Archive for November, 2011

U2 360 ST. LOUIS 7.17.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on November 30, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 64 – JULY 16

Day 64 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from Philadelphia to St. Louis, driving almost 900 miles in over 16 hours. It should have only taken about 14 hours, but two traffic jams in Indiana caused my delay. It was much like my drive from Miami to Nashville, actually it was like deja vu. My drive from Anaheim to Baltimore was easier than my drive from Miami to Nashville and from Philadelphia to St. Louis. Elvis and Cilla were exhausted!

Cilla and Elvis resting after their long 16 hours in the car

I left Philadelphia just after 6am est driving the Pennsylvania Turnpike – again. I was on that dreaded $20-toll turnpike the week before and two weeks before that, and would be driving it again in a few days and again the following week. Ugh! But I did come across a historical marker at the one of the first travel stops on the PA Turnpike, so at least that was something interesting.

the PA turnpike

We stopped four times for gas, food, etc in addition to the two times we were stopped in traffic. Both traffic jams were on Route 70 West in Indiana about two hours apart, which was very frustrating. It was truly Carmageddon everywhere that day in July – the 405 in Southern California was closed, 240 in Memphis was down to one lane, and Route 70 West in Indiana was shut down twice. But if I hadn’t been delayed, I wouldn’t have seen the beautiful sunset – there is always good that comes with the bad.

Illinois sunset

We finally arrived at our great Drury Plaza Hotel in St. Louis just past 9:30pm cst, over 16 hours later. As soon as I walked into the lobby, I realized this was the hotel I stayed at when I visited St. Louis eight years ago when I went to the Orioles-Cardinals game. The staff there was fantastic! They answered my questions immediately and quickly brought me what I needed, as well as checked me in quickly knowing I had a long day. To reward myself for my rough day of driving, I ordered a pizza from Imo’s for a late dinner – ‘an original St. Louis style pizza.’ I didn’t even know there was a ‘St. Louis style’ pizza. It is very thin crust with provolone cheese, but it tasted like cheddar was mixed in with it. It was no Ledo’s, but it was really good.

St. Louis style pizza

view of the Arch from our hotel room

DAY 65 – JULY 17 – U2 360 #13 – ST. LOUIS

The U2 360 show in St. Louis was amazing! Definitely one of my favorites, along with Chicago and Anaheim2. Even though it was a standard set list, there was no Out of Control or One Tree Hill, the band and the audience had such a great energy. Bono was especially excited – he was really excited and happy. The Fly returned after its brief departure in Philadelphia, and Magnificent disappeared again. For the first time both Bono and Larry acknowledged me on their way onto the stage and then later Bono gave me an indirect ‘shout out’ during the band introductions. The St. Louis show was the hottest show of the tour, beating Baltimore and Nashville, with its 110 heat index.

U2 360 St. Louis 7.17.11

My friend Beth flew in the morning of the show. We talked the day before as she made last minute plans to come to St. Louis, so we decided that she would share the hotel room with Elvis, Cilla and myself. We relaxed in the hotel for a bit, then went to lunch on the way to Busch Stadium, which was only a couple blocks away from our hotel. We had a great pasta lunch at Caleco’s thinking we should carb up to sustain the long day in the 110 degree heat!

St. Louis Arch before the show - at our hotel

a special U2 lunch

the claw at Busch Stadium in St. Louis

After lunch, we made our way to Busch Stadium to try to figure out where U2 would drive in. Luckily, the spot we chose was in the shade. My friend Chuck and Beth’s friend Tim were there. We also ran into Cathal and a few others. There was a bit of discrepancy where the band was actually going to drive in. There were a lot of people on the other side of the stadium waiting, and only about 10 of us on our side. Turned out we were right and the band drove in just after 5p where we were waiting. Bono rolled down his window and waved, and Edge and Adam waved from inside their cars. The guy in the fourth car, who I assumed was Larry, didn’t wave or look at us – just looked straight ahead. About 15 minutes or so later, another car drove in and this time it was Larry and he waved. We were surprised when no one came out to greet us, since there were only about 10 of us there.

waiting for the band (photo by Beth Nabi)

I walked into the stadium and over to the inner circle on Edge’s side, but it was closed. So I had to walk around to Adam’s side, get my stamp for re-entry, then walk back over to Edge’s side. Even though I could see that U2 was going to walk into the stadium from the tunnel on Adam’s side, I wanted to be on Edge’s side so I could watch them walk onto the stage, or under the stage actually. My friend Jason from Memphis joined me. He had contacted me earlier and drove up that afternoon and luckily bought a GA from someone outside the stadium around 6pm. I met a guy and his young son Tyler, I mean like 7 years old young, who had been to 9 shows this tour. Turned out, they read my blog and Tyler’s favorites are Larry and Bono. A guy from the crew asked me how many shows I had been to. When I told him all the US shows that leg and I was driving to all of them with my dogs, he said I was crazy and should just give my money to him. I told him I should work for U2, so I could get paid to follow the tour.

U2 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis

Interpol took the stage around 7:30m and played their usual set. I still was not a fan, but they were ok. U2 didn’t come out until about 9:15pm. On the way to the stage, Larry saw me and smiled and waved. And not his usual obligatory smile and wave, but he actually seemed to recognize and acknowledge me. Then Bono smiled, waved and said ‘Hi’ to me. I could definitely see recognition in his face – and it’s been a long time since I spoke with him in Seattle and Oakland. So maybe Bono and Larry were actually waving to me as they drove into the stadium earlier. Or it could have been the fact that I was almost always standing at that same spot where U2 walk onto the stage and always wearing my straw cowboy hat and ‘Larry Mullen Band’ tee. Yeah maybe after 12 shows, they finally recognize me. Please watch my video of U2 walking to the stage – it’s a little (a lot) shaky.

Mysterious Ways

My excitement grew even greater when U2 followed the opener Even Better Than the Real Thing with The Fly, which they had removed from the set list in Philadelphia and replaced it with Magnificent. Introducing The Fly Bono said, “Are you ready for some crowd rock circa 1991? We’re not gonna walk, we’re not gonna crawl. Tonight St. Louis, we Fly!” After The Fly, I knew the St. Louis show was going to be one of my favorites. U2 had such a great energy, and Bono seemed especially excited and happy. The Fly was followed by Mysterious Ways and Until the End of the World as usual, but I just love four straight opening songs off Achtung Baby. And it doesn’t hurt that Larry starts Even Better than the Real Thing with his pounding drums and then he and his drum kit turn around and face behind the stage where I am during Mysterious Ways. But the inner circle wasn’t that crowded, so I moved from my usual spot behind the stage and stood toward the side of the stage during Until the End of the World and I Will Follow and actually got pictures of the whole band. During Until the End of the World, Bono again said “Bass and Drums” and then “Love and Peace.” He went on to say, “What sort of magic night is this? St. Louis. Missouri. Warm summer night.” During I Will Follow, Bono said the most important word of the night was ‘surrender.’ He sang, “I surrender. St. Louis. We surrender.”

I Will Follow

As if I wasn’t excited enough, or hot enough, from Get on Your Boots, one of my favorite parts of the 360 show, Bono started his usual talk before I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. He read the set list from a show U2 played in St. Louis 30 years ago. I thought they would play an impromptu old song, especially when everyone cheered when he read Out of Control, but they didn’t. Then Bono started the band introductions. He said, “So much has changed and yet so much remains the same. Larry is still upset about the fact that we changed our name to U2 from the Larry Mullen Band. And there are some people here who agree with him.” With that Larry busted out laughing. Everyone thinks Bono was referring to me, and maybe he was since both he and Larry did clearly notice me on the way to the stage. Please watch my video of Bono’s band introductions.

Bono

That St. Louis show was so hot and humid that Bono took off his signature jacket during the second or third song and performed in his tee shirt. Then he left Edge to introduce Stay while he went down into the underworld to change his shirt. During Beautiful Day Bono shouted,” Turn the lights on Willie. I want to see these people.” Then during Elevation, Bono brought up some new U2 fans on stage. As hot as it was, U2 chose the St. Louis to wear their lighted jackets during Zooropa and City of Blinding Lights. I love Larry in that black jacket (it’s so Elvis), but I can’t believe they chose the hottest show of the tour to wear them. In the past, it had only been at the colder shows. During City of Blinding Lights, Bono brought up a young boy with him to run around the cat walk – again during the hottest show of the tour.

Beautiful Day

new U2 fans on stage for Elevation

Bono says Goodbye to boy he brought up for COBL

It was so hot that Adam went shirtless under his jacket during I’ll Go Crazy. After watching Larry start I’ll Go Crazy, turn around facing the back during Sunday Bloody Sunday, and his drum solo during Scarlet, I walked around to Adam’s side of the inner circle to watch the rest of the show. Even though I like Edge’s side better, I knew U2 would leave through the tunnel on Adam’s side of the inner circle. As they walked by very quickly, I shouted out to Larry and he waved and smiled, but at my friend Chuck not at me.

Larry I

hot Larry, literally

One

July 17th was the 8th anniversary of my beloved Grandmother’s death, so maybe Grandmom had a hand in making that U2 360 show in St. Louis special for me. It was a great night! A fantastic show! One of my favorites! People who weren’t there have asked me why the St. Louis show was better than the others because there wasn’t anything extraordinary about the set list. It is hard to really put into words unless you were there. It was just a feeling we all had who were at the show. There was an amazing energy that night in St. Louis!

 

The set list from the U2 360 show in St. Louis was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Many Rivers to Cross, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime – Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

St. Louis Arch after the show

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U2 360 PHILADELPHIA 7.14.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , on November 28, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 62 – JULY 14 – U2 360 #12 – PHILADELPHIA

The U2 360 show in Philadelphia was a great show, made even better because I shared it with my old Elevation tour friends as well as couple new friends from the 360 tour, especially since it was because of U2 Elevation show in Philadelphia 10 years ago that we became friends. U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent, not the remix version. They hadn’t played Magnificent since Anaheim1 on June 17th. It took the place of The Fly, but in the 6th spot in the set list not the usual 2nd. U2 ended the show by singing Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela.

U2 360 Philadelphia 7.14.11

I took a cab from my fabulous Hotel Palomar to Lincoln Financial Field around 3. I walked around the stadium and ran into Ayaz, Kim and Abbey – my friends from the Elevation tour. I finally arrived at the spot where U2 was going to drive in. Along the way, I met Christine and Natasha whom I’ve been talking with on Facebook. Christine also lives in Maryland, and Natasha is also a huge Larry fan who is considering moving to Maryland. My old Elevation friends Jenny and Tasha were also there. U2 drove in after 4pm. Bono came out to greet everyone, but the Philly fans got a little too excited and I couldn’t even get near Bono to see him, let alone talk with him. He didn’t stay very long, and I don’t blame him.

the Linc in Philly

you can see the top of Bono's green hat

After sort of seeing Bono, Natasha and I walked back around the stadium and went to the front of the GA line to watch everyone enter. I got to talk with my friend Beth for a little bit and finally met Anthony! I also got to catch up a bit with Cathal, author of Me and U2. We heard the crew sound check Breathe and U2 sound check Magnificent, so it wasn’t a real surprise when they played it. Unfortunately, no Breathe though. Natasha and I went into the stadium after the enter GA line filed in. It was quite a complicated walk down to the inner circle, which was already pretty crowded at 5:30. In fact, Adam’s side was closed.

me, Beth, Anthony

GA line in Philly

the claw in Philly

crowded GA in Philly at 6pm

We went into Edge’s side of the inner circle and stood behind the stage to get our spot to watch U2 enter the stadium and go on stage. Rob, another friend from the Elevation days, joined us – as did Jenny and my new friend Andrew. I met Chris who I’ve been talking with on Twitter. Jenny and I were wearing our ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts and Natasha was wearing her ‘It’s All About Drums’ shirt. Dallas said Hello, shook my hand and complimented me on my hat and then said, ‘\”its not about the drums its about the guitar.” When opening band Interpol walked on stage which wasn’t until after 7:45, the drummer noticed our shirts and pointed at us. Then after their set when they were walking off stage, the drummer gave his drumsticks to Jenny and said, “This is for my love of Larry.”

Interpol's drum sticks

There were again issues with venue security moving us away from where U2 walks onto the stage, but we found Rocco and he straightened it out again for us like he did in Anaheim. It’s great that U2 and their crew really care about their fans. I just wish they would communicate better with venue security.

Adam and Larry walk to the stage

The inner circle was especially crowded. People were even in my spot on the back rail behind the stage. It was great to watch the show with my new friend Natasha and my old Elevation friends Jenny, Paola, Gina and Rob. It was the standard set list, except for the replacement of The Fly with the original Magnificent, Hallelujah into Streets (first time I heard it) and Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela – even though it was 4 days away and may have made more sense to sing it at the St. Louis show. At the end of Mysterious Ways, Bono sings, “Young American. Philadelphia.” During Until the End of the World, Bono said, “Bass and Drums!” and then “Love and Peace!” I love it when he says ‘Love and Peace!’ It reminds me of the Vertigo tour. I have a Love and Peace drum pin from the Hard Rock and my Christmas card this year says ‘Peace, Love, Joy.’

Larry I'll Go Crazy

After Magnificent, Bono said, “Wow! That is a great start! Thank you SO much! Philadelphia!” There weren’t really any extensive band introductions. Bono just named everyone and again thanked the fans for their patience while he was recovering from his back surgery. He commented on what a special unity there is between U2 and their fans. He did say they were in the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, to which I booed loudly. I don’t think Bono knows that the team is led by a dog killer. During City of Blinding Lights, Bono sang, “City of brotherly and sisterly blinding lights.” During Walk On, Bono said, “A message of love from the city of brotherly love all the way to Asia.”

Bono and Edge Sunday Bloody Sunday

At the end of the show, we went back to tunnel where U2 would exit. Larry again took off his shirt on the way to his car. On the way out of the stadium, I met Steve who I’ve been talking with on Twitter. It didn’t take too long to get a cab back to the hotel. U2 ended at 11:30, and I was back at my hotel by 12:30. Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Philadelphia.

With or Without You

The set list for U2 360 in Philadelphia was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / It’s Only Rock and Roll, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender, Happy Birthday.

end of the show in Philly

The day after the U2 show I relaxed in my lovely suite at the Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia before my long 16 hour drive to St. Louis for the U2 360 show on Sunday.

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On the Road to PHILADELPHIA on the U2 360 tour

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 28, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 55 – JULY 7

While other U2 fans headed to the shows in Montreal, I took a little break. After the fantastic U2 360 show in Chicago on July 5, I rested for a day in the hotel and then headed off to Milwaukee – only 90 minutes away. Luckily the fabulous Aloft hotel let us check in at 11:30am. I left the dogs in the room, put my sneakers on and walked around Milwaukee. I walked through the old historic German district to get to my first destination – Bronz Fonz. My whole reason for visiting Milwaukee was to see the Fonzie statue. Happy Days has been my favorite television show since I was little. It took place in Milwaukee, although it wasn’t actually filmed there. Fonzie is on the Riverwalk along the Milwaukee River across from the Rock Bottom Brewery.

me and Fonzie

After admiring the Bronz Fonz, I talked with a local who told me all about Milwaukee. Then I walked about a mile to Summerfest, which is the largest festival in the world. It goes on for 11 days and has at least 5 stages. The entire festival was on concrete, so no mud. There were lots of vendors with food (great pizza from Zaffiro’s, drink, clothes, jewelry, etc. It was really great – actually as much of a fair as a music festival. I was there early, so I saw some of the unknown bands but they were very good. I saw Alison Scott from Minneapolis and this great band from Milwaukee, who I didn’t catch their name, but really enjoyed them. After they performed seven U2 songs were played at they changed the set for the next band: Pride, New Year’s Day, With or Without You, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bad, Where the Streets Have No Name. I stayed for all seven songs of course.

Summerfest 2011

After a few hours walking around Summerfest, I started my mile and a half walk back to the Aloft hotel. I stopped by the Milwaukee Public Market, walked along the Milwaukee River on the Riverwalk and stopped at the Cheese Mart to get dinner.

my Milwaukee stuff

I loved, loved, loved Milwaukee and would move there if it didn’t snow from November through March – I am not a fan of winter. It still has the old architecture – not all modern buildings. It isn’t crazy crowded with traffic or pedestrians like Chicago. It is a clean city and the people were very nice. I just had a really great feeling there, like it was home. A feeling I’ve only had on this trip when I was in Palm Springs – similar feeling to what I have when I’m in Memphis and Maryland – home. Please watch my video of my great day in Milwaukee.

I love Milwaukee!

DAY 56 – JULY 8

After my beautiful day (and night) in Milwaukee, I left for Canton, OH to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I had to drive back through Chicago on my eight-hour drive from Milwaukee to Canton. I arrived at the Hall of Fame just after 3:30. Since it wasn’t hot, I parked in the shade and left the dogs in the car while I toured the museum. They were fine as I was only in the Hall of Fame for about an hour because I was really only interested in the Denver Broncos stuff.

Football Hall of Fame Canton, OH

The first thing I saw when I walked in was a giant photo of Shannon Sharpe because he was finally being inducted into the Football Hall of Fame this year! They also had Shannon’s shoes with ‘Big Play Shay #84′ printed on the tongue and a plaque about Shannon being the #1 Tightend. Reminded me of a sign I made once and took it to the game. It read, “Shannon Sharpe #1 TightEnd, #1 in my heart.”

Shannon Sharpe

Big Play Shay

My favorite player John Elway was inducted seven years ago. There was plenty about Elway in the Hall of Fame including a display about ‘The Drive,’ a football commemorating his 50,000 yards passing, a replica of his locker and of course the bronze head for the enshrinement with plaque about his achievements. I couldn’t see Shannon’s bronze head because he wasn’t inducted until a few weeks after I was at the Hall of Fame. There was also mention of U2′s halftime performance at the Superbowl after 9/11. Please watch my video of my day at the Football Hall of Fame.

John Elway

Elway

even U2 is in the Football Hall of Fame

my Football Hall of Fame stuff

DAYS 57-60 – JULY 9-12

I spent the next four days after Canton at my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland. Unfortunately, my parents weren’t there, but it was still a nice little break from the road. On the way home, I stopped at Ledo’s for the best pizza in the world! While home I got the Saturn’s oil changed, did laundry, got groceries for my final two weeks on the road and had lunch with my best friend and her two daughters.

the best pizza in the world - Ledo's

Cilla and Elvis happy to be home

DAY 61 – JULY 13

I left for Philadelphia exactly two months after I had left Memphis to start my U2 360 tour, which was also the 26th anniversary of Live Aid also in Philadelphia. I had driven 14,362 miles so far. Growing up in Baltimore, I had been to Philadelphia many, many times, but never to that part of the city. I stayed at the wonderful Hotel Palomar in the arts district - many shops and restaurants all around. The staff at the Hotel Palomar was fantastic! They upgraded me to a one bedroom suite for my three night stay, complete with refrigerator, microwave, sleeper sofa, 2 flatscreen tvs, a separate bedroom and living room and a huge bathroom. They framed an 8×10 picture of Elvis and Cilla and left them treats, beds and bowls. They left me bottled water and fruit. It was a great hotel!

my suite at the Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia

After unpacking, organizing and having lunch, I took a cab to Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing to see Soundgarden. I bought a fanclub GA, so we were let into the venue before the regular GA. My friend Emily joined me in line. We got to the front rail on the left - Edge side. Basically the same place I was last year when I saw Soundgarden at Lollapalooza. I was talking with a guy named Andrew who also saw Soundgarden at Lollapalooza last year. He is the lead singer of a band called Shadowplay, which I have come to realize are very good.

Soundgarden Philadelphia 7.13.11

After a crazy and an annoying opening band, Mars Volta, Soundgarden took the stage at 8:45. They played my favorites Spoonman, My Wave, Fell on Black Days, Rusty Cage, and Black Hole Sun.  They were great and seemed really excited that the Philly audience was so enthusiastic. Chris Cornell even said something like, ‘Finally a real crowd.’ Philly concerts are usually really great.  About halfway through the show after Fell on Black Days (my favorite Soundgarden song), I moved off the front rail. I just couldn’t take it anymore. The audience was getting a bit rowdy and crowd surfing. I thought I would move back or to the side to have some room. I kept walking back, but it never cleared out. It was jammed with people everywhere. I think it was more crowded than U2 GA. Festival Pier is just basically a parking lot – no seats anywhere, just a big concrete area. Please watch my videoof the Soundgarden show in Philadelphia.

me on the front rail for Soundgarden

Soundgarden from the front

Chris Cornell

Soundgarden from the back

Festival Pier in Philly

The night after the Soundgarden show in Philly was the U2 show in Philly. This would start my last leg of the U2 360 tour, with my final five shows in Philadelphia, St. Louis, New Jersey, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh. I wouldn’t be doing any sight seeing though, just driving back and forth to the concerts.

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U2 360 CHICAGO 7.5.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 52 – JULY 4

My friends Tasha and Amy and I spent the 4th of July in Chicago walking up and down Michigan Avenue. We ran into some of our U2 friends, had lunch at the Purple Pig and hung out in Millenium Park before relaxing in our room at the Hotel Monaco. We had thought about going to the White Sox game, but decided against it. We should have gone because we found out later that Larry was there with the U2 360 crew.

Chicago River

Millenium Park fountain

Chicago Tribune Building

me, Amy, Tasha

DAY 53 – JULY 5 – U2 360 #11 – CHICAGO

The U2 360 show in Chicago, which was my 70th U2 show since 1992, was amazing!!!! U2 played Out of Control, which they haven’t played in the US on the 360 tour! I like it so much better than I Will Follow. It has a better energy, much more excited. I had been wanting them to play it all tour. The shock of the night was when U2 closed the show with the spur of the moment addition of One Tree Hill, which they haven’t played in the US since 1987! I love One Tree Hill as it is off my favorite album The Joshua Tree. We met The Edge before the show and saw John Cusack watching the show. A great, great show – my favorite U2 360 show, along with Anaheim2. Soldier Field was the only venue where I saw U2 on two different legs of the 360 tour.

U2 360 Chicago 7.5.11

The day of U2 show in Chicago Tasha and I stayed in the hotel all morning and early afternoon. We had lunch in the hotel restaurant before going to Soldier Field. Since it is 2 miles from our hotel, we took a cab because we didn’t want to pay $46 for parking or get stuck in traffic after. We arrived at the stadium around 2:30 and waited for U2 to arrive. We knew exactly where to wait because we were at Soldier Field in 2009 for the U2 360 opener of the US tour.

U2 in Chicago

Around 5:30, U2 arrived at Soldier Field. I’m not sure who arrived first because we couldn’t see who was in what car, except we did see Edge and Bono drive in. A few minutes later, Edge walked back out to greet the fans. I was surprised because it was a good 5 or 10 minutes after he drove in, plus no one had stopped to greet the fans since Bono did in Oakland almost exactly a month ago. Edge went to the other side of the street to sign autographs, so we didn’t think we would get the chance to meet him, but we did! He came to our side of the street and directly toward us. I had met Edge back on Elevation and gotten his autograph, so I just wanted a picture with him. Tasha asked if we could take a photo with him, but he said no. So we shook his hand – his guitar playing hand! I asked him if Larry was coming out. He said, “I can’t say for sure. I can’t speak for Larry.” I thanked him for coming out to greet us, but Tasha said it was too late and I had already offended him. I don’t think Edge had a sense of humor about it like Bono did in Seattle and Oakland.

meeting The Edge

After meeting The Edge, we went into the stadium, went to the bathroom, got a drink and was inside the inner circle by 6pm or so. I started out on Adam’s side because that’s where Tasha wanted to be, but it was getting too crowded for me where she was standing, so I left when Interpol started. I did not love Interpol, but didn’t hate them either. I would see them 5 more times. They never did grow on me, but they were alright. I went over to Edge’s side of the inner circle because I wanted to watch U2 walk onto the stage, even though there were coming out of the tunnel on Adam’s side. I finally got stable video of all 4 walking in and if I’m not mistaken Larry winked and waved to me. Please watch my video of U2 entering Soldier Field.

here they come

Larry!

During the opener Even Better Than the Real Thing, I made my way back over to Adam’s side of the inner circle. Bono said, “Aw yeah ChiTown in the summer. Where ya gonna take us tonight?” Before The Fly , Bono said, “A whole side of Achtung Baby for you.” But it wasn’t. During The Fly, Bono again screamed “Achtung Y’all!” like in the ZooTv days. During Mysterious Ways, Bono sang a snippet from Trying To Throw Your Arms Around the World. I was really hoping for an all Achtung Baby concert at some point in the tour since it was the 20th anniversary, but that never happened.

After Until the End of the World, instead of I Will Follow, U2 played Out of Control – finally! I had been wanting to hear Out of Control the entire tour. It is such a great song, so much energy, so much better than I Will Follow. I went nuts as soon as it started! Bono mentioned that it was their first single and he had met the love of his life the same time he met Larry, Edge and Adam. After Out of Control, U2 went right into Get On Your Boots. This was an amazing back to back combo of songs full of excitement and energy. It was at this point I knew that the Chicago show was going to be my favorite of the 360 tour – tied with Anaheim2. Please watch my video of Out of Control.

Get on Your Boots

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

After Get on Your Boots, Bono started talking. This is usually the part where he introduces the band, but he talked about them more than actually introduced them. Bono said that Larry and Adam had been in Chicago for the 4th of July, just as Tasha and I were. Bono said, “Larry watched the White Sox win last night.” I knew I should have gone to that White Sox game! Bono introduced I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For saying, “This is a single off The Joshua Tree for Island Records circa 1987.” Then in the middle says that John Cusack is in the house, “Happy Birthday John.” And at the end, dedicated it to Clarence Clemmons by singing a bit of Jungle Land. During Elevation, Bono said, “Take me to the other side. I’m in Larry Mullen’s band.”

I

After Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, we went back to get a spot to watch U2 walk out – we could see their cars waiting for them in the tunnel. We could also see John Cusack watching the show! After With or Without You, Bono said that two days ago was the 25th anniversary of Greg Caroll’s death and they had written a song about it, but they weren’t going to play it. The crowd booed, so Bono said they would discuss it and maybe play it after Moment of Surrender. They played a snippet of One Tree Hill after and then Bono said, “Ok here’s the deal. If we screw up really badly, you can’t put it on the internet. Fair?” Then Edge was trying to figure out how to play it and shouted, “For fuck’s sake!” Luckily for us Edge figured it out and U2 played One Tree Hill for the first time in the US since 1987. It was amazing, especially when the drums and bass kicked in! I went nuts. The Joshua Tree is my favorite album and I didn’t see the Joshua Tree tour because I was only 14, so anything played from it is a gift to me! Please watch my video of One Tree Hill.

a really bad, fuzzy picture of John Cusack

U2 left the stage and made their way toward us. Adam waved to Tasha. Larry just walked by. As they were almost to their cars, Larry and Adam simultaneously took off their shirts and got into their cars! We walked the 2 miles from Soldier Field back to our hotel, and so did a lot of other people – there was actually a pedestrian traffic jam.

there they go

mass exit from Soldier Field

U2 360 in Chicago was such a fantastic show! My favorite of the tour, along with Anaheim2. There was a great energy in Soldier Field and the inner circle was really crowded, even where I stood behind the stage. The set list for the U2 360 show in Chicago was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Tryin To Throw Your Arms / Independent Women, Until the End of the World, Out Of Control, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / The Promised Land, Stay – In the Wee Small Hours, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights – My Kind of Town, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – Battle Hymn of the Republic, One, Will You Love Me Tomorrow / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me / My Kind of Town, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / One Tree Hill, One Tree Hill.

 

Tasha left, and I spent the next day in my hotel room, which is the best way to spend the day after a U2 show. I had a week before my next U2 360 show in Philadelphia.

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U2 360 NASHVILLE 7.2.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 49 – JULY 1

After the U2 show in Miami Wednesday night, I spent Thursday relaxing in my fabulous suite in the fantastic Epic hotel. I left Miami at 6am est Friday morning and should have arrived in Nashville around 7pm cst. But because of horrible traffic around Atlanta, I didn’t make it to Nashville until 9pm. I was in the car 16 hours driving over 925 miles. I was exhausted. Elvis and Cilla were exhausted. By the time I got checked in at the Hotel Indigo, unpacked and walked the dogs, it was after 10pm. I should have known better than to try to make it from Miami to Nashville in one day, especially when that one day was the Friday of 4thof July weekend.

terrible Atlanta traffic

sunset in tennessee

after the sunset

DAY 50 – JULY 2 – U2 360 #10 – NASHVILLE

The U2 360 show in Nashville was fantastic, which was a nice reward for that long trafficy 16 hour drive from Miami the day before. It was the 50th day on my U2 360 across America tour, my 10th show that leg of the tour, my 69th U2 show overall and the 100th show of the entire 360 tour. I had been really looking forward to the Nashville show not only because it was sort of my hometown show (3 hours from Memphis where I lived at the time), but also because U2 hadn’t played in Nashville since 1981. I wasn’t disappointed. There were some great moments at that U2 360 show in Nashville. U2 played The Wanderer for the first time, honoring Johnny Cash. And after Moment of Surrender as U2 was walking off stage, Bono pulled a blind guy up on stage who played guitar while the band came back and played All I Want is You and then Bono gave him his green ‘goal is soul’ guitar.

U2 360 Nashville 7.2.11

My friend Tasha flew in the morning of the U2 show in Nashville. We relaxed in our hotel room in the morning, then had lunch at Blackstone on the way to Vanderbilt Stadium, which was about a 7 block walk. We arrived at the stadium and talked with old U2 friends and met new ones. We immediately discovered where the band was going to enter – we saw the signs for the dressing rooms on the building attached to the stadium. Since it was hot and sunny, we decided to stand in the parking garage to wait for them. We had a great view of where U2 would get out of their cars and enter the building, or if they walked out to sign autographs and take pictures we could run down to meet them.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville

U2 fans old and new gathering in Nashville

the claw in Nashville

'backstage' (photo by Sharon Foster)

After a couple hours, everyone figured out where we were and joined behind us. Edge arrived first, waited in the car a while, and then went into the building. We noticed that Edge’s car had a Shelby County license plate, which is Memphis. Then we saw Willie Williams give Edge’s security guy a Sun Studio tee shirt. Were U2 in Memphis visiting Sun Studio and Graceland without me? Bono arrived next and started to walk toward us, but Brian pulled him back saying they didn’t have time. Adam and Larry arrived at the same time. Adam got out of the car first and went into the building. Larry then got out of his car and smiled and waved to the fans then went into the building. I didn’t get to speak to Larry, but this was the first time this tour I saw him arrive at the stadium and get out of his car and wave to us. Please watch my video of U2 arriving at Vanderbilt stadium in Nashville.

Bono arrives in Nashville (photo by Sharon Foster)

Larry arrives in Nashville (photo by Tasha Hindman)

Hi Larry! (photo by Tasha Hindman)

We easily made it into the inner circle, even though it was a small college stadium. This was the last show Florence and the Machine opened, which was fine with me. I watched the show in Nashville from Adam’s side of the stage because Tasha loves Adam. Also, U2 entered from Adam’s side of the stage, so for only the second time I didn’t watch U2 walk under the stage from Edge’s side.

U2 enter Vanderbilt Stadium

so close yet so far away

During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono said, “In a sea of songs, where you going to take us tonight Music City?” Before The Fly, Bono said, “Nashville, Tennessee! With love from Berlin 1991. The Fly,” And then again in the middle shouted “Achtung Y’all!” Bono pulled our friend Dan up on stage during I Will Follow – it was Dan’s birthday. There was a lot of echo during I Will Follow, which I don’t remember before.

Until the End of the World

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

During the band introductions, Bono mentions that U2 hadn’t played Nashville since 1981 and then says his name is Bono and they are a band from Dublin, Ireland. Bono went on to say, “Behind me the man who gave us our first job and made us as a result unemployable for anything else. He’s a handsome man. He’s a thoughtful man. And he’s had that haircut since 1981. Larry Mullen on the drums.” Please watch my video of Bono’s band introductions. Before I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono said, “In a city of masters, we’re students. We’ll stay students.” Later in the song, Bono said that their friend Cowboy Jack Clement was in the audience. Clement worked with Sam Phillips at Sun Studio in Memphis and recorded Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. Clement recorded U2 at Sun Studio for Rattle and Hum. Immediately following Still Haven’t Found, Bono started singing The Wanderer trying to imitate Johnny Cash’s voice. At the end, he said, “forgive us Johnny.” This was the first time The Wanderer had ever been played at a U2 concert. Please watch my video of The Wanderer. I heard the audience cheer for the first time when Bono sang, ‘a shout rings out in the MEMPHIS sky’ during Pride.

Larry I'll Go Crazy

Bono on the bridge

After Moment of Surrender, Edge, Larry and Adam were walking off stage when Bono announced they had a special guest. A guy appeared on stage and played guitar to All I Want is You while the rest of the band joined in. He dedicated the song to his wife and then Bono gave him his green ‘Goal is Soul’ guitar. Security was really annoying and wouldn’t let us stand to watch U2 walk out of the stadium, but we managed anyway. After screaming LARRY a few times, he finally turned to me and smiled and waved. As we were walking out of the stadium, we noticed the fan who was on stage playing All I Want is You was walking out right in front of us. He was blind, and he didn’t have the guitar with him. He said he had a sign saying something like ‘pull a blind man up on stage’ and they were mailing him the guitar. He also said he didn’t realize what was going on. He thought the concert was over and then Bono pulled him up on stage. I later realized he was the same guy who had been emailing me earlier that day looking for a GA ticket. Please watch my video with that fan, Adam, playing All I Want is You with U2.

Larry looking at me because I was standing next to Tasha who was taking the picture (photo by Tasha Hindman)

Tasha behind Adam who played All I Want is You with U2

The U2 360 show in Nashville was a great show! It bumped Baltimore out of the spot for my second favorite show, and may even be better than Seattle – although Larry did shake my hand at the Seattle show. But in Nashville I saw Larry arrive and get out of the car and walk into the building, which I hadn’t seen Larry arrive at any of the previous 9 shows. We got two extra songs in Nashville - the first time playing of The Wanderer in memory of Johnny Cash, whom I love, and All I Want is You was played with a fan on stage who got to keep the guitar. Also I got to hang out with a lot of my friends – Tasha, Chuck, Jennifer, Melissa, and others. I didn’t take many pictures, which is proof I was really into the show. It was hot though – hotter than Baltimore even. Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Nashville.

my typical view during 360, but this time from the left

The set list for the Nashville 360 show was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / The Wanderer, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Psycho Killer / Life During Wartime, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – You’ll Never Walk Alone, One, Amazing Grace / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender, All I Want Is You.

Streets


DAY 51 – JULY 3

On Sunday, the morning after the U2 show in Nashville, we drove to Hendersonville about a half hour away to visit Johnny Cash’s grave. Tasha and I are both big Johnny Cash fans and had never been to his grave, even though I had lived in Memphis the past 3 years. After Hendersonville, we passed by the Corvette museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky and stopped at Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace in Kentucky before we made our way to Chicago for the U2 show Tuesday.

Johnny Cash gravesite

RIP JR and June

Abe Lincoln was born in Kentucky?

Tim and Beth spotted us on the road to Chicago after the U2 show in Nashville

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U2 360 MIAMI 6.29.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAYS 45 & 46 – JUNE 27 & 28

Days 45 and 46 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from East Lansing, Michigan to Miami, Florida – 1,426 miles bringing my miles driven over 10,500 miles and still had 8 more shows to go. I left Michigan Monday morning after the U2 show Sunday night, drove through Dayton and Cincinatti, Ohio, drove through the blinding rain in Kentucky, and stayed the night at a Motel 6 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tuesday morning I left Chattanooga, got stuck in Atlanta traffic, drove through Macon, Georgia, drove through the blinding rain in Florida as U2′s Summer Raincoincidently came on my Ipod, and finally arrived at the lovely Epic Hotel in Miami at 8:00pm. After 2 long days of driving, it was wonderful to relax in such a fabulous hotel!

scary florida sky

The Resort Manager at the Epic heard about my U2 360 tour across America and graciously upgraded me to a fabulous suite with separate living room, bedroom, huge bathroom, and a wrap around balcony with doors off the living room and bedroom. I could have lived there! Because she knew I had a long drive from Michigan and would be arriving late, the manager had a cheese plate and chilled white wine waiting for me – and this amazing chocolate U2 guitar! There were also framed pictures of my Elvis and Cilla and U2. Please watch my video of my drive from Michigan to Miami and my tour of my fabulous suite at the Epic hotel in Miami.

Epic hotel welcomes Elvis & Cilla

view from the balcony of my fabulous suite at the fantastic epic hotel in miami

my yummy chocolate U2 guitar

Because this suite was so fabulously relaxing, I decided to stay the day after the U2 show and drive to Nashville on Friday (all in one day) for the U2 show on Saturday. I would learn to regret that decision because I didn’t realize it was the Friday of the 4thof July holiday weekend and traffic was horrible, especially through Atanta. But at the time I just wanted to stay in one place for more than a day – and it was such a fabulous hotel.

Cilla and Elvis loved our suite

DAY 47 – JUNE 29 – U2 360 #9 – MIAMI

The U2 360 show in Miami was great! It was the same set list as East Lansing except U2 played North Star for the first time in the US. I had a great Larry moment during I’ll Go Crazy. It was hot in Miami, but not as hot as it was in Baltimore.

U2 360 in Miami

I spent the first half of the day relaxing in my fabulous suite at the wonderful Epic hotel. I left the hotel at 2:00 and was parked at Sun Life Stadium about 10 miles away by 3pm. Luckily I didn’t have to walk too far to find out where everyone was waiting for U2 to arrive. Around 5:30 U2 finally arrived, but again did not stop. I guess since they stopped and greeted the fans the first 4 shows I went to, I just assumed they would stop every time. I guess I shouldn’t have taken it for granted when I spoke with Bono in Seattle and Oakland.

welcome to Sun Life Stadium

U2 360 Miami 6.29.11

Sun Life Stadium

There was still a GA line at when I was ready to go in at 6pm, so I had to wait in line. I got into the inner circle with my Happy Birthday re-entry stamp. I stayed on Edge’s side of the inner circle so I could watch U2 enter under the stage. While waiting, I hung out with Rick, as I do most shows, and Dave and his son Joshua (yes named after The Joshua Tree). I met Patty whom I had been chatting with on Twitter. I would see Patty again in Pittsburgh and then we would chat a lot more after the tour, after I realized she loved Larry too. The inner circle was pretty full by 7pm. Florence and the Machine didn’t start until 7:45. Florence ran into the stadium in her bare feet with her arms spread out as if she was flying down the walkway out of the tunnel and onto the stage.

the claw in Miami

my Happy Birthday inner circle re-entry stamp

U2 didn’t come on until 9:15. During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono shouted, “Miami! My Mammy!” just like Popmart. Bono again shouted ‘Achtung Y’all!’ during The Fly and introduced it circa 1991. It has taken me 20 years, but The Fly has become one of my favorite songs. During the band introductions, Bono talked about the many stadiums of Miami: Joe Robbie, Pro Player, Sun Life. He said they had played them all. I’m not if he realized they were all the same stadiums – just different names over the years. Bono went on to say that U2 had played some of their best shows in Miami and had opened ZooTv there, but he didn’t mention opening and closing the Elevation tour in Miami. Bono talked about how Irish people can’t dance. He said, “Larry Mullen he doesn’t even try to dance.” U2 debuted North Star in the US, in the place where Stay or Stuck in a Moment is usually played. After, Bono said maybe they should have rehearsed it a little. I thought it sounded fine. Please watch my video of the first US performance of North Star.

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

Larry and Sammy I'll Go Crazy

During I’ll Go Crazy Larry looked at me, smiled and mouthed something to me. I’m not sure what it was, maybe ‘Hi’ or ‘Thanks’, but we locked eyes for a few moments. At the end of I’ll Go Crazy, Bono again said, “Miami. My Mammy.” U2 exited on Adam’s side, even though they had entered on Edge’s side, but Larry did look in my direction as he came down the stairs from the stage. The Miami audience as a whole was enthusiastic and loud, but the folks around me in the inner circle didn’t seem too excited. It took me over 2 hours to get out of the parking lot at Sun Life Stadium, so I didn’t get back to the hotel until almost 2am. Luckily I was staying put the next day, rather than starting my trip to Nashville. Please watch my video overview of the U2 360 show in Miami.

yay Edge

i think Larry is looking at me

The set list for the U2 360 show in Miami was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / The Promised Land, North Star, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Will You Love Me Tomorrow / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

my usual view of 360

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U2 360 EAST LANSING 6.26.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on November 16, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 43 – JUNE 25

Day 43 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from Maryland to Michigan for U2 360′s show at Michigan State University in East Lansing. I left my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland at 10am and arrived in East Lansing, Michigan at 7:30pm – driving 578 miles stopping only twice. It was a long, boring drive along the Pennsylvania and Ohio turnpikes, costing me a total of $22. in tolls. Over the next month, I would drive back and forth across the Pennsylvania and Ohio Turnpikes over and over again. Please watch my video of my drive from Maryland to Michigan.

They were very excited in East Lansing for the U2 360 show. There was a U2 flyer and a newspaper with U2 on the cover at the front desk of my hotel, the Howard Johnson. Apparently U2 hadn’t played in East Lansing since the early 1980s and there hasn’t been a stadium concert there since the Rolling Stones in the early 1990s. I had never been to Michigan before, but I didn’t have time to do any sight seeing. I just had just enough time to drive up from Maryland, see the U2 show, and then drive down to Miami for the next U2 show.

East Lansing loves U2

DAY 44 – JUNE 26 – U2 360 #8 – EAST LANSING

The U2 360 show at Michigan State in East Lansing was good. The same set list as Baltimore, except Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me was played instead of Ultra Violet. It stayed light outside through Elevation, which was really cool because I’ve never seen a U2 show in the daylight before. This East Lansing show was the least crowded 360 show I went to, even though it was sold out. They didn’t sell many GA tickets, so there was plenty of room inside the inner circle and the rest of the floor wasn’t even half full. There were no red zones and the catwalk of the inner circle went almost to the stands.

U2 360 East Lansing 6.26.11

I started off my day in Michigan relaxing in my hotel room, ordered a pizza and walked to Spartan Stadium around 1:30 – it was only about a mile away. I walked around the stadium to the GA line, which seemed very calm and happy. I finally met Lori-Jo (EdgeFest) whom I had been talking with on Twitter. The GA line was right by the entrance the crew was using to go in and out of the stadium, so everyone assumed U2 would be arriving there – but it was at the opposite end of the stage. I walked around the stadium to see if there was anywhere else U2 could drive in. When I returned to where I started, Dallas and Sammy were also walking back. I asked Sammy if U2 were really arriving here in front of the GA line, and he said there was no else they could come in. Then Dallas asked how I was doing and shook my hand. A little while later Rocco informed us that U2 was not doing a sound check, so this indicated to me that U2 was going to arrive very late.

Spartan Stadium at MIchigan State

I decided to go back over to where the catering was set up and where the crew was going in and out of. There was no back stage in the stadium – no dressing rooms. They had set up a ‘backstage’ at the hockey arena around the corner. I waited there, later joined by Beth and Tim. Even though I had met Beth in Denver, I didn’t really hang out with her or get to know her until East Lansing. We stayed until almost 8 and nothing. We saw Florence and the Machine arrive and leave, but no U2.  We learned later that U2 was driven right up to the stadium and let out there. This was the first time on this leg of the tour that I had not seen U2 arrive at the stadium, unfortunately it wouldn’t be my last. This was also the 4thshow in a row that Bono did not stop and greet the fans before the show as he did for the first 4 shows of that final leg of 360.

Beth and me

I went into Spartan Stadium at 8pm and still got inside the inner circle. There was so much room and behind the stage was smaller, narrower. We didn’t have wristbands and were not allowed to go up into the stands for concessions or bathrooms. There were no red zones. I stayed on Adam’s side of the stage because I realized U2 were again going to enter on Adam’s side – this was the first time I haven’t been on Edge’s side of the stage to see them walk under the stage. But they actually entered through the stands – walking down the bleachers through the fans. U2 started their walk to the stage just after 8:45, and it was still light out and stayed light until 9:40 through Elevation. Please watch my video of U2 entering through the stands at Spartan Stadium.

here they come - down the stands through the fans!

I watched the first part of the show from Adam’s side of the stage and could even see Edge. It was nice to have a good view without being squished. True I like it behind the stage, so I can watch Larry, but I also like having a lot of room around me. During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono said, “Go green. Go white. Go orange. Where the you going to take the Irish tonight? You take us higher.”  I was very excited when Bono said, “Achtung Y’all!” during The Flylike he used to on ZooTv. He said it in Anaheim2 and Baltimore, but he seemed to really scream it in East Lansing. During the time Bono usually introduces the band, he said they were very happy to be at MSU and how U2 never made it to university. He said, “U2 became our university. Rolling Stone became our text books. We’re still students. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

Even Better in the daylight

The video screens were black for the Mark Kelly intro to Beautiful Day, but then came back on during the song. Bono did quick band introductions during Elevation saying “Larry Mullen is a prince of a man.” During Mysterious Ways when Larry turned around I went behind the stage. He saw me and gave me a big smile! I went back to up to the side of the stage until the end of the Pride when I went behind the stage and stayed there until Larry started I’ll Go Crazy. I got my usual nod and smile from Larry. Then I moved around to wait for Larry to make his way around the catwalk and watch him trot over the bridge and throw his conga to Sammy.

Bono on the bridge

The East Lansing 360 show was good, but not my favorite. The crowd was loud, but more cheering than singing along like in Baltimore. Although they did really love I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – as they should. This U2 show in East Lansing was the halfway point of my 360 tour – 8 out of the 16 US shows. Please watch my video of an overview of the East Lansing show.

Until the End of the World

The set list was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / The Promised Land, Stay, Beautiful Day – Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / T.V. Eye, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Psycho Killer / Life During Wartime, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone, One, Will You Love Me Tomorrow / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / Jungleland.

Walk On

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U2 360 BALTIMORE 6.22.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on November 14, 2011 by DeenasDays

On Sunday, the morning after the second U2 show in Anaheim I left for my cross country trip to Baltimore. I had just 3 1/2 days to drive 2700 miles from California to Maryland to make it to the U2 show in Baltimore on Wednesday. It was very important that I go to the Baltimore show because it is my hometown show, and I have great memories from the Elevation show in Baltimore 10 years ago. People tried to dissuade me from trying to make this long journey in just 3 1/2 days, but I’ve never really listened to reason. Some said I should either skip the second Anaheim show or skip the Baltimore show in order to have a more relaxing drive. I didn’t want to skip either. I had made this challenge to myself to drive to every U2 show in the US on this leg of the 360 tour, so I had to try. For 3 1/2 days, I survived on subway subs, cheese crackers, pizza, water and sweet tea, stopped at Love’s and spent nights at Motel 6s along the way. But I made it! I left Anaheim, California at 7:30am pacific time Sunday June 19th and arrived at my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland at 11:30am eastern standard time Wednesday June 22nd, the morning of the U2 360 show in Baltimore.

driving

DAY 37 – JUNE 19:  The first day Elvis, Cilla and I drove 777 miles from Anaheim to Albuquerque in 12 hours, stopping just 3 times. I passed through the towns in Arizona and New Mexico along Route 66 that I didn’t get to see last year on my Route 66 road trip from Tulsa to Albuquerque.

DAY 38 – JUNE 20:  The next morning we left Albuquerque at 6:15am, drove 733 miles to Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 11 hours, stopping just twice. It was 104 degrees in Clinton, Oklahoma and so windy that it blew the dogs over. I had wanted to make it to Little Rock or even Memphis, but I just couldn’t do it. I was wiped. It was the first day that I did not enjoy the drive. Although I did enjoy passing by Cadillac Ranch and the Big Texan ranch in Amarillo, Texas where I had so much fun last year.

DAY 39 – JUNE 21:  The third day of our drive we left Ft. Smith at 5:40am, drove 863 miles in 14 hours to Wytheville, Virginia, stopping 4 times including my house in Memphis. We sat in traffic and drove through blinding rain storms.

DAY 40 – JUNE 22 – U2 360 #7 – BALTIMORE

The next morning it was finally Show Day – the reward for my long three-day 2700 mile drive. We left Wytheville, Virginia at 6:10am, drove 326 miles and arrived at my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland at 11:25am, stopping twice. I made it – and with hours to spare before the U2 360 show in Baltimore. Tasha arrived at my parents’ house around 1, and we headed to downtown Baltimore about 20 minutes away. I was born and raised in Baltimore, so this U2 360 show in Baltimore was my hometown show. It was my 66th U2 show and my 7th of this leg of the 360 tour. It was the 10th anniversary of the last show on the 1st leg of Elevation (6.22.01). It was 10 years ago in Baltimore on the Elevation tour when Larry hugged me. Before it even started, this U2 360 show in Baltimore was special to me.

U2 360 Baltimore 6.22.11

When we arrived at Ravens Stadium, we walked around the stadium to see where U2 would arrive, sat under a tree and waited. It was so hot that day in Baltimore. It proved to be one of the hottest shows of the tour, even hotter than Miami. U2 drove in a couple hours after we arrived, but again they did not stop. I was really disappointed because I thought they would definitely stop in Baltimore like that had 10 years prior, plus they hadn’t stopped before either show in Anaheim. We got into the inner circle, and it wasn’t crowded yet. We would have had a great view, but we decided to walk around. We ran into our friends (Mike, Abbey, Rob, Lisa) at the soundboard and watched Florence and the Machine. She was good, but a little too screamy for me. I definitely preferred Lenny Kravitz.

the claw in Baltimore

As I did every show, I went behind the stage to wait for U2 to enter the stadium. This time they came out of the tunnel on Adam’s side, but still walked onto the stage on Edge’s side where I was. As Larry walked by, he smile and waved at me like usual but the look in his eyes was one of surprise that seemed to say, ‘You’re here too? Didn’t I just see you in Anaheim?’ He kept looking at me. Then I was jolted out of my Larry bliss by a severe pain in my arm. A woman I had just met, Cindy, was standing next to me and was SO excited to see Bono walk by that she pinched my arm so hard that it hurt for 3 songs – and bruised for 3 days!

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

During Even Better Than the Real Thing, I ran over to Adam’s side of the inner circle to watch the show with Tasha because she loves Adam. But I ended up watching the show behind the stage so I could watch Larry. Before the band introductions, Bono commented about how hot it was in Baltimore and how beautiful MARY-land is. He said it reminded him of Wicklow in Ireland. When introducing the band, Bono said, “Larry has become a movie star. It had to happen.” Then he joked and said Larry was going to star as Billy Idol in an HBO biopic. On this rare occasion Bono said, “Lawrence Mullen on the drums” rather than Larry Mullen. Bono dedicated Pride to Eunice Shriver and at the end got choked up when the audience continued to sing. At the beginning of I’ll Go Crazy, Larry started walking toward the back and Sammy had to catch up to him to give him his conga. Larry looked down at me and smiled. Then I ran around to the other bridge on Adam’s side to wait for Larry to make his way back to the stage. He smiled at me as he ran by before he threw his conga to Sammy.

Larry I'll Go Crazy

At the end of the show, I wanted to watch U2 leave thinking maybe Larry would come over to me like he did in Seattle. We could see their cars parked in the tunnel – they were so close they were almost inside the stadium. When they left the stage, U2 walked straight to their cars, they didn’t even look over to us. But I kept watching Larry. He was almost at his car when he tore off his shirt, and I saw his naked back! Then he put on a black robe. That was almost as good as a handshake. We watched the cars pull away and stood there soaking (and screaming) in the moment. Then someone from the crew came over to me and gave me the set list.

U2 360 Baltimore set list

The set list for Baltimore was similar to Anaheim2. Both shows were used sort of as a rehearsal for the Glastonbury Festival that followed. Magnificent was still not played, and they kept The Fly and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. One and Streets were moved back to their regular spots. 40 was soundchecked, but not played. The Baltimore audience went nuts for Beautiful Day and again for Streets. They really sang along with Still Haven’t Found and Pride, proving my point that these two songs should never leave the set list. The Baltimore crowd surprised me with their enthusiasm. It was the loudest crowd I heard the entire 360 tour. Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Baltimore.

Bono and Edge

The set list for U2 360 in Baltimore was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / The Promised Land, Stay / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone, One, Amazing Grace / Where the Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love, Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / Jungleland

(photo by Beth Nabi)


Elvis, Cilla and I spent the next two days after the Baltimore show relaxing at my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland eating Ledo’s pizza before heading up to Michigan for next U2 show in East Lansing.

Elvis & Cilla were glad to be home - even if only for a couple days

and we're all glad to have Ledo's pizza

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U2 360 ANAHEIM2 6.18.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on November 11, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 36 – JUNE 18 – U2 360 #6 – ANAHEIM2

Anaheim was the only city where U2 played two back to back shows on that final leg of the 360 tour. I almost didn’t go to the second show because it was on a Saturday night, and I had to drive across the country in 3 days to make it to the show in Baltimore on Wednesday night. People were trying to get me to skip the show to make the drive easier, but I decided to stay. And thank goodness I did because because Anaheim2 was my favorite show of the U2 360 tour.

U2 360 Anaheim2 6.18.11

I stayed in my hotel room until I left for the stadium at 2:30. I didn’t get lost that second day, so I arrived very quickly. I got my GA wristband and went around to wait for U2 to arrive. They again arrived in 2 helicopters and again did not stop.

Angels Stadium

I went inside after the GA line had already gone in. It was a more relaxed feel tonight. The inner circle wasn’t as crowded. I again got a soda and sat in the stands until Lenny Kravitz came on. As I walked around the general admission, I saw Cindy Crawford. She was stunning and very nice – posing for pictures.

Lenny Kravitz

Cindy Crawford

I saw my friends Chuck, Matt, Melissa and Kim. I went behind the stage and stood at the tunnel where U2 walks into the stadium. I again watched the show from behind the stage, so I could watch Larry – as I did almost every show of the tour.

Here they come!

Larry!

there they go

That second night in Anaheim, U2 finally changed the set list – and change it they did! With every new change, I grew more and more excited! For the first and only time in the US, U2 started the show with five straight songs from Achtung Baby, celebrating its 20th anniversary. During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono said, “Southern California. Orange County. Where you gonna take us tonight? You take us higher!” And that they did. The second song of the night was The Fly, which hadn’t been played since 2006 in Hawaii. During The Fly, Bono yelled, “Achtung Ya’ll!” just as he had during ZooTv. Where the Streets Have No Name, which is usually in the encore, was the 6th song of the night.

Streets

During Get on Your Boots right before my favorite LET ME IN THE SOUND!, Bono said, “Larry Mullen do you know how beautiful you are?”Please watch my video of LET ME IN THE SOUND. Bono introduced Larry as “a movie star” saying, “it had to happen.” He went on to say, “our Lawrence plays opposite the great Donald Sutherland in The Man on the Train.” Please watch my video of the band introductions. My favorite part of the night was when U2 finally brought my favorite song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For back into the set list for the first time that leg – and it remained there for the rest of the tour. Bono dedicated it to Quincy Jones, who was in the audience, and said, “This song means a great deal to us.” I cried like a baby, literally tears streaming down my face. This was one of my favorite moments of the entire 360 tour – very special to me.

U2 played Stuck in a Moment instead of Stay, which made me extremely happy. Bono of course dedicated it to Michael Hutchence, but also talked about Edge and how he would be a great neighbor – referring to the petition against him building a house there. Bono also mentioned that it was Edge’s wedding anniversary. The black lighted jackets made a return during Zooropa and City of Blinding Lights. I love Larry in that black leather jacket! Larry smiled at me during I’ll Go Crazy. There was only one encore at that second show in Anaheim. A sixth song from Achtung Baby, Ultra Violet, made its way into the set list for the first time that leg replacing Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me. Before Moment of Surrender, Bono paid tribute to Clarence Clemons who died earlier that day. He sang a part of Jungleland after Moment of Surrender. Magnificent was left out of the set list for the first and only time that leg. I again went back near the tunnel to watch U2 leave the stadium. Larry saw me and smiled and waved and seemed like he wanted to come over, but didn’t – but he kept looking back at me.

 

The set list of my favorite show of the U2 360 tour (Anaheim2) was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Don’t Speak, Until the End of the World, One, Amazing Grace / Where the Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots / She Loves You, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Stuck In a Moment, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / It’s Only Rock and Roll, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Please, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / Never Walk Alone, Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / Jungleland

I had the best time at this show! I am SO glad I didn’t skip it just to get a head start on my cross country drive to Baltimore. Never listen to reason. Follow your passion. This ended part two of my U2 360 road trip. The main sightseeing part of my trip was over. That first month was my favorite part of my trip, even though it only contained one of my favorite shows – traveling out west was my favorite.

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U2 360 ANAHEIM1 6.17.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , on November 9, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 35 – JUNE 17 – U2 360 #5 – ANAHEIM 1

The U2 360 show in Anaheim had the best energy of the first five shows I had seen in the US on that leg. The audience was really into it, but it was the same set list as the previous US shows I had seen. Please watch my video of an overview of Anaheim1, then finish reading.

U2 360 in Anaheim

I spent the day in my hotel room conserving my energy – as I did every show day. I left for Angels Stadium at 2pm. I got a little lost walking to the stadium – I went the wrong way twice. I got to the stadium shortly after 2:30, even though the stadium is just a few blocks from my hotel. I was tired and sweaty, as June Gloom brought the humidity. I think I got a little overheated and dehydrated because I had a terrible migraine the rest of the day and throughout the show.

U2 360 Anaheim 6.17.11

Angels Stadium

Arriving at the stadium, I noticed 2 GA lines on opposite sides of the stadium. I walked around to where I thought the band would drive in and found most of my friends already there waiting. I hung out with Chuck and Michelle, whom I had met in Seattle. I also met Tesh and Danielle. We were in the wrong place, so we moved around to the right place about a half hour later. U2 arrived around 4pm, not in their usual black towncars, but all in one white van. They had flown in on helicopters and landed across the way and then drove over to the stadium. No one stopped, but Larry did smile as he drove by – I like to think it was because he saw my ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirt. This was the first time Bono has not stopped in the US this leg.

Tesh, me, Danielle

We got in the GA line and listened to the soundcheck, which included both The Fly and Ultra Violet, but neither were played in the show. We entered the stadium just after 5pm, got our stamps to re-enter the inner circle and then went up to the stands to sit and relax in the shade. Anaheim Stadium is a beautiful baseball park – the prettiest of all the stadiums I’ve seen.

Michelle, me, Chuck

inside Angels stadium

Lenny Kravitz and his band arrived to the stage in golf carts. They played from 7:30 to about 8:15 and the same set list as the previous four shows I had seen. After Lenny’s performance, I went back to wait for U2 to walk in. The venue security tried to get us to leave, but Rocco, U2’s stage manager, told them we were allowed to stay there to wait for the band. U2 walked to the stage just after 9pm and Larry once again smiled and waved at me as he entered.

here they come!

The inner circle was very crowded, probably because of all the VIPs. I stayed behind the stage for the entire show, which is fine because that’s the best view of Larry anyway. Plus I was nauseated from my migraine that I needed to lean against the railing. During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono said, “End of the June Gloom” referring to the month of humidity and clouds in Southern California. He went on to say, “Angels, where you gonna take us tonight?” referring to the Anaheim Angels baseball team. During Magnificent, Bono again refers to Arch Bishop TuTu as ‘our boss the Arch’, but then went on to say, “our other boss The Edge.”

my view behind the stage

I completely misunderstood the band introductions at the time. It wasn’t until I listened to the bootleg of the show that I understood what Bono had meant. I thought Bono was talking about Larry, but he was talking about Paul McGuinness. Bono said, “Tonight might be the night to toast a man who’s meant so much to this band. A man to whom we owe so much. A man without whom I don’t think we would be here tonight. Without this man, things might have turned out a little differently. Larry Mullen Jr (long pause) would not be a drummer in U2. He’d be a highway patrolman, but in Dublin.” I was screaming so loudly that I didn’t hear the rest of the band introductions. After saying what he, Edge and Adam would be if not in U2, he toasted Paul whose 60th birthday was the day before. And for the first time ever, Paul McGuinness was brought on stage for and we sang Happy Birthday to him. Please watch the video  of the band introductions.

Larry I'll Go Crazy

Bono dedicated Pride to Maria Shriver, who was in the audience. Before Vertigo, Bono said, “Big love across the border – Mexico.” Then went on to say, “Viva Mexico!” During I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Bono said, “How crazy can it get in Anaheim?” After Walk On, Bono again said, “End of the June Gloom Anaheim.” During With or Without You, I went back to wait for U2 to leave. I stood in the same place I did in Seattle (near the tunnel), hoping that Larry would once again grace me with a handshake. Before Moment of Surrender, Bono said, “We’ve never had a bad time in this neighborhood.” Larry didn’t come over to shake my hand, but he did smile and wave at me. So a smile and wave from Larry on the way into the show and on the way out of the show isn’t too shabby.

Good night Anaheim - see you tomorrow

The set list for U2 360 Anaheim 1 was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, The Great Curve / Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, Happy Birthday, All I Want Is You, Stay / In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / Are You Gonna Go My Way, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone, One / United We Stand, Will You Love Me Tomorrow / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

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On the Road to ANAHEIM on the U2 360 tour

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 7, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 28 – JUNE 10

We left Oakland around 7:20am, and it was 55 degrees and arrived in Palm Springs just over 8 hours later and it was 95 degrees. We only stopped twice on our journey south on Route 5 up and down the mountains – again. It was a pretty drive though. But finally it was summer! For the first time since I left Memphis on May 14th, it was above 75 degrees. In fact, one day in Denver it was above 70 and one day in Seattle above 70, otherwise it was cold. Finally on June 10th, summer had arrived!

from oakland to palm springs

I loved Palm Springs! I loved the desert! I was seriously considering moving there. The weather is perfect – hot, but no humidity so it’s cool in the mornings and nights. It is a very dog-friendly town – even restaurants allow them. It’s not crowded, it’s clean and seems safe. Most of the buildings in downtown Palm Springs are very 1960s retro. Our hotel, A Place in the Sun garden hote,l is my new favorite hotel. It is named after one of my favorite movies, A Place in the Sun starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Shelley Winters. The production crew stayed here while they were filming. The hotel is a collection of bungalows situated in a rectangle surrounding the pool with palm trees and mountains in the background. It was gorgeous! It was built in the 1950s, so it was very retro, which I obviously love. There is even a walled in patio, so the dogs had a little space to go off leash. And to make it even better, they upgraded me to a one bedroom bungalow, which is basically like an apartment with a full kitchen, dining room table, 2 couches and tv in the living room, a king bed, closet, and tv in the bedroom. They even had a library of books and movies for me to enjoy. Elvis and Cilla really enjoyed having an apartment with a patio that they could run around in, rather than being in a small hotel room. Palm Springs was my favorite city I visited on my U2 360 tour across America. Please watch my video of Day 28.

Palm Springs!

A Place in the Sun Garden Hotel, my new favorite spot

named after the movie of the same name, one of my favorites

a place in the sun pool

Elvis and Cilla enjoying their patio

DAY 29 – JUNE 11

After a great night’s sleep at my lovely bungalow at A Place in the Sun garden hotel, I left by 9am in search for Elvis – well his homes. My first stop was Elvis’ home on 845 W Chino Canyon, which he bought in 1970 and owned until he died in 1977. Luckily the owner, Reno, was leaving as I pulled up so we chatted for a bit. He couldn’t give me a tour of the house because June is the month he does maintenance. Unfortunately, not much in the house is original because it was broken into 4 days after Elvis died and then Graceland came and got everything. Reno has lived there for 7 years. There was a great metal Elvis sculpture on the front of the house that someone had put on before he moved there.

Elvis' home

My next stop had nothing to do with Elvis, but when there is a casino I must play. I went to the Spa Resort Casino and quickly lost my money. It is a very small casino, which did not have my favorite slots. I had lunch at the Oasis Buffet, which was ok, but no Paula Deen’s.

Spa Casino Resort

Next was the favorite part of my day. I toured Elvis’ honeymoon hideway. Elvis leased this house at 1350 Ladero Circle for a year, and he and Priscilla spent their honeymoon here on May 1, 1967. I had the most wonderful tour of every inch of this gorgeous 1960s house. It was great to see the living room that I had seen in so many pictures. Maria was the best tour guide and as big an Elvis fan as I am. It was a real pleasure to hear her Elvis in Palm Springs stories that I knew nothing about. She told me about Elvis’ shopping trips to Rite Aid and what he ate at his favorite restaurant. A visit to this Elvis house if a must for any Elvis fan visiting Palm Springs.

Elvis' honeymoon hideaway

where Elvis and Cilla honeymooned

My last stop of the day was the Rite Aid that Maria told me about. I needed to get some groceries anyway since I had a full kitchen, and I would in Anaheim as well. So I thought why not pick a few things up where Elvis shopped. And the next day I was going to have lunch at Elvis’ favorite restaurant in Palm Springs, Las Casuelas. Please watch my video of my day in Palm Springs with Elvis.

me and my elvis

DAY 30 – JUNE 12

I was supposed to make the pilgrimage to THE Joshua Tree, the one U2 was photographed with for my favorite album The Joshua Tree, but I realized that it was almost five hours north of Palm Springs. I knew it was in the Mohave Desert near Death Valley and was not in Joshua Tree Park, but I thought it was on the way to JoshuaTree National Park. Since I couldn’t go to the real Joshua Tree, I went to Harmony Motel, only an hour away, where U2 was also photographed. U2 stayed at the Harmony Motel while making The Joshua Tree album. It was a very small, retro motel – a far cry from the five star resort hotels U2 stay at now. Even though I couldn’t see THE Joshua Tree, I could see many Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park. It is the 75th anniversary of the park, which is located within 10 miles from the Harmony Motel. Please watch my video of my day at Harmony Motel and Joshua Tree.

memphis mullen at Harmony Motel

Harmony Motel from the other side of the sign

Joshua Tree National Park

a Joshua Tree, not The Joshua Tree

After my U2 trip to Harmony Motel and Joshua Tree, I had lunch at Elvis’ favorite Palm Springs restaurant Las Casuelas. My friend Aaron from high school and his two friends, who were in Palm Springs for the weekend, met me there. We had great Mexican food and great conversation. It was a good time. I highly recommend the Enchiladas Rancheros. After lunch, I walked around downtown Palm Springs before returning to my wonderful A Place in the Sun garden hotel, where I would spend a relaxing evening on my patio and eating great New York style delivery pizza.

Elvis' favorite restaurant Las Casuelas

lunch with Aaron

my Palm Springs stuff

DAY 31 – JUNE 13

Day 31 of my U2 360 tour across America was an uneventful one, chores rather then sightseeing. We left the fabulous Palm Springs around 10:15am and were in Anaheim by noon. It was 89 degrees when we left Palm Srings and 73 degrees when we arrived in Anaheim. What a difference 90 miles makes. Please watch my short video of my drive from Palm Springs to Anaheim.

The hotels gods continued with me to Anaheim. I checked into the TownePlace Suites to find that the manager had upgraded me to a two bedroom suite. I was very happy because I was going to be there for 6 nights, so it will be much more comfortable having this apartment-like suite as opposed to a regular hotel room. This was the longest I would stay at anyone place along my trip. I had 3 flatscreen tvs, 2 bedrooms, a living room with a couch and coffee table, a dining table, bathroom and full kitchen. I was at the end of the hall on the first floor right by the door, which was really convenient for the dogs.  It was like our own little apartment in Anaheim for 6 nights. Plus it was only a 10 minute walk to Angels Stadium for the U2 shows.

After unloading everything out of my car, I went to the grocery store, which was only a mile down the road. I got enough groceries to last the week as well as for my 3-day drive to Baltimore the following week. After grocery shopping, I did two loads of laundry because I had no clean clothes at all. Then I unpacked and organized the rest of my things and planned the rest of my week in Southern California.

DAY 32 – JUNE 14

Day 32 of my U2 360 tour across America was a great one spent on a bus sight seeing around downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the original Farmer’s Market, Venice Beach and Marina Del Ray. When I arrived in Anaheim, I researched bus tours to Hollywood and found StarLine tours. They had a very comprehensive tour of LA and surrounding areas that picked me up at my hotel and brought me back after the tour. This tour was run by VIP tours. I was picked up at 9am and didn’t return until 6pm. It was a long, great day!

The first part of our bus trip, which was mostly folks from England and myself, took us to downtown Los Angeles. Our first stop was the LA Memorial Coliseum, the site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and where the Dodgers used to play. We passed by USC on the way to the Staples Center and the Nokia Theatre. We drove through the financial district on our way to our next stop at Olvera Street, where there were streets vendors and LA’s oldest house built in 1818. On our way to Hollywood, we drove by the Capitol Records building. Then across from the Hollywood Bowl, I spotted Bret Michael’s tour bus parked with the shades closed. I found out that he was playing at the Hollywood Bowl that night. Please watch my video of LA.

LA Memorial Coliseum

Staples Center

Olvera Street

Capitol Records

Bret Michaels tour bus across from Hollywood Bowl

We finally made it to Hollywood Boulevard and had about 45 minutes to walk around. I walked down the Walk of Stars and saw Mickey Mouse at his star and then came upon Olivia Newton-John’s star, which is the only thing I remember from our 1984 trip. I walked passed the historic Roosevelt Hotel to check out the footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The first I saw was for the movie Giant, which consisted of the footprints of Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. It should have also included James Dean, but he died, so instead director George Steven’s footprints were included. I came across the footprints of Natalie Wood, Bing Crosby, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward together, Roy Rogers and Trigger, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, John Travolta, Nic Cage and finally Lana Turner. I searched everywhere for my favorite actress Lana Turner’s footprints and finally had to ask someone to consult the map.

Mickey Mouse on Hollywood Blvd

Olivia Newton-John's star

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Giant

Lana Turner

I left the Chinese Theatre to find higher ground so I could see the Hollywood sign. On my way, I came across a lot of people camped out in line on Hollywood Boulevard. I asked why they were waiting out. As U2 fans had done in Denver and Seattle, these folks had also brought shoes to donate to Souls for Soul and were waiting for their free U2 tickets from the Hard Rock Cafe. I went into the Hard Rock to get my dad a pin, as he collects them, and was told that June 14, 2011 was the 40th anniversary of the Hard Rock – June 14this also my parents’ wedding anniversary. I finally made it up the Egyptian mall to see the Hollywood sign, but it was very hazy and far away – at least I saw it though.

the Hollywood sign in mist of the June Gloom

We got back on the bus and headed through West Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard, which is actually Route 66. We drove by the Chateau Marmont where John Belushi died and where Marilyn Monroe lived. We saw Mel’s Drive In, where the movie American Graffiti was filmed – the parking lot looks much larger in the movie. We also drove by the Viper Room and saw the corner where River Phoenix died and drove by the Whiskey and the Roxy. Please watch my video of Hollywood.

Viper Room on Sunset Blvd

We then drove through Beverly Hills and saw the former homes of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Dr. We drove down Rodeo Drive and saw the most expensive car ever – $2.2M, and we drove by the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Our next stop was lunch at the Farmer’s Market, which was the first farmer’s market in the US. I had lunch at Du-par’s, which has been there since 1938. I noticed Diane Ladd was having lunch a few tables away. I snuck a picture, but it was too dark. The farmer’s market is located next door to CBS Studios, so I stood by the gate for a bit to see if I could see Maura West leaving Young and the Restless, but I didn’t see anyone.

Beverly Hills

Rodeo Drive

America's 1st Farmers Market

Diane Ladd having lunch a few tables away at DuPar's

waiting for Maura West

Next we were off to the beaches. We drove on Santa Monica Boulevard, which is route 10 – the longest freeway in the US from the west coast to Jacksonville, Florida. We didn’t stop in Santa Monica, but drove by the Santa Monica Pier. It was cloudy at the beach, but I could still see the pier – sort of. We then stopped at Venice Beach, and what a crazy place that was. It was a crowded cement boardwalk full of street vendors, dogs, bicycles, segweys, skateboarders and roller skaters. In a span of 45 minutes, I saw someone pass out and taken away by an ambulance, took part in a Lipton tea commercial, and smelled all sorts of marijuana. It was quite an eventful 45 minutes. Please watch my video of Venice Beach.

Venice Beach

The last stop of our tour was at Fisherman’s Village in Marina Del Ray, which is the largest man-made marina in the world. It was nice to smell the salt air again. I had the best strawberry milkshake there. I really enjoyed my day touring around LA and was glad I took the bus tour because it made it stress free, but it was sort of a blur. I was so concerned with getting all the pictures and videos of every hot spot in the time allotted at each place.

Marina Del Ray

my Hollywood stuff

DAYS 33&34 – JUNE 15&16

I didn’t sleep at all the night after my great tour of LA, so I decided to just stay in bed all day. I watched Country Strong on pay per view and napped. That night I had dinner with my cousin Cherie and her husband Mike, who only lived a few miles from my hotel. After our yummy Mexican dinner at Fresca’s and then went back to their house and hung out with their dogs.

They refer to the weather in June in Southern California ‘June Gloom’ and it certainly was. It was cloudy, cool and humid – yes humid. It was 68 degrees with 70% humidity. In the morning I took the Saturn to Hardin GMC for an oil change and make sure everything was ok for my long 3000 mile drive in 3-4 days to Baltimore.

In the afternoon, I went to Downtown Disney, which was basically an outside mall with lots of shops and restaurants including ESPNZone and House of Blues. I wanted to check it out since I was in Anaheim a few miles from Disneyland, but had no interest in actually going to Disneyland – too many kids and I didn’t want to ride the rides. So I walked around Downtown Disney and had lunch at La Brea Bakery Cafe – sat outside on the patio. I had a great caesar salad and cheese sliders – for once I didn’t get a tuna melt. I should really add caesar salad to my food tour along with tuna and pizza. After lunch I went into the huge World of Disney store and bought some souvenirs. I told myself I wouldn’t buy any tee shirts this summer while traveling across the US, but thus far I had bought four – one from Red Rocks, a Nirvana tee from Seattle, one from Joshua Tree and one from Disney. Please watch my video of my day in Downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney

my Disney stuff

It had been 10 days since the last U2 show. These next two shows in Anaheim were going to be fantastic – the second was to be my favorite of the tour.

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U2 360 OAKLAND 6.7.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Fans, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , on November 3, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAYS 23&24 – June 5&6

We left Seattle just before 1pm the day after the U2 show in Seattle and after 800 miles we were in Oakland 2 days later. The first day we drove to Eugene, Oregon and spent the night at a Motel 6. It was the first time on my trip that I drove to another city the day after the U2 show, and I was exhausted – even though I only drove 5 hours. It was also the first time I drove and it didn’t rain.

The second day was Cilla’s 4th birthday, which she spent in the back of the car for 9 hours. We left Eugene just before 9am and arrived at La Quinta hotel in Oakland just after 6pm, stopping 3 times along the way. I was in such a good mood on the drive. I’m not sure if it was a good night’s sleep or the memory of Larry’s smile walking toward me at the end of the Seattle show that kept me happily on my way. Even the guy at the California inspection was in a good mood that day. He was a U2 fan. He said the U2 trucks came through a few days ago on their way to Oakland. I was really happy I was going to be in California for the next 13 days. I really loved traveling out west, especially the west coast – definitely my favorite part of my trip. What I didn’t like was having to backtrack routes. I drove north on route 5 from Reno to Portland, and then drove south on route 5 from Seattle to Oakland. But that was nothing compared to July when I would go back and forth across the Ohio and PA turnpikes over and over.

In Oakland I noticed that in addition to this being my U2 360 tour, this was also my tuna and pizza tour. I pretty much lived on tuna and pizza the entire 3 months – and sweet tea and sun chips. I had the best tuna melt I’ve ever had at the Hotel VQ in Denver, had an ok tuna melt at Carrow’s in Reno, and a great tuna salad sandwich at Pike Place Market in Seattle. In addition, I’ve had tuna subs from various Subways along the way. I had a yummy pizza in Kansas City my first night on the road. I had pizza from the hotel restaurants at the Ramada Reno, Vintage Plaza Portland, and Monaco Seattle. The best of these was the margherita pizza in Portland. I also had domino’s pizza in Eugene last night because I was too tired to look for anything else.

DAY 25 – JUNE 7 – U2 360 #4 – OAKLAND

The U2 360 show in Oakland had the same set list as the previous three shows in the US, but was a little different. First, the baseball infield was fenced off, so the GA area was smaller – as was the inner circle behind the stage. Second, there were two opening bands, so U2 didn’t come on until 9:30. Third, and most important to me, Larry sang!!!

U2 360 Oakland 6.7.11

I spent the first half of the day resting in my hotel room to conserve energy for the show, as I did before every show. My routine was stay in bed reading and watching tv until about 1, take Elvis and Cilla out, eat and shower, and then head over to the stadium around 2 or 3. I would wait out for U2 to arrive, then go into the show.

Even though my hotel was less than a mile from McAfee Coliseum, I took the free hotel shuttle over to the Coliseum just after 2:00. I walked around the stadium and arena and finally found my friends, Matt, Melissa and Kim waiting for U2 to arrive. Barb found us and then I met Paula, who brought me a cool pin and later sent me the review from the Oakland paper and pictures she took at the show. Bono arrived just after 5pm, stopped the car right in front of us and hopped out.

waiting for U2

As soon as Bono got out of the car, I pointed at him and then at my ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirt and said, “Now Bono…” He put his hands in the air and said, “I tried.” Then he walked right over to us, and I said, “So he’s not coming (referring to Larry)?” Bono said, “I tried.” While he was signing autographs, I told him that it’s ok because I’ll be at other shows. Bono asked me, “What is your name, Deah?” I said, “Deena.” He said, “Yes, I remember.” He went on to talk to others. Bono looked tired, his voice was scratchy, and he said he was sick. Before he got back into the car to go inside, Bono looked over to me and shouted, “I’ll try again.” It was in Oakland that I realized my quest on the 360 tour, besides driving to every US show, was to meet Larry. I thought it would be easy, since Bono had come out to greet the fans the first four US shows and I had already talked with him twice about meeting Larry. Little did I know that was my last chance to speak with Bono. Please watch my video talking with Bono in Oakland.

Bono greets fans

Bono talks with Matt, Melissa and Kim

I went into the Coliseum in Oakland after 6pm and still got into the inner circle. It was a strange set up though. The baseball infield was fenced off, so the GA section was a lot smaller. And the back of the inner circle behind the stage where I usually stand was a bit narrower as well. Also, there was a wall of sky boxes behind the stage, which made for an echoing drum sound. Because the GA was smaller, the inner circle was more crowded. It was a very laid back crowd and very cold and windy that night.

the infield is off limits in Oakland

There were two opening bands for U2 in Oakland. Local band Moonalice played from 7:00 to 7:30. I was not impressed. The sound was bad and just not my cup of tea. Lenny Kravitz played from about 7:50 to 8:30. It was the same set list as Seattle. Lenny puts on a really great show.

I waited for U2 to enter the Coliseum. They were going to enter from directly behind the stage rather than come around from the side, so I could get great video and pictures of their entrance. As they walked to the stage, Larry looked at me and smiled and waved – and I was actually able to capture it on video!

The set list in Oakland was the same as the previous three shows in the US with one notable exception (and for me the highlight of the show) – Larry sang a part of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day. There were no band introductions at the Oakland show. Instead, Bono talked about the G3 Summit the night before with Greenday and Metallica and the possibility of doing a music festival with them. Edge spoke a bit about it and then Bono asked Larry what else was discussed. Larry said, “What goes on at that summit, stays at that summit.” Bono then asked Larry if any individuals names came up. Larry responded, “Lou Reed perhaps” and sang a bit of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day, then concluded by saying, “Lou, we love you man.” Lou Reed was at the show. I couldn’t believe Larry sang! I was SO excited! I haven’t seen Larry sing in concert since ZooTv!

 

Larry sings in Oakland!

Larry I'll Go Crazy

The set list for U2 360 in Oakland was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World / Anthem / Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Perfect Day / Happy Birthday, All I Want Is You, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Will You Love Me Tomorrow – Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Oakland 6.7.11.

Bono and Larry Sunday Bloody Sunday

DAYS 26&27 – JUNE 8&9

The day after the U2 show in Oakland, I just stayed in my hotel room napping, reading, watching tv and relaxing. Luckily I had enough leftovers (pizza of course), so I didn’t have to go out for food – just to walk the dogs. My hotel here is nice because it has free breakfast, free shuttle to and from the concert, and they delivered a microwave and refrigerator, but the walls are very thin. Every time someone shuts a door or is talking in the hall, my dogs bark – even at 4am while I’m sleeping. So I didn’t sleep much in Oakland.

The next day I drove to Jack London Square in Oakland and took the 9:15am ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Unfortunately, there were about four large groups of children on field trips on the ferry and it was cloudy and cold when I arrived in San Francsico. Of course it was warming up and sunny as I was leaving to return back to Oakland.

waiting for the ferry

I spent my time in San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf, walking up and down and all around. I looked at the historical ships on Hyde Street Pier and had lunch at historic Boudin’s (sourdough since 1849). I could barely see the Golden Gate Bridge through the fog, but I could see Alcatraz and some good views of the San Francisco skyline and hilly streets. Luckily, I had been to San Francisco before, so I’ve seen all the sights. Please watch my video of  Day 27 in San Francisco.

Fisherman's Wharf

Hyde St Pier

Alcatraz

San Francisco

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Larry Mullen Jr at FLIFF via Skype

Posted in Larry Mullen with tags , , , on November 2, 2011 by DeenasDays

Larry Mullen Jr attended the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival last night via Skype. He was named FLIFF’s ‘Star on the Horizon’ for his starring role in Man on the Train. He answered questions from the audience and talked a bit about the film. I learned of this event a month ago, but decided not to attend because Larry wasn’t actually going to be there, plus I just moved back to Maryland and had to get settled.

Luckily my friend Patty Atkinson, who I met this summer on the 360 tour, and fellow Larry lover and U2 fan, told me she got a ticket and was heading a half hour from her home in Miami to attend. Patty was nice enough to email me all the details of the night – along with a short video and a couple of pictures. Patty graciously allowed me to post her email, video and pictures on my blog, so we could share with everyone. Here is what Patty had to say about Larry at FLIFF last night,

Well, I didn’t actually get to meet him tonight, or to ask any questions. It wasn’t as interactive as I’d imagined. But it was really exciting to see Larry live on Skype in the theatre. And the movie was a nice surprise. Not sure what I expected, but I really got into it.
Details as much as I can remember—
The Man on the Train was being considered the “centerpiece” and major movie event of the Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival this year. Tonight they were showing the film at a smallish but older old-fashioned movie theatre. It was sold out, so glad I got my ticket in advance! Supposed to start at 7, but it was late. I didn’t mind the wait cause they were playing Pride and a couple other U2 songs. Finally started with intro to Larry, U2, etc about 7:15. The host doing the intros made a stupid comment that Larry was born in 1980. I said no, 1961 and a bunch of people turned around and looked at me strangely. (much older/mostly retired audience with some younger U2 fans thrown in). He did mention he had seen U2 22 times and he had done some photography for them, but I didn’t catch the host’s name. Also asked for show of hands in audience who had seen U2, about half raised their hands. He said the other half should be ashamed of themselves!
Larry was then suddenly on the big theatre screen via Skype. Appeared to be sitting on the floor in his hallway or empty room of his house. He did say he was in his house in Dublin, on the north side, not the nice side. Of course, wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned, and looking a bit tired I thought. Later realized it was maybe 1-2 a.m. there in Ireland. I freaked out at first, couldn’t get my camera to work right, and ended up with a short video and pic via iPhone. Most people were not taking photos. Larry was only on screen via Skype for less than 10 minutes. They asked a few questions (prearranged) -where are you right now (in house in Dublin), what was it like working with Donald Sutherland (good because he didn’t try to offer advice), etc. A couple of the producers were there and said hello. Larry said hello back to them. He said he couldn’t see the audience or speakers via Skype, but smiled and nodded his head when he was told we were all waving to him. After a few short minutes they presented him with a newcomer award called the Star on the Horizon award for best new actor. He seemed to think that was funny. And then they asked him to talk about the movie a bit. He then described the basic scenario (see my 2 minute wobbly video on Facebook). They thanked him. He smiled. the end. He was gone. I tried to catch his Skype name and/or other details. Cause I”m sure I”m going to try and Skype him later!
The movie started promptly after the Skype call ended. I really hadn’t heard a lot about it, cause I purposefully like to see movies before I read or hear too much. I confess I spent a lot of it paying attention to Larry, looking at his hair, hands, feet, eyes, jacket, earring etc. and not as much time paying attention to the dialog. Need to see it again! But, I did enjoy it, even though I don’t think it was a movie I’d ordinarily watch. The acting I thought was great, and Larry was better than I expected (whatever that was). I’d love to see him do some more acting now!
After the movie, everyone went to a bar/club down the street for buffet and music. Music was disappointingly a guy in the corner with a guitar playing Tom Petty songs. I talked to one of the producers briefly, and that’s about it. Didn’t hear anything much about Larry at the after party, but thought it was interesting to go.

Patty's FLIFF ticket

Larry via Skype

Please watch Patty’s video of Larry at FLIFF via Skype last night. Thanks SO much for sharing Patty!

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U2 360 SEATTLE 6.4.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , on November 1, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 22 – JUNE 4 – U2 360 #3 – Qwest Field SEATTLE

The U2 360 show in Seattle was better than the previous two shows I had been to in Denver and Salt Lake City. Even though it was the same set list, the audience was much more into it, the band was having a blast and actually seemed a little more into as well, Lenny Kravitz was a better opening act than The Fray, and oh yeah I talked with Bono before the show about Larry and Larry shook my hand as he was leaving the show.

U2 360 Seattle 6.4.11

To conserve energy on that rare sunny day on June 4th, Jenny and I took a cab to Qwest Field – even though it was just under a mile away. We got to the stadium at 3:00, got in the GA line just long enough to get our wristbands and then walked around to wait for U2 to arrive. We met some new folks and talked with old friends. I met Chuck and Michelle whom I’ve stayed friends with. Chuck and I would go on to see many other shows together. They told us Larry had just went it, so I was a little disappointed – but they were wrong.

U2 in Seattle

Qwest Field

After a short time, we saw the flashing lights of the police escort and black SUVs. Edge, Bono, Adam AND LARRY drove into Qwest Field right in front of us. We looked down the long driveway and saw Bono get out and head back toward us. He hopped on the back of the policeman’s motorcycle and in seconds was talking with us. Jenny and I were in our ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts as usual. I shouted, “Is Larry ever coming out to greet the fans?” Bono responded, “He only likes you. I love you.” Then Bono went on to say, “You like that kind of cold stare” (referring to Larry). Before Bono was about to leave, he asked the small crowd of about 30 people, “Where are the Larry Mullen people?” I shouted, ‘Right here!” and pushed my way toward Bono. He read my shirt as if to make sure I was the ‘Larry Mullen Band’ girl he had been talking to earlier. Then Bono asked, “Do you have a message I can deliver?” I was confused and frantic. I thought he was going to tell me a message from Larry, but I quickly realized what he had said and I replied, “Yes, tell Larry to come out in Oakland since he didn’t come out here.” He said, “OK.” I then went on to tell him that I would be at all the US shows, but I don’t think he heard me. Bono then asked my name and repeated it back to me, “Deena.” When he got in his golf cart to go back, I saw him write something down. I was hoping it was my message to Larry. I had no idea what this conversation would eventually lead to almost two months later in Pittsburgh.

Chuck, Bono and me

The Larry Mullen Band

We got in the GA line and had about an hour wait in the hot Seattle sun before we were let into Qwest Field. While waiting we got to hear the sound check. I was quite excited to hear The Fly, but disappointed it wasn’t included in the set list later. Once inside, we got a nice spot in the inner circle on Adam’s side – a great view for Lenny Kravitz. Lenny was a great opening act, a lot better than The Fray. He didn’t take the stage until 7:30 and only played 45 minutes, but played the four songs I know – It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over, American Woman, Fly Away, and Are You Gonna Go My Way. Lenny had these great female backup singers that reminded me of Elvis’ Sweet Inspirations. Lenny also did karate moves that reminded me of Elvis. Could Lenny be a fan of The King? Please watch my video of an overview of Lenny Kravitz opening in Seattle.

Lenny Kravitz

After Lenny Kravitz’ performance, we went over to Edge’s side and stood behind the stage to wait for U2 to enter. It was odd getting our neck’s stamped (instead of our hands) for re-entry to the inner circle, but this was to be the practice for most of the tour. Security kicked us off the rail where we were waiting for U2 to enter, claiming the fire marshall wanted that space cleared. So instead of having us lined up along the rail like we were, they had us lined up horizontally sort of blocking the way to the inner circle. Not sure how that wasn’t a fire hazard. This was also to happen for most of the tour. But as soon as U2 came out of that tunnel, security couldn’t hold us back and we were again on the rail. Larry came by and smiled at me, and I think he may have waved – of course I was screaming his name and wearing my Larry Mullen Band shirt. We decided to stay on Edge’s side for the show, and it was a good decision. We had a great view of the show. It was side view, but we could see everything. During Even Better Than the Real Thing,  Bono shouted, “The Emerald City shining in the sun.”

the Edge

During Get on Your Boots right before my favorite “LET ME IN THE SOUND”, Bono said, “Larry Mullen!” Apparently he did this at most shows, but I never heard him because I was too busy screaming. I would get SO excited for Get on Your Boots! Before Magnificent, Bono said, “Here comes the Boss – the Arch” (referring to Arch Bishop Desmin Tutu and his part in the Magnificentremix.

U2 in Seattle

Before Until the End of the World, Bono sings, “It’s the end of the world as we know it. Edge feels fine.” Some folks from REM were at the show. During the band introductions, Bono talked about how June 4th was a date we are all going to remember. He again mentioned the rare sunny day in Seattle. He said the band was going to start again and we should pretend we didn’t know them. Bono said, “You think of him as a tough guy, but he’s a very thoughtful man. On the drums, Larry Mullen Jr!”

Bono

For the first time, video of Commander Kelly at the Space Station is shown before Beautiful Day. He is holding words from the song and then says, “Tell my wife I love her.” Video of Kelly is shown later in the song as he recites the lyrics. Commander Kelly is married to Gabby Gifford who was shot months earlier. This video was played before Beautiful Dayfor the rest of the tour. The audience would get really excited each time he would say their city’s name. I don’t think they realized it was recorded and he was actually talking to us from space.

where’s adam?

At the end of Vertigo, we went behind the stage to wait for Larry and his conga to start his walk for I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. He again smiled at me as I screamed his name and jumped up and down – actually I think he was laughing at me, but I’ll take it. For Moment of Surrender, we moved behind the stage to wait for U2 to leave. Instead of standing by the stairs at the stage where we could have gotten a good picture, we waited back toward where the tunnel is. As Larry was walking out, Jenny shouted, “Larry!” He smiled and made a b line for us. He shook Jenny’s hand and then mine – still smiling. I thanked him. Excited as I was, I thought to myself that this does not excuse Larry from coming out to meet me in Oakland, assuming Bono gives him my message.

my favorite picture of Larry I took this tour

As we were walking through the crowded parking lot, we passed by Eddie Vedder and his bodyguard looking for their car. I of course ran after them to try to get a picture, but was unsuccessful. I did manage to snap one just before Eddie was getting into the car, but it was of course blurry and of the back of him.

chasing Eddie Vedder

The set list for the June 4th 360 show in Seattle was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, It’s the End of the World as We Know It / Until the End of the World / Where Have All the Flowers Gone, All I Want Is You, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque /Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On /You’ll Never Walk Alone, One / Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Where the Streets Have No Name / All You Need is Love, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

That Seattle show is still one of my favorites of the 360 tour. It had a much a better energy than the previous two I had seen in Denver and Salt Lake City. Also, it was great to see it with my old Elevation friend Jenny – I had been alone at my first two shows. It was also the show where I met Chuck, whom I have stayed friends with and saw many shows with on 360. Seattle was where I met and spoke with Bono about meeting Larry and where Larry shook my hand as he left. It was a great night!

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On the Road to SEATTLE on the U2 360 tour

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 1, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 13 – MAY 26

My mom, Aunt Pauline, Elvis, Cilla and I piled in the car once again and left Salt Lake City for Reno, Nevada. Eight hours later, we arrived at the Ramada Reno Hotel and Casino, where we would stay for the next five nights. We were so happy to stay in the same place for more than a couple nights. I really liked our hotel, which had a restaurant and small casino, as well as a really nice big room. I wanted to stay on the strip, but no hotels allowed 2 dogs. Of course I would have rather been in Las Vegas than Reno, but Reno was on the way from Salt Lake City to Seattle.

our Reno hotel

DAY 14 – MAY 27

We had a yummy breakfast in the hotel restaurant before taking the free hotel shuttle a mile down the road to the Reno strip for a day of gambling. We played at Eldorado, Silver Legacy, Circus Circus and Harrah’s. I won a little bit, but ended up about even for the day. We had lunch at Café Sedona at Silver Legacy. After about 6 hours on the Reno strip, we took the hotel shuttle back and had dinner in the hotel restaurant and gambled a little more in the hotel casino. I did not love Reno. It was a bit ghetto – nothing like Vegas.

Reno

DAY 15 – MAY 28

We started out our day just like yesterday, with a yummy filling breakfast in our hotel. But that’s where the similarity ended. This 15th day of my U2 360 tour across America brought me, my mom and my aunt through Carson City and into the snow of Lake Tahoe. Our first stop was just about 10-15 minutes from our hotel, south of Reno on the way to Carson City and Lake Tahoe. We stopped at the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. I think I bought enough candy to last me for the rest of my U2 360 road trip – peanut butter fudge, chocolate covered graham crackers, chocolate caramels and a big hunk of white chocolate. We made it to Carson City and just drove through and see what it was like. There was a casino and a couple of cool looking bars and a park, but not a big vacation destination. We reached Lake Tahoe and the temperature drastically dropped. It was about 50 degrees when we left Reno and it dropped into the 30s by the time we stopped at Lake Tahoe to take pictures. We drove around the Lake and went into the Horizon Casino. I wanted to stop here because it used to be the Sahara Casino where Elvis performed in the 1970s. There was no longer any evidence of the King though. We decided rather than drive back the way we came, to drive all the way around Lake Tahoe. So we made our way into California along route 89. This road was quite narrow and at many points had no guard rail and just dropped off with no shoulder. My mom was terrified and at one pointed shouted, “Stop the car and let me out!” After, she didn’t even remember saying it she was so scared. To make matters worse, it was snowing – hard. 32 degrees and snowing on Memorial Day Weekend – the official start of summer. I never thought it would be this cold on my summer road trip, or that I would encounter snow – twice!

driving to Tahoe

got my candy

Lake Tahoe

freezing Lake Tahoe

snowing!

DAY 16 – MAY 29

My mom, my aunt and I started off our Sunday at Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs for breakfast. Apparently it is the must-eat breakfast spot – definitely a local spot, not a lot of tourists there. It lived up to its name for me. Breakfast was fantastic and they had fresh squeezed orange juice. After breakfast, the sleet/snow/rain had stopped and we headed out to the Grand Sierra Resort. We noticed this casino on our way to Lake Tahoe. The Grand Sierra Hotel and Casino is only about a mile from our hotel and about a mile from downtown Reno. I would definitely stay there if I ever get back to Reno. They allow dogs and is reasonably priced! It’s the best casino I’ve seen in Reno – reminds me of Dover Downs. Grand Sierra has a great variety of slots and several bars and restaurants, so there is no real need to ever leave the resort. And besides free drinks, they were also giving out free cookies!

DAY 17 – MAY 30

Before taking Mom and Aunt Pauline to the airport for their noon flight home, we had breakfast in our hotel and then went back to the fabulous Grand Sierra Resort to gamble for a couple hours. After I dropped them off at the airport, I went to Petco to get dog food for Elvis and Cilla, got gas for our trip tomorrow, and went to Subway for lunch. I was back at the hotel by 1, and Elvis, Cilla and I just relaxed for the rest of the day before our long drive to Portland the next day. Part one of my U2 360 tour had ended.

DAY 18 – MAY 31

Elvis, Cilla and I left Reno at 6:30am and finally arrived in Portland, Oregon 715 miles later at 6:30pm. I took the long way, so I could drive on bigger roads – 80 west to 5 north. It was beautiful scenery between the rain and fog up and down the mountains. I stopped just twice on our 12 hour drive listening to U2 the entire way – as I would do for the rest of my trip since my mom and aunt were no longer with me. When I got to the fabulous Vintage Plaza hotel in Portland, there was a welcome sign for Elvis and Cilla, they had upgraded us to a huge suite, and gave me free valet parking. In our beautiful suite, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb  was playing in the cd player and there was a framed picture of Elvis and Cilla. Also I had a bottle of wine waiting for me as well as vouchers for the restaurant and honor bar. And Elvis and Cilla had all sorts of treats waiting for them as well.

on the way to Portland

are we there yet?

Hotel Vintage Plaza Portland

Welcome Elvis and Cilla!

Please watch my video of Day 18 – our long drive to Portland and our lovely suite at the Hotel Vintage Plaza.

DAY 19 – JUNE 1

My stay at the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland got even better and better. I literally made my upgraded luxurious suite our haven for 36 hours, only going outside to take Elvis and Cilla to O’Bryant Square. It was nice just to do nothing after almost 3 weeks of going and going. I used my restaurant vouchers and ordered lunch and dinner in my room. It was fantastic! I loved Portland. Even though I only saw the couple blocks around my hotel, it seems like my kind of city – big enough where there is plenty to do and very liberal and dog friendly.

enjoying the high life

O'Bryant Square

DAY 20 – JUNE 2

Upon my checkout of the Hotel Vintage Plaza, Jonathan, who had checked me in, left me All That You Can’t Leave Behind cd for my drive to Seattle. On my way to my car, I met Jeri, the General Manager, and her dog Georgie, Diva of Pet Relations. Jeri contacted all the Kimpton hotels I was going to be staying at (Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia) asking them to treat me well. Kimpton Hotels is now my favorite hotel brand. They have the best customer service I’ve ever seen and are truly dog friendly. They do no charge extra for dogs nor do they have breed or size restrictions. They also provide dog snacks, toys and bowls.

We arrived in at the Monaco Hotel in Seattle around 12:30 after passing by the Tacoma Dome, where I saw U2 10 years ago on the Elevation Tour, and passing by Qwest Field, where U2 is playing on this 360 tour. Jenny joined us for our stay in Seattle, which was to be one of the best times of my entire trip. In fact my time in Seattle began my favorite part of my U2 360 tour – from Seattle to Oakland to Anaheim to Baltimore. Not my favorite U2 shows, but my favorite part of traveling.

Monaco Seatle welcomes Elvis & Cilla

We attended the North American premiere of Killing Bono at the Seattle International Film Festival. It was shown at the Neptune Theatre, one of the University District’s oldest theatres. The movie Killing Bono is based on Neil McCormick’s memoir Killing Bono: I was Bono’s Doppelganger. I liked the book better. In Killing Bono, Neil McCormick tells the story of his life and how he was always competing, in his mind, with U2. He went to school with Bono, Larry, Adam and Edge and was forming a band at the same time they were. In fact, his brother Ivan was almost in U2 – he was in Larry’s kitchen at that first rehearsal. Neil always wanted to be famous and be in the biggest band in the world, but that happened to Bono not him. The movie Killing Bono was good. It was well-done, entertaining and funny. I especially liked Robert Sheehan who played Ivan McCormick, Neil’s brother. I liked that the only U2 song that was played was I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, especially since I’m wasn’t hearing it live at the time. The Larry character of course did not do Larry justice, but the Adam’s character late 1970s hair was dead on. What I did not like was that the movie took some liberties with the truth and added scenes for dramatic purposes that did not happen. One of these scenes was Neil McCormick pointing a gun at Bono deciding if he was going to kill him. It was very disturbing. All I kept thinking was ‘Mark Chapman.’ The book Killing Bono had more U2 in it, especially when they were starting out, and continued throughout Neil McCormick’s writing career – past 1987 where the movie ended. After the showing, director Nick Hamm skyped in and did a Q & A with the audience. He said that U2, with the exception of Larry, viewed Killing Bono in Australia when they were touring there. He said they found themselves amusing, especially Adam’s hair. I was surprised that the small theatre was only about half full, and that it wasn’t all U2 fans. There were some folks there with U2 shirts on, but it was mostly film festival fans.  I expected it to be in a huge sold out theatre with wall to wall U2 fans. I mean I changed my plans and came into Seattle a day early just so I could see the North American premiere of Killing Bono. 

North American premier of Killing Bono

Seattle International Film Festival

Please watch my video of Day 20 of our drive to Seattle.

DAY 21 – JUNE 3

Jenny and I started our day with breakfast at the Blue Water Taco Grill. I had a yummy veggie scramble. Then we walked to the Monorail, which is still operating from when it started at the 1961 World’s Fair – the same fair where Elvis filmed It Happened at the World’s Fair. The Monorail took us to the Space Needle, but we didn’t go up in it. I went up in it 10 years ago when I was here for U2’s Elevation show in Tacoma. But right next to the Space Needle is the Experience Music Project, which was showing a Nirvana exhibit – the reason why I went to the EMP.

Seattle Monorail

Space Needle

The Experience Music Project was named and modeled after Jimmy Hendrix. The Nirvana exhibit was great. It had memorabilia, photos, performances, documentaries, and a studio where fans can record their Nirvana stories. I did not tell about the dreams/nightmares I had after Kurt’s death involving me yelling at Courtney. I bought a Kurt Cobain biography, a Nirvana tee shirt, Elvis guitar picks, a drum keychain and Seattle and EMP/Nirvana magnets.

Experience Music Project

guitar sculpture

Nirvana at EMP

in utero

we miss you Kurt

After the EMP, Jenny and I wanted to take a bus tour and had only a short time to make it. While we were rushing to catch the light rail, we heard the drums for Desire. We paused because we weren’t sure we heard it correctly, but then we heard ‘Lover I’m on the street.’ So we ran toward Desire. It was a band and gospel choir on the back of a semi truck. The banner above the stage read ‘One Life No Regrets’ and then in smaller letters ‘noregretsu2.’ The singer, Patrick Stark, turned 40 and wanted to make sure he was living his life with no regrets – something I could identify with. He had always had a fear of singing in public, so to conquer his fear he was making a documentary called One Life No Regrets about his quest to sing on stage with U2. In preparation, he sang a set of U2 songs with a Gospel choir – Desire, In God’s Country, All I Want is You, One, Until the End of the World. Please watch the video of One Life No Regrets.

One Life No Regrets

After our impromptu U2 show, Jenny and I walked to Pike Place Market for lunch. We stumbled upon the Hard Rock on our way and people were lined up just like they were at the Denver Hard Rock waiting for free tickets to the U2 concert. They brought shoes to donate to the Souls for Soul charity, and those first 100 people or so were to get free U2 tickets. We went to the Fish Market and saw them throw the fish and then had lunch at the café overlooking the water. I of course had tuna. What else do you have at a fish market?

Hard Rock Seattle (notice the upside down guitar)

Pike Place Market

After lunch it was finally time for our Sub Seattle bus tour, which we had tried to take earlier but got sidetracked by Patrick’s U2 show. We lucked out and it was only Jenny and I on the tour. This Sub Seattle tour told us the non-toursity, non-obvious facts about Seattle. We went to Beacon Hill, Washington Lake and my reason on going on the tour Kurt Cobain’s house. We also saw the Black Hole Sun sculpture, which supposedly inspired Soundgarden’s song. Looking through the hole, you can see the Space Needle in the distance. After our busy day walking around in the rare Seattle sun, we just relaxed in our hotel room and ordered room service. Seattle is a great city, but very hilly!

Sub Seattle bus tour

Washington Lake

Kurt Cobain's house

Black Hole Sun

my Seattle stuff

I loved Seattle. It is a great city with great people, and while I was there the weather was great. My time in Seattle was one of the best times I had on my entire trip. Please watch my video of my day in Seattle.

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