Topic: A Bridge to Better Days - Two years later
Just one point before I start - I'm not out for sympathy or commiserations, I'm simply telling it like it is, and to do that I have to place my introduction to Joe in the context of my life.
I signed on here with the internet persona I have used for nearly 10 years - 'Amster' because I live in Amsterdam, 'Hammer' because I am a serious supporter of West Ham United football team from London, known as 'The Hammers.
My name is George, I am 58 years old, American, and have lived here for nearly 19 years. Last May, my deeply beloved wife died after a four year fight against breast cancer. Because I always wanted to stay near her to help however I could, I hadn't been to any concerts or festivals for years and pretty much became out of touch with developments in music except for my two main musical loves, The Boss and Bonnie Raitt.
When I finally managed to emerge from the initial horror and despair, I discovered the lineup at Bospop in July and decided that I was going to start my new life by going to see John Mayall, Paul Rodgers, gary Moore and John Fogerty. I had never heard of Joe!
The lady I went with insisted that I join her in watching Joe in the tent, which I did. After his first song, I said to her, 'This boy is really good'. After each subsequent number my jaw dropped further with disbelief. How could I have never heard of somebody this good? In short, despite my enjoyment of many other acts that day, no one impressed me like Joe, who completely blew me away.
As soon as I got home I trawled Youtube and started downloading everything I could find. Given the context of my state of mind trying to emerge from major trauma, and given that this was my first festival in years, my first faltering steps at a new life without my wife, just imagine how totally gobsmacked and deeply moved I was by the symbolism of discovering that the song that had made the biggest impression on me was called.....'Bridge to better days'!
And so it proved.....I've hardly listened to anyone but Joe since, I've got everything official (and some that isn't) on my HD. I turned three friends on to Joe, all of whom wanted to join me at the Paradiso as soon as i told them he was coming on Oct. 12.
Joe's music has been of unimaginable comfort to me this summer; he's lifted me when I needed lifting; he's helped me to cry when I needed to: he's consoled me when I needed consoling. As I have recently also started a new relationship, I now truly feel that I am more than halfway over that bridge to better days!
Thank you, Joe.
P.S. Breast cancer is on the increase throughout western society. Women are being affected at increasingly younger ages. I have two sincere, heartfelt requests for all users of this forum - please support the fight against cancer however you choose, but DO IT! And ladies, even if you're still only in your 20's, please have your breasts checked regularly. The earliest possible detection of this potential killer is vitally important!
Rock On and keep the Faith
