The afternoon of July 24th, at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA. Sitting in our seats that were center stage, 2nd row. Second Row! So close to the stage you were only 10 feet from the performers. Our excitement increased every minute we sat there. I worried about my daughter’s blood pressure as well as her mental state. Her fantasy man would be right there in front of her. She would finally see him in person.
The Hollywood Vampires were the performers of the evening. Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper and Joe Perry were the front men. As people claimed their seats, conversations about the band started up and we met our 2nd row neighbors. After my daughter posed for a photo in front of the stage, other “early birds” had to do the same. It was amusing to watch.
We found it odd that the front row seats were empty. Every seat unoccupied. Were all those people waiting in a special VIP lounge? Did the band pick who gets to sit there during the “meet & greets”?
When the opening act left the stage (he was an excellent musician and vocalist, but we had enough of him), the first row people began showing up. Whatever it was that kept them from their primo seats, gave me more time to enjoy the excitement and watch my daughter’s impatience grow. She was going to be this close to Johnny Depp, she reminded me every five minutes.
The frivolity and excitement within me vanished the moment the seats directly in front of me were claimed by a tall couple. Both of them were over six feet tall. My 5′ 3″ could not overcome that obstacle, meaning I could no longer see center stage. “NO!” I felt like crying and stomping, like a toddler throwing a tantrum. As cathartic as that would be, I sucked it up and took it like a woman. I was not about to ruin my daughter’s happiness by whining “poor me!” all night long.
I was not happy about this! Worse, there was not a damned thing I could do about it, which made me even more unhappy – if that were possible. Alice Cooper was the “front man” who stood center stage, so I was only able to see him when he danced about. Johnny was on the microphone stage right, so I could see him most of the time. The guy who played guitar way over on stage left, past Joe Perry, was really cute. I have no clue what his name is or what band he’s from. If YOU happen to know, please make a comment or send me an email! One of my dear readers must have attended this event, right? Y’all are so cool!
Even when I jumped up I saw nothing. Sitting, standing or dancing, my view was the same. At the low point of my evening, I had to sit down and treat hyperglycemia by chewing sugar tablets. I watched Alice Cooper singing center stage, not live, but from Mr. Tall’s large Samsung phone screen while he took (unlawful) videos. How I wished for the “property infringement” police to haul him away! If I knew how to report that sort of thing, I would have ratted him out in a heartbeat. Ha! So, Welcome to My Nightmare, tall people. I have no compassion for you.
Despite my bad luck, I enjoyed seeing my daughter swoon over Johnny Depp, catch Alice Cooper’s baton, and grab guitar picks thrown by Johnny and Joe Perry. I caught one of the picks Joe Perry threw out. It is a simple white pick with “The Hollywood Vampires” on one side and Joe Perry’s signature on the other. Thanks Joe! I will treasure it always.
 |
 |
The next concert I attend, I will have a front row seat. The band will be Aerosmith and I will get to see Joe Perry play his guitar, at last! And if it is an outside venue, I will be certain to wear my floppy hat.
♥ TTFN ♥
Jodi Lea's Place 