The Great Reebok Revelation

[petep9000]

I don't really see the major improvement in Stevie's stage presence in platform Reeboks. She still is not moving around as much on stage due to 'the hip'. And, have a close look at those platform boots we all long for anyway. Both the toe and heel portion are of a sufficient width and thickness to offer orthopedic support. The center of gravity is evenly dispersed, the toe portion is widely spaced and does not force her toes into an unnatural pointed position that one might expect. They also appear to be made of smooshy soft velvet and not rigid like some of the crazy 'Sex In The City' Manolo Blahnik (sp?) shoes popular today. True, they elevate her higher than a standard shoe- but sorry, in no way do I buy that they are any more dangerous to wear than the monstrosities that she sported this whole tour.

As for Klonopin that someone mentioned (I think the statement was "I mean- how many of us suspected the Klonopin thing? None.") you most certainly COULD tell Stevie was on a serious downer beginning with the '87 FM 'Shake The Cage' tour. I recall when Stevie went into detox/rehab for Klonopin in 1994 it made the AOL boards as a 'rumor' from a very credible poster (who has long since vanished from our online Stevie/FM world, alas) and lots of people blew him off as if this was absolutely impossible and she was fabulous, better than ever blah, blah, etc. Ask any Stevie fan who admires Stevie's live performances from the 'Tusk', 'Mirage', 'Wild Heart' or 'Rock A Little' tours and you will get a whole-hearted agreement that something was very, very wrong with Stevie on stage beginning in 1987.

In short...
boots = not wobbly enough to justify ugly sneakers with a dress.
Klonopin = most definately noticeable.

[ShangriLaTroubl]

She most certainly does move much more in reeboks than in the boots...especially on this tour...she was wearing the boots for the whole show in the beginning of the tour...she was dead to the world...barely moved from her mic...and if u have seen them post August- you will know she has been VERY active onstage...now whether or not its due to her shoes or not...all i can say is she moves a lot more now than she did when she was wearing the boots

CHris

[sparky]

Originally posted by DeeGeMe
Okay folks. For those of you who have been ragging Stevie about her footwear choices, I want you to try something for me. Stand up. Now lift your heels up off the floor and roll your weight onto your toes. Good. Now stay that way for . . . I don't know. . . a couple of hours or so. Now, every so often, I want you to twirl around the room Stevie-style, still on your toes. Now do you understand why Stevie doesn't wear the platforms anymore? I know they look great, but they hurt like hell!

OUCH. That is not a comfortable way to get around. For cripes sake, the only cowboy boots I own that don't hurt are over 10 years old, so I get it. I've never worn platforms, and don't plan on trying any on soon (sparky don't do drag), but I don't know how she wore them as long as she did. Do I still long to see her in them ? Of course I do. But, she's gotta do what she's gotta do. It's her career, her look, and her aching hip and sore little flippers.

[jwd]

Posted by ricohv:

But none of that was my real topic. That was all just an excuse to get to my tongue-in-cheek theory about her addictions & whats going on now that will surprise us when we find out 10 years from now.

Osteoporosis?!


Joe

[DeeGeMe]

She could simply have arthritis. I was diagnosed when I was 29. I go into flares that leave me barely able to get around--90 year olds move faster than me sometimes. Then it will simply go away for months, even years and I'm fine. . . until it comes back again. There are all types of arthritis and it can range from mild to debilitating. It also is very common for it to set-in after joint injuires. I can't answer why she'd wear high heels in her private life but not on stage. Maybe she just feels more secure in the platform reeboks on stage.

[golden braid]

Sure I love her in boots but that must be so uncomfortable night after night. I wore high heel sandals to the concerts and danced and jumped around a lot and was sore afterwards and I'm only in my twenties. So I totally understand why she wears the Reeboks and I don't really care that much.

of course i hate to see the platforms fade away too. they just seem to go so well with her attire....but if she's uncomfortable then she should wear what she needs to....honestly, i don't see her moving any more or less than she has in the past. i just think that maybe she could get a boot style orthopedic shoe...i don't think the shoes would stand out as much. in other words, the platform boot without such a high heel.

[Sugar]

I, for one (and I may be the only one!), am ready to see Stevie give up the whole witchy persona thing, platforms and all. She just seems like a bit of a characature of herself now IMHO. I'm not saying she has to dress like Lindsey in a t-shirt and jeans, but I remember seeing a picture of her in pants and a big black shirt that draped off one shoulder, and I thought that was a real nice look for her. Stevie barefoot would be cute!

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally posted by petep9000
I don't really see the major improvement in Stevie's stage presence in platform Reeboks. She still is not moving around as much on stage due to 'the hip'.

I would disagree with that! She was twirling and dancing up a storm last night in Manchester! On this tour I've seen her start to limp once she has the boots on at the end! She definitely has a hip problem - I was told this and I'm sure I read somewhere that she is waiting for a suitable break in the tour to have surgery.

I must admit I have skimmed this thread so can't be certain but it is mostly men that are making the comment that she should wear the boots? If so then you really don't know what you are talking about unless you have worn heels and platforms for any length of time. I couldn't care less what she has on her feet! I've seen her 5 times in the UK in the last week or so and I honestly never thought I would see her over here again! She could wear bunny slippers for all I care! Sheesh!

Pip

[fleetfootmike]

Originally posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

I must admit I have skimmed this thread so can't be certain but it is mostly men that are making the comment that she should wear the boots? If so then you really don't know what you are talking about unless you have worn heels and platforms for any length of time.

Annie ('our' Stevie) wore platforms (in fact, full 70's Stevie getup) to the NEC gig, was on her feet the whole time, and was heard muttering 'never again'...

And I seem to recall, Pip, some of the Fireflies saying much the same...

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally posted by fleetfootmike
Annie ('our' Stevie) wore platforms (in fact, full 70's Stevie getup) to the NEC gig, was on her feet the whole time, and was heard muttering 'never again'...

And I seem to recall, Pip, some of the Fireflies saying much the same...

Yes!! I wore platforms once to a Fleetwood Bac gig and I would never do it again!

Pip

[Sugar]

Originally posted by trackaghost
Maybe she'd wear more colour or even trousers on stage if she didn't think the fans expected her to wear the black witchy clothes.

I say let Stevie wear whatever she wants. She's still amazing regardless!

Amen.

[HejiraNYC]

One should also keep in mind that poor lil' Stevie has had a history of foot problems. I do recall that she had broken her foot at the beginning of the "Other Side of the Mirror" tour in 1989 (where the Frankenboks were first introduced), and again, more recently, perhaps around 2000 or so she had another debilitating foot incident. I am sure her feet have never been quite right ever since. Also, all of those years of dancing around on stage while being borderline obese certainly did not help matters either. Imagine 175 pounds concentrated on the balls of those tiny feet.

Those Frankenboks may appear to be simply a pair of Reeboks with extra soles. But I am sure they are reinforced like Fort Knox. No more foot drama with this lady!

[ivorymorning]

I've worn platforms to a Fleetwood Bac gig too and will never do that again !

At the NEC show I wore boots with a 1" heel and my feet were still in agony after it - even could not bear to walk the short distance back to the parking lot.

So for the Earl's Court show I wore my Reeboks and I danced about all night and walked the best part of a mile back to the car.

IMO no contest. I echo the 'Stevie could wear slippers for all I care' sentiment. Ok the boots are fabulous and we miss them, but I'd rather have Stevie in what she feels comfortable in than no Stevie at all.

Rachel

[princessblair]

When I spotted Stevie wearing her granny shoes at my first Mac concert this year, I laughed...not because it's funny or sad but because Stevie is so cute! She also wears some stylin' glasses in the making of Thrown Down clips She's still defining fashion trends and will never loose her touch. Admit it, most of you are wondering where you can get your own Stevie granny shoes I love to wear my 3 inch Stevie boots, but I know I can't do it forever because it hurts!. I had a teacher in high school who used to indulge us with stories of her "wild days of the 1960s and '70s." She used to wear high heels all the time and seriously damaged her feet as a result...incitently, she was also a huge Mac fan. Anyway, I don't care what Stevie's wearing (she could make a bathrobe look hot) as long as I get to see her.