I can’t believe it was four years ago, but since the early spring of 2006, I’ve held sort of an envious type of grudge against my dad. At the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, he slapped hands with Paul Rodgers, who at the time was touring with Queen as their lead singer. He’s gloated about it ever since.
My elbow still kind of hurts, but after lunging almost half my body onto the stage during the REO Speedwagon concert in Hopewell last week, giving iconic lead singer Kevin Cronin a high-five was well worth it. This time around, my dad got to watch, and now I get to gloat.
Since attending my very first concert about 15 years ago, I have attended 50-something shows. I’ve seen Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers a half-dozen times, Aerosmith five times, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Kiss, John Fogerty and Sammy Hagar twice, Bad Company, and Cheap Trick, to name a few.
In all the shows, none compare to the experience of physically connecting with a rock and roll legend. My dad and I attended the double-billed REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar concert last weekend, and it was simply amazing. To our surprise, and the other 10,000-plus that were in attendance, REO took the stage first. We were walking through the isles looking for our seats, when right at 8 p.m. sharp the opening drum beats to “Don’t Let Him Go” came thumping through our chests, and that notorious, skinny now-blonde-haired Cronin came prancing onto the stage. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve seen REO on my home television several times, but this was the first time in person. Right before my eyes, about 50 yards away, there they were.
Now, Aerosmith is my favorite band of all-time, and the first time I saw them, back in 2001 during their “Just Push Play” tour at Darien Lake, I was ecstatic. REO Speedwagon easily ranks in my Top-5 most-favorite bands, and seeing them live was truly an amazing experience, I was in awe, and I hadn’t even reached the climax of my excitement yet.
Remember in "Rocky 3" when Clubber Lang relentlessly threw 20-plus unanswered knock-out punches to Balboa’s face? Well, in musical fashion, that’s exactly what REO did to all in attendance.
For their encore, they played “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” and this is when I made my break for the stage. To my surprise, not a single security guard tried to stop me, which could be credited to the press pass I was wearing. I got right up next to the stage by the time the song came to its final chords. About five other guys rushed to the stage, and put their arms up for a chance to slap hands. So, I followed suit — except I lunged myself right up on the platform and there he was, Mr. Cronin, who bent down and slapped my hand.
It was truly an unforgettable experience, but unlike some of the other crazies that Cronin touched, I ended up washing my hand.
I can’t believe it was four years ago, but since the early spring of 2006, I’ve held sort of an envious type of grudge against my dad. At the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, he slapped hands with Paul Rodgers, who at the time was touring with Queen as their lead singer. He’s gloated about it ever since.
My elbow still kind of hurts, but after lunging almost half my body onto the stage during the REO Speedwagon concert in Hopewell last week, giving iconic lead singer Kevin Cronin a high-five was well worth it. This time around, my dad got to watch, and now I get to gloat.
Since attending my very first concert about 15 years ago, I have attended 50-something shows. I’ve seen Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers a half-dozen times, Aerosmith five times, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Kiss, John Fogerty and Sammy Hagar twice, Bad Company, and Cheap Trick, to name a few.
In all the shows, none compare to the experience of physically connecting with a rock and roll legend. My dad and I attended the double-billed REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar concert last weekend, and it was simply amazing. To our surprise, and the other 10,000-plus that were in attendance, REO took the stage first. We were walking through the isles looking for our seats, when right at 8 p.m. sharp the opening drum beats to “Don’t Let Him Go” came thumping through our chests, and that notorious, skinny now-blonde-haired Cronin came prancing onto the stage. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve seen REO on my home television several times, but this was the first time in person. Right before my eyes, about 50 yards away, there they were.
Now, Aerosmith is my favorite band of all-time, and the first time I saw them, back in 2001 during their “Just Push Play” tour at Darien Lake, I was ecstatic. REO Speedwagon easily ranks in my Top-5 most-favorite bands, and seeing them live was truly an amazing experience, I was in awe, and I hadn’t even reached the climax of my excitement yet.
Remember in "Rocky 3" when Clubber Lang relentlessly threw 20-plus unanswered knock-out punches to Balboa’s face? Well, in musical fashion, that’s exactly what REO did to all in attendance.
For their encore, they played “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” and this is when I made my break for the stage. To my surprise, not a single security guard tried to stop me, which could be credited to the press pass I was wearing. I got right up next to the stage by the time the song came to its final chords. About five other guys rushed to the stage, and put their arms up for a chance to slap hands. So, I followed suit — except I lunged myself right up on the platform and there he was, Mr. Cronin, who bent down and slapped my hand.
It was truly an unforgettable experience, but unlike some of the other crazies that Cronin touched, I ended up washing my hand.
