In heartfelt remarks in a recent performance at The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida, Howard Jones recalled how his mother accompanied him on tour and helped to sell merchandise. His mother and father become known figures among the tour faithful in the heyday of Howard’s pop chart success, and fans often gathered at shows early in part to see them!

Howard shared the remembrance while introducing the song “Look Mama” from his seminal album Dream into Action, which he is touring as a 40th anniversary celebration across the United States throughout September. Although “Look Mama” wasn’t about his own mother (she was crestfallen to think the lyrics might have been a pointed criticism of her parenting), Howard nonetheless dedicated the rarely performed hit single to her memory at The Mahaffey Theater.