Attending a Corey Feldman concert is like stepping through a time portal straight into the 80s—the golden age dominated by Corey’s iconic presence as an actor. His music offers a vibrant mix of nostalgia and pure excitement.
As a child of the 80s, my entertainment diet consisted of timeless cinematic treasures including Stand By Me, License to Drive, and The Lost Boys, among others. Corey Feldman and Corey Haim stood as true staples of that time. Though my walls never had posters of either Corey from those films when I was a young girl — whenever news surfaced of Feldman’s appearances in TV shows like Tales From the Crypt, Married with Children, and the list goes on, I eagerly anticipated watching these shows on TV.
My musical journey with Corey began late one night before I entered Junior High. I was in my bedroom listening to my boombox tuned into the Howard Stern radio show featuring Corey as the guest artist. It was then I discovered his musical talent, particularly through the track “It’s So Simple,” which he both wrote and sang from his first album Love Left. I recorded the show on my cassette tape and listened to that song often.
I first met Corey in 1998, which marked the beginning of a unique professional bond. I was contacted by Vegas Records about shooting the album cover for one of their artists, Corey Feldman, and his then-band “Truth Movement”. I was ecstatic to be meeting and working with Corey. I was later commissioned by Feldman to do a promotional photoshoot featuring both himself and Corey Haim, and naturally, I happily obliged. The two Coreys in front of my camera lens was nothing short of a surreal moment in time.
Album Cover work
Nearly 20 years would pass before our paths would cross again, reconnecting for the album cover of Angelic 2 the Core, and two album covers including the rendition of Dream A Little Dream with Feldman & Mickey Thomas on the cover, and various promotional and tour-related materials since.
When Corey announced a tour stop at the Observatory in Santa Ana, it felt like the perfect opportunity to ring in my 45th birthday in style. Here’s the scoop from his show on the final leg of his tour.
The post-Thanksgiving performance had the crowd buzzing with excitement: everyone eager to catch Corey live in Orange County. Instead of an opening band, we were treated to a classic movie—quite a delightful setup.
Entering the Observatory, the anticipation heightened as the lights dimmed in the venue, and The Lost Boys illuminated the screen, setting a cinematic atmosphere akin to a theater experience.
As the movie credits rolled to a close, I peered down from the balcony to see the Observatory was packed tonight. I made my way down the stairs, positioning myself in the photo pit with my camera. A low chant of “Here he comes, the Comeback King,” began to grow by Corey’s band, and within a few repeats of the chorus, there he was—Corey Feldman was on the stage and ready to rock, and you know we had Corey’s homage to Michael Jackson that was laid out thick, with gemstone shoes that looked like they were from the King of Pop’s collection himself, spins and fancy footwork that delighted the audience while encapsulating the spirit of living life to the fullest.
He performed some of his new songs, old songs, and all the movie classics including “Cry Little Sister,” from The Lost Boys. Donning a leather jacket with no shirt underneath—a sight that screamed nostalgia at its finest. Adding to the ambiance was the appearance of Scott Page now on stage, a true legend whose saxophone performance blew everyone away. Known for his collaborations with Pink Floyd, and Toto, and his regular appearances with THINK: EXP, Scott’s presence that night was a thrilling surprise, adding his psychedelic dimension to the show.
Just before the conclusion of the third song, I ducked into the crowd and made my way back to the balcony when I heard Corey extending warm birthday wishes to the voices in the front row, before giving a heartfelt shout-out to his photographer, yours truly, that lasted about a minute. It was a very cool surprise!
The musicians include Gregg Sartiano, Bentley Mitchum, Duke Gadd. Each member of his band had the spotlight on them for their own song, giving Corey a moment to leave the stage for a break. It was Alexandra Danielle, Corey Feldman‘s new keyboard player from Maui, who did a sweet rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” while in a tutu with a bubble machine that added an adorable touch.
Cry Little Sister
The ambiance escalated as Jamison Newlander, dressed as a Frog Brother from The Lost Boys made an appearance onstage with Corey. We had both Frog Brothers from the film we just watched, joining together now in front of us. For any child of the ’80s, this moment encapsulated everything nostalgic. Corey’s ability to deliver theatrical elements directly to the audience is always a treat to watch. Tonight he delivered a stellar performance that featured all the beloved classics, each complemented by thematic costume changes paying homage to the films he’s part of like Dream a Little Dream and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School Forever, in which he embodies each character from his films. Dispaying his versatility by taking on the drums for “Stand by Me,” he passionately expressed that life is about pushing oneself beyond fear and doubts. Addressing the audience, “You don’t get anywhere in life by being afraid, by backing down, and you don’t get anywhere by not trying. I believe that no matter what it is, you should push yourself to do something you’re afraid of doing cause you don’t think you can do it.” He then performed both on the drums and sang the Beatle’s “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road.”
The Joy Of Christmas
For the ending, Corey and his band put on Christmas hats, and he brought the joy of Christmas and snow to Santa Ana with a version of “Jingle Bell Rock.” It was a little messy, but lots of fun.
This was an unforgettable celebration marking my 45th birthday in a unique way that was beyond special, and will forever be a memory I’ll always cherish.
In conclusion, If you have the chance to experience Corey Feldman and his band live, seize it—you’ll be in for a fantastic time with a dedicated artist and entertainer.
Article and Photographs by Maggie St.Thomas
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