John Payne and Grandpa Lou

In 1981, I was living in Bayside, Queens. I was 14 years old and Foreigner had recently released Foreigner 4. My parents got divorced when I was 7. Rather than pay child support, my father moved in with his parents, and refused to pay my mom anything, despite the court orders requiring him to do so. One of my best friends, Rob Kaplan and I had chipped in to buy a copy of the Foreigner 4 record to share.
A short while later, in 1982, right about at the time CD’s came out, Asia, under front man John Wetton, released their smash debut album. They toured shortly thereafter. I could not afford a ticket, but all of my friends went without me. I have seen a lot of concerts in my life time. But I never got to see Foreigner or Asia.
On November 12, 2021, my older daughter, visiting from Connecticut, came over. It was 6:45 p.m. On a whim, I was searching to see what groups were playing at the Canyon locations.
Turns out, doors opened at 7:30 p.m. for Lou Gramm, the lead singer of Foreigner (now aged 72) to play in Agoura. Opening for Lou was John Payne, the “second” lead singer for Asia, who took over after John Wetton left the band. A quick stop through the McDonald’s Drive Through and a record 40 minute trip to Agoura and we were there, sans tickets. Eighty dollars in cash for two tickets and we were inside in less than no time. John Payne’s Asia was absolutely phenomenal. Mai Tai in hand and phone recording the concert, I relived my youth as I got to watch the concert I missed out on as a 14 year old.
Asia played for about an hour. Then this very old and short grandpa of a man with platinum blond hair took the stage. He began to sing. And for the second time in one night, I was able to see another one of my dream bands. My kid’s favorite song was Waiting For a Girl Like You. Lou did not disappoint.
My dad didn’t pay child support. But my sister and I turned out just fine. And the joy of me watching my two dream bands with my daughter eclipsed the loss of not seeing the two bands in my youth.
For all of your family law and business litigation needs, contact the Law Offices of Richard A. Marcus (661) 257-8877.