The Farr Side: Starship tour brings back great memories

It’s funny the things we remember just by hearing something in conversation. It’s usually something music-related when that sort of thing happens to me.

Out of the blue the other day, I was transported back to my seventh-grade English class where Derek used to kick the back of my seat through fifth hour. As if that wasn’t annoying enough, he used to mutter repeatedly while doing so, “Knee deep in the hoopla.”

What is “knee deep in the hoopla”? And, why was he saying it? These are important the important questions, right? I’m laughing as I’m writing this, you know.

“Knee deep in the hoopla” was a lyric sang by Grace Slick in the band Starship’s 1985 mega-hit “We Built This City.” That phrase also happened to be the title of the band’s comeback album that year. And, what a comeback the band enjoyed!

All of this came back into my head the moment I learned that the band was back out on the road and touring again this year. It blows my mind because the band’s legacy stretches far beyond the realm of the '80s much earlier when they first struck gold in the '60s with the iconic song, “White Rabbit.”

It’s unbelievable to think that members of this band are still able to rock it out on the road anymore. But, that just goes to show that music keeps you young. Starship featuring Mickey Thomas is set to perform Friday, Mar. 10 at Blue Gate’s Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, Ind.

Long before Starship, there was Jefferson Starship and before that there was Jefferson Airplane. Each new formation saw the band’s lineup change. Singer Mickey Thomas joined the band in 1979 after singer Grace Slick departed. Thomas had already placed hits on the charts like “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” (with The Elvin Bishop Band).

As Jefferson Starship, Thomas added hits to the band’s repertoire including “Jane,” “No Way Out,” “Find Your Back,” “Stranger” and “Layin’ It On The Line.” As good as those songs were for the band, nothing would compare to what was ahead.

Skip to 1985 when the band brought back its female lead, Slick. “Knee Deep In The Hoopla” would reenergize the band’s career while also introducing them to a whole new generation of fans who loved MTV.

“We Built This City” became the band’s first No. 1 single after nearly two decades of hits. The song and video were everywhere that year, including your head. Once those lyrics got inside your brain they stayed. Hence, Derek’s relentless rehashing of “Knee deep in the hoopla.”

I loved the song and pretending I was the DJ speaking during the chord progression on the track. It sort of bugs me that the song has topped a few other charts since its heyday, but don’t get too excited for the band. It’s been voted No. 1 worst song of all time, too.

That’s just sad to me.

The second single, “Sara,” followed suit and also topped the Billboard Hot 100, giving the band their second No. 1 single in a row. Thomas sang vocals on this one and totally nailed it. It’s one of my favorites. “Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter Tonight” became the third single to chart from the album.

The following year Slick and Thomas shared vocals on the Diane Warren penned “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” from the hit movie “Mannequin.”

“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” quickly rose to the top of the charts making it the third No. 1 in just two years for Starship. The song also earned an Academy Award nomination and was the fourth most popular song of 1987.

Other hits followed, including “It’s Not Over (‘Til It’s Over),” “Good Heart” and “It’s Not Enough.”

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas includes Jeff Adams (bass), John Roth (guitar), “Phil Bennett (Keyboards), Darrell Verdusco (drums), Cian Coey (vocals), and, of course, Thomas.

The show encompasses aspects of all the group’s formations through the years including a few nods to the band’s beginning as Jefferson Airplane. I have my tickets for the show, but you can bet the first thing I’m going to do is look to see if Derek is seated behind me!

— David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: The Farr Side: Starship tour brings back great memories