The ALARM, THE BANNER & a BOB DYLAN SONG
On April 12, 1986, I was a 16-year-old kid from the suburbs - about to embark on an unplanned 37-year musical journey involving The Alarm, an iconic banner, and a Bob Dylan song…
The journey starts on the campus of UCLA where The Alarm gave a career defining performance – a free concert largely spread through word of mouth. I was fortunate enough to be one of the 25,000 in attendance for this “Spirit of ‘86” show that was broadcast around the world by MTV. It was the right place at the right time for the 16-year-old me. I had a massive crush on MTV’s Martha Quinn (who hosted the show) and was about to witness one of my favorite bands leave it all onstage. It exceeded all my expectations.
Music is a deep cleansing agent and *live music* can run even deeper. This was one of those shows for me – honest, intentional, and cathartic. The memories burned deep.
While I was a bit notorious for being a massive Alarm fan, I was completely unprepared for what would happen next. A few days later… I was contacted by a friend associated with the UCLA student body that oversees campus events. I was told that the infamous red poppy backdrop had been left behind. The friend asked if I would like to have it.
There are no words at this point. I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t.
The Alarm’s red poppy banner immediately took residence in my childhood room just north of Los Angeles – proudly occupying an entire wall. There it stayed until I went to college in San Diego – and along it came. Over 37+ years it has hung proudly in bedrooms, living rooms, garages, and music rehearsal spaces.
It has witnessed love, loss, relationships, marriage, children, jobs, bands and camaraderie – it was a constant piece of the fabric woven into my entire adulthood.
I learned of Mike Peters fight against cancer and his Love Hope Strength Foundation though the 2017 documentary “Man in the Camo Jacket". It’s an incredibly moving documentary that I reflect on frequently. In the spirit of the foundation, I wanted to give something back to Mike for all that his music has meant to me (and still does). The return of the iconic banner seemed to be the logical choice. I reached out to Jules Peters to hatch a plan, but then COVID happened.
Fast forward to 2023… I was thrilled to learn that The Alarm was returning to California - playing shows in and around Los Angeles. I re-engaged Jules to discuss a hand-off in Temecula, CA. My proposed approach was to open the show with a couple of Sperrets songs, then abruptly stop and explain why I was really there – sharing my story, and handing off the banner.
Mike one-upped me and asked if I would join him onstage for Knocking on Heaven’s Door – the last song of the night.
13,705 days since April 12, 1986 and I am without words again.
The 53-year-old current version of myself reverted to my 16-year-old core... and the rest is a small slice of musical history.
The red poppy banner has been returned to its rightful owner and is exactly where it needs to be.
I can’t wait to see where it shows up next.