2007 Fall Tour Route

In the Fall of 2007, I went to these Go-Go's shows:


October 1st - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
October 2nd - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
October 4th - Chumash Casino and Resort, Santa Ynez, CA
October 5th - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
October 6th - Silver Legacy Casino, Reno, NV


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Your faithful GOGO get'er...

2007 Octorber 6 - Reno

RENO NV @ Silver Legacy Hotel
6 October 2007
Saturday, 8:00pm
Grande Exposition Hall
Cost: $35, $45 and $55

ON THE GO - We left beautiful San Francisco and headed toward Reno NV.

The show was a 8pm. We left the City at 12 noon. Plenty of time to do the 4hr drive - right?
I wanted a little wiggle room. GOGO shows are always prompt and I knew tonight would be no exception.

Our first hurdle was just getting out of town. It was Fleet Week and Columbus Day weekend and there was tons of traffic in and out of the city.

On the way to Reno we stopped in the historic town of Truckee where there happened to be a town wine tasting social thing going on along Main Street. (I didn’t mind any of this, as long as we got to Reno by 6 pm).

We arrived in Reno at 6pm. Show time was at 8pm. Surely that would be plenty of time for us to check in, change and get a quick bite to eat? Silly me. We had suddenly entered the twilight zone where time s l o w s d o w n... and everyone walked around in cowboy hats and boots.

Our room wreaked of smoke. We didn’t want a smoke-permitted room. However we were told repeatedly there were no other rooms available. The hotel was completely booked. Was everyone there to see the GOGO’s? I think there was also an NRA and Cattleman Conference going on.

They would give us fresh linens. They would try to filter the stink out the room. At the end of the day… it still stank. But it was the only room they had. Did we want it or not?

It must have taken us 1 ½ hours to get a quick bite at the 24-hour hotel diner. For awhile I thought we made a huge tactical error. It was 7:00pm. Our waitress looked dazed and confused when we ordered hamburgers and fries. jeez.....

After we payed the bill, we raced to find the auditorium. Where could it be? It was suppose to be in the hotel. There were no signs anywhere to point us in the right direction. No directory, no clocks and no way out! Just lots of slots and cowboys and smoke filled rooms. We finally had to ask a hotel employee. Wouldn’t you know it? There was another level down that we hadn’t even discovered. He lead us to the hidden escalator we hadn’t discovered either. Gamblers shouldn’t have to be distracted by any of this.

my ticket stub

The auditorium was pretty big. It looked like a big conference room with conference chairs all in a row. The floor was level and wide - too wide. It had those big TV screens on the side walls to help those unfortunate to have seats on the side. We were on the side. I didn’t like this. I didn’t want to be on the sideline having to turn my neck to see the stage. And… I didn’t want to look at a GOGO concert on a damn TV screen! This is all wrong! So - as soon as the lights went down, we move up to some empty front and center seats I had notice before. Now… this was much better. Now were talking. Now I can enjoy the show!

FOR STARTERS - No start-up band. YEAH! Way to go... GOGOS!

THE WAY IT GOES - The venue was called the Grande Exposition Hall. It was packed.
Lots of cool lighting that wasn't at the other shows. However- it was pretty similar to the previous shows I had been to. But that’s just the way I like it… Pure and simple. No surprises.

Belinda Carlisle
Amelia Calvert

I noticed the audience was a typical casino mix of adorning fans and blue hair gamblers taking a time-out from the exhausting sport of slots. Things were pretty calm until Gina, the drummer, came forward and told everyone who wanted to get off their butts and dance. Way to go Gina!

Gina Schock
Amelia Calvert

Suddenly, people moved to the front and filled the aisles. Suddenly the crowd was a lot more animated. The girls then responded in kind. It turned out to be a great show. Yeah!

Jane had fun and encouraged 'audience participation' during We Got the Beat.

Jane Wiedlin
Amelia Calvert


Amelia Calvert

WORTH NOTING - They dropped La La Land and added Get Up and Go. Good move.
Kathy asked the audiance, Isn't it nice to see women on stage who aren't taking their clothes off?

-Check out a cool review of the show at: www.reno.com
Amelia Calvert, Reno.com

HIGH NOTES - After the show I made one final effort to get a set list or other souvenir. I went up to the front of the stage and joined a few other hangers-on. A little girl next to me had got Gina’s drum sticks. #@%*#@! Roadies handed out the few remaining 'set list' and guitar picks. I didn’t get anything. My husband stood back a little. I told him we should hang around for a minute or so and maybe they’d come out. He told me that this place probably had a back door stage exit. Yeah yeah, but you never know.

I watched the roadies break down the set. By now they are familiar faces. I stood there in front of the stage watching. Finally one handed me a set list he just pulled off the floor. YES! thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!
I finally got the much desired official set list!

I was about to leave when I noticed Gina standing over by the left side of the stage. She was chatting with a roadie breaking down her drums. Of course I immediately went over to her and asked her if she would mind signing my newly acquired set list. She looked at me and asked, Honey…What’s your name? I told her. She autographed it personally! How cool is that?!

My autographed play list

Back at the Reno airport a noticed a man taking down the GOGO advert for last night's show. I couldn't let this go to waste. Would they mind if I had it? - thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! Another great souvenir! But it's huge! Now - what room to hang it in?

LOW NOTES - No camera, no photographs.

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All this reporting 'on-the-go' is very hard work.

2007 October 5 - San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO @ The Independent
5 October 2007
Friday, 9:30pm

ON THE GO- I drove into San Francisco around 2pm.

I met up with my Washington state cousins at their friend's home located on the Great Highway. This was a great house indeed. It faced the Pacific Ocean just west of Golden Gate Park.

My cousins were in town for the Strictly Bluegrass weekend. I was in town for strictly GOGOs. I had a couple hours to catch-up with them before I had to meet-up with my husband back at our hotel. So… we strolled along the beach. Sounds easy? right...That stroll turned into an all out battle with the off shore wind just to stay upright. Jeez! My ears rang all the way back to the house.

We were staying at the Best Western Hotel Tomo located about a mile from the club. After checking in, I wanted to check out the venue. It was now 6pm now. On the way, we walked through historic Alamo Square. It was picture perfect as imagined. If only I had a camera.

We discovered the club nestled amongst small auto repair shops, stores and lots and lots of great eateries. Here's a sample:

Nopa (urban rustic food - open until 1am) - 560 Divisadero, 1/2 block south
Ziryab (Morroccan/Mediterranean - open until 1am) - 528 Divisadero, 1 block south
Fly Bar (sandwiches, pizza, salads, beer) - 762 Divisadero @ Fulton, 1 block north
Tsunami (sushi, sake - open until 1am) - 1306 Fulton @ Divisadero, 1 block north
Little Star Pizza (pizza, jukebox) - 846 Divisadero, 1.5 blocks north
Brother In Law's (BBQ) - 705 Divisadero, right across from the club
Herbivore (vegetarian) - 531 Divisadero @ Fell, 2 blocks south
Club Waziema (Ethiopian) - 543 Divisadero @Fell, 2 blocks south
Jay's Cheesesteak (comfort food) - 1 block south

Nothing like this back in the 'burbs.

The door to the club was open. yeah! Of course we peeked inside. The Independent is a small, 21 and over club. I estimated it held two to three hundred people. I could see the GOGO’s drum set all ready set up on the small stage. This is good. Roadies moved electrical wires about. I asked the box office guy if there were any more tickets available for the show. No way. Therefore, I would have go to the show solo. The GOGOs would go on about 9:30 pm. I'd be back.

.

We went to dinner with a friend in the Mission District. About 9 pm they drop me off in front of the club and promised to be back to get me in 90 minutes. GOGO shows are always 90 minutes long.

Location of the Independent

My ticket stub

FOR STARTERS - The opening act was an Oakland band called Gravy Train. What can I say. Maybe a cross between the Village People and the village idiots. Entertaining if you're into - camp and circumstance. Did anyone see Rocky Horror Picture Show?

HOW IT GOES - That night the girls were in great form. Easily the best show yet. They all seemed very relaxed playing in this small venue, especially Gina and Jane. They were definitely in their element. They interacted quite a bit with the incredibly enthusiastic crowd.

Jane commented on how frightened she was that morning when a loud, thundering noise woke her up. We're talkin' major wake & shake. She thought it was an earthquake. It turned out to be the Blue Angles jets flying overhead doing some early morning air show maneuvers. That weekend happened to be Fleet Week as well.

Jane then shared with us some more frightening news. That very morning… Gina cut her finger while gardening at her rock goddess SF mansion. AGHHHH! However, the show must go on. Bandaged finger and all.

GOGOs San Francisco

photo by tweedlebopper

WORTH NOTING
- Before starting their encore, Gina goofed around on Kathy’s bass and Kathy thumped on the drum set. Belinda plucked on the key board however, Jane stuck with her guitar

-Gina stated that she had been trying to get the band to play at The Independent for the last 30 years. Hmmm...let me do the math - maybe.

-Belinda stated that if she lived back in the States…it would definitely be San Francisco!

HIGH NOTE- After the show I made my way toward the stage. I was still hoping to get a set list or show souvenir. Security and staffers tried to clear out the audience as fast a possible. Maybe there is only one way in and out. However - I lingered on. Roadies handed out a few remaining set list and picks. I tried to get one too. Maybe I'm not pushy enough.

I stood in front of the stage. I looked over to the left side of the stage. There stood Gina just hangin' out. Yeah!…I have a pen this time….but wait a minute...no paper to autograph. Jeez!

Then, for some reason I look down. On the floor in front of me was the old album sleeve to Beauty and the Beat. Cool! There they were, a picture of the five of them just staring up at me and saying…pick me up. At first I just stare down at it. What luck! - and what a great thing to have autographed.

I picked it up and headed over to Gina. I handed it to her and ask if she would mind signing it. She took it from me, looked at it and said…Tell you what, I’m gonna take it back stage and have all the girls sign it. What a sweet heart. She returned in a few minutes and handed it back me… with a signature by all the appropriate pictures. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou

What a great souvenir!

I then saw Kathy chatting with some friends/ fans. Then Charlotte came out. All just hangin' out and chatting with fans. I peeked out the exit door to see if my husband was around. I wanted to share the joy.

Outside, I saw him walking towards the club. I told him to come inside, quick! Now.. all the GOGOs were out and about. He reluctantly came inside. I pointed them out and showed him my prized autographs. Cool! They then went out the door we had come in. Maybe there is only one door in and out of the club.

Back at the hotel I gazed on my recently autographed album sleeve. I’d have to be very careful with it - make sure it didn’t get wrinkled. I would put it with my Meet and Greet wristband from the night before.

LOW NOTES - No camera.. no personal pictures... Maybe I should get a camera before the next tour?

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I think the GOGO's are starting to recognize me.

Overnighting it in Paso Robles

PASO ROBLES @ Holiday Inn Express
4th October 2007 - evening.

After the show in Santa Ynez, I drove up to Paso Robles. I couldn't even believe that I actually got to go back stage and meet the GOGOs! How cool was that? So what if I blew it?

I arrived at my overnight hotel (Holiday Inn Express) around 12 midnight.

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I was dog tired. What I needed now was a good night sleep.

2007 October 4 -Santa Ynez, CA

SANTA YNEZ @ Chumash Casino and Resort
4 October 2007
Thursday, 8pm

ON THE GO -

Today I hit the GOGO road in a rented Chevy HRR. I’m thinkin’….Will this get me all the way to Reno? Sure. Why not?

I drove up the coast to Santa Ynez. I spent the afternoon with my cousin who lived in nearby Solvang. Now I know where all the Danes are.

I got there in time to scope out the place. Lots of smoke. Lots of slots. Lots of sad looking people. The hotel and spa next door seemed kind of interesting… for about 5 minutes.

I had to check out the world famous Creekside Buffet. I heard so much about it. However - I decided to pass. I was impressed with the dessert bar though. It got high mental check marks.

FOR STARTERS -There was no start up band tonight. thankyouthankyouthankyou...

THE WAY IT GOES - The doors opened at 7:30pm. The room reminded me of a big bingo hall. Conference chairs were placed in rows in front of the stage. Two large TV screens were on the walls at each side of the stage.

The room filled up with lots of old people - like me? Most of these people sported haircuts right out of the 80's- like me? jeez.

My seat was not the best - half-way back and to the side. So - as soon as the lights went down - I high tailed it to the front and settled into a vacant seat I had spotted earlier. Now this was more like it!

The show started promptly at 8:15 pm. The staging was kind of cool. There were lots of colorful lights. There was a big round thing in the background that looked like an on-end trampoline. The lights played off of this. Not sure what that was all about.

Dwight McCann

The girls were in perfect form. They must have had the full spa treatment that afternoon. However, they were not as chatty as the night before. Maybe the big bingo hall venue felt a bit impersonal. They left the laugh-track and sound effect machine in Anaheim. Good move.

Belinda Carlisle
Dwight McCann

Gina Schock
Dwight McCann




Jane Weidlin
Dwight McCann

Jane Wiedlin had a lot of stage energy that night. She was funny and wore a Darth Vader t-shirt which said, Whose your Daddy?

What a minute - I've seen this t-shirt before? Could it have been at the recent L.A. Star Wars convention? 



At first the crowd was a bit stiff for a typical GOGO show. There were an assortment of older casino-types, tour-bus-types and girls having a night out. Of course - there were the fans willing to go the extra mile (like me).

They started off the show with Vacation- and it only went up from there. However - 30 minutes into the show- most people were still in their seats. It was obvious many in the audience wanted to come forward and dance. However, security guards pushed them back to their seats. jeez.

About midway through the show, drummer Gina Schock went to a microphone and asked the security guards to chill and let those who wanted to - come forward and dance. The audience was delighted with the invite and immediately obliged. As everyone moved forward it suddenly felt like a real GOGO show. Way to go Gina!

All-in-all the concert was about 90 minutes of pure 80's bliss. You Go girls!

Kathy Valentine
Dwight McCann

Charlotte Caffey
Dwight McCann


Gina Schock
Dwight McCann

WORTH NOTING - The following.

HIGH NOTE - After the show I had no where in particular to go - so - I went up to the stage and watched the roadies break down the set (they are all pretty familiar to me at this point). A few other fans were also hangin' around hoping to get hold of a set list or souvenir guitar pick. Some lucky fan just got the drum sticks. #*@#! I didn’t get anything. Disappointed, I turned and slowly walked towards the exit.

What happened next was totally surreal.

Before I reached the exit door, I heard a voice from behind me ask, Would you like to go back stage and meet the GOGOs?

I turned around to see who asked me this. He then continued, You looked so disappointed when you didn’t get that set list - you must be a true GOGO fan. I have a back stage “meet and greet" pass that I can’t use. Would you like to use it?”

I smiled and said YES!……I would luv to meet the GOGOs! thankyouthankyouthankyou...

My Meet & Greet wrist band

I slipped the plastic Meet & Greet wrist band on my wrist and headed straight away to the stage door. There were maybe four or five other people standing there too. I got behind a woman and we started to chat. She said she was a cousin to one of the band members. With her blond hair and blue eyes I thought maybe Gina. She turned out to be Charlotte’s cousin from Ventura. She was impressed that I drove all the way up from L.A. to see them play. Maybe I shouldn’t tell her about the SF and Reno shows I was planning to do next next.

A security guy with a clipboard in hand asked to see all our wrist bands. He then asked for our names. I was afraid my name won’t match any of the names on his clip board. But he didn't seem to notice. He only ask me how many were in my party? Just me.

He then led the 5 or 6 of us through the side door and onto the stage. He told us to watch our step since there were wires and electrical equipment all over the floor. Roadies were packing things up. I took a moment to looks at the equipment... especially the drums. cool!

We went behind the stage and into a small room (maybe 10’x10’) As you walked in there sat Gina a chair near the door. Maybe to make a fast exit? Also against this wall was a long table with cold cuts and veggies put out.

On the opposite wall as you entered was a small leather sofa with a small coffee table in front. Almost everything in this room had to be small. Jane (small) was sitting on the sofa by herself. There was a little guy standing near her showing her his photo album. She tried to look interested.

On the floor to the left was a small ice-chest full of water and soft drinks. To the right near the door as you entered stood Belinda chatting with a friend or family person. Charlotte chatted with her cousins from Ventura. Kathy stood next to me again talking with someone she seemed to know. Gina sitting by herself, looked bored and soon got up and left.

And there was I - feeling very awkward. I felt like I had a crashed a private party. I couldn’t get my nerve up to say anything. I just sort of listened in on the conversation going around. How stupid. I got a coke from the ice-chest. Finally, standing beside Kathy, I told her I really enjoyed the show. She asked me who I was. Good question. I think I must have had a panic attack. I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t say anything coherent. All I could think was - my name wasn’t on the list.

LOW NOTE - Afterwards I felt so stupid. How dumb was that? What an idiot! Now I can think of loads of things I could have asked each one of them.I was taken off guard. I wasn’t prepared for any of that.

I slunk back to the parking lot and sat in my car. I couldn’t believe what just happened. Did that really happen? I had no autograph, no picture, no clever bit of personal conversation I could share with others. How stupid, stupid, stupid. I drove all the was up to Paso Robles beating myself up.

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Now time for some serious reflection...










2007 October 2- Anaheim #2

ANAHEIM @ House of Blues
2 October 2007
Tuesday, 8pm

THE GET GO - I drove down to the show with my 20 year old daughter this time. Over the years she has gone to many a GOGO show with me. Bless her heart.

We got down to Downtown Disney around 6pm. As we pulled into the parking area a sleek, black limo pulls up next to us. The back window is rolled down on the passenger side. We both do a double take. Sitting there is Belinda Carlisle! As we parked our car I’m thinkin’…Do they all arrive this way? Doubt it.

Before the show we ate at the Rain Forest Café. I didn’t think it was necessary to do the fast pass thing again. I didn’t want to be as close to the stage as the night before. The House of Blues in Anaheim is a pretty small general admission venue. If you're right up front you end up looking up all night . You can’t see the whole stage either. My neck was a bit sore from the night before. The HOB has a great sound system too. I wanted to appreciate it this time.

FOR STARTERS - THE POGOS

THE WAY IT GOES - The show was as great as the night before. The crowd was enthusiastic as ever. The girls clowned around a bit and looked very comfortable. They toned down the laugh track and jokes this time. Good move.

Jane mentions the traffic driving down.

The Go-Go's
Joshua Sudock

Set List

Gina Schock
Joshua Sudock

Belinda and Jane
Joshua Sudock

WORTH NOTING- When they came back for the encore a cloud of cigarette smoke trailed after Gina. Belinda asked the audience to tell Gina to Stop smoking! The crowd quickly rang out, Gina… stop smoking! Gina said that she was on the patch. So we’ll see.

HIGH NOTES - They seemed to all be in a good mood. Happiest Place On Earth for them too - right? I wondered if they got free admission into the park?

LOW NOTES - My daughter didn’t want to hang around afterwards for any chance of a GOGO encounter. So, reluctantly, we drove back home.

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Havin' Sweet Dreams on my Happiest Place on Earth.........sweet...