I've told this story in more detail on here before, so I'll give a briefer version. Last August I met Eddie with about 6 other fans outside the Boston Opera House during the solo tour...It was just after I graduated high school and was getting ready to move to Chicago for college. I saw 5 PJ shows earlier in the summer and had been thinking a lot about how their music shaped the person I am and opened the door, directly and indirectly, to so many new things. So I wrote Eddie a pretty heartfelt letter explaining how PJ affected me, the parts of my life that wouldn't exist if I never closed the door on highschool bullshit and embraced music.
Right before I met him, I went back and forth on whether I should give it to him. I was pretty nervous and wasn't sure if he'd even read it, but I decided to go through with it. I was the last fan in line, so waiting him for him to sign for everybody else was nerve wracking as hell. Just moments before I met him, I was still debating whether to give him the letter. When he came to me, he shook my hand, complimented my shirt twice (an EV shirt, hah ), and thanked me for coming. He asked if I wanted anything signed and I told him I just wanted to give him a letter. He seemed surprised and gracious. He took it, thanked me again, and carried the letter inside.
After this meeting, I was blown away by how genuine he was and hopeful that he might read it. I figured, I'll never know for sure if he did but a chance was exciting enough. Well, about 4 hours later, halfway through Eddie's set, I saw him take out a yellow piece of paper just like mine. I knew immediately what was going on but was still in utter disbelief. He talked about me and the letter for a minute, read part of it, then said "This band, you know, we probably got into it for selfish reasons because, well, we love music. But to have this be a byproduct of doing what we've done, I can't tell you what it means and I'm so proud. Thank you Lindsay and I'd like to dedicate this one to you" He then played Forever Young.. I can't really describe what was going through my mind at that point. All I was hoping for was that he'd read the note and understand my gratitude. I never expected to even find out if he did, nevermind receive an on-stage dedication. That day was, perhaps obviously, one of the best of my life. I listen to the bootleg from time to time and it always takes me right back.
Well that probably ended up being the same amount of detail as when I first posted it, so I apologize. Guess I'm in a story mood this Saturday morning.
there have been a few meetings... but the funniest by far would be...
...having given up trying to run into anyone we made our way to the local pool hall. As we walked up and booked our table we realised we were next to Eddie and (Tour Manager) Eric. An other table was obviously aware Ed was in the house and was playing PJ on the jukebox and Ed was singing along to Betterman!!! Then Jeremy!!
As their lights turned out we offered for them to join our game but I think the PJ overload overthe sound system was too much and he needed to leave.
PJ karaoke with the actual EV signing was unbelieveable
on the vfc tour i had tix for grand rapids and toledo. i told everyone i know that i would meet them this tour. the toledo sports arena is real small and easy to meet bands there. so right when we got there we made our way to the back of the building. i turned the corener and there was ed. i made my girlfriend run back to the car and get the camera. she was 7 months progo too. i told her to run like she was having the baby. so we hung around with ed for like 10 min. he signed my ticket. and we are both in the video that was released about that tour.
Just, not enough.
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I said, I dont want it.
I just need it.
To breathe, to feel, to know Im alive.
met em all but Matt... I don't think I'll ever meet him because he'll probably punch me in the face for mocking his wierd arm movements when he waves to the crowd... he has to be stretching or something, that is just too wierd of a movement!
haha, you sound like me and my friends. I love his huge wave
-one thing to remember, always have a good time, all the time
I met Mike outside of the Ford Center in OKC. He was riding his bike a few hours before the show. I saw him across the parking lot and took off running as fast as I could get to where a few people were gathering to meet him. I remember not being able to breathe because of how fast I had ran over there. So, when it came time to meet him all I could gasp was "Hey, I'm Brandon" and "Your solos kick ass!"
Very cool experience!
Straight down the center for a hot chicken dinner!
I met Ed at a Phillies/Red Sox game this year. I left my seat to get a water. As I'm walking, I hear this really deep voice and it grabbed my attention. I looked over and it was Eddie talking to a couple of big dudes. They looked like security. At this point, I couldn't be sure if it was really him. It was like I was dreaming because of all the places to run into your favorite musician to be at a baseball game, totally random. I remember he had a tatoo on his leg on one of my old posters. I checked, and sure enough, it was there. I shook his hand and spoke to him briefly about a solo show of his I was at. He said, "You weren't one of those drunk guys, were ya" Then I asked him why they wore the white lab coats. I think it was representative of the creation of the new music for ITW. Then I walked off. About a minute later I felt a tap on my back as I was texting my wife what just happened. I turned around at it was Ed. He handed me a pick and jogged off. I thought that was real cool of him. I don't regret any time or money I have spent enjoying this band. If he was an asshole, I would have been dissapointed.
I had the opportunity to hang out with Ed and about 10 other fans for little over an hour in the parking lot of Molson Amphitheater (Toronto) in 2003.
Shared a Heineken with him and held his bike as he stumbled into the bushes piss drunk to take a piss. It was the three year anniversary of Roskilde so it was a very emotional conversation, one i will never forget.
"it feels like it's the end of the world and we all got a good seat. you know -- step right up, get your tickets...here we go."
We got to the hotel REALLY early in the morning, probably somewhere around 8:30-9:00am,
I had to laugh when I read this . . . 8:30-9:00 is REALLY early? You must be young
Barrie 08/22/98 Montreal 10/04/00 Toronto 10/05/00 Toronto 06/28/03 Kitchener 09/11/05 Ottawa 09/16/05 Toronto 08/21/09 Toronto 09/11/11 Ottawa 09/14/11 Buffalo 10/12/13 Ottawa 05/08/16 Chicago 08/20/18 Ottawa 09/03/22 Nashville 09/16/22
My story takes place on July 1, 2008 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. After a scorching pair of shows at the legendary MSG a week before, PJ returns to NYC to play a one off benefit show for the Robin Hood Foundation at the Beacon Theatre. My bus from New Hampshire pulls in o Port Authority ahead of schedule in the early afternoon. I head up to the venue to check out the scene. Sure enough, there are already a few fans hanging around, waiting...
A small pack of about ten of us are standing around near the backstage door for about 20-30 minutes, suddenly the security detail start scuttling about, placing one of those mobile gate rails out in front of us, a black SUV pulls up, out comes Mike. We all call out to him and he gives us a smiling, passing wave.
Ten minutes later, another black SUV pulls up, up go the gate rails, out comes Ed. He starts heading in to the venue carrying what looks like a uke case. We call out to him and he does a double take and comes over to greet us. He shakes everyone's hand, but tells us he is not signing autographs. That is...until he spots a vinyl ITW album being held out. He then says, "Okay, only this one," and proceeds to sign it. Lucky S.O.B! I guess Ed really does hold different standards when vinyl enters the equation. I pat Ed on the back and thank him for doing this show, he gives me a quick nod of recognition. He then goes inside.
A few minutes later, as we're waiting for the gate rails to come over again. We hear from behind us, "Hey, fellas." It was Jeff sneaking up from the rear and heading inside. A total air strike. He flashes us all a quick peace sign.
Finally, a few minutes later, the gate rails are moved up again, Stone and Matt jump out and rush in, as if late for soundcheck or something.
So, there is was. All the members steadily trickling in with Ed the only one to actually come over to say hey, definitely a cool encounter. The show rocked, too! And, $3 million raised for charity.
Met Ed in Philly this year after his solo show. A few of us were standing by the tour bus thinking maybe he'd walk by getting onto the bus. Turns out he was already on the bus but security kinda led us to believe if we didn't act like idiots, he might come out. After like an hour he came out and said he was gonna try to say hello to as many of us as he could. I was in the front so I knew I was gonna meet him. After all these years I was drawing a blank as to what I was gonna say. So I just told him that my fav song is LBC and he was like, did you hear us play it with the African kids, and told how the band showed them how to eat pizza, etc. I was blown away that after playing a whole show he would take the time to talk to a complete stranger like me. Not only does he have this crazy incredible gift of music, he really wants to share it with people. It has to be tough when everyone wants to be your friend but he was extremely gracious.
Comments
Right before I met him, I went back and forth on whether I should give it to him. I was pretty nervous and wasn't sure if he'd even read it, but I decided to go through with it. I was the last fan in line, so waiting him for him to sign for everybody else was nerve wracking as hell. Just moments before I met him, I was still debating whether to give him the letter. When he came to me, he shook my hand, complimented my shirt twice (an EV shirt, hah ), and thanked me for coming. He asked if I wanted anything signed and I told him I just wanted to give him a letter. He seemed surprised and gracious. He took it, thanked me again, and carried the letter inside.
After this meeting, I was blown away by how genuine he was and hopeful that he might read it. I figured, I'll never know for sure if he did but a chance was exciting enough. Well, about 4 hours later, halfway through Eddie's set, I saw him take out a yellow piece of paper just like mine. I knew immediately what was going on but was still in utter disbelief. He talked about me and the letter for a minute, read part of it, then said "This band, you know, we probably got into it for selfish reasons because, well, we love music. But to have this be a byproduct of doing what we've done, I can't tell you what it means and I'm so proud. Thank you Lindsay and I'd like to dedicate this one to you" He then played Forever Young.. I can't really describe what was going through my mind at that point. All I was hoping for was that he'd read the note and understand my gratitude. I never expected to even find out if he did, nevermind receive an on-stage dedication. That day was, perhaps obviously, one of the best of my life. I listen to the bootleg from time to time and it always takes me right back.
Well that probably ended up being the same amount of detail as when I first posted it, so I apologize. Guess I'm in a story mood this Saturday morning.
...having given up trying to run into anyone we made our way to the local pool hall. As we walked up and booked our table we realised we were next to Eddie and (Tour Manager) Eric. An other table was obviously aware Ed was in the house and was playing PJ on the jukebox and Ed was singing along to Betterman!!! Then Jeremy!!
As their lights turned out we offered for them to join our game but I think the PJ overload overthe sound system was too much and he needed to leave.
PJ karaoke with the actual EV signing was unbelieveable
Mike in St. Johns, Newfoundland in '05
And Boom outside the Hawaii theater before EV solo this past July.
3 down, 3 to go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOTjYeBgwIE
i said "thanks for the Daniel Johnston cover tonight"
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I said, I dont want it.
I just need it.
To breathe, to feel, to know Im alive.
haha, you sound like me and my friends. I love his huge wave
Very cool experience!
Wow, that's a great pic!
I guess I am wrong... I really don't know Ed at all.
I am surprised by the stories that he really does remember people.
Not sure if I really like that... :oops:
Seems like he's one of those who has elephant memories!
I really enjoyed reading those stories... keep 'em coming.
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
Shared a Heineken with him and held his bike as he stumbled into the bushes piss drunk to take a piss. It was the three year anniversary of Roskilde so it was a very emotional conversation, one i will never forget.
- EV
I had to laugh when I read this . . . 8:30-9:00 is REALLY early?
Montreal 10/04/00
Toronto 10/05/00
Toronto 06/28/03
Kitchener 09/11/05
Ottawa 09/16/05
Toronto 08/21/09
Toronto 09/11/11
Ottawa 09/14/11
Buffalo 10/12/13
Ottawa 05/08/16
Chicago 08/20/18
Ottawa 09/03/22
Nashville 09/16/22
A small pack of about ten of us are standing around near the backstage door for about 20-30 minutes, suddenly the security detail start scuttling about, placing one of those mobile gate rails out in front of us, a black SUV pulls up, out comes Mike. We all call out to him and he gives us a smiling, passing wave.
Ten minutes later, another black SUV pulls up, up go the gate rails, out comes Ed. He starts heading in to the venue carrying what looks like a uke case. We call out to him and he does a double take and comes over to greet us. He shakes everyone's hand, but tells us he is not signing autographs. That is...until he spots a vinyl ITW album being held out. He then says, "Okay, only this one," and proceeds to sign it. Lucky S.O.B! I guess Ed really does hold different standards when vinyl enters the equation. I pat Ed on the back and thank him for doing this show, he gives me a quick nod of recognition. He then goes inside.
A few minutes later, as we're waiting for the gate rails to come over again. We hear from behind us, "Hey, fellas." It was Jeff sneaking up from the rear and heading inside. A total air strike. He flashes us all a quick peace sign.
Finally, a few minutes later, the gate rails are moved up again, Stone and Matt jump out and rush in, as if late for soundcheck or something.
So, there is was. All the members steadily trickling in with Ed the only one to actually come over to say hey, definitely a cool encounter. The show rocked, too! And, $3 million raised for charity.