Bay Area-based The Tubes started producing theatrical rock & roll long before it was in vogue. They were the band born to make videos for MTV … but they were born just a bit too early.
That left their stage shows as epic events, with acrobats, dancers and other performers joining in the fun on a regular basis.
Their biggest hit to date, “Talk To Ya Later” was a Top 10 hit in 1981, and it was on the strength of that hit that The Tubes played Magic Mountain on October 29, 1982. Still to come was their biggest hit, 1983’s “She’s A Beauty.”
A beautiful photo of first light at Glacier National Park in Montana. Of the image, photographer Kevin LeFevre says: “While shooting the sunrise at Bowman Lake, we were graced with this meandering doe. I scrambled to change my camera settings to accommodate the movement and pulled off this solitary photo. A once in a lifetime.” While parts of Glacier are closed because of Reynolds Creek Fire, most of the park remains open, including Bowman Lake area. Photo courtesy of Kevin LeFevre. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/28/15.
Magic Mountain didn’t just book teen acts … they also brought in Oldies stars like Chuck Berry and The Temptations as well as Country music legends like Loretta Lynn and Glen Campbell.
As you might imagine, I was generally too busy to take many pictures (I was running the theater 1979 – 1982, after all!), but I did have a few occasions to use my Nikon D90. On July 31, Mel Tillis was in concert, and on August 1, it was Merle Haggard.
Mel Tillis
Mel Tillis
Mel Tillis was known for his comedy as well as his music.
Colorado National Monument has experienced some intense thunderstorms this month, making for some dramatic photos. This amazing shot by Bob Ingelhart from July 10 captures a lightning storm overlooking Monument Canyon. Photo courtesy of Bob Ingelhart. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/22/15.
At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the U.S. This iconic waterfall can be seen from many places around the Yosemite National Park’s Yosemite Valley, but nothing compares to seeing the waterfall up close. Michael Bonocore took this breathtaking photo of his friend Tessa Kit from the base of Yosemite Falls at the end of May. Photo courtesy of Michael Bonocore. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/16/15.
Bow Wow Wow took the stage at the Magic Mountain Showcase Theater on April 30, 1983. Their hit was 1982’s iconic “I Want Candy,” and I’m certain that Annabella Lwin sported the finest (and first) mohawk to grace the main stage at the park.
This night was such a party!
From Wikipedia:
English new wave group Bow Wow Wow released their version as the first and only single from their EP The Last of the Mohicans. For many in America, “I Want Candy” was their first introduction to young lead singer Annabella Lwin and the band. The song barely scraped the Top 50, but became an enduring new wave classic. The song gave its name to the band’s 1982 release, I Want Candy, which was mainly a compilation, but included a couple of new cuts produced by Kenny Laguna (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts).
The enduring popularity of Bow Wow Wow’s recording is partly due to the memorable video that got heavy play in the early days of MTV. This recording is highly associated with 80’s pop music.
The Bow Wow Wow recording appeared on two VH1 countdowns:
86 on VH1’s “100 Greatest Songs of the 80s”
8 on VH1’s “100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s”
The Greg Kihn Band played Magic Mountain on March 19, 1983, riding the new wave and their 1981 hit single, “The Breakup Song.” Their 1983 # 2 hit, “Jeopardy,” had not yet peaked on the charts; that would happen a few weeks later.
So, in 30 days, Magic Mountain had Sparks, The Flirts, Lene Lovich and Greg Kihn Band. There were more acts, too, but these were the only ones that I had time to take pictures of!
Formed from water running through sandstone, Antelope Canyon is both a sacred site for the Navajo and a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. The canyon walls rise 120 feet tall and streams of sunlight radiate down from the opening in the top of the canyon, creating a stunning scene for photographs. Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona, and is a Navajo Tribal Park. Photo by Michael Buikus. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/9/15.
