ELO – 81 vs 18

ELO – 81 vs 18

(1981-2018) ELO at The Fabulous Forum

Electric Light Orchestra has been a favorite of mine since I bought the Out of the Blue album during my last year in High School.

I last saw ELO in 1981 at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. It was my first concert. Quite memorable, indeed. Here we are, well into the next century, and I was given a chance to see them again, same venue!

So, you may ask, which show of the two was better?

Hard choice.

So much of the music of the 1981 show was new to me at the time. It just blew me away! So futuristic and in alignment with the scifi geek in me.

The show opened with an R2D2 type robot with a laser… this truly impressed me, being such a Star Wars fan.

The music was from the “Time” album, which I just adore.

Thanks to the wonders of the interwebs, we can see exactly what was played during that concert: 1981

But, I can’t be living in the past, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the show Saturday night…

I mean, this time they really had a LOT OF LASERS! The five screens behind the band were incredible and added such visual depth to the experience. They have obviously be in continuous improvement mode the entire 37 years.

The 2018 show was good nostalgia – taking me back to all the other times I loved in my life. This time I was able to share the experience with the one I love… Double the pleasure!!!

Who can forget the movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? One of my favorites! Mr. Blue Sky anchored that movie.

Xanadu was another favorite movie of mine. Olivia and roller disco, what more do you want?

(Kira Terpsichore – “No Sonny, you don’t understand, I’m a Muse!” Sonny Malone – “Well, I’m glad SOMEBODY’s having a good time!”)

The Traveling Wilbury’s a favorite band. I mean, really…

Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne… everything they did was pure gold!

That common thread of Jeff Lynne really ties my life together! (Like The Dude’s rug, man!)

Again, thanks to the interwebs, here is the list from the latest show: 2018

I’ve got a ticket to the moon!

Life is good…

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