Back in the early ‘80’s when other kids were hell bent on listening to Pat Benatar, Asia and Styx, I had discovered New Wave music.   It didn’t matter how bizarre or weird it was, if it was anti-mainstream — I enjoyed it.  From Missing Persons to The B-52’s, I loved all those quirky bands and their even quirkier videos.  One of my faves was the vicious and oh-so delicious group Romeo Void – led by front woman Debora Iyall.   Not only was she a phenomenal singer, she had a presence that I found mesmerizing.  And keep in mind I was 12 years old.

From the nanosecond I stumbled across one of their videos on MTV (circa ’82), I was instantly hooked.  Debora not only whooped like a soul sister – she snarled and growled her way through many a song.   I would often sing along at the top of my lungs – much to the chagrin of my folks.  When Romeo Void broke into Casey Kasem’s Top 40, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops … like I had singlehandedly discovered the band.

I’ve been following her solo music for years.  And thanks to the wonder that is Facebook, Debora and I connected whilst I was in Sacramento for a shoot.   I rallied my crew (who weren’t even born at the height of Romeo’s popularity) and we got the chance to have dinner with Debora and her husband Patrick.  Over Spanish food, we shot the breeze, chatted each other up and acted like old chums.   I spent much of dinner in complete awe of this woman.  I tried to play it cool but I think she knew I worshipped her.  Well, that … and I said, “I worship you.”

At one point she started singing “Say No” after I mentioned seeing the video recently.  I nearly started hyperventilating.   She’s now an art teacher and has a few new projects in the works.   She’s still cool as shit … a little grayer and a little wiser … but still with that same blistering charisma that I found so appealing.  The whole dinner was completely surreal.  I was suddenly a geeky teenager all over again.  Ask my crew.  I changed clothes three times before dinner.  

Romeo Void’s biggest hit “Never Say Never” has recently found a new audience – being used in a variety of – ahem – mainstream venues such as ABC’s “Samantha Who” and as background music for the video game “Grand Theft Auto”.  Now a whole NEW generation can appreciate why “that man could give a fuck about the grin on your face.”

I’ve met a lot of people – but I was hopelessly star struck.  See, when you meet someone that helped you get through those awkward teen angst years – you must give props.  And I did.  I “got” Romeo Void’s music … and it got me.   For over 20 years, I’ve had one of their CDs in my car.   Their music made growing up a little easier for this kid – and still does.