Every so often I come across an entry that is too good not to share … but is so embarrassing (even more so than usual) that I hesitate. HOWEVER. In last week’s Diary Friday, a discussion ensued among my group of friends about this one day that a “rock group” came and played at an assembly – it was some Don’t Do Drugs assembly – and this “rock group” (gotta put the quotations there) was part of that propaganda onslaught. We all lost our minds – and then that very night, they put on a concert in our gym – a rock concert. We all went (except for Betsy, sadly). Anyway- we could not remember the name of the damn “rock group” – and Betsy finally came up with it: Freedom Jam.
My entry describing the Freedom Jam rock concert is so mortifying that even I, with my love of self-exposure, find it horribly mortifying. I’m in my sophomore year of high school.
But here we go.
I give to you:
FREEDOM JAM!
TUESDAY
[written across the top of this page are the words FREEDOM JAM in massive massive letters]
LORD WHAT A DAY! NO FRENCH TEST CAUSE OF AN ASSEMBLY. WAIT TILL YOU HEAR ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY! [This is like a wartime telegraph. Lord what a day Stop. No French test Stop …]
OK, it wasn’t just a normal assembly. It was a CONCERT from a rock group – Freedom Jam. [Even my language there shows that I have no idea what I’m talking about. “a concert FROM a rock group”? What?]
Oh God!
I was in study first period, and I heard them rehearsing. I mean, they were REAL ROCK. [I am so sorry. I just … I have nothing to say …] I ran in there and got a good seat. The whole place filled up and kids had to sit on the floor. The whole set-up was all these speakers and microphones and synthesizers and a big yellow drum set up high. Then Josh Lott came out [Josh Lott!! He was so HOT!] and everybody screamed. This boy is a senior with the most incredible face, an even more incredible body, and he wears plaid pants. He’s a freak. He’s not conceited though. In fact, he is a National Merit scholar. He just stood there – adorably – waiting for us to finish, and he made a speech about the band and ended by yelling, “HERE’S FREEDOM JAM!” [This is so damn hysterical. It’s like U2 came to our school or something.] The whole place screeched and I felt shivers as the guys ran out and immediately began to play. It was fabulous!! Smashing drums and guitars … and the keyboards player. Oh my Lord. I’ll tell you about him later. [Oh God. Please don’t.]
They were excellent. All of them were about college age. There was a black lead singer, two white guitarists, a drummer [and here I wrote a little heart. Yes. A small heart.] and a piano player [another heart, this one much bigger.] All were good-looking and they sounded like a real rock group! [Holy crap. How awful!!! Why didn’t I say “band”? Why did I say “group”? It’s so geeky!!!]
They played some Ozzy and they played Loverboy [bwahahahahaha] and Men at Work. Piano player did harmony. I loved how he played. The lead guy wore olive drab, one guitarist had frizzy hair and woire this black suit with a holster [excuse me? A holster?], the other wore this red, white and blue soldier suit, the drummer wore a sailor middy [I am laughing out loud at all of this – THE DRUMMER WORE A SAILOR MIDDY? WTF? Is he Little Orphan Annie???] and the keyboard — oh my heart. He was really small and lithe, and he had blonde hair and the most CUTE face. He was so small! And he wore a red, white and blue striped vest, white shirt, a red, white and blue garter on one arm [oh God, member that look??], black bow tie, black pants, and Darryl Hall sneakers. [The outfits are killing me.] I swear, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.
After they sang, they talked and stuff, and did some skits [Oh man.] pertaining to music throughout America’s history. They started off in 1776 and turned all of these patriotic tunes into rock songs. They were hilarious. Then, they went through the Civil War, WWI, the 20s, the 30s, 40s, 50s … the lead guy did Elvis. Oh God! He had on this white glittery suit with spangles and a belt with a HUGE belt buckle, and this guitar with Elvis all over it, and he did the most hysterical things with his hips and eyes. [I am shaking with laughter. “So do you like that guy?” “Ah, whatever. He’s all hips and eyes.”] And he pointed to Heidi in the audience and made her stand up (she was so red) and point at him (she was laughing so hard) and he started to sing, “You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog!” and she dropped right back in her seat! The 60s – “She Loves You Yeah Yeah Yeah” – I particular remember that the keyboards (Tom Caffey) was very cute in this. Oh, and when they got up to present, the drummer, who was also gorgeous, sang “Even the Nights Are Better” [Oh man – that song!!] and he took Heather Cavanagh out of the audience and up onto the stage with him and she was in hysterics as he was singing this romantic song to her, and he fell on his knee before her and (her face was red) she sat on his knee and he gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. [You probably couldn’t get away with that now. Some overly-sensitive kid would claim that she was “traumatized” or “sexually harassed”. I do think the “ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog” thing is kinda mean, though. Come to think of it. If they had picked me to stand up – and I felt so ugly and fat ANYWAY – and to be called out like that? It would have been awful. I don’t think I would have sued the school, though. Okay. Onward.]
They were such great musicians and I can tell that they really care about each other. [Omigod.] AND- drumroll – during one of the songs, this is honestly true, I swear to the Lord, I was sitting there, chin in my hands, just watching Tom Caffey – Just watching him. And I guess he felt my eyes on him [Uhm … he was on stage … he had 800 pairs of eyes on him … I almost wanted to cut this next part out, because it’s just too awful – but here we go.] so he looked over at me, and THEN – he leaned on his elbows, put his chin in his hands, and stared back at me. Imitating me. [Oh wow. I remember that now. I FLIPPED OUT. He had called me out, personally. Thrilling!!] This is the honest-to-goodness truth. I tell you, I died! I went crazy!
After that, I was even more in love, and he kept looking over at me, as he was pounding away on the keys, and smiling at me. I was really brave once, and waved.
And at the end, they each talked to us and he finished with this touching speech about freedom. These guys are no space-outs. No way. [Did you walk into the assembly assuming they would be space-outs? I’m confused.] He talked about feeling proud of America – not just in times of crisis, like with the Iranian hostages – but always. But he talked about how when the crisis is over – like with Iran – the feeling of togetherness goes away, the spirit goes away. He also talked about name-calling. He said, “It strips away people’s freedom. Names like ‘n-word, honkie, spic …’ ” [Wow. Again. You could never get away with this now.] Some kids in the back started laughing when he said those words, and he went, “Yeah, you may laugh now, but it’s not funny. Not really.” Mr. Hodge said to me later that teachers and parents can’t make speeches like that to us because we know them so well. We just roll our eyes. But a rock group can and does make more of an impression. Not only were those guys talented, funny and gorgeous – they also really stand for something special and sacred. I love every one of them. They deserve to become stars.
And tomorrow night they’re giving a REAL ROCK CONCERT and I am going! They said they could come down and meet us and I really want to meet Tom Caffey. What a day!
WHAT A DAY! After that, I could not think about anything else.
WEDNESDAY
I went to the concert. I’m crying. How can I put it into words?
I brought my camera, my tape recorder. [hahahahaha] And, after – Tom Caffey signed my dollar and shook my hand. He was standing up on a chair, and I went over and said, “Can you sign my dollar?” [After his patriotic speech, you ask him to deface our nation’s currency??] He grinned at me, took it, and said seriously, “Yes. I will sign your dollar.” Then he gave it back to me and I, in a fit of bravery, “Oh, could you shake my hand?” And oh Diary, he took my hand and squeezed it.
Oh Lord, it HURTS! MY HEART. I shouldn’t do this to myself.
I got some great pictures – we sat down, and suddenly all the lights went out, it was pitch-black and when the lights flashed on, THERE THEY ALL WERE AT THEIR INSTRUMENTS! We all were screaming so loud! The music was louder. I’m practically deaf now. My ears are still ringing.
I got a great picture of Tom at his keyboards. [Oh yeah, we’re on a first name basis now] Let’s see. He had on a blue and white striped tight T shirt, blue handkerchiefs around his wrists [hahahahaha], tight black leather pants, white leg warmers and Darryl Hall sneakers. [That is absolutely hilarious. Leg warmers]
And Rick, the lead guy, made a speech and he said, “Y’know, people think that it’s cool to have drugs, drink, whatever. But we want to let you know that the show you just saw, and yesterday morning’s show, has been totally done without the use of alcohol or drugs. You don’t need to do all that to have a great time.” We all just screamed so loud! (Well. Except for a few spacey dorks)
Diary, I honestly don’t know how to say what is going on inside me. I want to laugh, sing, make out with someone, scream, dance, but most of all cry. I get so emotionally worked up. They all just seemed so nice … as guys, as a group, as people …
They said they would come back to SK and I swear – no matter where I am – I’m gonna come back to see them. [I can see it now … I’m walking along the Great Wall of China when my cell phone rings. I answer. “Sheila … just wanted to let you know … Freedom Jam will be playing tomorrow at SK …” I immediately leap off the Great Wall and run to the nearest airport to get myself home.]
I can’t even write what I’m feeling now. It has something to do with boys. And wanting a boy in my life. I have each image of the last two days etched in my brain forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sheila, you think “your” Tom Caffey is this one?:
Tom Caffey
(also is sister of Go-Go Charlotte Caffey)
Apparantly their talent company was http://www.YoungAmericanShowcase.com/
I do actually know how to spell “apparently”. Sigh.
I have no idea. I also kinda don’t care. Although Charlotte Caffey is awesome!!
You guys are freaks. You are Googling Freedom Jam. hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Maybe we can revive their career!!
That was effin’ classic…a Diary Friday masterpiece. I had to stifle laughter…the editorial comments are hilarious. The defacing currency one took the cake for me.
And leg warmers, Jesus…
I wonder if Freedom Jam was something like Menudo. With an ever-rotating band … to keep them young and cute.
Alex – I know!! I had him sign my dollar bill. I’m sure I behaved like Marcia Brady: “I will never spend this!!” – but then the next week, I’m sure that … oh … chicken McNuggets called, and there went the dollar bill!!
I grew up when men wore leg warmers. And it was not only applauded, but openly embraced.
What???
I can’t stop looking through your websites you posted – JFH and Scott. Fascinating.
If I could see a picture of Tom Caffey, JFH – I might be able to make ap ositive identification. As I recall – in my hazy memory – he looked a bit like Tom Hulce.
Also – the memory of the Iranian hostage crisis was obviously fresh fresh fresh at this point – still kind of an open wound. I think they had been sent home the year before or something like that.
I’m trying to get a timeline of this concert vs. the Go-Gos career, hopefully this never occurred:
“So, what’s your sister do?”
“She plays lead guitar in one of the hottest bands out there the “Go-Gos””
“And what do you do?”
“Uh, my band plays at high school assemblies”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
jfh, you feckin’ crack me up, man.
hahahahaha
The Go Gos were just hitting it huge at this point – Beauty and the Beat came out that year, I believe.
crying with laughter imagining that conversation ….
Ah… missed that historical data point… Ironically, the hostages were returned 25 years ago, today!
and he wears plaid pants.”
BWAHAHAHAHHA–This whole thing is so damn funny. And you are so sweet and naive(don’t mean that badly). The outfits alone were enough to get me laughing. I have to admit, although I was a “spacey dork,” their message of patriotism and community hits the spot for me. What really kills me is your innocence. By that age, I was a jaded, all-to-experienced pseudo-sophisticate. In other words, I would have tried to be cooly dismissive of the whole ROCK GROUP CONCERT. Your take was more honest, and a helluva lot more funny.
i remember “freedom jam”. years later, they would discover a self-obsessed tone-deaf party pooper, make him their singer, and replace “freedom” with “pearl”!
“He’s not conceited though. In fact, he is a National Merit scholar.”
As if the two were TOTALLY UNRELATED. Bwah! Out of this whole entry, THIS made me laugh hardest.
He talked about feeling proud of America – not just in times of crisis, like with the Iranian hostages – but always. But he talked about how when the crisis is over – like with Iran – the feeling of togetherness goes away, the spirit goes away.
How prescient was this guy!
p.s. sorry to change the subject, but i was just looking at the picture of joyce that you have up from yesterday and i thought, “hmmm…sean penn would make a great james joyce.”
don’t tell anyone else, though. now i have to write a screenplay, get it to his handlers, aw, forget it.
FREEDOM JAM!
Bwahahaha! It makes me think of Spinal Tap when they do the whole free-form jazz exploration. I don’t know why, but it’s funny.
DBW – I actually believe that “spacey dork” in Sheila-lingo at that time meant “stoner”. I’m not sure … I’m just guessing!
I know … I was very very naive. Small town girl.
And the plaid pants were just too amazing. The guy was gorgeous – and he dressed like Herb Brooks in the late 70s. He just didn’t give a crap. He wouldnt’ have been caught dead in leg warmers!!!
Lisa – I KNOW!!! I am somehow using “national merit scholar” as proof that he’s not conceited .. but somehow it doesn’t all add up.
hahahahaha
cullen – it is. it is so funny. FREEDOM JAM! WHOO-HOO!!!!
I took it to mean stoner–not to incriminate myself, or anything.
I also took it to mean stoner. You spacey dork!
Oh my God – I went to a Freedom Jam concert at my high school in 1978. Believe it or not, they closed the show with “Born Free.” The other thing I remember is that for one of their encores, they brought out their “manager,” who was trying to look like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever but weighed about 75 pounds more than Travolta at that time (he looked sort of like what Travolta would look like now if he tried to squeeze into that white suit), who sang lead on the immortal Kansas hit, “Carry On Wayward Son.”
There, I’ve admitted it. I feel better now.
sheil…u have always been the best fan…it clearly started so long ago…when u love something or someone you are unabashedly emotional..i love it…it is funny in retrospect but…ur tastes, like all of ours got more sophisticated…but the passion is admirable…im so derpessed by the kids who are “over it”…so sad.
oh.my.god.
I totally remember that show. AND the legwarmers.
hahahaha “spacey dork” I was so judgmental!!
Jeff – I absolutely love that you also saw Freedom Jam. I would have thought that I might have made it all up in my head!!
Mitchell – Yup. I am the best fan ever. Brings a lot of heartache – especially as a teenager – it ended up being about my own yearnings, for whatever – fulfillment, a boyfriend … I projected up onto these people with all my might … I guess I still do. These people that I love – these stars, celebs, Cary Grant … feed me. They help me to get through dark moments. Ahem – that’s why they’re called STARS, I guess!!
My nose is running and I have water just pouring from my eyes. This is screamingly hilarious. I’m sure it was later than 1976, but it reminded me of the Bicentennial hype that was going on that year. Everything was red, white & blue when we had many CONCERTS *from* real rock groups at my school to celebrate Our Nation’s 200th Birthday. (I would have written it just that way, too.)
O, God.
Chai-rista – hahahaha You know a week or so ago, Lisa and I had a very funny conversation remembering the Bicentennial year and how out of control it all was. Lisa said that at the time she was like WHEN WILL IT BE 1977??????
hahahahaha
i get it Sheila..im the same way…i need my stars! “Lets not ask for the moon..we have the stars.”
Sheila, I do not know how you bear exposing yourself like this. I merely think of things I said, felt, or did in high school and wince. I can’t imagine actually telling people about them. Good for you.
sheil, this is priceless. i love the capitals on REAL ROCK CONCERT….so cute…
Carry On Wayward Son…. Always preferred “Song for America” myself, despite the pretention.
Yeah, I googled “Freedom Jam” as well. Got this. I think the ‘rotating members’ comment was spot-on.
Tom Hulce? Damn, Sheila, now I’ve got the image of you and this keyboardist reenacting the final scenes of Animal House. You were even the right age then! Hell damn crap!
All I could remember was that I couldn’t go – now I see why – we were freaks man.
sorry – I didn’t complete my thought – All I could remember was that I couldn’t go and that I was devastated. Now I see why I was devastated judging from the reactions of my friends and my own self knowledge regarding my obsessions with freedom singing/”don’t do drugs” shouting pseudo rock bands! We were freaks man!!
Nightfly, interesting take, you see Tom Hulse as Pinto (by the way the girl was 13 not 15/16 like Sheila), I wee Tom Hulse as Mozart and Shiela, with her passion for history probably sees Tom Hulse as Stalin’s projectionist (to be honest I don’t remember the name of this movie)
I remember that concert now. I can’t wait to tell Leo it was “Freedom Jam”. Oh, the 80’s. Good times, good times…
Oh, and by the way, what did they have to be “Free” about?
Oh, wait a minute. I think it was free from drugs and alcohol. Which is really funny, cause when I read this post last night, I had just come home from a staff Christmas party (a little belated) and was NOT free from alcohol. Which explains my stupid question. Obviously, I didn’t take Freedom Jam’s message to heart.
How perfect is that, your first concert a rock group that has music based around America’s history, starting from 1776. I can only imagine it being more perfect if rather than leg warmers and Hall and Oates stylee, they were dressed as the Founding Fathers, and you would have been even more over the moon!! “And the keyboard player, he was dressed as Ben Franklin, I almost died!!” :-)
Great stuff.