In the mid-1980s, the Monkees are hot stuff again after MTV has reintroduced them to a whole new generation of fans. The executives at their old recording label wants them to record some new tunes for a 20th anniversary album and go on a reunion to...
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English Beat were due to hit the stage in the morning on the first day of the US Festival. They were the third act on the bill after the Ramones and followed by Oingo Boingo, so everyone had to get up "at dawn's ass crack" as Wendy put it and climb aboard helicopters headed for the concert venue at Glen Helen Regional Park, nestled at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains about an hour outside of Los Angeles. Everyone was slightly in awe of the lavishness of their mode of transportation, the grandiosity of the amphitheater setting which had been purpose-built for this one event at the cost of tens of millions of dollars, and the prospect of playing alongside hot and legendary music acts such as Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Santana and The Grateful Dead (both veterans of Woodstock).
While the first act, Gang of Four, was performing, Wendy decided to hang out with the fellas from Oingo Boingo to keep them on an even keel. This was an event of unprecedented magnitude. There were already so many people in attendance, it was hard to see the back of the crowd. It was definitely the largest gig the guys had ever played, and she wanted to make sure they were well in hand with no glitches or nerves impending.
As she strode towards their pile of equipment that they were checking for glitches, she found Dave right beside her, sticking to her like white on rice. She swiveled her head and looked at him like he had a third eye. "Dave, where are you going? You have a nice air-conditioned trailer beckoning you and all the beer you normally drink before a performance."
Dave shrugged his shoulders and tried to look commanding. "Oy, I said I was gonna be looking after you, Boss, and that's what I'm gonna do."
She raised her eyebrow challengingly, put her hands on her hips and squared off with him, assuming her maverick style as of old. He shifted a bit nervously from one foot to another and decided to take a more conciliatory tactic. Blushing and now looking sheepish, he said "Well, and I'm excited about this gig. I'd kind of like to see wot's 'appening, you know? Maybe meet the Ramones? You remember, you said I could be your apprentice?"
Wendy gave him a wry grin and said "Okay, Mister. I don't buy what you're selling, but I can see you're going to be as persistent a pest as the dust that's already clinging to my clothes, so let's go."
Dave exhaled and barked out a honk of laughter. He noticed a poster waiting in the wings next to a trunk that had RAMONES stenciled on it. Reading the text on the poster he said "Hey, Boss – what does Gabba Gabba Hey mean?"
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