Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Two Bossy Virgins


Deb: Colin and I were offered two front row tickets to BruceSpringsteen and the E Street Band the other night.  Colin was doing shows in California, so I called me buddy Barb and said, “Have you ever seen Bruce?” Her response was a great example of why I adore her. She got breathless. “No No NOOO!” was her breathy response, escalating in both pitch and volume. Because after all, it is the Boss.

I proceeded to tell her that she was about to have the night of her life. I did not worry about building up her hopes only to see them dashed after a half hour into this concert. Because it is the Boss. And as such, I knew with certainty that even if he were not her favourite artist, she was going to see a show like none other. In this case, three hours and forty minutes of pure rock and roll.

Our benefactor also left us passes for the E Street Lounge that had food and cocktails, but we arrived only ten minutes before the concert. Toronto was jam-packed with cars and people this night, which made parking spots as scarce as hen’s teeth. But finally I found one and hurriedly headed to our gate, marveling at the crowds and, in particular, their unusual concert-going gear. But as I pushed my way through Klingons, Sailor Moons, Darth Vaders and Avengers, I realized all too late that it was Fan Expo 2012 and I was in the middle of a fabulous moving comic book. After I finally made it to the gate, Barb came running up, having paid … WAIT FOR IT ... $50.00 for parking, breaking my previous record of $40.00.

If anyone from the appropriate department at City Hall is reading this: Really? Really? Gouge much? Come on. Man up on that. That is literally robbery! I digress.........................

So we ran down to our seats giggling and arrived just as they started playing Take Me out to the Ballgame as we watched Bruce and the band leave their dressing room and head to the stage. Bruce usually plays at the ACC but tonight we were in the Skydome (yes, I know, Rogers Centre ... SKYDOME!), which is also home of the Toronto Blue Jays, hence the song. The roof was open and the CN Tower loomed above our heads and the weather was sassy warm with a perfect little breeze, light blue then dark blue sky as our roof. We were starving and thirsty and just as we arrived at our seats, the beer and wine cart pulled up, making the timing perfect to toast Bruce’s entrance.

I smiled over at my Bruce newbie, my E Street virgin, and her mouth was agape and her eyes were wide. This was my 6th Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce concert. I warned her, as she was new, that when the crowd sounded like they were booing, what they were really doing was yelling Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce in low even tones.

The way I figure it, you can’t be a veteran at a Bruce Springsteen concert because each and every time it is as if you are seeing him for the first time. He comes on, sans warm-up band at the stroke of 8 as promised and proceeds to go, full tilt boogie, till the rockin’ end. In the middle he picked a little girl out of the audience and she sang a duet with him like a pro, and no, it wasn’t a plant. It was so dear and he had us in the palm of his hand. He leapt, he dived, he ran, he blasted us with song. And even then, he did not look spent and his voice never faltered. Other than the fact that he is sopping wet, he appears like he could keep going and going. In the middle of the concert, in the middle of Tenth Avenue Freeze Out, they did a beautiful tribute to the big man, the late Clarence Clemons, which the crowd loved. Clarence’s nephew Jake has taken his spot in the band and it seemed right. Talented and adorable with a great personality that shines through. Good thing. Big shoes to fill.

Barb and I rocked. Barb and I rolled. Barb and I got our groove thing on. Barb and I got our buzz on. We were eternally young that night and we have our generous ticket donor and Bruce and the E Street Band to thank for it.

It constantly comes up in the press that there is an age where a rocker should stop rocking. Bruce and the band is the best example for me of the theory that rocking it out is ageless. There were huge newbie cheers when Bruce asked who was there for the first time.  And now they know why they were there and they will be back.  He’s the Boss. What can I say?

Glory days indeed!

And PS for part one of the other Bossy side of Two Bossy Virgins please see Monday’s post.

Barbara: No, Deb couldn’t have oversold this concert as this was a concert for the ages. No wonder half of Toronto came out to see him (clogging every road around the arena, and driving those parking prices to insane heights). We talked a bit the other day in the comment’s section about how seeing music live is an experience all to itself. Especially when it is performed well. And especially when it is the kind of music born to be played live. Bruce’s brand of rock n’ roll is just that. Honest, gritty, raw, true. Thank you, Deb and patron saint of concert tickets: you gave me a night I will never forget. Thank you, Bruce, you inspired me and delighted me. By listening to your heart, I was able to hear my own.









44 comments:

  1. You all are adorable! Those faces pretty much describe every concert I've been to...and the agonizing 20 minute wait we had in our seats before the Colin and Brad show started! Looks like you all had a smashing time!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20 minutes?? WORTH THE WAIT though :D

      Ive already told my friend to be ready for Colin and Brad show in Mumbai. The moment I get the dates....he'll run to get the tickets!!!!
      I warned him the queue is gonna be HUGE...!!!!!!!!!!! And ALL I had to do is request him to get the tickets for me...Well I dunno if request is the perfect word for pulling his hair and gesturing to throw his harddisks and Cds outta the window...But its close enough...

      Anyway...he did say its worth the wait...and I didnt have to "REQUEST" him to say that! LOL He's my Whoseline Yoda afterall! :D

      Delete
    2. You are so right Kelly, we had a smashing time. I love Whoseline Yoda Shalaka.

      Delete
    3. Shalaka, love the "Whoseline Yoda"!! I have one of those too, I call her "Mom."

      Delete
    4. Oh my goodness the queue to meet them afterwards was INSANE! Our friends held our coats and purses while we waited in line! :D Waited almost an hour. Again...SO worth it!!!

      Delete
    5. HA! I'm a Whoseline Yoda myself now....lol it doesnt take a long time to upgrade yourself from newbie to Yoda.....ONE EPISODE is enough for that!

      Delete
  2. BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    OMG OMG OMG !!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
    I'm a newbie too...but I LOOOOOOOOOOVE HIM...I cannot change Vh1 when he's on!!!!!!!!! I just CAN'T!!! Like you said...HE IS THE BOSS!

    YOU GIRLS KNOW THE DEFINITION OF FUN! LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!

    Deb.....You are my CONCERT YODA NOW!!!!! (Geeeeezz I'm still your MoonYoda right???????)

    P.S. Is it just me or could everyone TOTALLY imagine Barb saying "NO..NO..NOOOOOO!!!" ? :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. COULDN'T HELP MYSELF!!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs

    ....Even if we're just dancing in the DARK!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was sooooooo hot. And Clarence! So young. And Courtney was an angel. Love this video.

      Delete
    2. I KNOW...COURTNEY WAS SUCHA DARLING!

      Delete
    3. My brother still laughs at my naiveté because I didn't realize Courtney was a plant. Honest to god: gullible s/b my middle name.

      Delete
  4. I have heard the Boss' concerts are indescribably fantastic! Makes me wanna go to one, but (a) finances, and (b) he would never come here...

    There is something to be said for seeing a concert. Every time The Arrogant Worms are in town, I do my darnest to get tickets. Some performers you just have to see live.

    I'm glad to know how much fun you guys had! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's true Jo, there is nothing like a live concert-classical, rock or what have you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the pics Deb, looks like you,all,had a great,time.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That looks like suuuuch a fantastic night, and I love the pics! I haven't been to nearly enough concerts, but it's definitely something I intend to remedy in future. Like you say, there's nothing like hearing your favourite artists sing in the flesh along with thousands of other fans. Glorious! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roz I find live concerts to be a great affirmation of really feeling alive!

      Delete
  8. I think the big stadium concerts are by far my favorite. The pictures are GREAT. Looks and sounds like an amazing time was had by all, depsite the chattering nearby. Never seen Springsteen in concert, probably never will the closest he ever gets to here is Minneapolis and that's an 8 hr drive. What can I say I'm not as committed to my concert attendance these days as I once was.

    Last thing, 50 bucks for parking!!! Sheesh and I was complaining when where we park for Jets games and other events went from 5 - 8 dollars. Closer to the arena I think the highest I've seen is 12.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yeah Erin that sucked big big time. Thank heaven our tickets were free.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. Those parking prices were just crazy! I have never paid more than 20 dollars for parking (and that was overnight). I do have to buy a parking pass for university, but it lasts for a year, so it costs less than a dollar a day. Like you said, at least the tickets were free!

      Delete
    2. Steph I would kill to pay 20 bucks!!!

      Delete
  10. Deb and Barbara, I am so so so glad you had such a fantastic time! Love the pics! You look so happy and excited!
    I love concerts so much. One of my favorites was seeing Maroon 5 back when I first started at my university. It was amazing. My seats were not on the floor, but close and I just feel in love with the whole experience (and it didn't hurt when Adam Levine took his shirt off!) I first time in a mosh pit was at a Jason Mraz concert and it was great! Mind you, after standing for over 2 hours, my feet hurt like crazy, but it was so worth it. I just love the vibe that concerts have. of course, I have to mention this: whenever I see Colin and Brad or Whose Live? it is a similiar experience; we are all there because we love these guys and what they do. Being close and seeing them sweat or make a face that only the first few rows notice is something special. It is the same when I see a play. I have mentioned the ASC (American Shakespeare Center) before and I have to bring it up again. You can literally sit ON THE STAGE during a performance. Talk about interactions. I have had my purse stolen by an actor(part of the play), flirted with, sang to, and many other things just by sitting on stage. It is a wonderful experience. And everyone there is not a Shakespeare fan, but they do all enjoy live performance, they have respect for what it takes to get up there and do what those people do. Just sitting on the stage can make me freak out, but once the actors start playing music and singing (which they do for 30 minutes before the play starts) then everything is fine. I suggest anyone and everyone here give the ASC a shot. It is an amazing thing to be a part of.
    As for the age and rock 'n roll thing...I agree that, if you want to rock, then rock, if you want to roll, then roll (be careful though!).
    In my opinion, age doesn't matter once you hit 18. You are legally an adult, why does it matter exactly how many years you have been on Earth? The only thing that matters is what you have done, what you are doing, and what you will do with those years!
    ROCK ON!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nothing like a Bruce concert. I have seen him at least 10 times and each one was great in it's own way. My favorite was The Rising tour after 9/11. He cast an unbelievable spell for three hours. It is like a revival meeting! Hard to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw the Rising tour too DAve. It was the first time I had seen the revival meeting Bruce. LOVED it. Was blown away! Ten times? You got me beat.

      Delete
  12. Love the pics. Looks like you guy had an overall blast! Thanks for sharing <3 I love live concerts. My motto is the music isn't loud enough unless you can feel the vibrations LOL. So naturally this annoys most people in the car and in the house so concerts are where I get my music BLAST! : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelly Barb and I were deaf after the concert!!!

      Delete
  13. It looks wonderful and I am glad you had such a good time. I have never gone to his concert but felt I have with you, now. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. too flipping right rocking out is ageless .

    two of the worlds best guitarists , David Gilmour ex of Pink Floyd and Brian May of queen are over 60 . they can still play guitar like you wouldn't believe . in fact Brian May and Roger Taylor of queen played we will rock you with Jessie J on vocals at the Olympics closing ceremony .

    if you want to hear some amazing guitar work from David Gilmour try the track castlleorizon from his 2006 album on an island http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5PfjvncnbI this is only the guitar solo . the track is an instrumental about 2 minutes or so long .

    another of my favourite bands is an english band called marillion . they are all in their late 40's early 50's . boy howdy can they play good music . they can go form screamingly loud rock songs to nice quiet ballads here is an sample track from their upcoming album sounds that can;t be made . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aZxKeANsIw

    the press are talking more ageist bull crap . if you are a good musician you are a good musician age immaterial . i certainly agree with kelly fron NJ . music is not loud anough if you can;t feel it !


    i am amazed to see the price of parking. this just goes to show you why i never drive into the centre of Dublin .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda!!! You have rocked it out girl! Thanks for all the great info. I don't know Marillion. I will check it out. And yes I agree. Not to mention the STONES. Ageist bullshit! I agree.

      Delete
  15. :)) The last picture was just perfect! Bruce was here this summer and I read that everybody just loved him. I think they covered him more than red hot chili peppers which were here around the same time. Loved to see them both, but unfortunately did not have time to go :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someday Kasku someday! Thanks we loved our night together.

      Delete
  16. Those are basically the best pictures ever. The last one is perfect! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Holly. Fun comes across doesn't it?

      Delete
  17. Good on ya, girls, keep on rockin!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You too Suzanne! I have seen your ROCK sister!

      Delete
  18. Thanks for this fun post. You two are a riot!!! your video made me laugh, which is a really good thing!!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks Jo. A well needed thing Jo. xoxoxox

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lol, the last picture seems to sum up the entire day.
    Glad you had fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looks like it was a TON o' FUN! I avoid stadium shows because I don't like looking through binoculars to make sure the artist I paid for was really the artist on the stage! You had AWESOME seats, no doubt about it. That's a big beautiful ball park.
    SO glad you were able to see a concert from your OWN point of view, and not just through someone else's review/point of view. That's how to ROCK.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love the video and your excitement. Love you "girls."

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.