another awesome Met Ed Story
blondieblue227
Va, USA Posts: 4,509
i'm sad to say this isn't my story, but it was so cool i asked if i could share it here. 
so here it is....
http://myheartdog.com/2009/10/rock-star ... -gold.html
Going to concerts when you have a disability is can be a huge challenge. For one thing, there's the monopoly that is Ticketmaster. I have yet to ever be able to get a decent seat from them, while trying for disabled seating. Even the seconds in the beginnings of the first day of sale. It's as if those tickets just don't exist...and I doubt the ones in premium seating do. Those are likely held back with the other premium seats. Then there's the attitudes of the venue management and assorted others in charge towards people with disabilities. Don't even get me started on that...
It's a total crap shoot with venues. Some go out of their way to accommodate their disabled patrons, others treat us as if we are an inconvenience, or that we should be grateful for the concessions they do make. OK, it's great that they make spaces for wheelchairs fairly close to stages now, as opposed to only at the furthest regions, but I don't think anybody takes into account that at a rock concert, people stand. We who are permanently sitting, just have a hell of a time seeing around those folks. And a big part of a concert is seeing the performance. Actually, the point of it.
So, I must admit, I had been blessed in seeing one of my favorite bands, U2, last tour. I got to be up front, or on the outside of the elipse, for all but one of the ten shows I attended. Nothing beats the energy shared between you and the band when you are that close. The interaction, and connection is amazing. It's the best way to see a show, as I'm sure anyone would agree. Granted, it's not easy to get those seats. But when one is disabled, it's exponentially difficult. I have quite a number of "horror" stories with trying to get tickets to see artists I admire.
Perhaps that's one reason I had never before been to a Pearl Jam concert. After all, I've admired them since they began. I remember being moved by videos that would come out, listening through headphones to Vitalogy and Ten while wheeling around L.A. I just love Eddie's passion, and the intense emotion in his voice. But it was when Into the Wild came out, with it's accompanying soundtrack, and it had reached deep places in my soul, that I just had to go see Ed's solo tour when I learned of it coming to town.
That turned out to be serendipitous. I was booted out of the venue, when an abled-bodied couple showed up with Ticketmaster print outs for wheelchair seats. The tour manager was admiring Borias while I was outside, distraught at the turn of events, and I told him what happened. He was appalled at the treatment the venue manager had given me, and arranged for me to come the next night. I also got to meet Eddie for the first time. He is such a kind, generous person, and truly impressed me beyond my expectations. The next day, he asked if I had been taken care of, and I ended up with great seats, and got treated to a mind blowing, amazing show.
Cut to last week. I couldn't get tickets to Pearl Jam's tour, other than the worst wheelchair seats. Luckily, a friend I had met at Ed's show managed to get me a ticket to L.A., in the LOGE section. My first show. Well, it was less than optimal, as I couldn't see over people for the vast majority of it. I wanted so bad to experience what I had at U2, feeding off the energy, seeing faces. I wanted so bad to be up front, for just one show. But at the venue in L.A., there just didn't seem to be a way. Despite many spaces for wheelchairs going unoccupied, security would not allow moving around.
So I waited for San Diego. My last chance. I knew it would be a really great show, and I had my heart set on having a good view. Fortunately I secured a fan club ticket from that friend again, and I went to ask someone in charge about upgrading to closer wheelchair seats. He went with me to the box office, where I already heard they were out of everything, but when we got there, some floor seats had just opened up. (Hmmm, perhaps held back the entire time tickets were on sale?) I was very excited, and so was my friend. These were one section back from the stage, and it looked great on paper.
That high was dashed when I got in the venue, and realized while people crowded in for Ben Harper, that it was so close to the section in front, that people standing were going to completely impede the view. I was grateful to have gotten lucky enough to be down on the floor, obviously no small feat. But it truly sucks to not be able to see. At all. The security down there was really nice, and they got someone in charge to come down, just to see if there was anything that could be done about this. A woman with an all access pass, from the venue showed up.
"Unfortunately..." the first words out of her mouth, the kiss of death. "We have these seats sectioned off for wheelchairs, and if you can't see here, we are happy to have you go up there to the top".
Yeah, the back of the venue, nosebleed seats. No thanks. Disappointing to say the least. There was no budging her by the book attitude. Frustrating. I even asked her if I had had front row seats, they would not allow me to sit up front, and she replied that these were the seats set apart for wheelchairs, so no. Unbelievable. So I figured I would move around a little again, and try to find an opening to see somewhere. When the show started, I was pushing myself up with my arms trying to see through gaps. I went to the end of the aisle, seeing if I could sit there, and got an earful about leaving 6 feet or something. (Seems to me an ADA rule turned against us) And that it was a "fire hazard" for a wheelchair to be in any other area. Yeah, like we can't wheel like hell to save our lives from a fire...
Then something amazing happened...bless this random act of kindness, a security guy had me come in and sit by the railing to backstage, with a good side view of the stage. I swear, I broke into tears of joy. I couldn't believe how wonderful that was of him to do for me. Now I could truly give myself over to the show, and feel that connection with the performance. Eddie was belting "I don't wanna take what you can give...I would rather starve than eat your bread...I would rather run but I can't walk.."
I screamed and danced and felt the most astounding elation! And what a show it was! So far exceeding expectations, it was truly magical. I even got a drumstick towards the end, to my surprise.
When I saw the L.A. show, I watched while several people up front were given tambourines by Eddie, and I wished I could get one really badly. Well, my wish came true, as he went and got some more during a number, and ran over to my side, leapt up on a huge speaker and leaned down to hand me one!! Yes! People were congratulating me, and I clung tightly to it while watching the rest of this amazing show. I was so thankful that these big, burly security guys had a heart, and let this gal have the time of her life!
After the show, I went with my friend to the backstage exit outside, and hung out with some other fans while waiting to see who might come out. I don't usually like to do this, but the fans were really respectful and cool, and maybe I could get the tambourine signed. I got Borias out of the car, so he could hang with us, too.
The last black SUV (what is it with bands being chauferred by dark SUV's?) started to come out, and stopped. A big security guy came out, and announced that Ed wanted to say hi, but don't ask for any signing or anything. He said I was good with my tambourine, but I didn't want to ask anyway. Ed was clearly pretty inebriated, and in good spirits. He said thanks for waiting for him, and saw me, and said "Ah there you are.." took my hand in his and kissed it. I thanked him for the show and tambourine. Then he asked who this is, meaning my dog. I told him his name, and he stood back and said "I like that!" and pet him.
How could this night get any better? I now have this tambourine for a souvenir, a permanent reminder that some people can do some incredibly cool things. Of a kick-ass amazing concert. And that rock stars can have a heart of gold.
so here it is....
http://myheartdog.com/2009/10/rock-star ... -gold.html
Going to concerts when you have a disability is can be a huge challenge. For one thing, there's the monopoly that is Ticketmaster. I have yet to ever be able to get a decent seat from them, while trying for disabled seating. Even the seconds in the beginnings of the first day of sale. It's as if those tickets just don't exist...and I doubt the ones in premium seating do. Those are likely held back with the other premium seats. Then there's the attitudes of the venue management and assorted others in charge towards people with disabilities. Don't even get me started on that...
It's a total crap shoot with venues. Some go out of their way to accommodate their disabled patrons, others treat us as if we are an inconvenience, or that we should be grateful for the concessions they do make. OK, it's great that they make spaces for wheelchairs fairly close to stages now, as opposed to only at the furthest regions, but I don't think anybody takes into account that at a rock concert, people stand. We who are permanently sitting, just have a hell of a time seeing around those folks. And a big part of a concert is seeing the performance. Actually, the point of it.
So, I must admit, I had been blessed in seeing one of my favorite bands, U2, last tour. I got to be up front, or on the outside of the elipse, for all but one of the ten shows I attended. Nothing beats the energy shared between you and the band when you are that close. The interaction, and connection is amazing. It's the best way to see a show, as I'm sure anyone would agree. Granted, it's not easy to get those seats. But when one is disabled, it's exponentially difficult. I have quite a number of "horror" stories with trying to get tickets to see artists I admire.
Perhaps that's one reason I had never before been to a Pearl Jam concert. After all, I've admired them since they began. I remember being moved by videos that would come out, listening through headphones to Vitalogy and Ten while wheeling around L.A. I just love Eddie's passion, and the intense emotion in his voice. But it was when Into the Wild came out, with it's accompanying soundtrack, and it had reached deep places in my soul, that I just had to go see Ed's solo tour when I learned of it coming to town.
That turned out to be serendipitous. I was booted out of the venue, when an abled-bodied couple showed up with Ticketmaster print outs for wheelchair seats. The tour manager was admiring Borias while I was outside, distraught at the turn of events, and I told him what happened. He was appalled at the treatment the venue manager had given me, and arranged for me to come the next night. I also got to meet Eddie for the first time. He is such a kind, generous person, and truly impressed me beyond my expectations. The next day, he asked if I had been taken care of, and I ended up with great seats, and got treated to a mind blowing, amazing show.
Cut to last week. I couldn't get tickets to Pearl Jam's tour, other than the worst wheelchair seats. Luckily, a friend I had met at Ed's show managed to get me a ticket to L.A., in the LOGE section. My first show. Well, it was less than optimal, as I couldn't see over people for the vast majority of it. I wanted so bad to experience what I had at U2, feeding off the energy, seeing faces. I wanted so bad to be up front, for just one show. But at the venue in L.A., there just didn't seem to be a way. Despite many spaces for wheelchairs going unoccupied, security would not allow moving around.
So I waited for San Diego. My last chance. I knew it would be a really great show, and I had my heart set on having a good view. Fortunately I secured a fan club ticket from that friend again, and I went to ask someone in charge about upgrading to closer wheelchair seats. He went with me to the box office, where I already heard they were out of everything, but when we got there, some floor seats had just opened up. (Hmmm, perhaps held back the entire time tickets were on sale?) I was very excited, and so was my friend. These were one section back from the stage, and it looked great on paper.
That high was dashed when I got in the venue, and realized while people crowded in for Ben Harper, that it was so close to the section in front, that people standing were going to completely impede the view. I was grateful to have gotten lucky enough to be down on the floor, obviously no small feat. But it truly sucks to not be able to see. At all. The security down there was really nice, and they got someone in charge to come down, just to see if there was anything that could be done about this. A woman with an all access pass, from the venue showed up.
"Unfortunately..." the first words out of her mouth, the kiss of death. "We have these seats sectioned off for wheelchairs, and if you can't see here, we are happy to have you go up there to the top".
Yeah, the back of the venue, nosebleed seats. No thanks. Disappointing to say the least. There was no budging her by the book attitude. Frustrating. I even asked her if I had had front row seats, they would not allow me to sit up front, and she replied that these were the seats set apart for wheelchairs, so no. Unbelievable. So I figured I would move around a little again, and try to find an opening to see somewhere. When the show started, I was pushing myself up with my arms trying to see through gaps. I went to the end of the aisle, seeing if I could sit there, and got an earful about leaving 6 feet or something. (Seems to me an ADA rule turned against us) And that it was a "fire hazard" for a wheelchair to be in any other area. Yeah, like we can't wheel like hell to save our lives from a fire...
Then something amazing happened...bless this random act of kindness, a security guy had me come in and sit by the railing to backstage, with a good side view of the stage. I swear, I broke into tears of joy. I couldn't believe how wonderful that was of him to do for me. Now I could truly give myself over to the show, and feel that connection with the performance. Eddie was belting "I don't wanna take what you can give...I would rather starve than eat your bread...I would rather run but I can't walk.."
I screamed and danced and felt the most astounding elation! And what a show it was! So far exceeding expectations, it was truly magical. I even got a drumstick towards the end, to my surprise.
When I saw the L.A. show, I watched while several people up front were given tambourines by Eddie, and I wished I could get one really badly. Well, my wish came true, as he went and got some more during a number, and ran over to my side, leapt up on a huge speaker and leaned down to hand me one!! Yes! People were congratulating me, and I clung tightly to it while watching the rest of this amazing show. I was so thankful that these big, burly security guys had a heart, and let this gal have the time of her life!
After the show, I went with my friend to the backstage exit outside, and hung out with some other fans while waiting to see who might come out. I don't usually like to do this, but the fans were really respectful and cool, and maybe I could get the tambourine signed. I got Borias out of the car, so he could hang with us, too.
The last black SUV (what is it with bands being chauferred by dark SUV's?) started to come out, and stopped. A big security guy came out, and announced that Ed wanted to say hi, but don't ask for any signing or anything. He said I was good with my tambourine, but I didn't want to ask anyway. Ed was clearly pretty inebriated, and in good spirits. He said thanks for waiting for him, and saw me, and said "Ah there you are.." took my hand in his and kissed it. I thanked him for the show and tambourine. Then he asked who this is, meaning my dog. I told him his name, and he stood back and said "I like that!" and pet him.
How could this night get any better? I now have this tambourine for a souvenir, a permanent reminder that some people can do some incredibly cool things. Of a kick-ass amazing concert. And that rock stars can have a heart of gold.
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*
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Comments
I watched as Ed gave you that tamborine in SD....congrats to you!!!! I have to say you were rocking out than a lot of thos people in the front 2 rows were that night!!!
"I'm not about to give thanks or appologize"
"Caught a bolt of lighting, cursed the day he let it go"
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I am soooo glad that you got to have such an amazing experience. I really wish that when architects and engineers are designing venues that they actually consult with a person who has a disability when they are designing accessible seating areas because while they have platforms they have people who can stand up TOO close to this platform so those people in wheelchairs...esp those without electronic lifts...can't see when people in front of them stand up. I would make these platforms a lot higher than they currently are.
I was in Vegas last Friday to see U2 and just down the rail from me...inside the circle...was a young woman who was in a wheelchair and on a ventilator. I was soo happy too see the smile on her face during the show. One of the roadies even gave her a guitar pic and I think she got a setlist after the show too. It made me happy to see that someone who wouldn't ordinarily get to experience a show so close got to do so that night.
Congrats to the woman in this story and to Pearl Jam for being awesome!
Thank you for sharing
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Well said. I look after people with disabilities for a living. So many of them are heavily into music and adore going to concerts. Took one of my favourite clients to see the Living End in Melbourne earlier on this year. She told me it was the best night of her life so I've promised her another trip to see the Living End when and if they tour again next year, accompanied by her friend this time, who also has cerebral palsy. She is already hanging out for this, and the concert I took her to was the first rock concert she'd ever been to.
i often think the same when i see people bitching on here about seats.
sorry but i do.
i so glad you took her!
i've had people tell me i have more of a life then they do. hehehe. i hate 'sitting' around. this time of year is hard for me. there's not much to do until summer.