first looked into purchasing tickets for this event, I noticed that the pricier tickets included a private M&G after the show, so thinking that this would be a hoot for my family, I splurged. At Micky's solo shows, the sound had never been ear-piercingly loud and my daughter had handled it well enough last year, so I figured, how could this show be much different? Thus, these were my first two mistakes, but more on that later.
After watching the forecast for yesterday continually get cooler during the past week, we expected the temps. to be in the "warm" range (mid-80s for us). Well, it was about that here when we left, but after about a 40 minute drive north to Sacramento, we discovered on getting out of the car that it was quite a bit warmer there. The venue was Raley Field, home to the Sac. Rivercats minor-league baseball team. The tickets said that the show started at 5:00 and we got there right around then, figuring we could get our food and take our seats during the opening acts.
As it turns out, there were-get this-two hours of opening acts! The first was Maxine Nightengale, who did some Donna Summer-esque tunes. She wasn't a bad singer-but the sound quality was terrible. I've heard better sound set-ups at small local fairs, so that was disappointing. Not only was the sound bad-it was loud and bad! Next up were "The Heroes of Rock and Roll", consisting of some guitar and drum players. They played really heavy rock, some bordering on heavy metal, which I thought was a very odd opening act for 60s pop icons. And they were even louder! We spent the first two hours up in the bleachers not only because none of us wanted to be near the speakers (which were all in the front), but our reserved seats were directly in the late afternoon sun. I also spent the first two hours apologizing to my husband for making him come so early, but who ever heard of a 2 hour opening act? At one point we were wondering if Micky's plane from NY had been delayed.
After that torture was over, the d.j. from the local oldies station came on stage to make some announcements and good ol' Peter Noone brought out a fan on stage for him! Finally, it was shady enough to move to our seats, but before doing so I went to the restroom to get some t.p. to put in the kids' ears. I'm sure I'll go down in the record books as the world's most uncool mom for doing that, and my daughter was absolutely mortified, but at the same time, they weren't replying "Huh?" to everything I said today
At least, no more than ususal
Things got better as the three " men in black" burst on the stage to "I Saw Her Standing There". Micky and Mark wore dark glasses throughout the evening and Peter joked that he hadn't gotten the memo. He teased them about maybe having some "work" done, but after seeing that youtube clip of Micky talking to an O.D. about a lazy eye, I wondered if perhaps that's why he had them on. Peter asked who wanted to go first, Micky or Mark, Micky said "I'll flip you for it", then proceeded to act like he was going to "flip" him in a wrestling mood. It was easy to tell from the beginning that all the guys had a good rapport with each other and were generally having fun together.
Mark somehow "won" the flip and was first to take the stage for his solo spot. I'd never seen him perform live before and he was very good. He sang "Arizona" "Cherokee Nation" "Kicks", "Hungry" and a couple other songs, but didn't have much interplay with the audience. Still, he was a good, solid performer and very well received. Micky and Peter sang the backup vocals (and dancing, too!) for him and seemed to be having fun.
Well, it's getting late-more tomorrow!
nice review, Nora. I would love to go, too.
The jokes came as fast and furious as the songs did. I was thoroughly impressed with
him as an entertainer and would happily see him again.
), but I'm glad that at least you were able to enjoy all the performers anyway and that Peter Noone was so sweet to your daughter! That
mess with the M & G really burns me up, though, especially after you paid extra expressly for the opportunity to spend more time with Micky!
I would actually be tempted to ask for some of that money
back!
So is your husband still talking to you
after that fiasco? 
I've always liked The Herman's Hermits, and Peter Noone is a fantastic performer whom I would certainly love to see again if I have the chance, but I
don't think I'll ever be as much of a fan of anyone else as I am of The Monkees!
Search This Community
Community Chest
