Archive for February, 2011

U2001 Elevation recap

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Elevation, Fans, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , on February 28, 2011 by DeenasDays

U2’s Elevation Tour was the most amazing experience of my life! Honestly, the two months I spent in Ireland and this Elevation tour were the two best experiences of my life! From March 24th in Ft. Lauderdale to December 2nd in Miami 27 U2 shows, three amazing moments with Larry, 17 cities, many great friends. My favorite show of the Elevation Tour and of any tour was Providence 2 – Larry’s 40th Birthday on October 31, 2001. Other special shows were Baltimore, the final shows in Miami, Jersey1, Boston4, Philly2, and Tampa. The entire Elevation tour was great, but these seven shows were stand outs.

Elevation Tour program

My Larry moments were more than I could have ever hoped for. I’ve been in love with him since I was 14. First Larry moment was on June 21, 2001 Jersey1 when Larry looked into my eyes and gave me his drumstick. Second Larry moment was on October 19, 2001 in Baltimore when Larry hugged me and smiled. This was the first and only time I have ever met Larry. Third Larry moment was Larry’s 40th Birthday on October 31, 2001 Providence2. Larry gave me his champagne bottle. This was cool because I didn’t ask for it like I had the drumstick or the hug, he just gave it to me. And then Larry came back to me so I could give him his birthday card and tee shirt. I thanked him for the champagne and wished him a Happy Birthday and he thanked me.

All the great friends I’ve made since March: Tasha, Jenny, Paola, Ayaz, Cathy, Kate, Jennifer, Claudia, Kathleen, Gabriella, Alice, Ruth, Khelia, Dan, Tim, Rob, Bill, Abbey, Frank and Matt. Because of U2 I met these great people and traveled to great cities.

We celebrated our great year of U2 with a New Year’s Eve party at my parents’ house because my apartment was too small and my parents were in Florida. I decorated the basement with U2 posters and photos. We watched U2 videos, discussed the tour and shared pictures.

me and Tasha

New Year's Eve 2001

 

A year later U2 played the Superbowl halftime show February 3, 2002. I had a little superbowl/U2 party at my apartment. It was an amazing performance, and Larry wore a see-threw shirt! Tasha and I were screaming as if we were at the U2 show, scaring all our non-U2 fan guests. But it would be three more years before I would actually be at another U2 show.

my Elevation University tee (front)

my Elevation University tee (back)

 

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the End of Elevation – Tampa & Miami December 1-2, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 25, 2011 by DeenasDays

December 4, 2001 – the final elevation shows in Tampa and Miami

The glorious Elevation Tour has come to an end. Very sad, but what an amazing time we had!

Tasha, Jenny and Paola came over Thursday night, and we watched U2 stuff until about 1am. We left Friday morning December 1st at 5am, flew to Tampa, and arrived around 11am. Our hotel was absolutely beautiful and right next to the Ice Palace. We had lunch outside on the water at this nice restaurant. We got into the GA line around 1:30pm. We were numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9. We ran into some people we knew like Anna and Melissa. We had pizza for dinner in the GA line. We got silly around midnight. We slept on and off outside and in the hotel. The U2 trucks came in around 7am. We had a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel. We didn’t try to meet the band because we weren’t allowed to leave the GA line after we got our wristbands. But we heard that Bono and Edge stopped around 6:30, so I least I didn’t miss Larry.

U2 Elevation Tampa 12.1.01

Tasha, me, Jenny, Paola in Tampa GA line

Even though we were at the front of the line, it got chaotic with people running and pushing, but somehow we got right up at the rail between Bono and Adam – a bit closer to Bono than we were for Providence2. From left to right, it was Jenny, me, Paola, Tasha. Paola and I wore our ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts,  Tasha wore her ‘Adam Clayton Band’ shirt, and Jenny wore her MLK Pride shirt. Garbage opened and during their set, Shirley Manson looked at us and said something like ‘We have some fans of the Larry Mullen Band here. What else does your shirt say? It’s All About Drums. Yes, it is.’ That was very cool. When U2 came out, I tried to make eye contact with Larry. Paola had a sign to get a drumstick. Larry walked over and gave her one. I don’t really remember it, which is weird but Tasha took a picture of Larry leaning over as he’s handing the drumstick to Paola.

Garbage opens in Tampa

Larry giving Paola his drumstick

Bono wearing a way too small NY tee a fan gave him

The show in Tampa December 1, 2001 was SO amazing! I was just REALLY into it! U2 played Angel of Harlem instead of Wild Honey, which was great. They played all of Peace on Earth for the first time. They played My Sweet Lord in honor of the passing of George Harrison a few days earlier. It was very touching. They played Wild Horses during Bad! I liked the Tampa show as much as the Baltimore show. It just had an amazing energy!

 

We headed to Miami immediately after the Tampa show. After a long time at Denny’s, we arrived at American Airlines Arena just before 5am. We were numbers 108, 109, 110, and 111 in the GA line. We slept in the car until about 9am. We hung out with some folks like Claudia and Kathleen and then checked into our ghetto hotel. We showered, got our pictures developed, got lunch, and checked back into line. Then we went over to this cool Irish pub in South Beach to pick up our ETS tickets. We got tee shirts with 12.2.01 Miami and an Elevation picture on the back, as well as a poster with the 3rd leg cities on it. We checked back in the line to get our wristbands and then went over to wait for U2 to arrive. A limo drove in around 4:30 and supposedly it was Larry, but I couldn’t tell who it was. We waited until just before 6, but no one else ever came arrived. We found out later U2 came in around 7, but didn’t stop so we didn’t miss anything.

U2 Elevation Miami 12.2.01

sleeping in the car in Miami

We ended up one person back from the rail in front of Adam. We were pretty far to the right – just 3 people from the end of the rail. Garbage again opened. Before their last song, Shirley said their drummer was fired and he left. All of a sudden, I see Sammy dart out to the drum kit. Then Larry walks out on stage in a navy blue shirt – a new shirt! He played the drums to ‘Only Happy When it Rains,’ which is now my favorite Garbage song. He was so into it and so happy. When he walked out onto the stage, I put my hand on Tasha’s shoulder to stabilize yself, since we weren’t at the rail, so I could jump and down. My heart was pounding so fast! I was SO excited!

Larry plays drums with Garbage (shirley autographed this pic later)

Larry is Only Happy When It Rains

now on to U2

This Miami show on December 2, 2001 was awesome! I got to hear ‘In God’s Country’ for the first time ever!!! Bono played the harmonica at the end of it. Ahhh! U2 played Mysterious Ways, which was the first time I heard it on this leg. They played Wild Horses and My Sweet Lord again. Matt was pulled up on stage to play Knockin on Heaven’s Door with the band. Dan was pulled up again during Stuck in a Moment. And Tasha finally had her concert moment with Adam. She was wearing her bright orange PopTart shirt, and Paola had a sign that read, ‘PopTart needs a pick’ with an arrow pointing to Tasha. So after Pride, Adam reached out to give Tasha his pick. We he gave it to her, he squeezed her hand. I broke down crying during the show. I started crying during Streets, all through Still Haven’t Found and into Pride. It just hit me that this was the last show, plus I was exhausted.

Matt plays with Bono and Edge

Dan and Bono

Larry and Bono in Miami

Adam and Edge in Miami

the End of Elevation

After the show, we hung out with everyone outside the arena: Ayaz, Dan, Mike, Dan, Anna, Ruth, Alice, Gabriella, Khelia. U2 had already left, so we just watched the trucks pull out.

 

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Elevation Philadelphia 11.2.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , on February 24, 2011 by DeenasDays

November 2, 2001 Philadelphia, PA

I drove down from Providence Thursday and arrived in Philadelphia around 4:30pm the day before the show. I was number 21 in the GA line. Tasha and I went to a diner for dinner, then got our pictures developed from Providence and got some snacks for the GA line. By 9:30pm everyone had arrived at First Union Center – Kate, Cathy, Jennifer, Paola, Valerie, Abbey. We ended up sleeping in my car (Tasha and I) for about 3 hours. Laura was nice enough to lend us her shower. Dan, Jenny, Ayaz showed up in the morning. It was the most organized GA line ever. It was fun and relaxing and warm. Just a Beautiful Day all around.

U2 Elevation Philly 11.2.01

We got at the rail in front of Adam. We wanted to be a little more center, but we were fine. Stereophonics opened. Tasha wore her ‘Adam Clayton Band’ shirt, and I of course wore my ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirt. We showed Sammy and Stu. Sammy seemed very excited. I held up my ‘Larry thanks for the drink’ sign as U2 walked on stage. Larry saw it and gave me the Fonzie thumbs up with a smile. The set list was pretty much the same except they played Out of Control and Peace on Earth. Of course I went nuts when Bono introduced Larry during Out of Control. At the end of the show when they were all waving, Larry looked at me, smiled and nodded.

Bono, Edge, Adam in Philly

We all met out front after the show and took a group picture. We tried waiting for the band, but they had already left. Me, Tasha, Paola, Jennifer and Ayaz went to IHOP and spent the night at Tasha’s.

the Elevation crew

 

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Larry’s 40th Birthday – Elevation Providence October 30-31, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2011 by DeenasDays

October 30, 2001 Providence 1

I drove up to Providence Monday morning after the Jersey show. I got in the GA line at Dunkin Donuts Center around 3:30pm the day before the show and was number 12 in line. It was a pretty chill line. I went up to my hotel room around 9pm to eat and watch tv. I went back down to the GA line for a little bit until 11:30 when Gabriella, Alice, Khelia, Ruth and I went back to my room to watch U2 on David Letterman. U2 played New York and Stuck in a Moment, then Bono was interviewed. I slept in my room until about 5:30am and then got back into the GA line. Paola flew in around noon. We hung out in line and then went to the mall for some food. We waited for the band to arrive, but they didn’t arrive until after 6pm.

U2 Elevation Providence1 10.30.01

Because of a slow wristband-er, I didn’t quite get the spot at the rail that I wanted. I ended up a bit too far to the right, but I was right in front of Adam. Paola was excited because it was her first time inside the heart up front at the rail. Stereophonics opened.  During Out of Control when Bono introduced Larry, I went nuts screaming and jumping up and down. The security guard John motioned to me, then said something to one of the other guards. A bit later, John came over to read my shirt – ‘The Larry Mullen Band. It’s All About Drums.’ He smiled and gave me the set list. The only difference to this set list was When Will I see You Again was played before Walk On. After the show, we got in the GA line for the next night because it was Larry’s 40th Birthday show. I was number 7 in line. Tasha had driven up and met us after the show. We got some food, then Tasha slept in the hotel while Paola and I slept outside in line.

Bono in Providence

U2 in Providence

Elevation Providence1 set list 10.30.01

 

October 31, 2001 Providence 2 Larry’s 40th Birthday

This was the best show ever! There will never be another one like it! I woke up outside around 8am – pretty good sleeping outside in 30 degrees for 5 hours. I went up to the warm hotel room until about 10am, then had some breakfast. I stayed in the GA line all day without leaving, except to take a shower around 3:30. I got everyone in the GA line to sign the big orange birthday card I made for Larry. I put my name and email address on the back just in case. The band didn’t arrive until after we were inside. Me, Tasha and Paola wore our Larry Mullen Band shirts. We got our spots at the rail up front and center between Bono and Adam. I held up my birthday card for Larry as they walked on stage, but he didn’t notice it. There were many, many signs including one saying, ‘Bono let Larry sing.’ During Elevation, Bono sang, ‘ Celebration’ then said, ‘Happy Birthday.’

U2 Elevation Providence2 10.31.01

After Stuck in a Moment, Larry’s 40th birthday celebration began. We sang Happy Birthday to Larry. A birthday cake was brought out and Larry pretended to throw it out into the audience. Larry took the mic and came to the front to talk while Bono sat behind the drums. Larry said, ‘Bono couldn’t play drums. It took me 40 years to get up front. I’m glad I’m spending my birthday with 18,000 of my closest friends. I feel like I could borrow money from you.’ Then Bono asked for a bottle of champagne, which he shook up a la ZooTV and sprayed the audience. Edge took a swig, then Larry drank and continued to drink for the next few songs. After Kite, Larry got off the drums and made a B line for me. I got my card and shirt in hand so I could give it to him, but that’s not why he was there. He gave me the champagne bottle – with champagne still in it. I drank some and shared it with Paola and Tasha. Larry wanted to share his birthday with ME! He wanted ME to have a drink on his birthday. I was SO excited I didn’t even know they played Wild Honey. I thought it was Staring at the Sun. I didn’t really come around until Please. After Pride, Larry came back over to me so I could give him the birthday card and Elvis tee shirt. I said, ‘Thank you. Happy Birthday.’ He smiled and said, ‘Thank You.’ He looked into my eyes, just like he had in Jersey. Then Paola gave Larry her Larry scrapbook, which contains the picture of him hugging me. Later on, Bono noticed our shirts, shook his head and smiled. Before leaving the stage Larry took Michelle’s Elvis sunglasses with sideburns and put them on. I was so elated after the show – walking around hugging the champagne bottle. I told my story on video for this women making a U2 GA documentary. I’m sure I made a fool of myself, but I was just VERY excited. Paola, Tasha and I went up to our warm, comfortable hotel room, ordered pizza, watched tv and went to sleep. What an amazing Larry night!

Larry in Providence

Bono and Larry in Providence

Larry's birthday cake

Bono plays the drums

the champagne

Larry drinks the champagne

right after Larry gives me the champagne

Larry loves me - haha

Larry taking birthday card and elvis tee

Yay Larry!

Me with Larry's champagne bottle after the show

Providence 2 set list 10.31.01: Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until the End of the World, New Year’s Day, I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Stuck in a Moment, Happy Birthday Larry, Party Girl, Slow Dancing, Kite, Wild Honey, Please, Bad / 40, Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Pride, Bullet the Blue Sky, What’s Going On, New York, One, When Will I See You Again, Walk On

This Providence 2 was my favorite U2 show, not only on the Elevation tour, but favorite U2 show ever. I doubt there will ever be another night like it. Granted it was Larry’s 40th Birthday, and I love Larry. But also for the rarities U2 played that night. Slow Dancing was played for the first time on Elevation, and only the 11th time ever. Party Girl and Wild Honey were played for the first time on that leg of Elevation – and I’ve only heard those songs a couple of times ever. Apparently I was so enamored of my night of Larry moments that I forgot to write about the rare set list in my journal that night. I have still have that champagne bottle on my shelf, along with Larry’s drumstick he gave me in Jersey.

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Elevation New Jersey 10.28.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

October 28, 2001 East Rutherford, New Jersey

Tasha, Paola and I went to the Continental Airlines Arena right after the New York 3 show. This was to be Paola’s first GA show. We got our numbers (I was 46) and went back to our hotel to sleep. We were back in the GA line at 7am. It was the most relaxing GA line – a nice change of pace from the NY shows. We went to wait for the band to arrive from 3:00 to 5:15, but they never came. There was chaos when we returned to the GA line. The idiot security people opened up 3 gates, so those of us who had been waiting all day were right next to people who had just arrived. And all 3 of these lines were to go through one door. Sensing severe danger, Tasha, Kate and I decided to get out of ‘line’ and go back to wait for the band to come in and go into the show later. Unfortunately we missed Bono and Edge by about 10 minutes. But we did arrive in time for Paul McGuinness, but he was too mobbed to talk to. We went into the show after 7, leisurely went to the bathroom, got a snack, and watched the show from the soundboard. It was surprisingly close. Not a bad view at all. Stereophonics opened. U2 played All I Want is You instead of Bad. Jersey wasn’t as good to me this time around.

U2 Elevation Jersey 10.28.01

Bono kisses Adam in Jersey

U2 says Goodbye to Jersey

 

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Elevation New York October 24, 25, 27, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2011 by DeenasDays

October 24, 2001 New York City 1 at Madison Square Garden

Tasha and I arrived in New York City at Madison Square Garden at 5:15am. We were 39 & 40 in the GA line. For whatever reason, I was VERY excited to see Macy’s a block away and then I noticed the Empire State Building. Around 9am, we saw Sammy and Dallas come in. We saw a lot of familiar faces. We made a new friend in Babette. After a stressful GA line procedure, we managed to get great spots at the rail between Bono and Adam. Garbage opened. NY1 rivaled the Baltimore show, but not quite as good. Same set list, except U2 played Bad instead of Please. I had a great Larry moment! During Kite, the spotlight wasn’t on Larry yet. When it finally came on, I screamed, clapped, jumped and down. He looked at me, nodded and smiled. Our friend Dan got pulled up on stage during Stuck in a Moment. Our friend Ruth got pulled up on stage and played guitar and sang Knockin on Heaven’s Door with U2. All the policemen and firemen who died on 9/11 were listed on the screens during One. We hung out a bit with everyone after the show, then Tasha and I took the train back to Princeton, then drove back to Tasha’s place in Philadelphia.

U2 Elevation NYC 10.24.01

Tasha & I at U2 at the Garden

 

October 25, 2001 New York City 2 at Madison Square Garden

Tasha and I had seats for NY2, which was quite relaxing but we realized that being in the GA line was half of the fun. We got to MSG early to buy tee shirts, programs and eat dinner. Our seats were behind/side stage between Adam and Larry. No Doubt opened. The set list was actually a little different. U2 played I Will Follow instead of Out of Control, Stay instead of Staring at the Sun, and Unchained Melody instead of Peace on Earth. We again took the train back to Princeton and then drove back to Tasha’s in Philadelphia.

U2 Elevation NYC 10.25.01

Adam, Edge, Larry at the Garden

Bono at the Garden

my Elevation 3rd leg tee (front)

my Elevation 3rd leg tee (back)

my Elevation tour hat

 

October 27, 2001 New York City 3 at Madison Square Garden

Tasha and I drove up to Jersey Friday night. We went to our hotel while Jenny, Kate, Jennifer and Valerie got in the GA line. Tasha and I slept then took the bus into New York City in the morning arriving at MSG around 7am. This GA line was even more stressful then Wednesday’s, but somehow we ended up at the rail in front of Adam. Stereophonics opened. The set list was pretty much the same, except U2 played Please acoustic as well as Bad. The highlight of the night was when Bono pulled Jenny up at the tip of the heart during New York and kissed her on the lips. It was great because she’s been a U2 fan since 1981 and nothing like that has ever happened to her. But the truly inspiring part of the night was during Walk On when Bono had the FDNY come on stage. They shook hands, the firefighters spoke, Bono sang with his firefighter hat and FDNY shirt on. After Walk On, the firefighters spoke and kept speaking after U2 left the stage. Then U2 came back out and played Out of Control with the firefighters on stage. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Absolutely moving!

U2 Elevation NYC 10.27.01

Pride (in the name of Love)

Bono at the Garden

Larry and Adam at the Garden

Bono and FDNY

 

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The Day I Met Larry – Elevation Baltimore 10.19.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 18, 2011 by DeenasDays

Sunday October 21, 2001 Baltimore, MD

I started the third leg of the Elevation Tour in my hometown of Baltimore, and am going to the next 7 shows. The U2 show at the Baltimore Arena on October 19, 2001 was absolutely amazing! The best I’ve seen out of ZooTv, Popmart and the first leg of Elevation! Our adventure started Thursday when me, Jennifer, John, Tasha, Dan and Jenny met downtown for dinner to celebrate Tasha’s birthday. After, we drove by the arena to check out the GA line. There were already about 50 people in line at 10:30pm. Jenny and Dan got in line while the rest of us went back home to get our stuff. We got in line around 1:30am. We had fun hanging out with everyone, but it was quite cold. Tasha and I slept in my car for about an hour.

U2 Elevation Baltimore 10.19.01

We went over to meet the band around 3pm. They finally came in at 4:30pm. I videotaped them driving in, Bono walking out, Edge walking out, Larry walking out, Adam walking out, and all of them signing autographs. We could barely believe that they were all four outside signing autographs. This was the first U2 played Baltimore and they all four came outside to meet all the fans. Adam signed Tasha’s purple pants. She was VERY excited. He said, ‘They’re great ones.’ When Larry came one person away from me, his bodyguard told me to turn off the videocamera. So I did not get video of my encounter with Larry, but Tasha took a great picture of it. Larry walked to me. I said, ‘I don’t have anything for you to sign, so can I have a hug?’ Larry looked at me a little strange, then smiled and said yes. Then we hugged and it was a nice, strong hug. In the picture, Larry has a big smile on his face. After the hug, I thanked him. Tasha hugged me and then I cried like a baby. I was so overcome with emotion. I had been waiting to meet Larry for 14 years!

Larry hugs me in Baltimore

Bono talking to me in Baltimore

Edge, Adam and Bono meeting Baltimore fans

The concert itself was so unreal! We stood at the tip of the heart on the outside. It was me, Tasha, Jenny, Cathy, and Kate. Garbage was supposed to open, but the drummer got sick, so Graham Parker & the Figgs filled in at the last minute before heading over to their own show. As soon as ‘All You Need is Love’ came on, the crowd went wild, and even crazier for ‘St. Pepper’s.’ And then ‘WOO-OOH-HOO! ELEVATION!’ During ‘New Year’s Day,’ Cathy and I held up her American Flag that she had brought. Bono took it from us. He hugged it. He looked at me and said, ‘You take it back.’ He handed it back to me so gently. He said, ‘Thank you.’ I said, ‘Thank you.’ Then he started walking away, turned to me, gave me the peace sign and nodded. Best Bono concert moment EVER for me. I have a fantastic picture of the Bono hugging the flag. Song highlights of the Baltimore show for me were: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (I cried), Pride (with MLK’s speech a la ZooTV), Out of Control, Staring at the Sun and Please. A guy behind us was pulled up on stage to play Knocking on Heaven’s Door with the band. During One, all of the names of the passengers on the flights from 9/11 were displayed – and then they went right into Peace on Earth. I cried through all of this. They ended the show with Walk On. It was the most emotional and spiritual and uplifting U2 show. Just unbelievable!

Tasha & I singing in Baltimore

holding the flag in Baltimore

Bono hugs the American flag in Baltimore

 

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MTV Video Music Awards – September 6, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Fans, Larry Mullen, The Edge, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 17, 2011 by DeenasDays

Friday September 7, 2001 VMAs New York City

Arguably the best night of my life last night. Tasha and I were in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera House right at the rope on the red carpet for the MTV Video Music Awards. We were diagonally behind the MTV News desk. We had signed up to be seat fillers for the VMAs, but we did not get into the award show, instead we were on the red carpet for the arrivals. Jennifer Lopez arrived first, but the first person I was excited for was Chris Kattan from Saturday Night Live. We kept shouting ‘Mango’ and he waved. Then we saw Will Ferrell from Saturday Night Live. We cheered at him and said we liked his pants – he interacted with us. We then saw Fatboy Slim and nobody else knew who he was. We wished him luck and he waved and thanked us. We then got VERY excited for Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. They smiled and waved at us.

It got to be 8:45pm and still no sign of U2, and we were getting a little worried. Then all of a sudden, I saw Larry down at the other end of the red carpet. I began SCREAMING! Then I saw Adam, and then Bono and Edge. Larry was the first to make it to us. I lost it! Blowing kisses, holding my heart, screaming, pretty much making a fool of myself. He smiled and waved at me. Edge then came over and smiled and waved. Then we saw Paul McGuinness on our side of the rope. We thanked him. He looked at us strangely, then he smiled. Tasha shook his hand, and I patted him on his back. Then all of a sudden, I see Adam on our side of the rope as well. He tripped on the red carpet. We shouted his name, so he turned around. I was holding his hand. He was kind of bent over as if he was limbo-ing. He had this goofy look on his face. He was acting like he was going to fall. Then Bono came over the rope to shake our hands. We will probably never again meet all four of them at once. It was absolutely amazing! We then watched as John Norris interviewed U2.

After the pre-show was over, we went to this bar called O’Connor’s (or something like that) on 64th Street and Columbus. We watched the VMAs there, ate chicken pot pie and drank iced tea. Then we took the train back to Jersey, then I drove home and was asleep by 5am

 

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End of Elevation, well the 1st leg anyway – June 21-22, 2001 New Jersey

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 16, 2011 by DeenasDays

Saturday June 23, 2001 East Rutherford, NJ

The first leg of the Elevation tour is over, and I am very sad. I drove up to New Jersey around 6:30pm Wednesday night and met Tasha at the hotel around 10pm. We got up early Thursday morning and were in the GA line at Continental Airlines Arena by 6:15am. I was number 30 in line. Tasha tried all day to get a GA, but couldn’t so she stayed in her seat behind the stage. I stood at the rail in front of Adam – again.

U2 Elevation Jersey 6.21.01

Jersey1 on June 21st was a great show! A girl two people down from me had a sign that read, “Larry May I please have your drumsticks?” Right after Walk On, Larry hopped up and walked right over to her. I took a great close up picture as Larry leaned over to give her his drumstick. Then he looked right into my eyes and nodded. I leaned further than anyone. He gave me his drumstick. I mouthed Thank You So Much. He again nodded. As soon as I got the drumstick, I teared up. Then I looked up at Tasha in her seat behind the stage and we both started jumping up and down. Then I just walked back into the middle of the heart by myself and started to cry and shake. Best moment of the tour for me! I exited the arena clutching my drumstick that Larry gave me after looking into my eyes. I met up with Tasha outside, and we hugged and squealed. I told her the story, and then she cried. I couldn’t get to sleep until about 2:30am and woke up 2 hours later for the final show on this leg of the tour.

Larry giving me his drumstick in Jersey

Bono in Jersey

Elevation in Jersey

We were in the GA line by 5am Friday for the last show. I was number 14 this time. We went over around 3:30pm to wait for U2 to come in, but at 5:15 they had not arrived yet so I got back in the GA line. Five minutes after I left, Larry arrived and signed autographs for everyone. I stood at the rail two people to the right of Bono’s microphone. PJ Harvey opened.

U2 Elevation Jersey 6.22.01

Jersey2 on June 22nd was absolutely amazing! U2 played Wild Honey for the first time. Daniel Lanois played with them on Ground Beneath Her Feet and Wild Honey. Bono finally did the extra verse to With or Without You – ‘we’ll shine like stars in the summer night.’ I got Adam’s fake pick from Dallas. I made a sign that simply read, “Thank You Larry!” I held it up as they walked on stage, and Larry nodded. Then I held it up at the end of Beautiful Day (or Until the End of the World) and Larry nodded and smiled. After the show, I held up the sign again and patted my heart, Larry saw and smiled and nodded again then walked off the stage.

Larry in Jersey

Bono in Jersey

Edge in Jersey

Elevation Jersey2 Set List 6.22.01 (and pick)

Tasha and I decided to wait for the band after the show. Larry left around 1:30am, but we couldn’t really tell it was him in the car. By 3:30am, Tasha and I were the only ones left outside the arena. Not sure why we were still waiting. I think we were in denial about the tour ending. After being up for 24 hours, we finally went to sleep.

 

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‘What do they sing in DC?’ – Elevation DC June 14-15, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 15, 2011 by DeenasDays

Saturday June 16, 2001 Washington, DC

 “What do they sing in DC?” I will never forget when Bono looked down at me at the tip of the heart and asked me that after Desire. I just froze. I was still in awe of being THAT close to Larry. Then Bono sang Ground Beneath Her Feet to the girl three down from me. He messed up one of the lines, I laughed, he looked at me and smiled. I was sick at this first DC show at MCI Center on June 14th, but those personal moments made up for it.

U2 Elevation DC 6.14.01

Larry in DC

Bono & Edge in DC

Larry at the tip of the heart in DC

For the second DC show on June 15th, I did not spend much time in the GA line. Instead I slept in the hotel room, hung out with Jennifer and John in the Discovery Store and Ruby Tuesday’s. My friend Laurie joined us for this show. We stood at the rail in front of Adam. U2 played 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, Sweetest Thing, New Year’s Day, and All I Want is You, but they did not play Gone or Bad. DC2 was a really great show – up there with Boston4 and Philly2. Great crowd energy! PJ Harvey again opened these shows.

U2 Elevation DC 6.15.01

 

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Elevation Philadephia June 11-12, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 14, 2011 by DeenasDays

Wednesday June 13, 2001 Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia shows on June 11 and 12 did not disappoint. I got up at 5:30am Monday morning June 11th, drove to Philadelphia, and was in the GA line at First Union Center by 8:10am. Had a long, hot day in the sun. Tasha was there all day trying to get a GA ticket, but never did. We became friends with Cathy and Kate, and I met Rob, who is a friend of Tasha’s. I stood at the rail just to the right of Adam for Philly1 on June 11th. U2 played a bit of Night and Day after Beautiful Day. Other than that, it was the standard set list with the addition of In a Little While. A Larry Mullen Band tee shirt was thrown on stage and Larry put it on his drumkit and it remained there for the rest of the show. We brought cut out paper fish for opening act PJ Harvey’s ‘Down By the Water.’ She was very excited and said she didn’t know the fish traveled from Boston. I slept at Tasha’s after the show.

U2 Elevation Philly 6.11.01

Gone in Philly

Larry puts Paola's Larry Mullen Band shirt on his drumkit

Larry Mullen Band in Philly

The next morning, I was back in the GA line at 7:30am. I hung out with Cathy and Kate most of the day. Around 3pm, we went over where U2 drives in with hopes of meeting them. There were only about 10 of us waiting. Around 3:40, a car drove in and stopped right in front of us. Edge got out of the car! We asked if he would sign, and he said ‘Yes.’ We asked if he would take pictures, he said he wouldn’t pose, but ‘snap away.’ I was the second person he came to. I asked him to sign my scrapbook, and he signed the upper left hand corner. Now the others will have to sign the remaining 3 corners. I got about 6 pictures of Edge. Later Paul McGuinness and PJ Harvey drove in, then Larry and Adam. Bono drove in just about 4:45. By then there were at least 30 people who started screaming and swarming around Bono, who signed a few autographs and took a few pictures before leaving after about 2 minutes. Bono said he wasn’t feeling well, and he looked really out of it. Edge, on the other hand, was great. He stayed until he had signed everyone’s stuff. He didn’t say much though, but he was very nice. I finally got Tasha a GA ticket, and she joined us in the GA line around 5:30pm.

U2 Elevation Philly 6.12.01 - meeting the Edge

Edge's autograph in Philly

Philly2 on June 12th was absolutely amazing! A great experience! My favorite so far! Tasha and I stood at the rail between Bono and Adam. U2 played Mysterious Ways early and Stuck in a Moment later. Bono sang a verse of Stuck in a Moment right to Tasha and I. They played In a Little While on the main stage right in front of us – the best version I’ve ever heard! An amazing version of Ground Beneath Her Feet, All I Want is You, and New Year’s Day were also played, as well as covers of In My Life and Gloria. But Gone, Bad and Pride were not played. About 5 of us held a Jubilee 2000 banner before One. Bono saw it, was excited and wanted it, so we handed it to him. I touched his hand. It’s good to have long arms. Before the show, I was trying to get Sammy’s attention to get drumsticks, but my voice is shot, so Tasha yelled. Sammy looked at us, and we motioned drumsticks and he sort of nodded. After the show, Tasha yelled to Sammy again. He walked right over to me telling the security guard to make sure I get the drumstick, but I leaned over far enough to take it from him. Again, long arms. Then he gave the other drumstick to Tasha.

Larry in Philly

 

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Elevation Boston June 8-9, 2001

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 11, 2011 by DeenasDays

Saturday June 9, 2001 Boston, MA

The Boston shows on June 8 and 9 were amazing! I’ve only slept 7 hours in 2 days, but it was worth it. I flew up to Boston on June 7th. I waited in the GA line at the Fleet Center from 7am to 6pm before each show. I got to hang out with a lot of great people like Tasha, Aaron, and Mike. There were four Boston shows, but I only went to the last two. I was up front at the rail in front of Adam for both shows and PJ Harvey again opened.

Boston GA line

PJ Harvey in Boston

Last night’s show (Boston 3 June 8th) was great. U2 played Ground Beneath Her Feet, All I Want is You, Angel of Harlem, and New Year’s Day. They did not play Bad, In a Little While or Pride. When they played 11 O’clock Tick Tock, the crowd went nuts! I wore my Elvis tee again and took my sign, but no drumsticks. I may try again in Philly.

U2 Elevation Boston 6.8.01

Bono and Adam in Boston

Larry silouette in Boston

Tonight’s show (Boston 4 June 9th) was absolutely amazing! The set list was as follows: Elevation, Pride, Until the End of the World, The Fly, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, In My Life / Stuck in a Moment, Kite, Gone, New York, Out of Control, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Desire / Van Morrison’s Gloria, Party Girl, Stay, Bad / Allison, Where the Streets Have no Name, Beautiful Day, Bullet the Blue Sky, With or Without You, One / She’s a Mystery to Me, Walk On. I found out later that they were supposed to play an acoustic version of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, which is my favorite song, but played Stay instead. A fan got on stage during Walk On and U2 security tackled him right in front of us. Bono tackled the security guard to let the guy on stage. Wow! Intense! Boston Red Sox third baseman Nomar Garciapara stood behind us.

U2 Elevation Boston 6.9.01

Larry in Boston

Bono in Boston

Edge, Adam, Larry in Boston

Bono blows bubbles in Boston

Larry leaves Boston

 

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Elevation Hartford 6.3.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Concerts, Elevation, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , on February 10, 2011 by DeenasDays

Sunday June 3, 2001 Hartford, CT

Tasha and I drove from Albany to Hartford and were in the GA line at the Civic Center by 9:00am. The GA line was inside, which was so comfortable and mellow! I met some more U2 friends: Aaron, Dave and a fellow Elvis fan, Michelle. The Hartford show was one of my favorite shows thus far. I was so into the music. It’s all a blur really. It was the same set list as Albany, except U2 played In a Little While, She’s a Mystery to Me after One, the Rolling Stones Wild Horses after Bad as well as the ‘how long’ chorus from 40. I stood right on the rail in front of Adam. For some reason, Tasha stood on the other side in front of Edge at the rail, even though she’s the Adam fan. I wore my Elvis tee shirt and had my sign that said, “I love Elvis almost as much as I love Larry. Can I have your sticks?” Larry, Adam and Bono saw it, but still no drumsticks. I am going to try again in Boston. Try and try again! PJ Harvey opened again – I’m starting to really like her.

U2 Elevation Hartford 6.3.01

U2 in CT

 

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Elevation Albany 6.2.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , on February 9, 2011 by DeenasDays

Saturday June 2, 2001 Albany, NY

I flew up to Albany and hung out with Tasha and her sister all afternoon outside the Pepsi Arena. I met a bunch of people from the U2 internet community. I also saw Bono drive in for the sound check.

U2 Elevation Albany 6.2.01

I saw this Elevation show from the seats, on the side of the stage. PJ Harvey opened. Bono’s voice was rough, apparently he was sick. There were a lot of changes in the set list. U2 played Mysterious Ways after Until the End of the World. The Fly was performed in the first encore. Unchained Melody was played after One. The Beatles’ In My Life was played before Stuck in a Moment. Van Morrison’s Gloria was played after Desire. And they played Gone! But they did not play New Year’s Day, In a Little While or Sweetest Thing.

Bono laying down in Albany

Larry in black and white in Albany

 

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Elevation Columbus 5.7.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , on February 8, 2011 by DeenasDays

Monday May 7, 2001 Columbus, OH

I flew to Columbus for the U2 show at Nationwide Arena. My head still hurt from where I hit it in Pittsburgh, but this Columbus show was great – almost as great as Pittsburgh. I definitely like standing at the tip of the heart the best. Pride and One were my highlights tonight. U2 also played Gone, Kite, Stay and Desire. Bono sounded so great! He was doing some amazing things with his voice. I got some great shots again. Bono gave the guy next to me his harmonica after Desire. I really wanted that harmonica!

I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like after the tour ends. Obviously I love going to the shows, but it’s more than that. It’s the feeling of a community, knowing everyone around you feels the same way. I love traveling around and meeting all these great people. It’s tiring, but amazing!

U2 Elevation Columbus 5.7.01

Bono's harmonica in Ohio

 

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Elevation Pittsburgh 5.6.01 – where it all began

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Concerts, Elevation, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , on February 7, 2011 by DeenasDays

Sunday May 6, 2001 Pittsburgh, PA

I flew to Pittsburgh and was in the GA line at the Mellon Arena by 9:30am. Insane! I met a lot of great people including Tasha and Frank. I almost knocked myself out when I hit my head on the metal barriers. So embarrassing and it really hurt!

U2 Elevation Pittsburgh 5.6.01

The U2 show in Pittsburgh had the best set list and best energy so far. I was one person back from the rail in front of Bono, inside the heart for the first time. PJ Harvey opened. Tonight U2 played Gone, Kite, Angel of Harlem and Sweetest Thing. When they started into Gone, I screamed so loud scaring my new friend Tasha and her sister Kelly. It was great to be that close for songs like Bad, One, Stuck in a Moment, Elevation, etc. But I do still prefer seeing the show from the tip of the heart because it’s a better all around view. I couldn’t appreciate it when Bono was out there. Great time though! Bono blew bubbles during Walk On, and I touched Bono’s hand during Beautiful Day. Gone was definitely my highlight of the show. This Pittsburgh show has been the best overall experience so far. The GA line was the most fun, and the concert was the longest and had the best set list.

me in Pittsburgh

 

This Pittsburgh show is what really started the magical experience that was the Elevation tour. It was the first time I stood inside the heart at the front rail. It was the first time I waited in the GA line all day. It was the first time I made friends that I continued to hang out with during the tour and then I met their friends, and so on. I met Tasha in Pittsburgh and she is still one of my best friends today, 10 years later. In fact, I think we have hung out the first weekend in May every year ever since – usually it’s in Memphis for the Beale Street Music Festival.

 

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Elevation Lexington 5.4.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on February 4, 2011 by DeenasDays

Friday May 4, 2001 Lexington, KY

Best U2 concert ever!! I know I write that after each concert, but they get better every time I see them! Vicki and I flew into Lexington around 11am, went to lunch, shopped a little, then I got in the GA line at Rupp Arena around 2pm – Vicki had a seat. Bono came out around 4pm and thanked us. He was only out there for a few minutes, but I got a few pictures. I hung out with a bunch of nice people in the GA line, including Brad, who I met in Charlotte.

Even though I was within the first 150 people in line, I still stood at the tip of the heart. The best place to stand – you can’t convince me otherwise. PJ Harvey opened again. I heard Kite and Stay for the first time. U2 also played an acoustic version of Desire, but they did not play Gone, Staring at the Sun, Discotheque or Ground Beneath Her Feet. I touched Bono’s hand once – the first time he leaned into the crowd. And then I patted his shoulder as he ran between the catwalk and us (where security is) – first time for that. I think Pride may have been my favorite this time. Bono was much more talkative tonight and much more political. I took my camera in this time and got some nice shots. What a night! Best U2 show!

Tomorrow on to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby!

U2 Elevation Lexington 5.4.01

Edge and Bono in Kentucky

 

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Elevation Tacoma 4.12.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , on February 3, 2011 by DeenasDays

Thursday April 12, 2001 Tacoma, WA

I arrived in Seattle yesterday. John and I went to the Space Needle, dinner at a great seafood restaurant then listened to some music at this great Irish pub. Today we had lunch at this cute pub before getting in the GA line at the Tacoma Dome – luckily the sun finally came out.

Tonight’s show in Tacoma was the best ever! Unbelievable! 2 encores! U2 played over 2 hours. Edge’s 5 kids were there. PJ Harvey opened. John and I stood just to the left of the tip of the heart. Changes to the show were tha Pride, Desire, Ground Beneath Her Feet, I Will Follow and Unchained Melody were played; but Dicsotheque, Staring at the Sun, Even Better Than the Real Thing and Gone were not played. I can’t describe how I am feeling right now! I literally almost cried twice toward the end of the show. I had a great time hanging out with everyone in the GA line for 3 hours, and we all stood together at the tip of the heart. This show was so amazing that it was a blur. I’m having trouble remembering details. Felt like U2 played forever!  

U2 Elevation Tacoma 4.12.01

I'm in the Tacoma newspaper!

 

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Elevation Charlotte 3.29.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , on February 2, 2011 by DeenasDays

Thursday March 29, 2001 Charlotte, NC

 I flew from Ft. Myers to Charlotte for the U2 show at Charlotte Coliseum on my way home to Baltimore. Nelly Furtado opened the show. I did not like her. I should have taken my camera tonight because it my first time in General Admission. I was right at the tip of the heart. I was right in front of Bono, and he was there half of the show. I reached out and touched the catwalk. After being introduced, Larry stood right in front of me. It was an amazing show! I love being that close, obviously. Set changes tonight were full band Staring at the Sun, no Discotheque, Ground Beneath Her Feet was back, no Angel of Harlem and still no Gone or I Will Follow, and no Unchained Melody at the end of One. Bono was so amazing tonight!

U2 Elevation Charlotte 3.29.01

Elevation 1st leg tee shirt (Front)

Elevation 1st leg tee shirt (back)

 

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Elevation Opens in Florida 3.24.01 & 3.26.01

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , on February 1, 2011 by DeenasDays

Saturday March 24, 2001 Elevation Opening Night in Sunrise, FL

I left my parents’ condo in Ft. Myers at 9am and drove two hours over to Ft. Lauderdale and met up with Mike. We went to the Orioles spring training game, which they won and both Cal and Brady played. Then we had Subway subs in our hotel while watching the Maryland Terps win, going to the Final Four for the first time ever, before going to over to the National Car Rental Center.

U2 Elevation Opening Night 3.24.01

The U2 Elevation tour began tonight – finally!! It was the best U2 show I’ve ever seen. The Corrs opened. U2 played the best mix of songs. They opened with Elevation and went into Beautiful Day. They played Bad, New Year’s Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Gone, Discotheque, Staring at the Sun, Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, The Fly, Streets, With or Without You, Bullet, I Will Follow, Sweetest Thing, Ground Beneath Her Feet, New York, Stuck in a Moment, In a Little While – not in that order. They closed with One, but then added Walk On. I did miss Still Haven’t Found and Pride, but it was an amazing show! My seat was on the first level side stage about 12 rows from the floor. Bono spent a lot of time on the catwalk, and he fell off of it. His voice was amazing though. This will be the best tour ever!

Opening Night in Florida

 

Monday March 26, 2001 Sunrise, FL

I saw Bono!! I left the Oriole spring training game early to get to the arena by 3pm to see U2 arrive. After a few minutes of searching, I found out where they were coming in – as well as the other twentysome people waiting for them. Bono drove in first just before 3:30, saw us and walked over to speak with us and sign autographs. Unfortunately people kept circling him and pushing, so I wasn’t able to get an autograph or actually speak with him one on one, but I got a whole roll of film. I was basically one person away from him, and I was able to shout out things. He asked us if we had been to the show Saturday and if we liked it – uh YES! And he said that ‘Bad’ was very special and he’s glad they worked it in again. He said he thought ‘Bullet’ was the best song of the night. He commented on falling off the catwalk. When asked how Ali was feeling, he responded ‘big’ (she’s pregnant). Too bad I didn’t have a video camera. I knew I should have bought one.

U2 Elevation 3.26.01Bono in Florida

The concert tonight was again fabulous! The Corrs again opened. This show differed from opening night in that U2 played Angel of Harlem and a little bit of Unchained Melody at the end of One. They didn’t play Gone, I Will Follow or Ground Beneath Her Feet. Bono sang Ruby Tuesday at the end of Bad. Bono said Larry was the son and father of Elvis! Lenny Kravitz was at the show. My seat was next to the catwalk 15 rows up. I took a whole roll of film. Can’t wait until Thursday in Charlotte – general admission on the floor.

Bono loves the crowd

 

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