Re: My Bonabaptism at the Hard Rock in Hollywood
Sorry for the delayed review- the past week was a whirlwind and I wanted everything to sink in and digest before I shared my thoughts with you guys.
I had been introduced to Joe over the phone before, but my first time meeting him was on Tuesday before the Melbourne show, where I also got to meet Rob P before the Meet and Greet- always nice to put faces to names. I was up there tending to some business, getting what I had to set up and meeting the crew. Everyone was incredibly nice and in great spirits, given this was the 3rd-to-last show for the Fall tour. It was almost like a summer camp atmosphere with all the guys (and Ashley) cracking jokes and having fun. Everyone had a job to do, but they all seemed to enjoy it.
Around 3PM, Joe and the band walk in. After watching him shred a little during soundcheck and marveling at THE roadcase, I went back to what I was doing. Joe went back to his dressing room and I met Rick and Tal (before their naps) and Carmine. It was incredibly cool to be where I was and have those guys just walking around, going about their business.
A little later, I had the privilege of being a fly on the wall in his dressing room. I didn't really have much to say, so I just shut up and listened to him jam. He had his little amp set up in the bathroom (had to do with the acoustics and he showed me how opening and closing the door, even by the smallest increments, had a different effect on the sound) and was playing around on a '57 Les Paul if I recall correctly. Roy came in to hang out before the show and that turned into a lesson on applying vibrato while Mike (Joe's guitar tech) looked on. You could see Joe's eyes light up as he shared his knowledge and talked technique and theory with Mike and Roy. It was incredible just being in the presence of people who are so passionate about and talented at what they do. Mike is hilarious and definitely knows his stuff. The chemistry between him and Joe carries over on-stage.
I'd like to reiterate what most of you already know- Joe's one of the nicest, most humble rock stars you could meet. You've probably heard the line that “he's just a guy who loves to play the guitar”. That sums him up in a nutshell. I think that's something we all need to keep in mind. As easy as it is to get caught up in the excitement of meeting him, at the end of the day, Joe is still a person like you and me. He also has an incredible memory, given all the people he's met over the years. Seeing him at the meet and greet, then again at the bus after the show, maybe even a few times a year, can be overwhelming for him, so I ask that you please keep that in mind and try and limit your interactions- for Joe's and your own sake. The more overwhelmed he feels, the less he's going to want to give you guys the exposure and access that you're accustomed to, it's just human nature. The meet and greets are one of Joe's ways of thanking you all for the support that you've given over the years and for helping him get to where he is in his career today. On that note, Joe's actually a pretty shy guy.
Great that you finally got to see your first Joe show and hang around with him.
But as a long time fan, I do have to ask you about your summation of reiterating to us fans about your opinion of how we shouldn't take up too much of Joe's time, or because if we do we may lose out on our access.
That's a bit harsh and sounds like music industry stuff.
Is that just your view, or is that management's view?
He was giving access before you came on board. That is how he made fans his friends. So after 1 show you are telling us fan etiquette, when he has made fans in the early days the grassroots way?
I could kind of understand you saying it if there were a lot of abuses. But I find Joe's fan to be very grateful that they got to talk to him and for any time spent.
I kind of find you hanging out with him all day and then you mentioning to US something that we shouldn't be doing, a bit hypocritical. Are you saying it as a fan or his management?
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