Private Lightning

OMG…. I can’t believe I found this site. I was such a PL groupie… traveling all over New England. I still have the first PL album.. pristine condition. Does anyone know how to get in touch with the band? I used to hang out with this kid Dave Maynard that worked with band for a long time… went camping with the band back in 80…81… would love to get back in touch… Thank you, Steve for getting this stuff posted up. Deb

You hit the nail right on the head regarding your comments of the PL songs. Positive, upbeat tunes that not only make you feel good about yourself but also shine after all these years. I’m from Maine & was fortunate to see PL a dozen times or so back in the early 80’s. My best friend & I often talk about what might have been if the record industry was different back then (The internet & websites would have helped Pl shine). The live feel of the band was incredible and electric! You mentioned Martha’s Song & Hosanna as two of your new favorite PL songs. Martha’s Song was incredible live and Hosanna if my memory is correct was sometimes the opening song of the second set. My favorite newly discovered and remembered songs include Nancy (Absolutelt awesome live), Fighting Biology, Rock 4 Real & Tight with you although all of the songs posted were played at some point live when I saw them. Martha’s Song would have been a huge hit if it had been released and promoted correctly.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments and are glad you enjoy songs from one of my favorite bands of all time.

Jim
Portland, Maine

Wow! These are songs I never thought I’d here ever again. The last(of many) Private Lightning shows I saw was at the University of Southern Maine back in “82? in support of their singles “I Want to Take You Away” & “Give Me The Night”. The band was still looking for their big break from the record industry that unfortuneately overlooked one of the best bands from that time. I brought my girlfriend at the time and she fell in love with the band. I received an autographed 45 that night and still have it today! We converted a brand new LP that I purchased on EBAY eight years ago and listen to it often! We married 7 years later and still enjoy the great music that P L produced. Thanks for sharing these great unreleased songs Steve. They all bring back great memories!

I never had the opportunity to see PL live anywhere. It would have been fun. I read somewhere that you met some nice people in Leicester, MA - I live around the corner from there, where did you get the pizza?

I only heard two songs on the radio (Song of the Kite & Physical Speed) and I fell in love with the music. I did’t purchase very many albums (still don’t) the music REALLY needs to resonate in me for me to spend money on an album. But I did purchase the PL album and enjoyed every single one of the songs.

I’ve been trying to figure out why, after all these years, I worked on finding the music, but I think I know now….

The early 80’s were a time of excitement and promise. You only needed a car, a tank of gas and a dream, and off you went. The PL music just fit that era. You just couldn’t feel bad when you heard the music or the spirit behind it. Thriller, Bright City, I Want to Take You Away…. all of those songs just made your heart soar.

So, what I think is, that after all these years, jaded politics, worsening economy, incomprehensible wars…. I think I was longing for something that symbolized the time when just a car, a tank of (affordable) gas, and a dream could lead you anywhere, and regain the excitement that seemes reseved for young.

I’m so glad I found the music again - I listen to it often - new favorites are Hosanna and Martha’s song.

PL might never have broken into the main stream music media, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t deeply touch the hearts of those who heard the music.

All the best to you and the rest of the band members…

Hello again - I’ve never been big on blogs, so I am still getting used to how this works.  Some nice feedback has come in already (amazing how fast Google gets things in their search engine!).  What I had hoped for was that when someone leaves a message here, it would appear as a new post so others could read of their memories of the band, but I guess the way it works is that the reply gets pasted onto the post, like a regular email…maybe if you register you can post new threads - I’ll have to try that… I don’t know how much volume I will get after all these years, but I’ll try to set up the feedback I receive as new posts.

Hi - I’ve received a few requests for Private Lightning music, and I’ve run into quite a few people at my ‘Day Job’ who are familiar with the band.  So I’ve added all of the stuff that I have converted to mp3 and wav so far for download.  I am hoping people will upload me some old clips and document some of their memories here.

I do have some old reel-to-reel live performance tapes that are probably not in the greatest shape, but I plan to try and upload some of those as well when I find a working reel-to-reel

I also have some old articles and posters, etc which I will try to scan in.

Anyway, I hope some people will contribute their memories and memoribilia to this blog.

I hope you like the songs and I hope they bring back some memories for you.  I know they did for me!

Steve