By STEVEN JUPITER
HILARY COLLIER AND Bill Moore treated the Brandon Idol audience to a tender duet of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the soundtrack of “Dirty Dancing.” Photo by Kevin White
BRANDON—For those of us who came of age in the 80s, playing Pac Man and renting videos at Blockbuster, there’s something heartwarming about the fondness younger generations seem to have for the era today. Sure, the hair and clothes were outrageous—we knew it even then—but the music was legitimately great and still holds up.
Last Saturday night, the 10 competitors in this year’s Brandon Idol sang an eclectic mix of the 80s’ best, and sometimes cheesiest, tunes. For the Gen Xers in the audience, it was a like a high-school reunion without the name tags. For everyone else, it was just plain fun. The evening was hosted by emcee extraordinaire Bill Moore, replete in an Adidas tracksuit and terrycloth sweatband, looking like he could at any moment break into a Star Search-style dance routine.
The first contestant of the evening, Irene Simons, also had the first song chronologically: “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, from the 1980 film of the same name. It’s a fun song to sing and Simons was clearly having a great time. The lyrics, which bemoan the frustrations of the rat race, are just as true today as they were 43 years ago.
Next up was Bethany White, singing Ozzy Osbourne’s classic “Crazy Train,” also from 1980. This was the anthem of every long-haired metalhead who cut class to smoke behind the gym. The contrast of White’s polished appearance and the song’s iconic scuzziness made the performance especially entertaining, particularly when she cast off her silk scarf like she was tossing a sweat-soaked towel to a gasping groupie.
Gunnar Tinsman must’ve done some research into era-appropriate fashion because he came out rocking spiked hair and torn denim. Definitely mid-80s vibes. His song choice was “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds, from the 1985 film “The Breakfast Club.” If ever there was a song that evoked the 80s, this is it. Tinsman did it justice and no, we won’t (forget about him.)
Following that somewhat somber song was Tonya Granger with the fast, dramatic, New-Wave tinged “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler, from the 1984 movie “Footloose.” Granger gave the song the requisite oomph, aided visually by her historically correct neon ensemble. Back in the 80s, you were nothing if you didn’t glow in the dark. We don’t have to hold out for a hero anymore; she’s here and her name is Tonya.
Baker LaRock raided Elton John’s closet for the perfect purple outfit in which to sing John’s “I’m Still Standing,” from 1983. While LaRock is (hopefully) too young to need to sing these lyrics of survival, he invested them with sincerity and flair and pulled it off. Baker seemed to realize something essential about 80s music: half of the fun was in the sheer theatrics of it.
After a brief intermission during which 80s classics like “Roxanne” by The Police kept the party going, the competition resumed with Logan Shaddock’s heartfelt rendition of “Love Is a Battlefield” by 80s rock goddess Pat Benatar, from 1983. Though Shaddock opted not to wear Benatar’s signature spandex and one-shouldered sweatshirt, she captured the rocker’s spirit indeed. Love may be a battlefield but so is the stage and Shaddock was a warrior.
Venus Diamondis took the evening in a sharply different direction with “Memory” from the Broadway show Cats, which made its debut in 1981. A haunting tune about faded beauty, Diamondis imbued it with all the sensitive pathos it required, all while decked out in a sparkly gold dress and cherry-red wig, looking a bit like a fabulous cross between Stevie Nicks and Nina Hagen (obscure 80s musical reference…Google her).
Then came Shannon Wright. Like a tornado tearing through Town Hall, Wright belted out the gloriously cheesy “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley, from 1987. Wright had on his sunglasses at night as he bumped and grinded his way through the iconic song. The tune was inescapable back in the day and, thanks to the invention of Rickrolling on the interwebs, it still is. Clearly, Brandon will never give Shannon up, because he won Fan Favorite with his baritone rendition.
Peggy Sue Rozell rounded out the evening’s competitive songs with “Self Control” by Laura Branigan, from 1984. Rozell brought her young daughter up on stage with her to cheer her up after a difficult day. And true to the song’s title, Rozell gave a controlled performance that was quite reminiscent of Branigan’s cool, detached delivery. The only one who wasn’t impressed was Rozell’s daughter, who shrugged and said “it’s ok” when Moore asked what she thought of the song.
After the competitors had all had their turn on stage, Moore welcomed Hilary Strasburger Collier for a crowd-pleasing duet: “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, from the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing.” Echoes of 80s weddings and bar mitzvahs filled the hall as Collier and Moore expertly intertwined their voices. Moore in his tracksuit and Collier in her denim jacket and miniskirt (and leggings, for extra authenticity) were an 80s act that never was but should’ve been.
No 80s theme night would be complete without at least one melodramatic song by Journey, and so the entire field came back to the stage for a rousing rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’”. The entire evening was a train going anywhere and we were all willing passengers. Well done, Idol. Well done. See you next month!
