This past Saturday night, we had tickets to see Bruce Springsteen up in Greensboro.
It was all set up to be perfect: the tickets were given to us, I wasn’t preaching on Sunday so I could stay out a bit later than usual on Saturday, and we like Springsteen a lot.
But then Saturday got away from us. Flat tire, First Serve at the church, and the realization that we hadn’t spent any time with our daughter who had just returned home after her sophomore year at college. The thought of two hours up and two hours back became daunting. So we stayed in.
Yet it got me thinking of some concerts we haven’t missed over the last 25 years or so. In no particular order, here are some highlights:
Bruce Springsteen, Lexington, KY, 1988. While waiting in line to buy tickets, we won the lottery system they had in place. So we got front row center seats! He started with “Tunnel Of Love” and the highlight was a passionate version of “She’s The One” — a song I wasn’t even familiar with before that night.
Don Henley, Philadelphia, PA, 1985. This was the first of five times I’ve seen Henley in concert. I kept waiting for him to do “Hotel California”, was convinced he wouldn’t, and then celebrated as he did it as the closing encore. He also did “The Boys Of Summer,” my favorite song ever.
John Mellencamp, Charlotte, 1999. We had just moved to Good Shepherd and somehow got tickets to Verizon for this show. At the time, I didn’t even like Mellencamp very much. Now I do. The concert is the reason why.
Jars Of Clay, Rock Hill, 1997. They played at Winthrop’s basketball stadium. I couldn’t find anyone to go with me, so I took my son Riley, who was five at the time. Even then he loved music. But, as five year olds do, he fell asleep in my lap. Holding on tight to him as Jars did a raucous version “Flood” remains one of my favorite parenting memories of all time.
Rolling Stones, Charlotte, 2005. This was the first event ever in the new Bobcats Arena in uptown Charlotte. I went with Riley — who this time was 13 and most assuredly did not fall asleep in my lap. Highlights: “Miss You,” a song I never liked on vinyl or CD very much but had a new punch that night; “Shattered,” always a great track; and “Brown Sugar” which in spite of the subject matter has the most engaging riff ever. Lowlights: they didn’t do “Gimme Shelter” which is far and away my favorite Stones anthem.
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Front row center seats at the Backstreet Boys concert trumps front row center seats at the Springsteen concert ANYDAY!
Memorable Concerts…3rd Row
To this day my family and friends know exactly what I mean when I say “3rd row!” Back in the late 90’s I was living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. U2 announced they were doing their “Pop” tour, and they were going to be at the Superdome in New Orleans. Well, to say the least I was determined to go. Ticket sales started at 9am,6 months before the concert date. 4am, I am in line with a thermos of coffee and huge smile, enjoying the fellowship of other U2 fans. 8 am a security guard comes out and announces that being in line has no relevance on which seat we would get because they will be using a “lottery” system. I am dissapointed because I usually do not fare well in these situations.
When I got to the ticket counter I tell the woman, “3 tickets please”; big eyed and holding my breath I watch the computer screen spin as seats are being sold all over the region. I could not look at my tickets until I stepped outside. Still holding my breathe I look at my tickets…3rd row floor seats!!!!! I am screaming and dancing, calling my brothers to announce the good news. For six months I would grin and say “3rd row!”, did not matter where I was…at the dinner table, in the office, at the grocery store.
The concert was awesome! Edge was standing directly in front of me, 2 seats to the right of me was the runway where Bono would march out and pour out his soul. Definitely “goose bumps” moments!
I am hoping to see them on this tour, I love their new album “No Line on the Horizon”, when I hear “Magnificent” it truly lifts my soul.
One final note, Chris Macedo gives me “goose bumps” also. I feel his love for God and humanity through his talents. I thank God for the blessing of being able to worship God with the wonderful people of Good Shepherd.
All of the U2 shows I’ve seen are forever etched in my soul, but the one with the greatest impact….the first one. It is spring 1984 and with the help of my highschool P.E. teacher (she had the credit card) and a couple of freinds from school (they had the car), I travelled to Atlanta (from Myrtle Beach) to see the greatest band since the four lads from Liverpool. It was the Unforgettable Fire TOur, their first big arena tour and I was overcome by the joy, sheer joy in that building. From the opening song “11:00 Tick Tock”, to the final echoes of “40” that show and this band has remained permenantley engraved on all of my being.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again, U2 have kept me alive and I believe with all that I am that what might be seen as faith or ‘Chrisitianity’ in me…I owe to them and the most amazing road trip of my life (thus far).
I will feel this joy again, October 3. Welcome to Raleigh…four lads from Dublin.
Peace be with us all.