Originally posted re: Rosemont Theatre, Chicago, IL solo show 8/23/11 My first Stevie/FM concert. I could always edit my writing as time passes, but I think this holds true to my experience!
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Long story short..I initially just had a first row ticket behind the pit and was beyond thrilled for simply the concert experience. And Stevie did NOT disappoint. She truly is a legend as we all know. The fun started a few days before the concert when, on a whim, I entered a local radio online contest for a meet & greet prize. Well I freaking WON!!! I was dying. Ended up winning an additional 2 tickets..which I gave to my parents who hadn't seen her since '75 and in total 2 backstage meet & greets for after the show.
As mentioned before, the show was great! High energy, hilarious comments and true love for the audience and what she had to offer us in return. Prior to the show I had confirmed with the security guard (who was on her first day of the job AND a Stevie fan ) that I could go up for the Edge walk. I actually wasn't supposed to and she kinda got in trouble at the end..oops!!! Anyways, she ended up letting me go right after L&L and I was leaning up on the stage directly in front of Waddy. He's insane, what talent! Somehow got a guitar pick from him at the end..right after a full 2 handed grab and smiling 'head nod' of thanks from Stevie! Waddy actually started cracking up at me after the lights came up at the end..as I was thanking him for giving me the pick..and pointed out laughing "Oh my god! You're young!!!" I'm 20 for reference..so I guess he was right!
Directly after the show I met up with my Dad and we got in the first group of about 20 to go backstage. Saw/talked/met Waddy again, which was cool. My dad got to bro out with him about the Winos (w/Keith Richards back in the day) so it kinda made his night haha. Stevie came out and started making the rounds..quickly introducing and having Karen take photos. I had thought about what I wanted to say to her..and a '79 Jim Ladd interview had really touched me recently. If you haven't heard it, I really recommend looking up the clip!
Basically Stevie mentions a girl coming up to her and saying (paraphrasing) 'I know you hear this all the time, but you truly have such a great gift as a songwriter. You're so special.' And Stevie interrupts her and goes, 'Wait a minute..I do NOT hear that all the time. And if people like you don't come up to me and say that..who will?' It's a pretty emotional moment at the end of the interview and I don't know but it really hit home how I felt about her talent as well.
After Karen took our photos (*edit help! my pic is too large to attach!) I asked Stevie if I could tell her something really quick. She said of course and grabbed both of my hands with hers. I started to say that I had listened to the interview..and as I started saying how Stevie had responded I kind of choked up. Softie I know.. But I took a deep breath and she squeezed my hands. I just said that she should never forget how truly special and what an amazing poet and songwriter she has always been. And how much she means to me and so many other people. She was so gracious and kind of whispered that it meant so much to her to hear that. Then she started telling me old Jim Ladd stories and just little tangent tidbits. Oh! All of this btw was with us speaking like 2 inches from each other's faces haha. She stared into my eyes the entire time..it was so surreal! I tried to step back at one point just by habit and she stepped forward again still holding my hands.
All in all it was about a 5 minute convo and she reached out to hug me at the end and again thanked me for coming up and telling her those comments. As I was leaving the area, my Dad was like okayyy, what was that all about?! You guys were in your own little bubble! Management or someone I guess were saying that they couldn't let everyone talk for as long as our convo anymore haha. I was honestly truly touched by the whole experience. I'll never forget it. And to make things a little more special..the radio guy (who had to email the photos to me from Karen) said right after I was done she went into her dressing room and the 40 or so other people not in our group only got to meet the band! My luck..which is usually not so great..was in fine form that night! And 'the feeling remains even after the glitter fades..' has never seemed more fitting!!! Magic...
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