"Got a Hold on Me" single released 40 years ago
Forty years ago on 25 January 1984, "Got a Hold on Me" was released as the lead single from Christine McVie's eponymous second album.
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You beat me to the punch. I was waiting for the album to have its 40th anniversary to post it here. But we might as well start now. I remember the day I heard it on the radio the first time. There was no internet for me to know Chris was working on a solo album. In early February 1984 our school had a 2 hour snow delay. I was in my bedroom listening to the radio and Got A Hold On Me came on the radio. I knew instantly it was Chris. I was so excited she was releasing a solo album. I bought the album a few weeks later and then her solo tour was announced. I was thrilled to say the least.
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--Lis |
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Back in those days there was no internet. The only way to hear about concerts coming to your city was the Sunday paper or if it was announced on the radio. But there was a third option. The rock station had a telephone number you would call and list off all the acts coming to down at various venues. When I called the number one day and heard Christine was coming to town I almost fainted. Generation Z will never understand that back then people called a number to find out the weather and what concerts were coming to town. But I did record the HBO Mirage show from the TV on my tape recorder at 2am on a school night! |
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I found a newspaper review of her concert in Ft Lauderdale, FL from June 1984. Its not the first review that I read claiming that people missed out by not attending this incredible concert. It was a bit baffling the hit maker from Fleetwood Mac had a hit solo record but did not pack the house.
A fatigued McVie is still in fine voice June 2, 1984 A nonstop tour schedule of one-night stands since April 15 has left singer-songwriter Christine McVie more than a mite weary. Her lack of energy was evident in concert Thursday night at Sunrise Musical Theatre, and was the only deterrent to an otherwise fine performance. McVie was in good voice, right on the mark with her distinctive smoky, sleepy, blues singing style. She was backed by an excellent five-piece band, most of whose members also accompanied her on her recently released solo album, titled Christine McVie. Her repertoire was a well-chosen selection of her solo songs, as well as those she has recorded in her 13-year career with Fleetwood Mac. McVie’s reputation as a laid-back performer seems to have preceded her throughout her first tour apart from the legendary band. Sunrise Theatre was less than half full, as has been the case at many of McVie’s other stops. This was unfortunate, not only for McVie and band, but also for those who missed the show, an enjoyable and musically proficient package of ballads, rockabilly and basic rock ‘n’ roll. McVie is more than aware that the tour hasn’t been a big draw. “Being on solo tour is less and more than I expected,” she said after the show. “Actually, I expected more people, but I’m happy with the response from the people that did come out.” Those who did made up for their small numbers with a warm reception, which became warmer and louder as McVie seemed to pick up on their positive vibes and opened up, if just a little. Accompanying herself on electric and acoustic piano, McVie sang most of the songs from the Christine McVie album, including its two singles — “Got a Hold on Me,” which became a hit soon after its release, and “Love Will Show Us How,” now rising on the charts. Also memorable were her album cuts “Ask Anybody,” a haunting ballad that clearly displays the soulful emotion of McVie’s voice, and “So Excited,” a rollicking rockabilly-style number. For the most part, the songs from McVie’s solo album sounded better than the Fleetwood Mac hits she sang — “Hold Me,” “Over My Head,” “You Make Loving Fun” and “Don’t Stop.” “Don’t Stop,” especially, sounded rather empty without Stevie Nicks’ high accompanying vocals. McVie’s back-up band nearly made up for her subdued manner with an energetic, rhythmic performance. Lead guitarist Todd Sharp (especially notable for some hot breaks), guitarist Steve Bruton, bassist George Hawkins, drummer Steve Ferrone and keyboardist Eddy Quintela formed a tight, balanced unit. When the three guitarists performed without McVie on Guitar Bug, a bouncy rocker a la Chuck Berry, the audience responded almost as enthusiastically as it did at McVie’s encore. McVie, who said she plans to record another solo album after helping Fleetwood Mac complete its new LP, looked smashingly British in red suede boots, a black and white leopard-spotted blouse, black vest and jeans. Opening the show for McVie was the Baxter Robertson Band, a five-piece Los Angeles-based rock group with a good beat, some promising songs, and a hard-working lead singer-guitarist- saxophone player. Linda R. Thornton / Miami Herald (FL) / June 2, 1984 |
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Besides I don't know how much Christine wanted to be a star. I guess she was fine with the kind of popularity she got. |
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As I excitedly ran to get a blank cassette tape to record, I wondered if "Got a Hold On Me" was a NEW Fleetwood Mac song. I didn't hear Stevie and Lindsey's timbre in the song's harmony vocals. The DJ then announced the new single. Several days later, I heard "Got a Hold On Me" debut on Casey Kasem's "American Top 40 Countdown" -- as Chris' single was saddled up alongside Stevie Nicks' "Nightbird" somewhere in the 30's on the chart. I ran to the record store on the day of the album release with my allowance money to buy Chris' new solo album. I wore out the record nonstop for weeks. When I learned that Chris was playing my city in June of 1984 in a small 2,000 seat theater, I was elated! I was first in line at the Foley's Ticketmaster outlet to buy my concert tickets. Ticket demand was so low that I scored FRONT ROW SEATS! Chris only managed to sell about 900 seats and played to a half empty theater. I was in HEAVEN. One of the best concerts of my life. |
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I had to be creative and find a way to get to the concert. So I actually won tickets on some radio station. I cracked their code of when they would play a Fleetwood Mac song to win. I had to be the 7th caller and I was the first and 7th caller and won. I prayed and danced to the Rhiannon gods and guess what? Rhiannon was the song I won the tickets to. But wait. I did it again and won again. I was afraid they would say that I could not win twice so I gave my friend's name and address for them to send the tickets to. |
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..and you're right that the low ticket demand worked in our favor....when we got to great adventure i remember we walked into the little ampitheater area and I told my parents we had to sit in the bleachers, because I figured people had tickets to get close to the stage. turned out hardly anybody came and we were able to get the hell out of the bleachers and walk aallll the way up to the stage and i was practically in the front row too! i think i was maybe in the second row, it was hard to tell w everybody standing and i was short lol. but omg i never thought i'd be so close to her. we made eye contact several times, i was in heaven also.... i remember the concert goodies they sold , i bought a little pin that said 'Christine' w some music notes on it, and a white tank top that had her songs listed in small black writing all over it, i think w music notes on it, too. i don't think i was ever brave enough to wear it to school but i wore it during the summers at home until my boobs got too big to fit in it anymore...damn shirt shrunk. :lol: i think i still have it saved upstairs. and the pin, too. and i took crappy pics w my disc camera that i still have as well! --Lis |
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-Lis |
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I have the Jackson show on CD. It was a very famous bootleg sold all the time on Ebay in the early 2000's. I love her banter about the name of the town. Her dedication to the park for the teens that died in the fire was touching. I just remembered. All the ticket winners were entered into a drawing to meet Chris back stage. They were giving out 2 winners. I had a panic attack because since I wont twice I had a better chance than anyone to win one of those prizes. But I did not win :( I would've had to do my Willy Wonka "I've got a golden ticket" song and dance to the concert hall. We got to see her tour bus that was beautifully decorated and named "The Challenge" painted on the side. |
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They were whisked away, but I did get to briefly say hello to Chris. She wasn't sure what to make of a screaming 13- and 14-year-old. She looked both amused and confused. |
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ugh shame she was accompanied by Eddy lol. I remember he wore this awful red leather outfit for those shows, it was so cheesy. although the eighties weren't kind in terms of fashion...even chris wasn't looking her best in that bulky unflattering sweater... You know, looking back now when we met george i don't think i ever asked him anything about that tour. i should have. I wonder what his take on it would have been. he was a font of information and full of great stories and memories. --Lis |
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I first heard Got a Hold on Me in snippets, as advertising for the upcoming release of the video. I first heard the full song live on her live concert special. I liked it, thought it was catchy and cute. I was shocked, however, when I got the album and heard the studio version. It was so slick in comparison the earthy live performance.
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Warts are always more interesting... |
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This is not a concert video but an interesting documentary of that year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgr8Cq10_qw |
I would have to dig out my VHS tape but my memory is also the 2 singles were not shown in the Country Club concert. However the Country Club concert that showed up on youtube many years later features Love Will Show Us How live in concert. Maybe its there but my memory is it was not there. Got A Hold On Me was most likey performed but they show the video instead.
Here is the Country Club concert and it opens with Love Will Show Us How. Did anyone attend this show or know anyone that did? Unlike you spoiled kids, we did not have MTV or a VCR in 1984. I remember going to video stores and holding the laser disc or VHS tape in my hands and dream of watching it. When I got my first computer in 1999, this VHS tape was my first purchase off Ebay. I had to wait 16 bloody years to see it. For the 40th anniversary I would love for her Entertainment Tonight segment make it to youtube. When her tour started in 1984 E.T. made it the lead feature on their program. They showed parts of her in concert and interviews. Chris had flowers on her mic like the Mirage show. She was also performing live with that side pony tail that she had for promo photos. Clearly they were spicing things up for her big E.T. segment. Everything else shows up on youtube except this. Her band is so good that you would almost think she is lip syncing the song because it sounds exactly like the record. But its truly a live version because it has an extended ending and does not fade out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDQ_TrZPwis |
I had a recording of the band playing the song live. I remember because it was warmer and less slick than the original.
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Here's a different video from the black and white GAHOM. Her mic technique is really lacking in this.:rolleyes:
https://youtu.be/-ihOZKhBFwU?si=NQ4tFc-6s_XPPh-d |
Here's a live Love Will Show Us How. Along with Keeping Secrets and The Challenge.
https://youtu.be/UDQ_TrZPwis?si=bHTOi2L_dfZURyuC |
Finally, here's GAHOM live. At the 3:50 mark. Along with So Excited and One In A Million.
https://youtu.be/jaf9slJzx4U?si=6dfS8l2Ab61Smjsw |
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(The green light and her shiny suit look like a Doctor Who episode.) Hot take: Christine might have found bigger solo fame if she had followed Billy Joel's example and done some videos and live performances standing up with a guitar like one of the boys instead of hunched over at the keys like an overworked secretary. |
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https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/a9...407f2c6cfe.jpg But seriously, Elton always complained the piano didn't allow him to do much on stage, that's why he came up with the jumps. I know jumps and costumes wasn't Christine style, but yes being in front captivates the audience more. I remember the Carpenters history, it was hard to convince Karen to stop being behind the drums. |
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I hate clutter. |
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