May 4, 2009/ May 4, 2011 (Page 2 of 5)

Joe - I don't really need the DVD - the memories of the day itself are so strong.

As musical "events" go, the RAH gig and everything that went with it (pre- gig meets of the forum members and the friendships forged, and the aftershow party at Cocoon complete with an unexpected late appearance of an understanderbly drained looking Joe Bonamassa) eclipses any other I have experienced.

Not that I don't have the DVD of course, which is without doubt one of the best music DVDs I've ever seen and is proving to be a masterstroke in moving the JB Juggernaut onwards and upwards. Come to think of it, I may just take the time to have another look this evening. See now I'm already getting those goosebumps just thinking about the opening notes of "Django"  , not to mention the shiver I'll get down my neck at the "Thankyou London,......" moment at the end.

I'll certainly be raising a glass to toast you on this anniversary Joe, and the friends I made through your music on that weekend in May 2009. May the 4th be with you - always!

Ian

The problem with joining these threads so late is that everyone has already said it all. But in tis case it can't be said enough, the RAH gig is probably the best dvd of it's kind I have ever seen and did its part in cementing my relatonship with the music of an absolute master.

My one regret is that I missed the first 20 years, but I look forward with great anticipation to the possibility of the next twenty.

Happy anniversary of this momentous occasion and I'll see you with your other friends in Newcastle (England) in July and again in Blackpool in October.

The only truly great music is live music and you're the greatest there is.

We're honoured that you chose to mark that special moment in your career in our little ol' country! Can't wait for the next live dvd...but how do you top that?

I still remember walking up the stairs next to our seats and being absolutely amazed at the size and grandeur, but also cozyness of the RAH and thinking how amazing it was that the guy I first experienced playing on the back of a truck after a car race was playing this place.  The look on my son's face when he realized that our tickets had been magically upgraded just a bit thanks to the generosity of someone very special was priceless.  (This amazing friend had sent me an email out of the blue a couple of months before the big event and asked me if I was interested in "better seats."  I only knew this person from here and wasn't quite sure what to do about this offer, so after reading every post he had ever put on here and thinking long and hard about it I decided to accept his offer.  I had no clue where these seats were located when I said ok - turned out I ended up with one of the best seats in the house and a bit part in the DVD.  By the time we finally met in London (several dozen emails later) I counted Phil among one of my best friends)   - amazing the power of this place and Joe to turn total strangers into best friends.  I think one of the most amazing things about that night was the gathering of so many from so near and far and the friendships that formed over those couple of days - built on a mutual love they have continued to grow since that special night.

To Joe's manager Roy - thank you for gambling so much on this - probably one of the scariest decisions you have ever made turned out to be one of the best.  Sometimes I feel like a proud parent watching Joe's career blossom in such a huge way since that night and know that you have had a huge part in all of this success.  Thank you.

Joe, I still remember your expression when you walked out on that stage - so cool and collected, but just a touch of nervousness around the edges that magically disappeared as soon as you started playing the first eerie notes of Django.  All the worries just disappeared into your masterful playing.  It was a performance of a lifetime, and one I was so privileged to share with you  and a few thousand others.  And to think you had been worried you wouldn't be able to sell all the tickets!

The grin on this face says it all:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24057301@N … 7853015980

Thank you Joe and all my wonderful friends for the honor of sharing that momentous night with you all. 

Sandy

Hey Joe,
I get all full of emotion just thinking about it......can't cry today because I cried in front of you in Davenport (Had To Cry That Day    ) .....but that's what you do to me. I wore my London jacket today to celebrate     I always feel so honored to know you and consider it a blessing from God to be a part of your world.  I can tell you without any doubt had you not played at RAH, I would never have traveled to Europe in my life.  The trip there for me was one of the GREATEST adventures of my life.  And you deserve all the credit for creating the circumstance to make it happen.  There is NO OTHER ARTIST  that I would have traveled that distance to see....none.  I will never forget seeing you standing in the wing waiting to come on out.  It was thrilling beyond words.......we were all so very proud of you. And those first notes are forever etched in our minds.  You and the band delivered a performance beyond anyone's imagination.  I don't know that anything could ever top being there.  It will always hold a most special spot  in my heart ♥  I know Roy & I have commented before on this, but take plain everyday midwest people and pluck them in front row seats at the Royal Albert Hall in London,England at a Joe Bonamassa concert and you have just given the HUGEST WOW FACTOR.  And then to go to a posh nightclub for an aftershow party....what more could we want.  It was truly a thrill to meet your dear parents, your Mom is just the sweetest and your Dad's excitement over "the secret" was contagious.  Also, special to meet Michael & Lindsay.  (I was led around a corner with my eyes covered for that special treat and yes, it made me cry.)  To meet Mike Himelstein at the aftershow party was also very,very special and what a nice gentle- man he is.    And it makes me chuckle when I think about how Rhonda & I stewed and fretted over the piece of tape that was stuck to your shoe during the show....we were sure it was going to end up in the video....silly us        To have this night captured on DVD is just one of the best gifts in life, ever.  I will be watching it for many,many more years to come.
You are a bright shining star Joe Bonamassa and yes, pattydoesluvjoe 

                                                                   pattyluvsjoe 

P.S.  I haven't forgotten about all the great friends I met and all the great traveling companions, those dear special friends who helped me get there, and the greatest host & hostess on Planet Earth.....I am just taking the wise words from Carmine whenever I ask him to tell some stories of his rock life........and I quote...."Let's just talk about Joe     "

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"     
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

I could have quoted all of your beautifully written straight from the heart post, dear Sandy! But, I wanted to highlight this passage, because as you rightly observe, the legacy of that night, in particular the friendships that were formed, continue to grow and flourish to this day, and that is truly a wonderful and special thing to be a proud part of. 

I regretfully was not in attendance. But I know from endlessly watching the video, when The Man tossed his glasses into the crowd he knew he was "there".

Priceless.

Part I

May 1, 2009...Lil' Eddie and I got on a British Airways nonstop flight to London, England!      We looked at each other in awe!  We're really doing it, at ages 52 and 62, we're leaving the North American continent for the very first time!  Why?

May 4, 2009...To see Joe Bonamassa, THE Ultimate BonaBuddy, perform at the Royal Albert Hall! 

*As the first notes of Django played, I felt such an overwhelming sense of pride in Joe and of being part of everything and everyone that is Joe's Street Team.  I shed some happy tears of joy and relief (joy that it’s Joe's big night, and relief that we were there to witness it...what would it have been like if we had missed it?), and then was completely enthralled from the first to the very last note Joe played!
*Witnessing THE Event of a lifetime, for Joe and for all of us who have told the world about Joe, was such a blessing!
*Meeting Bonabuddies from all over the world, in person for the first time, was such an amazing experience.
*Enjoying the after-party at Cocoon and actually getting to congratulate Joe in person on his amazing performance was magical! (con't)

"Joe Rocks!" -- You can quote us on that!
Lil' Eddie and The Baaaaad Kitty
WhoodooVoodooLounge 
JBLP #26 (aged)