'80s MTV stars The Motels and The Romantics hit Dr Pepper Park June 29
Updated: Jun 15, 2018
by Tad Dickens - The Roanoke Times
For someone coming of age in the 1980s and watching (probably way too much) MTV, a couple of songs remain stuck in the memory banks — "Only The Lonely," by The Motels," and "What I Like About You" by The Romantics.
The bands that made those songs famous in the day are still at it, and will be headed to Dr Pepper Park for a June 29 double-bill.
Tickets go on sale Friday at www.DrPepperPark.com and are $65 for reserved general admission) $25 for general admission and $99 VIP skybox with meet-and-greet. Ticket fees and taxes are extra.
Both bands had other hits, btw, so it won't be like you're coming out for just a couple of songs. The Motels also scored with "Suddenly Last Summer" and "Remember The Nights," among others. The Martha Davis-fronted band has a new song, "Lucky Stars," streaming at www.themotels.com/listen, and a new album due in spring (hey, wait a minute; it's spring now). The lineup includes one other member from the classic lineup, keyboardist and saxophonist Marty Jourard.
Detroiters The Romantics had their biggest hit with "Talking In Your Sleep," but drummer Jimmy Marinos (who sang "What I Like About You") left right after that. Though he returned for a short time in the mid 1990's, he is the only original member who is not in the band. Drummer Brad Elvis completes the lineup of Wally Palmar, Mike Skill and Rich Cole, according to the band's website.
Contact Tad Dickens at tad.dickens@roanoke.com or 777-6474. Follow him on Twitter: @cutnscratch.