Last Friday was the night! Big fun, just as I anticipated!
Out of four attempts to see my beloved Chili Peppers, I can now say I have been successful on two.
- 1992 Lollapalooza, Alpine Valley, Wisconsin
A big, rude boy moshing around stepped on my foot in the grassy parking area before the show even started. It hurt so bad I had to leave and go to the ER. It turned out it was broken and I missed the show. But I still have the t-shirt (although since it’s middle of the night, I’ll use this Internet pic instead of digging it out) and memories of a foot-all-the-way-up-to-the-knee blue cast I had to wear that whole hot summer.
Thanks, Tim (at the time my boyfriend’s friend) for the broken bone you big lug, and better yet, me missing my first Chilis show. : ( It’s slightly easier to take knowing John had left the band by this time so I wouldn’t have seen him anyway, but still.
- 1995 One Hot Minute Tour, Chicago, United Center
I had tickets for the November show, but the show was cancelled since Chad the drummer had broken his wrist, but that was ok because I was smack dab in the middle of a crazy triangle: Chicago boyfriend resisting me ending it, me, my back-in-the-picture love Gary Gill. I thought the show was rescheduled for April 1996 but I don’t even know because by that time I had broken up with Chicago and was engaged to Gary. But I do have a t-shirt from that tour that Chicago gave to me inside a cooler he returned after the break-up.
My t-shirt is actually cream colored but I didn’t see any images online of it.
And besides, John still was out of the band.
- 2003 By The Way Tour, Savvis Center, St. Louis
SUCCESS #1
Gary and I, expecting our third baby, went to this show and it was wonderful. I know I have written about it before, being hugely, 8 months preggers and having bought standing-only floor tickets and being escorted by stadium personnel that “forced” us into comfy seats. I remember I wore my sexiest maternity jeans and a stretched-tight white maternity top that ended up with rainbow slushie juice down the front, from the cold treat my honey brought me that night. No t-shirt from that one, but it was an awesome show and I have great memories from just being with Gary (like that that he wouldn’t pay $10 for parking so we had to walk how many blocks-haha) and hearing that great music. John was back in the band and they were pure musical chemistry peaking. If you ever want to see them from this era, watch the dvd Live at Slane Castle and you will see exactly what I am talking about.
- 2012 I’m With You Tour, Scottrade Center, St. Louis
SUCCESS #2
MAY 25, 2012—ONE EXCELLENT NIGHT
Gary, Ross, Karen (filling in for Debra that had a work conflict), and I went and from my point of view, had an unbelievably fun night. The songs were great, old and new (although Anthony’s voice….). I realized just what incredible performers they are to still be totally rocking out at their (my) age and still so relevant with exciting current music and it was so great. Josh (John’s replacement) was very cool and the athleticism required to do what these guys do for hours a night day after day is unreal. Chad hung from a light rig, swinging in his blue jumpsuit and landing smack down on his drumming stool. His stick tossing was impressive! Flea did some totally Flea dancing moves and get this, walked on his hands across the whole dang stage. Anthony wore his ridiculous OFF! hat, but he’s still looking good despite the big 5-0 coming up this year. The energy, wow!
Sitting there after the opener band, Little Dragon (pretty good!), I was having a private war waging in my mind. I knew once I saw them and heard them after all these years of wanting to again, it was going to be impossible for me to sit down but I worried about the folks behind me, and who wants to have their view of awesomeness on stage blocked by some wide-behind in mom jeans? But it turned out to be a non-issue because guess what, no one in that stadium was sitting down! From the floor up to the ceiling, everyone was on their feet for the full time these guys played. It was amazing!!
In front of us, there were young kids and people from our generation that have been fans too since the 80’s-early 90’s. I just loved it! Our t-shirts might have been Target-bought, but they were styled with love and enthusiasm. And pinking shears.
My beloved Red Hot Chili Peppers [past and present], Gary, Mom and Dad Gill who came to stay with the kids, Ross, Karen, and Debra who had to miss : ( , I love you!!
Caroline said to me yesterday, “Mom you’ve been so happy lately.” I know!!!!
Gotta tell ya this part: Karen, who isn’t even a huge RHCP fan, is now my concert idol since she maneuvered her way to the security-blocked, forbidden floor and to the stage after the show amongst all the roadies intent on hurriedly packing up equipment and huge, huge speakers that could’ve flattened her in a second, and got me the setlist in AK’s own handwriting. SO COOL!
(For the encore, they actually substituted Sir Psycho and They’re Red Hot for Suck My Kiss, just for you fan-nuts that might care. Like me!!)
Catch ya next time, my Chilis, and there will be a next time!
This was my second RHCP concert also! I missed Debra, but this show was definitely much better quality! Probably would have been even better had Debra been there to sneak some rum in her ginormous winter coat! Haha - I'm still bitter about the $10 Scottrade beers. Good thing my aunt is a nut and provided (forced) the tickets for me. Thanks Diane!!
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