Rock N Roll Mamma

A few weeks ago when I went to the Night Ranger concert, I had heard on the radio that Great White was coming. I just about flipped out. First off, anyone that knows me, knows Great White is my all time favorite rock band. Secondly, I haven't seen them in concert in at least 8 years. I'd say it's more like 10 years, since the concert I remember the most is the Let It Rock tour at The Rave in 97, but I know I've seen them on the Can't Get There From Here tour in 99, I just for some reason can't remember the concert. Time slips by and the first to go is the memory!

Some background about my obsession--er--love of Great White. I first noticed them way back in 1989 (yes, back in the day of big bands and even bigger hair). I was 14 (yikes!) and I'm not sure if I first heard them during the Top 40 or whatever top billboard chart was on (I think it was the one with Casey Kasim) or if it was in my basement while I was helping to decorate for my brother's wedding reception. Either way, I first heard the song Once Bitten Twice Shy and I fell in love with it. It wasn't my style of music at the time. I was into pop, dance, top 40 stuff at the time. Things like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, many of the top 80's pop you hear now. My brothers were into rock like Rush, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC, and I got into some of that, but not enough to be a regular listener at the time. So when I heard OBTS it was very different for me. I remember hearing Michael play the keyboard and thinking wow, that sounds awesome! Then when I saw the video for the song I was absolutely smitten! I was totally in love with Michael (how is so hot!) and in fact, ALL the guys were hot. How can you not like a band that sounds awesome and are good looking?

Anyway, I picked up their cassette (yes- cassette, before the CD days) and loved the rest of their songs. I was "Hooked" from then on. And my infatuation with Michael grew with each video or picture I saw, or each new song with a keyboard part in it. In fact, in 1991, when I was 16, my infatuation grew to all time high. (could be the puberty thing). I actually started a book at that time based on a fantasy I had about him. The book I'm currently writing is actually based on that. (loosely based on him since I don't know him.....yet).

I continued to keep tabs on them, though my obsession would wax and wane depending on what was happening in my life at the time.

I saw GW several times in concert.....I'd say probably about 4 or 5 times total in the last 18 years. They never disappoint.

There's the basic background. My dream had always been to someday meet them.

So I was able to get a ticket to the concert in Chicago (technically Libertyville). I begged Bob as I was desperate to go. Since I went to Night Ranger and claimed that was the exception, this one was more difficult to get him to agree to. Plus, I'd be going alone. My childhood best friend loves Great White as much as I do, but she now lives in MN and was unable to make it for the show. I still had birthday money left from last year so that's what I used.

The concert was last night and it was incredible! A total dream come true. I got to the venue about 5pm, even though the show didn't start until about 9pm (supposedly). I was the first one to stand in line. The employees were probably thinking I was crazy as they kept telling me it was going to be a long wait. That was fine with me as I stood for close to 12 hours when I saw Night Ranger. Plus, I have two boys--I'm used to being on my feet a lot. The manager/owner of the place even showed me the room and opened the door so I got to see (sort of) part of sound check. I wasn't allowed in, but I got to hang by the door and hear it. I also met quite a few people during my 3 hour wait. (by the way, it pays to go early!!). While waiting I met Dave, a roadie for the band. I met one of the band's bodyguards (don't know his name). I met Sean McNabb! (the bass player). The waiting line is right by the bathrooms so when he came out to use it, he saw me standing there. He is sooooo sweet!! He said hi and asked me what my name is, said his name (holy crap I didn't even recognize him at the time!!!) and had a very small talk moment. I also saw Mark and Jack come out for a brief moment. And I got to peak through the door to see the sound check.

Yes, I'm a groupie wanna-be.

By 8pm it started getting pretty crowded. I got over my shyness and introduced myself to the people around me. I hung out with two women who ended up leaving before GW even came on....one of them was drunk off her butt so I'm guessing they were booted out. I met a woman named Karen who grew up with the band. I also met a woman named Gail who also knows the band. She gave me some pointers on trying to get Michael to notice me. :) I don't think it worked though. LOL It was cool to hang out with other fans, and I even got to talk with the security guard. LOL

The doors finally opened at almost 9pm. The manager/owner was right there and as the doors opened people started pushing their way past. The manager actually stopped the people and said I was to go first! So nice to have perks!!

I made my way in and just about RAN to the front, and made my little spot right in front of where Michael stands. The opening band didn't start until almost 10pm. I wasn't too fond of the opener. They were a local heavy metal band....more into the music like Megadeath. Not my thing. The first few songs weren't bad, but once they got to a song called "F&*#ing Easy" they totally lost me. It's one thing to have a song about sex, or to have a few naughty words in it, but to that extreme loses my respect. Thankfully they weren't on the stage real long.

Great White didn't get on until 11pm. That is an hour past my bedtime already!!!

Anyway, they rocked! They started with Desert Moon, a crowd fav. They were in prime form. Jack looked AMAZING. Audie was incredible on the drums.....he rocks it so hard! Sean was wonderful, and Michael......*sigh* Gorgeous and sexy as always! He is even more amazing in person. They continued on with a few other good ones, and then they played one of my favs: House of Broken Love. Incredible. I can't talk enough about how talented these guys are. They did Save your Love....a beautiful song. In the middle of the show Mark (the lead guitarist) sang a song off his solo CD. Then something totally unexpected.....Sean sang a song!!! I never even knew he sang!! He was so good!! And even MORE unexpected was Michael SANG!!!!!! Holy CRAP!! I just about lost it!! I had this cheesy smile on my face. The scary thing- he sang Lovin' Kind. I have a thing with that song. It has to do with the book I'm writing. This song reminds me so much of the characters of Michael and Becky. I absolutely picture Michael (the character) writing this song after Becky breaks up with him (in a flashback). The song TOTALLY describes them....in EVERY sense. So it FREAKED ME OUT when Michael sang this song!!! Not just that, but I had no CLUE that he even sings other than background!! Which also was great for my book because in my book the lead singer drops out of the song and Michael takes over to sing it. (so he's then singing with Becky). OMG! I just about flipped. (not to mention the big smile on my face). The only issue with the whole thing was the audio. They had lots of audio problems....and though I KNOW Michael has a great voice and sang the song well, I actually could barely hear him. It was a bummer not being able to really hear him sing, but at that point it was just enough to be able to be there, close enough that I could touch him, watching my favorite band for 2 hours. I can deal with the audio problems. I'm a devoted fan that just wants to see them live.

And of course they song all their classics: Rock Me, Can't Shake it, Once Bitten Twice Shy. They did a Zepplin song, and one of their oldest songs, On your Knees.

A fight did break out during the show. Right next to me. Two girls were cat fighting and it got a bit nasty. I just leaned into the stage and figured I'd jump up onto the stage if I had to protect myself. Security came with in a minute and kicked them out. Security was VERY tight.

They played for about 2 hours. The BEST 2 hours ever! After the show I stuck around (even though it was 1am already). The band was doing a meet N greet afterward and I wanted to try to meet them. I couldn't pass up the opportunity....a chance to meet my favorite band?!

I ended up meeting Michael first *sigh*. Oh what an incredible man he is....so nice, so sexy *swoon* I got my picture taken with him (which I'm a bit upset the pic is a bit blurry) and mentioned I'm friends with Pattie and the Rangerettes. *Thanks Pattie!!* It was a quick conversation as he was bombarded with others.

I met Sean (again) next. I got a pic with him and he signed my shirt. One of the ladies that was standing next to me told him I was there earlier than everyone...the devoted fan! (groupie wanna-be....oh yeah....I bought a tank tee and Jack's solo CD "For You" Thanks to my birthday money!! which is now depleted LOL). Then I met Jack. He seemed rushed, but I did get a picture with him and he also signed my shirt. I met Mark also and he signed my shirt, but I didn't get a pic with him. I met Audie too....unfortunately I didn't get to talk to him like I wanted to (I wanted to tell him I'm friends with Karen Dare and she says hi) but security was rushing us out. Blah. So I got a pic with him and that's it.

Oh...and I got to meet Michael a second time.....when he was talking to the girl that they grew up with. She told him that I was their biggest fan LOL.

I ended up leaving about 1:45am. I sat in the car for about 10 minutes trying to warm up. I had left my coat in the car so I wouldn't have to take it in with me so I was freezing as it was -5!! It kept me awake at least! I got home about 2:30am.

What a night! My dream finally came true....I got to be in the front row, right in front of Michael, and I got to meet him! It only took 18 years!!! LOL

So now my rock n roll days are over. I can't afford any more concerts now, and I can't handle those late nights. How on earth does the band do it....especially this week with 3 nights in a row? (I only got about an hour of sleep...if that since I was still wired and excited when I got home, and about 4:30am Ryan was crying in pain, saying his head and feet hurt. So he ended up sleeping the rest of the night with us).

Thank you Great White...for an amazing night, for making a devoted fan's dream come true. Your Rock!!!

Michael on the left with Sean playing Desert Moon.

Jack singing (oh what a voice!!) and Mark in the background playing the guitar.

Michael during Save your Love. *sigh*

Michael and I (don't we make a cute couple? hehe) Sean and I. He is such a sweetheart....and good looking!

Jack and I. The California boy is all ready for the Chicago cold! LOL

Audie (the drummer) and I. He is also a huge sweetie!