The keyboards are perfect. Like a haunting song. I like how the video starts with the face thing in silence. That must have been quite a trip hearing the first time in 83’
I can’t tell you enough how happy I was to find this video. The motels were extremely popular my senior year of high school. I was married my senior year and attending high school four classes a day before working from 2pm to close at the Shell gas station. My wife would come visit me every night while I was working and do her homework and mine. We would have the stereo on, not a night went by that the Motels didn’t come on the radio. I didn’t know much about the band but because it wasn’t my type of music, but my wife sang along with their music. We didn’t have much money so music and a deck of cards were all we had for entertainment. April of 2023 we will celebrate our 40th anniversary. This video was sure a nice trip down memory lane.
Saw Martha Davis perform about 5 years ago. She still sings like a goddess. Super cool too. She hung out at the merch tent after, signing autographs, taking pics, chatting, etc. Just a lovely woman.
Merchandise is hard to spell out… But the fact is, and it’s an insider knowledge, she hangs out there, because she watches the nickles… She does not trust those at the register
I was also lucky enough to see the Motels at about that time. They were playing in Redondo Beach CA. and a buddy of mine was the drummer for the opening act that night. He got me "on the list" and I was able to hang out back stage before and after the show. Got to meet Martha and have a glass of wine. She is a really cool and lovely person. Her voice is still just magic. They did play a lot of the early music she so loved. I will always remember that evening show.
Seeing Aamer or however his name is spelt just makes me happy. I was a little kid watching these.. I LOVED Berlin.. was obsessed with their keyboards. This show was something special. Wouldn’t have worked if they tried it five years later. It was pure.
as a failed musician myself i sometimes wonder if bands and artists truly grasp how much they and their music might have played a part in some peoples lives. up there on stage and on tour or in the studio you do not know the fans or what they are going through in their lives, but for them your music is something that is a part of their day and a part of their memories of moments and times and places and people for years and decades. music is powerful, it is magical, it comforts us in our darkest moments and uplifts us with joy and exuberance on out best days. we all have that song that makes us think of our first love or crush, or reminds us of our mother or father who are no longer here. i want to give a special shout to all the bands out there that only experienced minor success, and worry that nobody even remembers them. there is some one out there that you and your song touched very deeply, someone who could not imagine the life they have lived if your song had not of been there for them when they needed it. and that is the unappreciated power of the sadder and slower songs.
They probably do but are so caught up in their current lives that they probably wonder every now and then what it would be like to have a comeback. Like no wants to forget something that made them want to the bills in the first place. And as for you NewWavePop, please keep pursuing your dream as a musician because music is already in you but you just need to extract that feeling further.
U expressed that beautifully. I am a semi successful singer who never pushed through and it’s so true about these bands that had the world by the balls and let it go. The go-go comes to mind. They always realize that they should’ve just stay together and work through their problems because they create some great music.
So many "successful" musicians wind up broken, miserable and without direction once the music stops. Perhaps your "failure" as a musician is the best thing that could have happened to you.
It's never too late. I'm almost 59 and writing the best music I've ever written. Planning to record eventually. It's what people like us do. We play because we love music.
cathartic for the members. Any of the bands that were able to do this were so lucky that they were all still alive and kicking. Many bands couldn't do this even if they wanted to as members have passed away. Shame VH-1 stopped doing this show.
Agreed. I really liked this show, especially seeing band members who haven't even talked in years getting together and making that magic one more time. In fact, when ABC got together for this show (one of my faves) they actually toured a few years later because of the generated excitement.
@@johnpauljones9310 It would definitely be necessary to do some background research before deciding on which bands to reunite. I feel, overall, they've done a good job of finding the right ones. But yeah, if half the members have died via suicide or alcoholism etc then that would not be a good candidate.
**If sooo good , why were there at least 34+ different band members through out the years ? Not all albums were good. 'Little Robbers' stunk up the place....
As a Metalhead in the 80's struggling through the musical landscape of strangeness being put out, I was a closet Motels fan then, still appreciate their art today
Watching this video august 1st 2024. I listen to the song ( only the lonely ) in my car along with ( suddenly ) often. Awesome songs that are timeless.
I watched many of these. This group sounded great. Truly. The lead guitar is a hell of a player. Killed the sax. The lead singer. Her voice is still excellent. It truly is. I was really impressed. Good work folks.
I remember watching Bands Reunited when it first aired in the early 2000s. It still puts a smile on my face when the members put their differences aside and reunite. Life is short to hold grudges. I wish Squeeze could have pulled it together.
For me, their music had a melancholy, nostalgic quality. As well as being very alluring, and Martha’s voice perfectly embodied all of that. Looking like she stepped out of a film noir movie, so beautiful💕. Love you Martha!
This was absolutely heartwarming how this unfolded and the members came together in the end…. Cathartic for all of them and the fans!! Bless them all!!!
Graduated HS in 1983. The Motels music is just as great today as it was then. Martha Davis still has that amazing voice. She is so beautiful! So happy to see that these guys reunited even if just one time. Rock Stars!!
Whew.... That hit a very old deeply hidden nerve. Not sure why I am so emotional as Only The Lonely tails off but I hope each member reads these comments when they are having a bad day & realizes what a great part of my life The Motels belong to. My whole heart & entire spirit Thanks You for saying yes to this project & reminding me I've paid my due to play. #onlythelonely
TO EVERYONE OUT THERE LISTENING TO YOUR YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR POSTING POSITIVE COMMENTS , I WILL SAY THIS , TIME DOES HEAL WOUNDS ... THIS BAND IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS ! ALL THE MEMBERS WERE HONEST AND FORTHCOMING WITH ONE ANOTHER . LOVE THIS BAND , MARTHA'S VOICE HASN'T CHANGED ONE BIT ! GOD BLESS EACH ONE AND I HOPE THEY IN TOUCH .
My wife died of cancer last thanksgiving. 8 months later I woke up with a night terror and the words “last summer” in my head. I don’t know any motels songs! It was painful and profound but I took it as a message from my wife. I looked up the song and it clicked right away. Tears started streaming down my face but I wasn’t crying. I promised to live a full life and the summer was slipping by, and my subconscious knew it. I had been working out at the gym with my other son so it didn’t hurt that I was 40 pounds lighter and stronger than ever. The next day I hopped on my bike and rode 4 hours to help my son with a building mechanical issue. While I was there we partied like it was our last days on earth. I met several women and dated one for awhile. It was a special time and it reinforced what a gift life is. Time does heal all wounds, but it can’t heal regret so go do that thing that makes you feel alive, present in the moment, and connected to all of God’s creation.
That was AWESOME! It’s so great to see them all doing well and having that moment of closure together. Thank them all for adding so much to so many people’s lives. Those moments in time were very special… Their masterpieces live on… and will long after we are all gone. ❤️
I was the keyboard roadie for The Motels on that “All 4 One” tour in 1982. Never saw this episode, glad they’re all okay, especially Michael, Brian and Marty. Don’t forget, Scott Thurston (Tom Petty & Heartbreakers for many years) was also keyboardist on the tour. Miss then all, Martha and her daughters, and the other two roadies on that tour.
The other roadies’ were Armondo “Mondo” (guitars and amps) and Andy (drums and sound man). Bill was tour mgr. and we toured USA, Australia and New Zealand. In US, we opened for J. Geils Band on their “FreezeFrame” tour of 1982. Motels we’re ALL a class act.
I totally forgot about that "Mission of Mercy" song. You never lose that passion for music. This is proof that it's laid dormant in all of them, other than Martha, the guys dug down and nailed it when it was time to. Great job 👍.
Really Enjoyed this. I'm from Albuquerque and always heard of the Motel's Bass player being from here, but this put a face to that story. Lovelace medical center is still around and going strong. The band's story was so interesting.
Kirkland, WA... Some of those neighborhoods are permanently imprinted in my brain from a driving job I once held, and I could use some music lessons. Looking back, The Motels played a crucial role in my musical upbringing. This is a rare treat I did not expect.
Went to see The Cars in the SUMMIT in Houston. The Motels opened up and we were on the 3rd row aisle. Martha went all around the floor and when coming back down to the stage my buddy steps out in the aisle, face to face with her, while she is singing. She ran her hand through his hair and down his face. At that moment there was not a guy in the place who would not have traded places with him. Lucky SOB.
I never listened too much of Suddenly, Last Summer in '82 when I was 15. But, I really listen to it alot in the last week after I heard it on the radio. It brings me to this video and it brings back memories of a simpler carefree time.
I loved her voice and loved their sound! I've always felt that the bands in the 80's that had female singers are so much better that the last 20 years.
Certainly The Classic Lineup of Davis, Perry, Goodroe, Jourard and Glascock. I remember watching this when it first aired, loved the idea of reuniting a band from way back for a One Off show; proper closure.
Wow! This aired in 2004 - 18 years ago. Makes me wonder what they're all doing now, and what they all look like with an extra 18 years on each of them. I think Marty is still playing in Martha's band, but not sure about the other three guys.
Stumbled across this on RU-vid… absolutely loved this! First, what a great show on VH1 - that I never heard of, but will definitely watch other shows/bands get back together to play. Second, this band… those songs that put them on the map, Martha’s beautifully haunting voice… wow, what great nostalgic memories growing up listening to their music. That ending, “Only the looonelllyyyyyyy…” Love you Martha!! It was really great to see this band get back together for this. They sound great! Good for them that they were able to hash any old negative feelings… we all experience the same in life, with people we care about and then lose touch due to strained relationships. Hope these people stay in contact. They brought - bring back great memories for many.
One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen....waay better than Behind the Music! She sounds fantastic, and a smart vocalist in that she was not a screamer, thus protecting the ol cords for the long haul. Just driving around LA in the 80s music, ya know? Kudos to you, VH1!👍😎
I saw The Motels open for The Cars. I can't remember the year. My sister and I went together when our parents dropped us off and ditched us. They arrived late picking us up. They went out and had fun. A police officer took us for a ride in his squad car. It was a strange night. They were great back then and still are when this was made!
Going by the one audience member's reaction where she said they played longer than she thought they would, I would tend to think The Motels played that song. It is a great song, so don't see why they would not play it.
They played at my college in ‘83. Intimate setting. Great show. In that era of music, we were lucky, with shows by Flock of Seagulls, Oingo Boingo, and The Ramones as well. Saw all but the Ramones.
This show was the best. Not just seeing the bands again, but the production was great as well. The amount of work that went into it (you don't walk into a medical center with a camera crew without a lot of permissions) and the editing of all the video into the finished product must have been a herculean task. Renting a venue, rehearsal space, the equipment, sound and lights...it also must have been very expensive!
I worked on this show (I'm actually playing keyboards at the end of the Only The Lonely when Marty is playing the sax, but you can't see me) as well as some of the others - they were pretty major productions (I remember the food was always really good!). Most of them were shot at SIR in Hollywood, but a couple at the Whisky and Roxy.
@@celebutante you must have bailed when things got sucky. This was a great time for VH1 and tv in general. Great show, thanks for doing it. You guys did justice to music.
@@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied It was a side hustle for me - I was the keyboardist in Berlin at the time (I started working on the show b/c Berlin did the first one and they asked me to return - was actually a really posh gig). They couldn't keep the show going b/c they pretty quickly ran out of bands to "reunite."
@Jack Scratch ...'Til Tuesday "Voices Carry", Men At Work, Flock Of Seagulls, Duran Duran, Billy Idol (check out "Prodigal Blues"), The Cars, Missing Persons, DEVO, B-52's, The Go-Go's, Prince, Depeche Mode, on & on. Do a Search for a 7-disc CD compilation of 80's music titled, "Like, OMG! The 80's Pop Culture Box (Totally)" to hear all of your favorite 80's hits again. And Yes, it includes Frank Zappa's "Valley Girl", LOL.
That was great. The ninja move with aging is to not judge people or yourself. To live in the moment with courage, compassion and curiosity for what’s around the bend. These wonderfully beautiful people did the best with what they had and it was significant. It’s great to see them together and realize they still hold each other dearly letting go of prejudices. The guitarist cranks.
Suddenly Last Summer always brings me back to a place and time in the mid 80s when I was in my late teens / early twenties and exploring life and relationships….beautiful!
I miss this damn show from VH1. They changed in ways I grew to not even go to the channel. There were so many bands they could have gone after. Loved it.
