3/01/13 10:13 Home
I took the day off since I knew I
would not be in the right frame of mind to drag my ass out of bed and make it into
work. On a few hours of sleep, I was up
early anyway. I can use more rest but
want to share some highlights from last night.
It was the first time in years I hung out with Jim Marcino. There was a period in our lives when I’d
consider him a close friend, but with his marriage and both of us having children,
we drifted apart. Please cue in the
violins. Jim and I saw The Who at the
garden back in 2002. It was one of their
first shows after their incredible and historic performance they had at the
9/11 concert months before. The energy
in the garden that night was heightened to a peak that is tough to repeat. In the past Jim and I have seen Ringo Starr’s
All Star Band as well as the Old 97’s, but music and sports are stables of our
conversations. Hanging out with him last
night brought back warm memories of why I like and respect him for the man is
he and the life he is leading. His life
revolves around his children. Everything
he does is for his family. Jim doesn’t
hold back - he tells you what’s on his mind and it can be brutally frank. Eric met us outside the entrance to the
theatre. It is a small venue compared to
the garden where the Rangers played last night.
We saw their intoxicated obese fans on the train heading into the game
with their $400 dollar jerseys and shorts on although it’s still winter and
they are men. I love their passion. They clutch onto the blue shirts as if their
lives depended on it. Back to the show….Elvis Costello and The
Impostors opened. It was the first time
for us seeing the legend. Now, just a
second as I digress to the ancient past; sleeping in tents in Dan Madigan’s
back yard, say 1978 and hearing Pump It UP on the radio and thinking this song
is powerful. I loved it. But never have seen a single performance. Elvis came out and high fived some fans in
front of the stage and cranked out his hits.
What’s so funny about Peace Love and Understanding, Radio Radio, Pump It
UP. Allison, Everyday, I write the Book. Each song smacked into the next, no holding
back for the green Costello with his thick black glasses and white wired head
set looking like a freaked out Irish alien from outer space. His band was incredible. This is one act I would love to see again
instead of an opener, although New York loves the Costello alien. Watching the Detectives….Elvis can play the
guitars with the best of them. This was
the third time seeing The Who. The
second I described earlier, but the first was at Shea Stadium. The Clash opened up and I was excited for seeing
two of my favorite bands. I stood in the
outfield at Shea thinking of all of the players whose cleats ripped up the
grass which was covered with a plastic sheet.
This was the same place The Beatles played and as I normally do, I made
my way as close as possible to the stage. Paid for it days later; with ringing
ears, and permanent hearing damage to my right ear. I did the same last night when The Who was
on. Our seats were in the way back,
although there is not a bad seat in the house.
I walked down steps and was about to set foot on the lower level just
yards from the stage when I was stopped.
Told the usher I just want to take one picture…you can take it there. From where I was and I should have been
content till I saw another sneaking expert slip in and got in close to the stage.
Bastard! There was some commotion and it
was my opportunity. I made my way
in. Then even closer when two ushers
were talking and I walked past them and got in in front of the stage. The Who played a couple of songs off
Quadrophenia since they are on tour
playing the whole album as well as a best of set. Love Reign over me, Pin Ball Wizard, The Kids
Are Alright, Who Are You. Baba O Reilly,
You Better You Bet! Were some of the highlights from their set. Pete had more energy than I recall the last
time we saw him as the garden, he was leaner and bounced around windmills of course
and played the whole set with electric guitars.
Roger was in great shape and swung the microphone like no one else
can. His voice was shaky at times but
what can you expect for someone who is nearing seventy. Last night’s concert was a benefit for Teen
Cancer Fund. Both bands played for free. Roger was eloquent as he described the hurdles
teens encounter with cancer research and the extreme struggles for the health
care providers who have a high burn out rate.
And just before the clock struck
11 PM, the show was over since Pete explained - we don’t want to pay the union
anything more than what we need to! Good
night.
Thank you for reading this
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