Here is the video of Parousia’s full performance of the Virtual Reality show at the Troubadour on May 24th, 1991.
This was Parousia’s third show performing ‘Virtual Reality’ at the world famous Troubadour. I loved each and every time we played there because this club was just so full of rich rock n’ roll history. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Troubadour was considered the most consistently important showcase of contemporary folk and folk-rock talent in the country. Appearances there could guarantee major record sales for new and emerging artists.
In the spirit of classic rock shows such as “Welcome to my Nightmare” by Alice Cooper and “Bat Outta’ Hell” by Meatloaf, Parousia created their biggest show-set ever; once again blending catchy rock tunes with performance art.
We developed the entire show to be set up in less than 20 minutes because at these famous rock clubs in Hollywood, that’s all the time they gave you to get up on stage and go… no exceptions. The Troub supplied professional sound and lighting (for a price) and nice sized changing rooms which we sorely needed for this group comprised of five musicians, six dancers and four roadies. 15 people in all to put on our rock extravaganza.
Musicians: Patt Connolly (Vocals, Flute), Gerry Cannizzaro (Drums, Electronic Percussion), Iain Ashley (Guitar, Vocals), Kenny Grey (Bass, Vocals), Jeremy Yeremian (Keyboards). Dancers: Claudine Connolly, Gina Raffel, Karen Springer, Margaret Strickland, Alisa Chandler and Lisa Hendershot. Crew: Bill (Frank) Simms (stage lighting), Rob (Rex) Rader (special effects), Bobby Force (follow spot) and Jennifer MIkel (wardrobe/ organization).
Around this time, Parousia’s ‘Virtual Reality’ show was getting national press in Music Connection and Bam Magazine which helped a great deal in getting people in the door to see a performance that was truly unlike anything else happening in the rock clubs along Hollywood’s Sunset Strip in the 1990’s.
Other notable historical events to take place at the Troubadour in the Month of May include:
- May 1970: Cheech and Chong are discovered by Lou Adler at a Monday Hoot Night.
- May 1972: Randy Newman returns to the Troubadour to perform his masterpiece album “Sail Away”.
- May 1973: Pointer Sisters make their debut performance.
- May 1979: The Eagles release “Sad Cafe” – a song written about their early days at the Troubadour.
- May 1996: Elvis Costello and longtime collaborator Steve Nieve record “Live at The Troubadour” for a CD box set.
- May 1999: Johnny Cash does one of his last performances with his wife, June Carter Cash.
- May 2006: Red Hot Chili Peppers record release fan show for their new record “Stadium Arcadium”.
- May 2008: Hall and Oates return to The Troub, where they made their LA debut 35 years earlier as opening act for Harry Chapin.
- May 2011: Prince plays 2 surprise shows in one night.
- May 2013 Tom Jones makes his Troubadour debut playing two nights to promote his new album “Spirit in the Room.” Both Morrissey and Mel Gibson are in attendance for the first of two shows.