Just 48 Hours Ago...

...I was nearing the end of two of the most enjoyable hours I've had in the last couple of years. Nah, scratch that.... IN MY LIFE! Big statement that. Kinda huge really but one which I believe to be quite possibly true.

Q. So, I spent thouse two hours doing what?
A: Being completely enthralled by this man: RICHARD MARX

It's been a while since I've been to a concert and even longer since I've been to a good one. And this one? One. Of. The. Best. Ever.

Held at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne - in front of a FULL HOUSE baby! - it was just awesome.

I had a seat in the 4th row which was a terrific vantage point to both view the show and also to take photos. The first few shots I took were pretty blurry due to an extreme case of the shakes. If course, the blurry photos could also be attributed to obscured vision through the view finder due to something in my eye - namely tears. lol! Yep, I did ink!

Almost on the stroke of 9pm Richard's band came out on stage- I started shaking.
A moment later Richard takes to the stage - My eyes misted up. I couldn't help it.

It's been 14 years since he last toured. Gods, I hope it isn't 14 years before he comes back.

Highlights? You betcha...

Right Here Waiting - the entire first verse and chorus sang spectacularly by a very enthusiastic crowd! "...aah, you sound good Melbourne."
Ready to Fly - just such a great song.
Endless Summer Nights - Man! This one sounded great. They've given it an overhaul. Upped the tempo a bit. It totally rocked!
Rick Price - Was the support act & also performed a duet with Richard. They said they'd been thinking of what to sing and all they could come up with was 'this' and they proceeded to sing the first line of "Sadie, the cleaning lady!". So funny! Serious note, I'd forgotten how great Rick Price was. Note to self: Find Rick Price CDs.
Hazard - The story behind it was great too. Apparently he thought it was the 'lamest' thing he'd ever written before his wife said "Nuh-uh! It's the coolest thing." So he finished it. Recorded it. Released it. And scored the biggest hit of his career for his troubles. Note: I still think the Sheriff did it. Isn't it always the Sheriff?
Should've Known Better - He took us back to the 80's when, in his words (or close to) "When music was music. Videos were videos. And hair styles were kind of messed up... Not that I'd know anything about that!" As you can see by the photos - the mullet has gone!

The only negatives of the night were:

1. It went WAY too fast
2. He didn't do Too Late to Say Goodbye
3. He didn't do Hold on to the Nights

Hold on to the Nights was the first Richard Marx song I ever heard. Way back in 1988. It's where my obsession with him started - I was at the bus stop across the street listening to a tape recording of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem. Funny what you remember. Generally, I've got a terrible memory. But that moment I can remember clear as day. I would have been 13 years old. It's probably safe now to admit that back then I had a fairly serious crush on the man - posters on the wall, doors, ceiling, locker, diary, folders, maths text books, t-shirts, etc. lol!

Hmm, should I admit that part of that 'crush' still exists some 18 years later?
Nah, better not :)