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My Story of Meeting ED and Mike
kmrock
Posts: 31
Hi people. I haven't posted in a few years, but I do keep up with the board. I had to come out of hiding, though, to share my amazing experience at the Columbia show.
Like many of you, I have been a hardcore PJ fanatic since '92--when I was 16. Their music has always been much more meaningful, emotional, and cathartic to me than to most people I know who just like their more "popular" songs.
About eight years ago I was paralyzed in a diving accident and I am still quadriplegic. I do have limited movement in my arms, so I am able to type this myself with hand devices--I have no finger movement. Since my accident I have worked to earn both a B.A. and my M.A. in History at Clemson University. This fall I will be starting work on my PhD and teaching at a small local college. Throughout some trying years, and the breakoff of my engagement with a girl whom I had dated for over three years, Pearl Jam's music has been a constant source of comfort and relief to me.
So, I was super-pumped when I found out they would be playing in Columbia--I live about an hour and a half away in Greer, SC. It was only my third time seeing them live--since travel is pretty difficult for me. My dad drove me, my cousin, and two of my friends to Columbia, and we were all really excited to see a great show.
While hanging out in the parking lot, an amazing thing happened. A friend I've known forever came running up to me and said, "Krause, do you want to go backstage?" I was skeptical at first--I thought he was bullshitting me. He knows the guys from King of Leon, and he told me he would try to get me and my other friends backstage after the show.
I tried not to get my hopes up, and proceeded to rock out during an incredible show. Near the end of the show, my other friend got a text telling us to meet them in the hall after the show--It was going to happen.
My buddy who knows KOL met us and took us downstairs where the band members had their dressing rooms. We talked with the boys from KOL, who were all super cool. I also met some of the PJ management, who were very friendly. Then they told me they were going to let me go back further and meet Eddie.
I could hardly believe it was real--I still can barely believe it. I drove my wheelchair into this little dimly-lit room and around the corner, and there was Eddie, sitting in front of a coffee table and an ashtray heaping with cigarette butts, still sweaty from the show. The first words out of my mouth were, "Holy fucking shit." He seemed to get a kick out of it and laughed--I didn't say it in a crazy groupie tone, but with a sense of humor.
Eddie could not have been more friendly. He jumped up and instantly hugged me, asking me how I was doing. He willing took pictures with me, and signed them. My buddy who took the pics is in love with all things retro, so of course he had a polaroid camera--which worked out well because Eddie could sign them right there. Eddie even suggested taking additional pics, which just proves that he is a good person, and not a jaded celebrity. I only got to talk with him for about ten minutes, but it was an absolutely incredible experience. Eddie even gave me one of his little pins, which he pinned on my shirt himself.
After leaving Eddie's room, I saw Mike walking by, and he was happy to take a picture with me and gave me a guitar pic. I just wanted to share my story, because the people on this message board are some of the few who can really understand what an amazing experience this was for a dedicated PJ fan. I am trying to post a link to my pictures. I hope it works, because I am no expert at this new-fangled internet thing. If anyone can't see the pictures with the link, I would appreciate any advice on how to make it work.
Thanks for sharing in my story. peace to you all.
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/kmrok/
Like many of you, I have been a hardcore PJ fanatic since '92--when I was 16. Their music has always been much more meaningful, emotional, and cathartic to me than to most people I know who just like their more "popular" songs.
About eight years ago I was paralyzed in a diving accident and I am still quadriplegic. I do have limited movement in my arms, so I am able to type this myself with hand devices--I have no finger movement. Since my accident I have worked to earn both a B.A. and my M.A. in History at Clemson University. This fall I will be starting work on my PhD and teaching at a small local college. Throughout some trying years, and the breakoff of my engagement with a girl whom I had dated for over three years, Pearl Jam's music has been a constant source of comfort and relief to me.
So, I was super-pumped when I found out they would be playing in Columbia--I live about an hour and a half away in Greer, SC. It was only my third time seeing them live--since travel is pretty difficult for me. My dad drove me, my cousin, and two of my friends to Columbia, and we were all really excited to see a great show.
While hanging out in the parking lot, an amazing thing happened. A friend I've known forever came running up to me and said, "Krause, do you want to go backstage?" I was skeptical at first--I thought he was bullshitting me. He knows the guys from King of Leon, and he told me he would try to get me and my other friends backstage after the show.
I tried not to get my hopes up, and proceeded to rock out during an incredible show. Near the end of the show, my other friend got a text telling us to meet them in the hall after the show--It was going to happen.
My buddy who knows KOL met us and took us downstairs where the band members had their dressing rooms. We talked with the boys from KOL, who were all super cool. I also met some of the PJ management, who were very friendly. Then they told me they were going to let me go back further and meet Eddie.
I could hardly believe it was real--I still can barely believe it. I drove my wheelchair into this little dimly-lit room and around the corner, and there was Eddie, sitting in front of a coffee table and an ashtray heaping with cigarette butts, still sweaty from the show. The first words out of my mouth were, "Holy fucking shit." He seemed to get a kick out of it and laughed--I didn't say it in a crazy groupie tone, but with a sense of humor.
Eddie could not have been more friendly. He jumped up and instantly hugged me, asking me how I was doing. He willing took pictures with me, and signed them. My buddy who took the pics is in love with all things retro, so of course he had a polaroid camera--which worked out well because Eddie could sign them right there. Eddie even suggested taking additional pics, which just proves that he is a good person, and not a jaded celebrity. I only got to talk with him for about ten minutes, but it was an absolutely incredible experience. Eddie even gave me one of his little pins, which he pinned on my shirt himself.
After leaving Eddie's room, I saw Mike walking by, and he was happy to take a picture with me and gave me a guitar pic. I just wanted to share my story, because the people on this message board are some of the few who can really understand what an amazing experience this was for a dedicated PJ fan. I am trying to post a link to my pictures. I hope it works, because I am no expert at this new-fangled internet thing. If anyone can't see the pictures with the link, I would appreciate any advice on how to make it work.
Thanks for sharing in my story. peace to you all.
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn164/kmrok/
"My back is broken, and my hands are blistered"
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Comments
www.myspace.com/terryphilly
That is an amazing and uplifting story, so happy you had the chance
to meet them.
I am actually more impressed with how you have perservered and triumphed
over what happened to you and how you have gone on to do great things
with your life.
You are the inspiration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm a number that doesn't count
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
the nothing ventured - the nothing feigned
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore
Your story is absoutely amazing--you seem like a truly wonderful human being! I am very excited for you...the Columbia show was amazing, and you got the cherry on top, too!
Take care,
http://www.youtube.com/user/kcherub#p/a/u/0/N-UQprRqSwo
So do all the PJ guys have their own rooms?
arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to
slide in sideways, BBQ sandwich in one hand, cold beer in the other,
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "Woo Hoo what a
ride" ! Unknown
#409xxx
(how I let my membership lapse is beyond me.)
So, what's your pin?
Columbia 08
Atlanta 12
Charlotte 13
St Louis 14
Greenville 16
St Louis 22
Seattle 24
Peace,
RM
Made my day
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Good luck with the PhD and everything - I know how that feels, since I am getting to that stage too (just finishing my masters and want to continue on to a PhD).
Thanks so much for sharing that with us
Hahah So true about Mike!
Thanks for sharing your story, it made my day.
Anyway, best of luck for you. I have great admiration for teachers. I think the good ones are heroes.
Also, you are pretty good-looking. Hope you don't mind me saying this: Your ex was a fool.
to live in the present tense
Male, 34
I'm on Facebook - facebook.com/christopher.leesye1
1998 Brisbane 2
2003 Brisbane 1
2006 LA 1 & 2
2008 LA 2, San Diego 1 (EV)
2009 LA 1, 2, 3 & 4, San Diego
2011 St. Louis (EV)
2012 Tulsa 1 & 2 (EV)
2013 Chicago, Dallas & OKC