I’ve had a few (sometimes inexplicable) celebrity crushes over the course of my life…. mostly in my youth.
Jonny Quest (yes, the cartoon) was the first. He was followed by a string of mostly musicians… teen heart throbs like Davy Jones, Donny Osmond and David Cassidy, etc.
Yes, it’s a bit embarrassing – but admit it… you loved them too, or someone just like them in your own music era. (FYI, I fell for musicians in real-life, too…)
Anyway, during the 80s I developed a celebrity crush on Richard Page, lead singer/songwriter from the band Mr. Mister.
It wasn’t a physical attraction – I just felt a real connection to him whenever he sang. It felt almost like I knew him (I didn’t, of course) and I found myself fantasizing about various scenarios in which we’d meet and discover we were soul mates, yada yada. LOL. It felt more than a bit silly even at the time, but I apparently needed a fantasy to help me cope emotionally, and his music spoke to me and gave me that escape. Whatever the reason, I was seriously crushing on Richard Page.
Aside from all the crush stuff, I really enjoyed the music and respected him as a singer/songwriter. Watching the video Kyrie gave me permagrin (I still can’t watch without singing along and smiling). Broken Wings my be among my top 10 ballads… I listened to The Border over and over again… I just liked how I felt when I heard him sing.
| Kyrie | Broken Wings |
As most bands do, Mr. Mister faded away after a couple of albums, and Richard with them… interestingly, about the time when I didn’t need the mental escape anymore. But he continued to work in the industry as a sought after backup vocalist and a songwriter. I have seen his name crop up over the years on a number of projects – he has written/co-written hits for Madonna, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, and many more. But, after one solo album back in 1995, Richard wasn’t producing his own music.
After seeing him credited on Josh Groban’s “Thankful” video recently, I decided to Google Richard again… It had probably been 7 or more years since I’d done so.
| I was thrilled to discover that Richard Page is back in performance mode!
He put out an album in 2010, along with an original Christmas song… (see video) |
| AND he has just released a new acoustic album (my favorite kind).
You can listen to the whole thing in this embedded player, and I hope you’ll listen to at least a few of the songs. Finding this album was like running into an old friend. |
I’m not crushing anymore, but still love that voice/songwriting. I hope he’ll keep making music.
Thoughts on crushes? On Richard’s music? On any re-discovered crushes or music??
Fun post. 🙂 I especially like “You are mine”. Very nice!
My first crush was on Speed Racer (yes, a cartoon!) before moving on to David Cassidy, Davy Jones, and Donny Osmond. So you’re bringing back some good memories. Thank you! 🙂
@Faith – I’m so glad I’m not the only girl who fell for a cartoon…. 🙂
LOL… I love this, mom. It can be quite fun to have celebrity crushes. My first one that I remember was a cartoon, as well- Prince Eric, from The Little Mermaid. He was super hot- especially with his shirt unbuttoned half way down his chest…
After that it was, of course, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Rider Strong, and of course, Andrew Keegan. My crushes have been all over the place, since then. My list is constantly changing. The top of the list, currently, is Ryan Reynolds. However, I will say that I have never really fantasized about any of them… I just thought they were hot 🙂
Richard Page has a BEAUTIFUL voice… even, now. Those songs are great. His voice is nostalgic. I remember you listening to Mr. Mister a lot as I was growing up- and now I know why 😀
Oh! And we musn’t forget my major high school crush, Ben Affleck (who is still on my list…). I love that Steve used to send me flowers “from Ben”. lol
I love this story! I also had a crush on Johnny Quest, well actually his dad? Umm, I haven’t out grown my crushes, Jon Hamm as Don Draper is my current fascination. The earliest crush I had was Donny Osmond. I would instruct Shauneen Hadley to tape a picture of him to her face and then I would dance with Donny (Shauneen) it was quite fun.
P.s. I guess Bobby Sherman was my first crush.
Ricky Nelson and the Everly Brothers were mine.. yes I am old!
I also had cartoon crushes. I’m afraid to say which ones. I do have and always have had a crush on Sting. I love him politically and musically. And he’s still hot.
@Michelle – I recall crushing a bit on Bobby Sherman as well.
@Ashley – yes, Steve’s antics with the flowers or “missed call” messages from Ben were always fun.
@Paul – ditto on Sting. I’ve been a long-time admirer on all those levels. Musical genius, politically/socially conscious – and just plain hot.
Loved reading about your celebrity crushes. Johnny Quest is the best one!
Not sure how the truffles will do in transit, but if you email me your address I will definately send a little Christmas gift your way! 🙂
I remember you playing those songs so much as a kid. Interestingly, they played “Kyrie” at the Chinese seafood restaurant we ate at today in Penang. Lol! Brought back some memories for sure.
As for crushes, I remember thinking Jane Seymore was really beautiful in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Lol.
Race Bannion from Johnny Quest…I guess I used to like older men when I was younger. Still – there must be something very deep and hidden in all of us to crush on cartoons…
Mine was Jaclyn Smith. Not a romantic crush, but a deep admiration. Was crazy about her. And I still admire her.
The other was John Travolta in the 70s from Grease, and Timothy Hutton.
and yes on Bobby Sherman…remember “Here Come the Brides”?
I do remember your fondness for Mr Page, particularly the little dance he did in Kyrie. He wasn’t a bad guy to have a crush on. I’m delighted to hear he’s making is own music again.
I’ve tried to think of any particular celebrity crushes I may have had. Although I really didn’t have a crush on him (he’s not “crush” material), I did have a picture of The Bondaged Rat (as my family liked to call him) David Lee Roth, hanging on the back of my bedroom door back in my Van Halen days (I thought Alex Van Halen was much cuter).
I was rather fond of Karl Malone’s shoulders in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Would that count?
There are several people I think were particularly cute or appealing in various rolls (Jim Sturgess was very cute in Across the Universe; Christopher Judge was a force to be reckoned with in Stargate SG1; Naveen Andrews caught my eye as Sayid in Lost, etc.) For fictional or legendary babes, I’d go with Legolas and Aragorn. I mean, who *wouldn’t* have a crush on those two?
There are a number people I can think of right now that I wouldn’t mind having hang around, serving as decoration and distraction. Isaiah Mustafa would be among them…
I have to say, I’m not really one for celebrity crushes. But I can list I few that over the years I’ve thought were particularly easy on the eyes…
Corbin Bleu’s insanely poofy hair must have been pretty charming.
Taylor Launter is very nice to look at (Might be the major reason I’d consider seeing the rest of the “Twilight Saga”).
For some reason there was something about Robert Downey Jr. I’ve always liked.
I’d also have to agree with my mom on in her last two paragraphs…