Memories from the ONA Tour: Seattle, Paramount Theater, 04-29-02

It was my very FIRST concert ever and I got to attend the soundcheck since I was a member of the NPGMC (brought my sister--the person who first hipped me to Prince back in '82, when I was just two years old--as my guest; she was thrilled!). We strolled in as the band was jamming, and Rhonda Smith had my attention instantly. They all sounded AMAZING together. We sat at the end of the 2nd row; I was kinda bummed that we had to sit WAY at the opposite end from where everyone else was, since that was where the designated wheelchair spot was.

The band stopped and Prince came on stage to a round of . My sister and I exchanged looks of wide-eyed amazement: He was there, in the flesh! OMG, it felt so surreal! My sister leaned over to me and in a whisper: "Look how small he is!" I just and could not stop ! As Prince began to speak, my mind started racing trying to think of what I could say to him when it was our turn to and ask questions. But I was so in awe, so nervous, and didn't want to blurt out some stupid "stalker-like" comment , so I stayed .

The talk portion ended and Prince went over to the keyboard and began to plunk out "Do You Lie" (instumentally). We all but then some fool started belting out the lyrics and Prince stopped and asked in a really annoyed tone: "Who said u could start singing?" Then he told John Blackwell to give him a funky beat and after a few bars of drumming Prince started playing the keyboard riff to "Billie Jean"! I couldn't believe it...P and MJ had been my two favorite artists growing up, so I was hearing this! Prince asked us: "Mike sure did write a funky groove, didn't he?" We all laughed and cheered.

Then Prince got his Hohner and started tuning it, which made my sister straighten up in her seat with her eyes bulging. We were right in front of the speakers, so our hair was blowing around and our bodies were vibrating...IT WAS LOUD! My sister looked surprised and worried , since I normally get jumpy and tense around loud noises (an effect of my Cerebral Palsy). But my adrenaline had already started flowing when we came into the theater, so I was riding its wave, , , enjoying myself.

Then Prince and the band ripped into "Peach," and I was completely floored! It was the most awesome, hardcore, bangin', funky thing I had heard, EVER! They absolutely THREW IT DOWN...incredible. When it was over, Prince looked straight in my direction and asked: "Was that 2 loud 4 u?" At the time, I couldn't even comprehend what was happening because I was so in awe of the previous moment. But I did manage to shake my head , and I think my sister said no out loud but I can't remember because it felt at that instant like I was frozen in time, in a dream. I recovered 10 or 15 seconds later and yelled, "No, it wasn't too loud 4 me!" but by that time Prince's focus was elsewhere so I don't think he heard me.

When the show itself started about an hour-and-a-half later, everyone stood up and my view was completely blocked! My sister was going and yelling at me asking if I could see Prince. I just and to myself, thinking that I would spend the whole show with an obstructed view. But about halfway through "The Rainbow Children," the security guard took notice of me, came over and parked my chair at the end of the FIRST ROW (he offered me earplugs, which I ). So there I was: hearing AND seeing Prince LIVE for the first time, sitting next to a super-hot (and totally drunk) girl who repeatedly smiled at me and touched me on the forearm! I was ecstatic!

After the show, my sister and I were still on its energy and wanted to go to the aftershow, but since we weren't sure if the club would be accessible for me, we decided to go back to our rooms and call it a night (uh, MORNING ). The next morning, we saw Renato Neto standing at the front desk checking out, but didn't go up to him. After he left we asked the clerk what was up and she told us that the entire band had stayed there! When we asked her if that included Prince, she became vague and evasive.

A few minutes later, Maceo and Candy strolled into the lobby; we went up and introduced ourselves and they both signed my tourbook and chatted with us a bit. I asked Maceo, "Where's Prince at?" and he looked around and said, "Hold up a minute...let me see if Brother P is still around." On the outside I stayed calm but inside my head was spinning . But just then two long tour buses pulled up, and Maceo, Candy, and a few roadies all bolted out the door. As they left I called out to Maceo: "Please tell Prince about me!" He and said, "I will, my man, I will."

WOW!
[Edited 11/5/08 23:11pm]

In truth, Bluefish and I tried to get tickets to this show, but couldn't.

So, with only a jug of bootleg Starbucks to keep us warm and some cardboard to protect us from the drizzle, we hung out all night at Pike Place Market and waited for the fishmongers to report for the early shift.

Then, we eavesdropped as they recounted their concert experiences, swearing that we would re-tell their stories as our own one day.

CJBabyDaddy said:

In truth, Bluefish and I tried to get tickets to this show, but couldn't.

So, with only a jug of bootleg Starbucks to keep us warm and some cardboard to protect us from the drizzle, we hung out all night at Pike Place Market and waited for the fishmongers to report for the early shift.

Then, we eavesdropped as they recounted their concert experiences, swearing that we would re-tell their stories as our own one day.

"Boy, some people can be cruel"

Welcome to the org!!!

eireboy34 said:

bluefish said:

eireboy34 said:

"Boy, some people can be cruel"

Welcome to the org!!!

You're preachin' to the choir, eire. I was on the Org 5 years as "love4oneanother" (not Freddy) before I got fed up with all the childishness and negativity I was seeing around the time PFU was launched. I myself got caught up in the hype and adopted their avatar. About 24 hours later I asked myself, "Do I really agree with PFU, or am I just trying to fit in?" The answer was I did NOT agree with PFU; I had supported Prince unquestionably all my life and was ashamed of myself for jumping on the hater bandwagon. So I left.

I couldn't stay away long, though, and about a month later I came back as "bluefish". This time around, I am trying to stay true to myself and not be manipulated or provoked by others. Though as I'm sure you know, it's an ongoing battle in a place like this.

"Don't hate...Love4OneAnother."

eireboy34 said: