Monday, August 17, 2009

Birth of a Squealy Fanboy: Joan Jett and the B-52's

Midway through the Joan Jett concert Tom turned to me and said, "I get it now."

"Get what?"

"That full body visceral reaction you have when Steven Tyler makes that noise. I think Joan Jett is my Steven Tyler."

He said something like that, anyway. It was pretty loud.

My husband had just discovered his inner squealy fanboy.

Nice.

But I got it, too. Joan Jett has replaced Dave Navarro as my favorite pocket rock star. How does so much sound come out of such a wee tiny thing? And how does a chick who represents as such a badass (one might even be tempted to say she had a bad reputation about which she didn't give a damn) present with such a contagious smile? Seriously, ya'll, her smile was brighter than the stage lights. When she went into her cover of the theme from the Mary Tyler Moore show (I KNOW! Right?) asking "Who can turn the world on with her smile?" I just wanted to say, "well it's you girl, and you should know it."


She rocks it as hard as she did when I was in college.

Also she's really hot. If you're into that sort of thing.

I think I'm gonna get a shag haircut.

I LOVE rock and roll!

so put another dime in the juke box, baby

so hurry up, and bring your juke box money

See how smoothly I segued between Joan Jett and the B-52's? My transition was considerably smoother than the actual one, which was sort of jarring. I like both bands, but I don't know whose idea it was to book them together.

It was not a great idea.

When we tried to decide who SHOULD'VE opened for the B-52's, though, we came up blank. They're sort of in a genre all their own. Lots of acts could've opened for Joan, though. Just sayin'.

Ack! Pictures were a lot more challenging after dark when flashes were prohibited!

The B-52's were just what I expected them to be. They bring the party, they do. They bring the retro, trippy, psychedelic party. They bring the strobe lights and the go-go dancing and the weirdly staccato vocal stylings for which they are known.

I was glad I got to go to the party.

Not everyone gets to hang out on Planet Claire. It's a groovy scene, for sure.

But it was a weird scene to enter from the back alley, where I'd just spent time hanging out with the bad kids in their black leather.

"Do you think she saw me, Tam?" Tom asked as we were walking out of the venue.

"Who?"

"Joan Jett. Do you think she saw me? I got my hands up really high..."

"I think she winked at you, hon. I was way jealous of your obvious connection."

I've been at this squealy fangirl thing a lot longer than he has. It's so easy to make us happy and hopeful. His giant goofy smile confirmed it.

One of us. One of us. One of us. One of us. One of us.

17 comments:

Melissa B. said...

Rock On! You know, Joan Jett is from our neck of the woods. And I wear my Blondie/Pat Benatar tour shirt all the time. I missed this concert at Wolftrap, though, 'cause of my Great American Silo Trip. BTW, Mrs. Scribe has just named you a Superior Scribbler. Please come by to collect your accolades!

Pam said...

Welcome to the club, Tom. Geoff and I can be all squealy about celebrities, too. Though ours tend to be movie stars, not rock stars. Though I do love me some Jon Bon Jovi. *sigh*

Kathy B! said...

I love it!

What a wonderful indoctrination into the fan club!!

Housewife Savant said...

Even I feel squealy about Joan. She is HAWT.
(Not in a way that would make me wanna touch her THERE.)

Unknown said...

great blog'

just stopping by to say hi from SITS; hope you'll do the same.

Becky said...

" I think she winked at you hon"

So stinkin cute...you two are:)

Carma Sez said...

What I love about Joan is that she doesn't seem like the type to care what people think about her. She does what she does and has her own vibe. I need to get like that :D

Liz Mays said...

Oh geez, the B-52's...talk about memories. In fact, my brother named his old crap van the Rock Lobster and spray painted that along the side. Good times for some.

JennyMac said...

HAHA...I saw her in concert once and she is a rock star. My boyfriend after grad school made out with her when he was in college. I thought he was a rock star too for having that tale to tell.

Macey said...

So wait. The B-52's opened for Joan Jett?? No way.
I love Joan Jett. Pat Benatar. All of those teeny tiny rockers that kick ass.
I don't like B-52's so much. They're okay, but JJ is awesome.

Hit 40 said...

I didn't catch where was she playing? The OSU fairgounds or Nationwide? I live in Dublin.

Hopefully, I spelled the name of the ice cream correctly. It is so yummy.

Swine said...

I think it was 1992 or so when I saw Joan at the Marion Popcorn Festival. I was a photographer so got into the VIP section where they had beer AND private porta potties. She saw me and my big camera right away. She really did look at me. She really did sing to me. After 15 beers there was no doubt -- dare I say it? She wanted me.

I know just how Tom felt. Nice to know she can still touch boys the very same way.

Claudya Martinez said...

You guys sure are having a lot of fun.

You've seen more bands this summer than I have in years. Pretty cool.

Alex the Girl said...

Ergh! You go to the best concerts. The B-52's? They are in a league of their own, and I can't think of a band that could open up for them except for the one hit wonder, Divine (I could dance for another...I I I I...Groove is in the heart...) and that's a big maybe! Joan Jett was like the female rock icon of forever...no one can even come close to touching her!

Now all you need to do is tell me you've seen David Bowie in concert. But you know, Americans really scare him!

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I love Joan Jett!!! That song is going to be in my head all day now!

I heard the B-52's were really good...they were here not long ago but I didn't get to go because I had strep! :(

Gibby said...

Not a fan of the B-52's, but Joan Jett...now she rocks! For some reason, one of the radio stations around here always plays I Love Rock-n-Roll and I blast it, singing my heart out. My girls get so embarrassed. I don't care.

Sandy said...

Oh yeah, B-52's I get...