20 years ago today (or so)
Today Mum and I took the girls for a super quick, late-in-the-afternoon whizz around the Children’s Book Week fair. The girls had their faces painted and made badges, and I got to have a catch-up chat with a long time favourite illustrator who I did a week of work experience with back in 1988. I think I made us both feel old. But it made me want to draw again. That was nice.
Speaking of the 80s; We had dinner with friends last night where I spent quite a lot of time arguing with my old mate about the 1987 Eurythimic’s concert, which we had both attended, but of which we both have entirely different memories. She found her old journal and produced her ticket. Sure enough, she was right – The Myer Music Bowl. Disturbed by my total lack of Myer-bowl recall, (I remember Crowded House there, TISM, REM even, but not the Eurythmics) I dug out my old journal from ’87-’88 (densely decorated with Amnesty International stickers and images of Johnny Depp, River Phoenix and Corey Feldman) to discover, with great relief, that my ticket was indeed for The Entertainment Centre. Same tour, different nights and different venues I guess. Are you old enough to remember this tour? Do you remember the giant zip? You have to remember that giant zip.
And then by sheer coincidence I stumbled upon the entry from that week of work experience at Five Mile Press (back in the day!) and how much fun I had and about the enormous crush I developed on one of the boys in the studio – but no surprises there because with some further flicking through this journal, it seems that in 1988 I managed a crush on someone completely new every couple of weeks. Pretty impressive for a girl who I remember had almost zero social life.
Now I’m off to make a cup of tea and read all about my 1988 school play.
Having a chat with Roland Harvey would make even me want to draw! I love his pictures as they are always so interesting. When I read his books to my kids they always have to nag me to keep reading as I have unknowing stopped because I am studying some small piece of action in the corner of an illustration! Work experience with him must have been great.How is it that the words to all those 80’s songs stay in the head, when I can’t even remember the title of some of the popular songs of today?!
No memories of anything quite so “own-up-to-able” as the Eurythmics…I went to see Bros in concert at the Tennis Centre…
As I never kept a journal I have to read about my sister’s life but it’s a wonderful trip down memory lane.I am old enough but NOT cool enough to remember.
Yes! I went to the Eurythmics concert at The Melbourne Entertainment Centre in the 80’s. It was my first ever concert. But strangely I don’t remember the giant zip?! But I do remember wearing an oversized chunky black chain necklace which I’d bought with my OWN money at Sportsgirl. I also remember blow-drying my hair for hours trying to get my ‘flicks’ to stay in place. I don’t think I knew about hair products then! But anyway, I thought I was very hip!
It sounds like you created some wonderful memories.
I think we were living similar lives at that time. I remember when River Phoenix died, the only time I’ve been really affected by a celebrity’s death – I had the newspaper clippings all over my bedroom wall. I also remember seeing TISM at the Hampton Hotel and they pulled the roof down on top of everyone!
Oh I loved Roland Harvey! 🙂 I would get his calendar every year.
Early ’87, Athletic Park Wellington. Same tour. Entirely different venue. No memory of giant zip. Do remember the side-on vantage point I had standing on the grass to the left of the stage and my then boyfriend saving my life as a pack of police officers mowed through us to get to someone causing trouble. Flying through the air by the hands of someone with great reflexes – I can recall clearly but grand zipper no.
I love Roland Harvey illustrations. Are there any other illustrators you know? You could do a blog series on them. I’d read it!
Roland Harvey?very cool.
Roland Harvey and Andy Griffiths are doing a workshop for kids as part of the Melbourne Writers Fest. Only 20 bucks. Just need to find yourself a primary-school-aged kid (if you don’t have one already) as an excuse to participate!
Sigh – I remember seeing The Eurythmics at the Entertainment Centre. I loved Annie Lennox and remember her prancing around in her red bra when they came back for the encore (I think). I remember thinking how cool wearing a red bra was…how revolutionary 🙂 Thanks for the great post – I love my journals and memory lane…
My very good friend Jules was painting faces that day. I will let her know about the photo.I have very hazy memories of concerts at the Bowl..ELO, Thin Lizzie,Split Enz. Of course I was just a wee teen.
Hi ClaireI am pretty sure I was in that 1988 play – I remember catching butterflies.
Lovely to see you blogging again.
Hi Claire,Yes I was at that Eurythmics concert and I also loved the red-bra Annie Lennox wore. I still have my lucky red bra from those days, I bought it a few days after that gig.
I also wanted to tell you about a great second hand kimono shop in Kyoto. I was there in 1983/4 so it is all a little blurry, but if you ask around you will fund it. The kimonos were wrapped in old, gorgeous fabric, so it is well worth the wonder though the back streets.
Thanks for the inspirational blog….Love it!
Christina
Yes… the giant zip! i was in year 12 and the zip blew us away… and annie lennox in THAT RED BRA
WOAH!I remember the big zip!
I saw them during that tour playing my home city of Glasgow – one of the best gigs ever, remember almost crying during ‘the miracle of love’!
wore the one eyed t-shirt endlessly, and must confess I’d still like to be Annie Lennox :o)
20 years … sheesh.