Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Music...makes the people....come together

You all know your Madonna, right?

The Mr. and I had the good fortune to see U2 recently.  They were on my list of Bands To See In Concert and, although I wish I could have seen them in the Achtung Baby glory years, they still put on an amazing show.  While we were waiting to see them the discussion turned to what other bands are on The List and which ones we've already crossed off. 

The Cure was a big one for me for many years. I finally saw them in college on what was supposed to be there "final tour."  Notice how lots of bands have like, sixteen "final tours"?  Kind of annoying.  Anyway, I was psyched to see them and they put on a great show.  Because they are awesome. Awesome.

One of the others that I was able to cross off my list in 2004 was Madonna. Hey - I am an 80's girl, I love me some Madonna.  It was the Re-Invention World tour. My girlfriend and I had called and got a bunch of tickets because there was a group of us that were going.  There was also a limo company that was trying to get on our Preferred Vendor List where I work and they had agreed to give us a limo - for free - for the drive up to the show. Holla!  So off we went in grand style.  When we got to the show we split up the tickets and went in - we were not seated together.  When the check in lady scans the tix, they won't read so she sends us over to the window.  The lady there proceeds to look at our tickets and tell us, "These are for tomorrow night's show."  D'OH!  Then as we all stood there with our mouths open, she flips through a stack of tickets and says, "here you go, the show's not sold out so I can exchange them."  Okay, we can move again.  We then proceed to like the best freaking seats EVER!  I mean, I could see Madonna's muscle definition. I felt kind of bad after the show though when the other crew described their seats as being, "Three rows from the back wall."  Sorry again about that ladies!

The first concert I went to was the Moody Blues. What?  My parents had like, the entire Moody Blues collection.  Someone at work gave my Dad the tickets and it was after Mom had died so he told my brother and I that we could go. I was stoked!  The Fixx opened for them. They were okay, but man - I loved the Moody Blues. Yes, I'm a geek.  I'm also a good wife.  Because I went to see KISS with the Mr. and that is SO not my cup of tea.  But he came with me to see Alanis Morrisette and Tori Amos (or the Angry Women Tour as he likes to call it), so he gets props for that.

Any concert stories you want to share?  Who is on your must-see list?  Who have you been able to cross off that list?  I'm curious.

14 comments:

for a different kind of girl said...

I saw U2 in '92 on their Zoo TV tour - back when a ticket to see U2was marginally reasonable - and it was amazing. We had horrible seats, and it was cold as hell up in the stands, but I was with my (then) love of my life, listening to my pretend love of my life, so it was perfect. The pinnacle of concerts! That all said, though, I wish I was able to see them on this tour!

I've seen Neil Diamond twice (oh, hell yes!), Rick Springfield a few times (oh, hell yes!). Who else? Oh, sigh...um...Meatloaf. He was doing some kind of tour when I had just graduated college, so I went back to hang with friends. I can't even remember who else.

Oh! Last night, I bought tickets to see Anthony Bourdain speak in November. I know he's not a musician, but that dude is a rock star in my eyes, so it'll be cool.

bernthis said...

just listening to a Tori Amos album made me want to kill myself. Could not handle her live.

I would love to see Madonna and God help me, Britney. there, I said it ohhhh wait, Beyonce or Rhianna, they rock

Unknown said...

The one I'll always remember is Janet Jackson...her Janet tour. I was a sophomore in HS and my friends and I snuck to the floor seats. I could see her pimples! After the show we ambushed the dancers' bus and got autographs. Janet was in a bus to herself and a few people, but as the bus was leaving she threw out a stack of autographed B&W photos. I nabbed one almost losing an arm to a bus wheel. I heart Janet. Best concert experience ever. Better than Madonna and Beyonce and for as loyal as I am to my gay heritage that's saying somethin'.

Anonymous said...

My first concert was the Who. A great choice for a newbie.

For the first date with my now husband, we went to see Bruce Springsteen. I'll always love him. (and my husband, too)

Captain Dumbass said...

I saw U2 on the Joshua Tree tour. Minor frost bite on the back of my hands from sleeping outside in October in Canada to get the tickets.

minivan soapbox said...

My first concert was Kenny Loggins. Yea, I'll admit it - and it was Legendary! I went with my Mama - she and my Dad were recently divorced - so it was like a girls night out. I still have a soft spot for Kenny.

Octopunk said...

My first concert was Duran Duran! I still have the t-shirt (but if it were worn by anyone I'm sure it would instantly dissolve).

My sis is being way too kind to The Fixx. They were stiff as boards on stage. The Moody Blues, on the other hand, were a hoot. I recall the keyboardist wore a cape.

AC said...

i can't resist this topic but will at least keep it brief. my relatively recent peak experiences include the zombies (because they broke up in the 60s) and the first time i saw the dandy warhols (philly 2005 i think). my current wish list is topped by led zeppelin (would settle for page and plant) and spinal tap in their full, heavy metal glory.

Zip n Tizzy said...

I went to see U2 in '92 but we were so far back we might as well have been watching T.V.
Never saw Madonna perform live but was dancing about 5 feet away from her at an AIDS benefit in SF and didn't recognize her at first because she is SO tiny! You wouldn't think of someone with such a presence as being that small.
My first concert, I saw Johnny Cash at the Grand Ole Oprie... that was memorable!
B and I have seen Beck 3 times and the Beastie Boys. Those were definitely on both of our lists.
But, AC just reminded me that while I never saw Spinal Tap live, I did see A Mighty Wind live when I was pregnant, and that was unforgettable! SO Funny.

anymommy said...

You rock. U2 and Madonna are the first two on my list. Also, Tom Petty. I had tickets about 10 years ago and had to miss it. Not getting right on that am I? My first concert was the Violent Femmes. Great small venue. I loved it.

Carolyn...Online said...

I saw Madonna in Rhode Island in the 80's with a bunch of drunk high school girls only one of whom I really knew and they got so smashed at the concert that I had to drive the station wagon home. Just sayin'.

Maggie May said...

oh you saw U2!!! that is a goal of mine. Bono...sigh...

Christy said...

My favorite band of all time is The Cure - I love them! I've seen them in concert several times. My first concert ever was Heart. Or the Beach Boys...hmmm, can't recall. Now that I'm old I don't really enjoy concerts - too loud for my sensitive ears! ha!

msprimadonna67 said...

My hubby was all about The Cure when we were in high school. (They fueled his 'dark period.') I myself am an 80s girl, too. My favorites that I've crossed off the list? Journey, Styx, Chicago, Bryan Adams, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.