Nice tribute, Dan…and I’m sure he’d have gotten a little laugh in the title of this. I was never a big fan of Kihn’s, but I still really enjoy The Breakup Song when it randomly pops up on the radio these days.
And not one but TWO Air Supply references in one post! Gotta’ be a first, right?
Dan, I really enjoyed this post. I always enjoyed the Greg Kihn songs that I heard, but for someone reason, never really sought them out or sought to go further beyond just those few songs. I liked your comparison to Nick Lowe (who I am a huge fan of).
Great story Dan! I also regularly frequented Poplar Creek in the 1980s. I remember seeing those schedules listing everyone that was playing each summer. It was like a who's who of pop music at the time! I didn't see Greg Kihn but enjoyed his music.
I saw a lot of great artists at Poplar Creek — sadly, the venue’s PA system wasn’t always up to the task. The music generally sounded great (and fairly loud) if you were sitting the front half of the pavilion; any further back, though, and even the slightest conversational murmur would drown it out.
A couple of comments - I really liked 'The Breakup Song' in its day, but not to the extent that I had much interest in the artist. I think that was a mistake now.
The only version of the 'Jeopardy' song I remember is Weird Al's parody. And to be honest, I had no idea of what that was a parody of until now. Me and my wife were really into Weird Al about that time. But I like the original after listening to both; they are somewhat close, in some ways.
Only thing I own is the Rhino "greatest hits", & I'm glad I bought it when I did 20-some years ago. Because holy smokes does his stuff go for big money now. Be nice if some power pop oriented label did a reissue series.
This was a great tribute. I have to admit, I’ve only ever (probably wrongly) conceived of Greg Kihn as a one hit wonder given that the only song of his I’d heard was Jeopardy. This post has inspired me to go back and explore some of his work. Thanks
Very nice to read about Greg - two of my favorite, "recorded on to TDK SA from neighbors albums" are "Rockhinroll" and "Kihntinued" - still have it, those records/CD's weren't easy finds! I must've saw them not long after you did at Poplar Creek - at Rosemont Horizon opening for Journey on their first tour without Gregg Rolie and "Don't Stop Believin'" was only a minor hit on the "Escape" album. The GKB kicked ass, the place was packed with suburb kids, I was really impressed and a fan for life. Years later I picked up a a GKB album in the cutout bin, (Love & Rock & Roll -'86) - surprised to see a pre-fame Joe Satriani in the band - those Bay Area Boys! Great clips as usual and love the Poplar Creek playbill - would be nearly all tribute acts like I noticed Pine Knob was/is over in Detroit.
I realize I'm a few months late to this Greg appreciation party
but I wanted to say how much I appreciated you writing such great things about him.
In his later years I also enjoyed listening to his Radio show. His stories and his playlists were perceptive and rocking
but I digress.
I wanted to say that my kind of silly new wave band Bugs Tomorrow Casablanca Records and Tapes had the great privilege of opening two shows for Greg and his band at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco.
It was two shows because the first show sold out so quickly they added a second one and that sold out too
and even though no one in his incredibly fierce loud excited audience knew who we were.
They were really nice to us
as was the road crew, Greg and the Waldorf
so we had a great time
Your great tribute to him brought back these fantastic memories and I just wanted to say his live show was electrifying and I'm SO glad I got to experience it up close
Nice tribute, Dan…and I’m sure he’d have gotten a little laugh in the title of this. I was never a big fan of Kihn’s, but I still really enjoy The Breakup Song when it randomly pops up on the radio these days.
And not one but TWO Air Supply references in one post! Gotta’ be a first, right?
Hahaha - just making up for all the times I haven’t mentioned Air Supply in the past - and all the times I won’t be mentioning them going forward!
No such thing as being Bruced out. :)
I certainly wasn't!
Dan, I really enjoyed this post. I always enjoyed the Greg Kihn songs that I heard, but for someone reason, never really sought them out or sought to go further beyond just those few songs. I liked your comparison to Nick Lowe (who I am a huge fan of).
Great story Dan! I also regularly frequented Poplar Creek in the 1980s. I remember seeing those schedules listing everyone that was playing each summer. It was like a who's who of pop music at the time! I didn't see Greg Kihn but enjoyed his music.
I saw a lot of great artists at Poplar Creek — sadly, the venue’s PA system wasn’t always up to the task. The music generally sounded great (and fairly loud) if you were sitting the front half of the pavilion; any further back, though, and even the slightest conversational murmur would drown it out.
It's the real ones that give your passions substance.
A couple of comments - I really liked 'The Breakup Song' in its day, but not to the extent that I had much interest in the artist. I think that was a mistake now.
The only version of the 'Jeopardy' song I remember is Weird Al's parody. And to be honest, I had no idea of what that was a parody of until now. Me and my wife were really into Weird Al about that time. But I like the original after listening to both; they are somewhat close, in some ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0iFgPIh8lA&t=12s
Came to talk about "Jeopardy," stayed for the Jim Gantner reference. Nicely worked in!
Only thing I own is the Rhino "greatest hits", & I'm glad I bought it when I did 20-some years ago. Because holy smokes does his stuff go for big money now. Be nice if some power pop oriented label did a reissue series.
This was a great tribute. I have to admit, I’ve only ever (probably wrongly) conceived of Greg Kihn as a one hit wonder given that the only song of his I’d heard was Jeopardy. This post has inspired me to go back and explore some of his work. Thanks
Right on - that’s what I’m here for!
Very nice to read about Greg - two of my favorite, "recorded on to TDK SA from neighbors albums" are "Rockhinroll" and "Kihntinued" - still have it, those records/CD's weren't easy finds! I must've saw them not long after you did at Poplar Creek - at Rosemont Horizon opening for Journey on their first tour without Gregg Rolie and "Don't Stop Believin'" was only a minor hit on the "Escape" album. The GKB kicked ass, the place was packed with suburb kids, I was really impressed and a fan for life. Years later I picked up a a GKB album in the cutout bin, (Love & Rock & Roll -'86) - surprised to see a pre-fame Joe Satriani in the band - those Bay Area Boys! Great clips as usual and love the Poplar Creek playbill - would be nearly all tribute acts like I noticed Pine Knob was/is over in Detroit.
Dan - finally read this piece. I was (am) a big fan of Greg Kihn and this is a great essay.
BTW - I once wrote a long (1500 word) essay myself on one of Greg Kihn's songs, Madison Avenue. Happy to send it your way if you are interested.
Sure, man — I'd love to check it out!
Dan:
I realize I'm a few months late to this Greg appreciation party
but I wanted to say how much I appreciated you writing such great things about him.
In his later years I also enjoyed listening to his Radio show. His stories and his playlists were perceptive and rocking
but I digress.
I wanted to say that my kind of silly new wave band Bugs Tomorrow Casablanca Records and Tapes had the great privilege of opening two shows for Greg and his band at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco.
It was two shows because the first show sold out so quickly they added a second one and that sold out too
and even though no one in his incredibly fierce loud excited audience knew who we were.
They were really nice to us
as was the road crew, Greg and the Waldorf
so we had a great time
Your great tribute to him brought back these fantastic memories and I just wanted to say his live show was electrifying and I'm SO glad I got to experience it up close
A Kihnder'd Spirit mb
Right on, Morley! Thanks for sharing that sweet memory!