By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Debbie Gibson was a trailblazer in the 1980s when she released original albums that she wrote, sang and produced, and now one of those recording efforts is celebrating a milestone in 2024. Gibson’s second album, Electric Youth, was released 35 years ago, and to honor the anniversary, Gibson will join with some high-profile friends for a special concert at the Town Hall in New York City. The concert is set for Friday, July 26.
There are a lot of amazing parts of the Electric Youth story when looking back at the influence of this clearly influential album. One could focus on Gibson achieving success on her own terms, a rarity in the music industry, and she was still a teenager at the time. One could focus on the songs, which are still beloved tunes by Debheads. They include everything from “Only in my Dreams” to “Lost in Your Eyes” to the title track. One could focus on the fact that Gibson’s second album was as strong as her meteoric debut release, Out of the Blue, which came two years earlier, according to press notes. This debut led to an unprecedented accomplishment: being named the youngest artist with a #1 song (“Foolish Beat”).
The singer-songwriter, who won the prestigious ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award, has never stopped making music and gigging around the world. All told, she has sold more than 16 million albums worldwide. During the pandemic, she released the album The Body Remembers, and in the intervening years, she graced the stage in such hit musicals as Funny Girl, Les Misérables and Grease (playing the parts of Sandy and Rizzo). The Hallmark Channel? Yeah, she’s left her mark there, too, with the hugely successful movie “Summer of Dreams” in 2016 and its sequel, “Wedding of Dreams,” in 2018.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Gibson to talk about the 35th anniversary of her landmark album. For the special NYC concert, she’ll be joined on stage by Broadway stars John Lloyd Young and Orfeh. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Can you believe it has been 35 years since Electric Youth?
I actually can. I can account for every minute of every year! But music is the great connector of generations and time from then ’til now, and it transports us all and makes it as if no time has passed at the same time! It’s thrilling for my audience and for me to have this strong connection and all of these shared memories for over three-and-a-half decades.
How would you describe your life and career when that album came out in the late 1980s?
It was a whirlwind, but I was excited to be doing what I loved. It was all ahead of me, and I was living my biggest dream of getting my music to the people!
Are you planning to re-create Electric Youth on this tour song for song?
Almost. 95%. There are a few swaps, but it’s primarily the same, with a lot of the original band members and dancers as well as costumes that are either an homage to looks I wore on stage back then or the actual originals!
What can we expect from your guest collaborators, John Lloyd Young and Orfeh?
I want to keep that a surprise, but I will only say there will be solos and duets and things we’ve never done together before! It’s so wonderful when friends come to the party with love and support the way these two have for this one-of-a-kind experience!
When you think of the many “Debheads” out there, what immediately comes to mind?
Loyalty, community, inclusion, support. My community of Debheads and Diamond Debheads are people who connected through my music, but they are their own force of nature as a group of people who are out in the world spreading love and kindness. And saying that just now literally brings me to tears because that is so much bigger than me and the music. It’s about people in their daily lives shifting energy. Music is the catalyst, and it is all something to celebrate!
Debbie Gibson & Friends: Electric Youth 35th Anniversary will play New York City’s Town Hall on Friday, July 26. Click here for more information and tickets.
