Oh, the joy of paying way too much money to see a musical artist that you love. We've all done it. In our younger years, late teens to early 20's, we sat on the lawn at Shoreline...with all the other dope smokers. Or high up in the nosebleed sections... with all the other dope smokers. Now, being older, and just plain stupid, we pay more money for a seat, so we can view the artist on the Jumbo Tron, a bit closer than if we were sitting farther away.
When the smell of dope drifts to our "better" seats, we look back at the potheads with the longing and yearning of our youth. Now, it's just a few cold Coors Lites, and we're, yaaawn, on our way home to go beddy bye after the show. Gone are the irresponsible days of dope smoken'. Not that I EVER engaged, or as Bill so eloquently stated, "inhaled".
I've been to some kick-ass concerts in my 37 years on this planet. Some very memorable, some, not so much. In chronological order, they go as follows:
First concert ever in her prime: Whitney Houston. How should I Knoooow if he really loves me? If his name isn't Bobby.
Milli Vanilli: WTF? These two yahoos won a Grammy, and then uh-oh, we all found out they were not singing at all! (Auntie...rebuttal?)
B-52's: Bang, bang, bang, on the door ba-by!
Genesis: when Phil Collins still had hair.
James Taylor: grew up listening to him because both my dad and bro played guitar. So I have a weird attraction / comforting feeling towards this folk-singer rock star.
John Denver: at 16 years old, without a doubt, I was the youngest paying concert goer in the stadium... Rocky Mountain High, hiiiiii, Coloradooooo. Even though he has passed, I still absolutely LOVE this man! He totally rocked "Grandma's Feather Bed".
Tom Petty: I have NEVER in all my life, seen, smelled or experienced so much marijuana in one place... Greek Theater in Berkeley, 'nuff said. Stevie Nicks joined him half way through the show...
Dixie Chicks: almost got in a fight, when a rather stupid, drunk woman, (not me) put her hands on my shoulders, because I was (gasp) dancing. She yelled "SIT DOWN, YOU TALL ASS BITCH." My daughter, Katie, recalls me going all "Tyra Banks" on her... let's suffice it to say that my 5 inch stilettos stayed on my feet, and were not used as weapons. Way to stay in control, Michelle.
Huey Lewis AND the News: why, oh why, are we convinced that singers who rocked it in the 80's, will still be as hot, like now? It's Hip to Be Square.
Rascal Flatts: SUCKED!
Aerosmith: saw these guys twice, don't remember much of either show.
Keith Urban with Carrie Underwood: This Aussie man just knows how to make me swooooon. Move over Nicole, your husband is SO my boyfriend.
Toby Keith: the epitome of an America lovin', cowboy hat wearin', scruffy country boy. He was good, at least what I remember.
Alan Jackson: This concert stands out for 2 reasons: First, after being approached by one of AJ's "people", my girlfriend, Erin and I, were comped FRONT ROW TICKETS...note to self, short miniskirt really does work to my benefit. Secondly, after having several cocktails, Erin was just convinced that she NEEDED to get up on that stage with AJ... and so being a loyal friend, I alley-ooped her ass up there. THAT SIGHT WAS AWESOME...until I realized we were both probably going to jail. Nope, after Erin helped AJ sing a bit, security escorted her BACK TO HER SEAT!!!! How cool is that? No cuffs, no reprimands, just "Enjoy the rest of the show ma'm". HELL YEAH, that's what I'm talken' about.
And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for. My most recent concert that I enjoyed, (partially enjoyed, rather), was put on by the ONE, the ONLY, the very ANGRY... PINK! Let me clarify, by saying that I did not get arrested, simply, removed from the venue. An entire blog will be devoted to my girl at a later time.
Hope you did some concert reminiscing yourself. Feel free to share your favorite show that you have ever been to / gotten kicked out of!
Hey, what happened to Chris Isaac? At $80 a ticket, doesn't that concert get a mention? Is it because he's, well, you know...
ReplyDeleteWell, back in the day when I was cool I saw Peter Frampton/Fleetwood Mac/Gary Wright and Eagles/Linda Ronstadt/Loggins & Messina at the "Day on the Green" concerts, but lately more along the lines of Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart and Elton John/Billy Joel. Oh, and my favorite (mock me, go ahead), the fabulous Barry Manilow in Vegas....yeah, that's right, I'm just that geeky!
ReplyDeleteWell where do I start so many concerts so little time. Of course AJ was the most memorable. It could not get any better than that. Thanks to Michele's long and sexy legs we got front row. AJ has been my favorite ever since I can remember! My 2nd most memorable is Garth Brooks 1992. After waiting all night long to get tickets last minute Tower records did a lottery and I did not get picked. My friends sister's number got picked. To my amazement her sister gave me her ticket so I could go. I went with Sheila and her parents! During the show Garth looked our way and waved at us (ya right) Not sure if it was at us or not but I am convinced it was at us! What a great show that was. Can you beleive the tickets were only $18.50. I swear I seen every concert there was to see in my 20's. I did not have a lot of money but I always found a way to go to a concert. Usually with my flask in my boot we would by the pitchers of margaritas and add our own shots to it. Those were the days!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy first experience was Madonna at Shoreline! The Like A Virgin tour! It was awesome! Then in the 9th grade, we went to Bon Jovi at the Cow Palace. It was the Aqua Net huge hair days! AND while we were all waiting in line, it started raining! The stench in the mosh pit was disgusting! When the music started, everyone rushed the stage. Jodi Nelson and I almost drowned in the people, but her sister that brought us pulled us up.
ReplyDeleteIt was crazy! We saw a reggae band one time (burning spear) and couldnt even see the stage there was so much pot in the air!
Steve Miller band a few times, Jimmy Buffett, The Eagles, NKOTB (almost as bad as Milli Vanilli) , and Boys to Men when they came to Korea in 2001.
Good times good times! Oh and I have seen Barney in concert at least twice!
Alex, how could I have forgotten about our flamenco-inspired dressed Cris Issac? I am not sure whether you're referring to his, hmmmmm, sexuality? Whether he's hetero, homo, or bisexual, Tom has got competition... I'm attracted to Cris's very large...guitar.
ReplyDeleteWow - I have a bunch from way back - growing up in SF going to the Fillmore auditorium and Winterland. Big Brother w/ Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Moby Grape, Albert King, Cream, and many more I can't remember. The one that stands out the most was Jimi Hendrix. He started his set with ALL the house lights totally OFF. Pitch black. The only lights were from the little red lights on the wall of Marshall amps on stage. Then out of the darkness comes the wail of his guitar. Masterful.
ReplyDeleteRoland Kirk - blind sax jazz player who could play 2 horns at once (including a flute in his nose). He also figured out how to inhale thru his nose while blowing out thru his mouth - so he could maintain a steady note as long as he wanted. The effect sets the crowd on fire.
Later - Ray Charles, and of course my idol - Buddy Rich at the old Circle Star in Redwood City.
More recently: Elton John, Tina Turner, Alicia Keys....
Wow - I've been to a bunch of concerts!