Tag Archives: 1983

The Kinks in the Congos

Day 4 Nostalgic Music Month

The Kinks by Jon Hilton

Never be afraid to dance

It was June 9, 1983, when two young men set out for a day of youthful antics with the ultimate goal of attending The Kinks in concert in Portland, Maine.  We had just completed our sophomore year in high school and it seemed like life was before us.  We started early and got back late and in between, we undertook a quest, on which we found out about the people that we wanted to become.  The Kinks always remind me of that day and the people I went to that concert with and the adventures of the day. The stepping stones that Ray Davies and the Kinks provided great memories and nostalgic music month

The Kinks always remind me of that day and the people I went to that concert with and the adventures of the day. The stepping stones that Ray Davies and the Kinks provided great memories and nostalgic music month is about remembering those events and people who shaped us.   I also remember that the opening act was Robert Ellis Orrall.  People threw tennis balls at him.  Unlike Robert Ellis Orrall, this was a time in life when I was untouchable.

My top 5 Kinks songs of all time……………..

  1. Lola– Any list of songs by  The Kinks starts with L-O-L-A  Lola.  Hearing this song in person was even more awesome to be singing along with a few thousand other kinks fans.  A classic moment of youth, Well that’s the way that I want it to stay. And I always want it to be that way for my Lola.
  2. Low Budget-The story of my life in high school. I was a cut-priced person in low budget land.  However, I never let the budget determine the fun and it always seemed to work out for the best. We didn’t have much that day in 1983 except my friend’s white Chevy Chevette and plenty of grit.
  3. Don’t Forget to Dance– Great advice for Kinks fans of any age. Life is full of distractions and things of greater importance and sometimes we forget that life is meant to be lived.  That’s no excuse to just give in to a sad and lonely heart    We should never forget to dance, leave our troubles behind and enjoy life.
  4. You Really Got Me– a Classic riff that simply defines the bulk of my life.  Girl you really g0t me simply describes many relationships in the high school era of my life and singing it at the Cumberland County Civic Center with the Kinks was a transcendental moment.
  5. Destroyer– No other song describes that day and concert in 1983 better than this. Paranoia the destroyer! There was a lot of paranoia that night for some reason. Silly boy ya’ self-destroyer

A moment captured in time by a concert and the associated shenanigans of development. Youth is often wasted on the young, but that night in 1983 that wasn’t the case.

The KONGOS- by Mike Martin

Sometimes music doesn’t have to be vintage to provoke a feeling of nostalgia. On Valentine Day 2015, the KONGOS brought their Lunatic 2015 Tour to the Port City Music Hall in Portland Maine. Shannon and I were there front row center stage enjoying the alternative rock band from South Africa.

The band is a true family affair consisting of four brothers: Johnny (accordion, keyboards, vocals), Jesse (drums, percussion, vocals), Daniel (guitar, vocals), and Dylan Kongos (bass guitar, lap slide guitar, vocals).

Any band that uses an accordion, to augment its sound, ranks high for me-you can thank Henry Breau-His nieces and nephew will understand.

I have much more to say about the 24 hours Shannon and I spent preparing and watching the KONGOS, but due to time constraints and an unplanned trip to the MHS-my time has expired, so those stories must wait for another day.

So, if you have never listened to the KONGOS, Come With Me Now. I’ll bet that you’ll be glad you did !!

Woah come with me now
I’m gonna show you how

I think with my heart and I move with my head
I open my mouth and it’s something I’ve read
I stood at this door before, I’m told
But a part of me knows that I’m growing too old

Confused what I thought with something I felt
Confuse what I feel with something that’s real
I tried to sell my soul last night
Funny, he wouldn’t even take a bite

Far away
I heard him say (come with me now)
Don’t delay
I heard him say (come with me now)

Or, maybe I’m Only Joking 

 And I don’t believe a thing I’ve said

Have a terrifically awesome day! If you have any questions, drop us a line and please partake in #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and while you are at it take a trip to Greenville, Maine-I understand the foliage is majestic this time of year! #visitGreenville

#OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth #visitGreenville