One of my favorite U2 concerts was Opening Night of the ZooTv Outside Broadcast Tour at Giants Stadium in New Jersey on August 12, 1992. It was my first tour opener. It was the first time I met Bono. It was my first and only time on stage. It was the first time I heard Larry sing. It was a great night!

We drove up to New Jersey on August 11th because the ZooTv Outside Broadcast Tour was supposed start on that day, but it ended up being pushed to August 12th. Even though there was not concert, we went over to the stadium anyway. Somehow we ended up sneaking into Giants Stadium and onto the stage. We touched the trabants, which were used to light the stage. We eventually got kicked out of the stadium. We were barely 20 and didn’t know how to play it cool. That night, we tried to figure out where U2 were staying. Even though it was August, it was cold at night, so while waiting on the curb for the band to show up at the hotel, we huddled next to a bus keeping warm from the fumes. I’m not sure why, but that particular memory is still very fresh even 22 years later. We never did find out where they were staying. I think that is the only time I have ever tried to find U2’s hotel.

The day of the concert there were a bunch of fans standing outside Giants Stadium on the afternoon of August 12th waiting for U2 to arrive. Bono walked out, and the first thing I noticed was how short he was. Back then, I had no idea. The second thing I noticed was Bono’s velvet suit. Fantastic! We were standing in a calm line – no barricade. It was different back then. Bono walked down the line talking with each of us, signing autographs and taking pictures. When Bono came to me, he noticed the tee shirt I had made with ‘One’ on it. I handed Bono my Outside It’s America book for him to autograph. I noticed he was taking a while, so I looked at what Bono was doing and saw he was misspelling my name. I said, “No, Deena is spelled with two e’s.” Bono kind of gave me this sly smile as in ‘I can’t believe this girl just corrected me.’ In my book, Bono wrote, “A nice t-shirt Din…Deena Bono 92.” Then I threw my camera to my friend, so he could take a picture of me and Bono, both with our big sunglasses. Bono’s head is on my shoulder. It is a great picture! It is the picture I use for my profile. Bono autographed the picture a few days later in DC. Right after my meeting with Bono, Larry drove by us on his motorcycle and waved. He didn’t stop unfortunately, but I did get a picture. Then I ran away screaming – he just has that affect on me. I would not meet Larry for another nine years, but what I meeting it would be (see last week’s ‘B‘ post).

Our seats for opening night were in the second section on the floor in the fifth row. Primus and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprosy opened. I don’t remember much about the actual concert. I remember every detail about meeting Bono before the concert, but not about the concert itself. I do remember Lou Reed joined U2 on the b stage for “Satellite of Love,” and this performance was recorded and used for the rest of the tour via video. And of course I remember the highlight of the show for me: Larry singing! Larry sang “Dirty Old Town” as only he can, a growling, raspy kind of voice. But he has gotten better over the years. Anyway, I was so excited Larry was singing, my friend tried to hold me back from jumping and screaming and overall freaking out. I didn’t want to be restrained, so I hit him causing him to fall off of his chair.

The set list for the ZooTv Outside Broadcast Tour opener (8.12.92 Jersey): Zoo Station, The Fly, Even Better Than The Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, One-Unchained Melody, Until The End Of The World, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Dirty Old Town, Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World, Angel of Harlem, When Love Comes to Town, Satellite Of Love, Bad-All I Want Is You, Bullet The Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, Where the Streets Have no Name, Pride, I Still Haven’t Found-Stand By Me, Desire, Ultraviolet (Light My Way), With or Without You, Love Is Blindness.

This is part of my Blogging from A to Z Challenge about ‘My U2 Concerts A to Z.’ Thanks for stopping by. Please come back tomorrow as I write about my favorite ‘H’ U2 show.