Chicago 6/29/98 - Nashville 8/17/00 - Cleveland 4/25/03- Chicago 6/18/03
Chicago 5/16/06 - Milwaukee 6/30/06 - Bonnaroo 6/14/08 - Milwaukee (EV)8/19/08
Chicago 8/23/09 - St. Louis 5/4/10 - East Troy 9/3/11 - East Troy 9/4/11
Minor League Park 7/19/13 - Milwaukee 10-20-14 - Bonnaroo 6/11/16
Minor League Park 8/20/16 - Minor League Park 8/22/16 Minor League Park 8/18/18 - Minor League Park 8/20/18 - Los Angeles 4/16/20
How is this story: At Alpine 98 After a song (memory slipping on which one)Ed reaches down grabs my sisters hand, places his guitar pick in it, and then closes her fingers around it.
In Atlanta 2000, my wife and I were front row and during Crazy Mary, Ed jumped down front and was walking down the row pouring red wine in everyone's open mouth. When he got to my wife, he stopped, smiled real big, and handed her the bottle allowing her to take a big ol' swill! The crowd went apeshit and we were just floating! She actually wrote a review with some pictures we took and submitted it to the old Five Horizons fan site. I just looked and you can still view it here: http://www.fivehorizons.com/tour/00/atlanta.shtml
As for me, probably one of the cooler things that has happened was at the Gorge in 2006. Night one, Ed gives me a pic. Night two, they surprise everyone by playing Little Wing after Ed's GTF from the roof of the soundshack. I love this song and was really stoked to hear it fully realized and not just as a tag to YL. Anyway, towards the end I'm really just focusing in on Mike shredding when out of the corner of my eye I see Ed coming my way again while folding something up. Before I know it, he's tossing a piece of paper my way! I was thinking, "Damn dude, I just got a pic last night!" Well I don't why, but I guess maybe Ed could really see my enjoyment and appreciation of them covering Little Wing cause he had given me his lyrical cheat sheet!
My wife is always giving me a bad time about having a man-crush on Eddie, but after that weekend and getting gifts from the man on back-to-back nights, I told her I think Ed might have a man-crush on me!
.....Ed came around back to our side of the stage and was singing Fuckin' Up right at me! We were both singing together, and for a full verse he was looking right into my eyes and at the end of the verse, he gave me a smile and a little nod
I see a pattern here. Looks like Ed is a real ladiesman
I've only seen PJ live once. Unfortunately I was not even close to the front row.34
Been a member since 95, not once have I been closer than row 12 :-( not even at Lolla when I waited all dayto be up front, these assholes were sooo drunk at the show that 1.) they tried to feel me up, since I'm a girl and the guy almost got decked in the face from this girl. But some younger guy, who was awesome btw, switched me places so I wouldn't have to deal with them anymore! 2.) they moshed as if they were at a Pantera show or something, complete assholes!!
they were grabing you :shock: fucking scum! i hate when some drunk assholes try and fuck up a good time..good thing i'm a rather large male so i don't really have too many people trying to start shit with me!but grabing a girls parts is sooooo uncool (unless she wants you to of course) i'm glad you had someone cool help you out by switching seats.
Yeah no seats were switched as there were none, but the guy did switch spots for me. I swear I was so close to punching this guy right in the face!!
"I'll ride the wave,Where it takes me, I'll hold the pain, Release me"
"I'm not about to give thanks or appologize"
"Caught a bolt of lighting, cursed the day he let it go"
In Atlanta 2000, my wife and I were front row and during Crazy Mary, Ed jumped down front and was walking down the row pouring red wine in everyone's open mouth. When he got to my wife, he stopped, smiled real big, and handed her the bottle allowing her to take a big ol' swill! The crowd went apeshit and we were just floating! She actually wrote a review with some pictures we took and submitted it to the old Five Horizons fan site. I just looked and you can still view it here: http://www.fivehorizons.com/tour/00/atlanta.shtml
As for me, probably one of the cooler things that has happened was at the Gorge in 2006. Night one, Ed gives me a pic. Night two, they surprise everyone by playing Little Wing after Ed's GTF from the roof of the soundshack. I love this song and was really stoked hear it fully realized and not just as a tag to YL. Anyway, towards the end I'm really just focusing in on Mike shredding when out of the corner of my eye I see Ed coming my way again while folding something up. Before I know it, he's tossing a piece of paper my way! I was thinking, "Damn dude, I just got a pic last night!" Well I don't why, but I guess maybe Ed could really see my enjoyment and appreciation of them covering Little Wing cause he had given me his lyrical cheat sheet!
My wife is always giving me a bad time about having a man-crush on Eddie, but after that weekend and getting gifts from the man on back-to-back nights, I told her I think Ed might have a man-crush on me!
AWESOME!!
no doubt about it..Ed is the coolest frontman EVER!!!
Berlin 06 Stone's side - didn't get anything, but I swear the sweatband Matt threw out was meant for me - but being rather short a guy to my left grabbed it .
Dusseldorf 07 Mike's side - best gig EVER!! After the first couple of songs Mike pointed and threw me the pic he was using. Then later on, just as Uru was up on stage, he walked over and handed me a signed setlist, another pic and cd. Throughout the gig he was showering pics to the crowd, but I only kept the 2 and avoided getting any more of Mike's pics. Right at the end of the night Jeff threw out a pic to my other half. Amazing, best night I've ever had. :P :P :P
I sat front row at MSG I last year right in front of Mike. One of the best nights of my life, no doubt.
During one point of All Night, Mike was standing directly in front of me. I screamed, "McCready, you fucking rock!" as loud as I could. Not sure if he heard what I said or not, but he made a face and nodded and then flicked a pick at me. It all happened so fast, but I still managed to catch it and scream a thank you. Having a pick thrown right to you is pretty sweet.
I also got to drink from Eddie's wine bottle during Crazy Mary as it was passed around. Very cool experience all around!
By luck of the 10c draw I scored front row center seats to Ed's second solo show in LA. I still don't think I've come down from that show.
About midway through the show Ed did this thing where he was recording a birthday greeting for his grandmother. He had the house kill the lights and everyone spark up their lighters. He looked into his camera and told her to make a wish. Then on the count of three everyone put out their lighters and the place went black. You could tell Ed was really excited with how well it went. Afterwards he pulled out a bottle of wine from his suitcase and a couple of plastic wine glasses. I walked up to the stage and got to share a toast with him for his grandmothers birthday. I passed it around to the other lucky ones up front and they were kind enough to pass the glass back. I still have it and every once in awhile we'll break it out for a toast from "Vedder's Chalice".
2nd row for an Ed solo show, but never anywhere close to that for PJ.
1998: East Troy 2000: East Troy, Rosemont 2003: Champaign 2006: Chicago (UC), Milwaukee 2007: Chicago (Lolla) 2009: Chicago (UC), Chicago (UC) 2010: Noblesville 2011: East Troy (PJ20), East Troy (PJ20) 2013: Chicago (WF), Seattle 2014: St. Louis 2016: Chicago (WF), Chicago (WF) 2018: Chicago (WF), Chicago (WF) 2022: St. Louis 2023: Chicago (UC), Chicago (UC) 2024: Chicago (WF), Chicago (WF)
and if so...do you have any good stories?? Ed talk to you or share his wine with you??Mike shower you in pics?
I was front row for the last show in Mansfield this past summer and got to shake Ed's hand and scored a pic and a tambourine...and i'm also on the boot in a few places...it was one of the best nights of my life!!
so how about you??
I was front row center at Meadowlands Arena (CAA) in NJ on 9/8/1998, the show before the MSG shows. I brought a bunch of frizbee style signs that were glued to circular matboard which said "May I Play Drums With You" on each side. I had like 15 of them. Every time the lights would dim I would chuck a few at Ed right in front of me. He read them while playing. Picked one up, showed it to Matt who kinda smiled (he was new at that time). When they came back out on stage, they laughed because lots of people on the floor were holding "Breath" signs. Ed commented on that... and then he said something while pointing at me saying "and this guy up front, this guy right here, has had signs all night saying 'may I play drums with you', 'may I play drums with you'.
Scroll until the song ends at about 3:55 you'll hear Ed come back on stage and the conversation about the Breath signs and then talking to me. After Ed turned me down, I said "Just ONE song" while holding up one finger. Then Ed says "One song, huh... do you know Breath, by any chance?"
I say "yes" and my friend is pointing at me saying to Ed "and he's really good too...". Well... Ed looked at me, and then he looked at Matt. Matt shrugged his shoulders as if to say "sure", "why not". The crowd really wanted Breath, and I was ready to play it at Ed's request, so the crowd gets louder in apparent approval. I was happy to be asked by Ed to re-introduce Breath into their live catalog. But then Ed looks at Stone. ...and man. Stone gave him the "no" look. It was totally Stone's fault.
Anyway, cool it can all be heard on a boot. If anyone's got a vid, let me know!
ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
I was front row in San Bernadino 2000, as well as twice in T.O in 2006.
At first, I was anxious about catching picks, taking pics, and possibly getting a swig of wine, but then I realized it was all too much of a diversion, so I just focused on the music!
and if so...do you have any good stories?? Ed talk to you or share his wine with you??Mike shower you in pics?
I was front row for the last show in Mansfield this past summer and got to shake Ed's hand and scored a pic and a tambourine...and i'm also on the boot in a few places...it was one of the best nights of my life!!
so how about you??
was front row 4 times, although the 1st time ('98 Barrie) was GA admission so it just felt like one large mass of people. the other 3 times were '00 Toronto (in front of Mike), '03 Buffalo (in front of Stone), and '06 Grand Rapids (between Ed and Stone, closer to Ed). i suppose after being fortunate enough to secure setlists, guitar/bass pics and drumsticks, the best story i have to share would be from the '06 Grand Rapids show where we scored both tamborines tossed out (i'll just copy and paste the previous post i made in another thread):
my brother and i sat front row centre at the Grand Rapids '06 concert. eV tossed me the 1st tamborine, the slightly smashed one, which i instinctively handed over to my brother. while i was watching Mike rock a solo during the next song, my brother and eV made eye contact and eV noticed that my brother, and not i, was holding the tamborine,...so eV mouthed to my brother "are you here together?" and my brother gave eV a thumbs-up! i was still watching Mike over on the other side of the stage during his solo when i suddenly felt a presence over us, so i looked up and saw eV standing over us at the edge of the stage with another tamborine in his hand. i remember thinking to myself "i already got 1 tamborine, why is eV giving me another one?" at which point my brother eagerly turned and handed the 1st tamborine back to me and proceeded to catch the 2nd new tamborine from eV. after he tossed the 2nd tamborine to my brother, eV turned around and took one step forward before turning around again and motioning for my brother to throw his tamborine back up, which my brother did with a great toss up. eV caught the tamborine and used it to wipe the sweat off his entire face before throwing it right back to my brother for the final time,...
both tamborines were signed by eV to each of us just prior to the "Body of War" premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September '07.
To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."
"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, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
In Cincy 2000, I got the pick that Ed used for The Kids Are Alright after he threw it. He also walked over to my brother and handed him a pick during the show.
In Cleveland 2003, he handed me the pick that he used on LBC and I Am Mine.
In Grand Rapids, at the end of the show while Mike was playing the outro, Ed was on his knees and he just kind of slowly scanned across the front, and I just mouthed the words "thank you" and he patted his heart.
and if so...do you have any good stories?? Ed talk to you or share his wine with you??Mike shower you in pics?
I was front row for the last show in Mansfield this past summer and got to shake Ed's hand and scored a pic and a tambourine...and i'm also on the boot in a few places...it was one of the best nights of my life!!
so how about you??
I was front row center at Meadowlands Arena (CAA) in NJ on 9/8/1998, the show before the MSG shows. I brought a bunch of frizbee style signs that were glued to circular matboard which said "May I Play Drums With You" on each side. I had like 15 of them. Every time the lights would dim I would chuck a few at Ed right in front of me. He read them while playing. Picked one up, showed it to Matt who kinda smiled (he was new at that time). When they came back out on stage, they laughed because lots of people on the floor were holding "Breath" signs. Ed commented on that... and then he said something while pointing at me saying "and this guy up front, this guy right here, has had signs all night saying 'may I play drums with you', 'may I play drums with you'.
Scroll until the song ends at about 3:55 you'll hear Ed come back on stage and the conversation about the Breath signs and then talking to me. After Ed turned me down, I said "Just ONE song" while holding up one finger. Then Ed says "One song, huh... do you know Breath, by any chance?"
I say "yes" and my friend is pointing at me saying to Ed "and he's really good too...". Well... Ed looked at me, and then he looked at Matt. Matt shrugged his shoulders as if to say "sure", "why not". The crowd really wanted Breath, and I was ready to play it at Ed's request, so the crowd gets louder in apparent approval. I was happy to be asked by Ed to re-introduce Breath into their live catalog. But then Ed looks at Stone. ...and man. Stone gave him the "no" look. It was totally Stone's fault.
Anyway, cool it can all be heard on a boot. If anyone's got a vid, let me know!
oh and I forgot, in VA Beach I had 4th row tickets, and I got the last tambourine of the night which Ed very deliberately pointed at me, for obvious reasons...
...but I like my above story from 98 much better.
(and yes, I know I misspelled tambourine)
ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Yes, in Irvine 2003 I think.....our Ten club tix pair ended up being 1 seat at the end of 1 row and the other on the other side of the Ampitheatre....we did not notice until we were inside. This awesome dude working there found us some seats for the first 1/3 of the show and said he'd get us in the pit, sure enough during Black he escorted us to the Pit and just said don't leave because we won't get back in. Mike threw a ton of picks...somehow we missed them all....Ed handed his wine to the guy next to us, but after like 6 people drank out of it we passed on our chance....I also take credit for talking Mike into playing Ledbetter...told him just to start playing to get the guys back after they started walking on stage....Eddie hadn't gone far but Matt barely made it back in time to join in.......Later I also read when asked about what shows each member liked, Mike mentioned Irvine.
In the earlier days I had been front row for a bunch of general admission shows. I was 2nd row dead center in Vegas 2000 for 10th anniverary show. Front row in front of Mike at Irving Plaza 06. This past tour my wife and I won the lottery at both Camden Shows. Front row night 1 in front of Stone, and night 2 in front of Mike.
The best was this year at camden 2nd night Mike was talking to my wife in between songs and pointed at my necklace ( circle w/ a triangle in it) symbol for AA. Mike asked "how much time do you have" I replied 3 years" he put his fingers out of how many years he had ( which is his business). After the main set he tore his setlist off the stage and handed it to me. it read "thanks for the front row support" and was signed Mike McCready with the AA symbol drawn on it. Coolest memorabilia EVER!
Thanks for giving me the forum to tell that story!
In the earlier days I had been front row for a bunch of general admission shows. I was 2nd row dead center in Vegas 2000 for 10th anniverary show. Front row in front of Mike at Irving Plaza 06. This past tour my wife and I won the lottery at both Camden Shows. Front row night 1 in front of Stone, and night 2 in front of Mike.
The best was this year at camden 2nd night Mike was talking to my wife in between songs and pointed at my necklace ( circle w/ a triangle in it) symbol for AA. Mike asked "how much time do you have" I replied 3 years" he put his fingers out of how many years he had ( which is his business). After the main set he tore his setlist off the stage and handed it to me. it read "thanks for the front row support" and was signed Mike McCready with the AA symbol drawn on it. Coolest memorabilia EVER!
Thanks for giving me the forum to tell that story!
This is a really cool story!
Yes it is - great story. Mike is awesome, always gives so much to the fans!
and smiles and then kept on singing the song... I just kept looking over to my husband and saying "Holy Shit, did that really just happen???"
that's the same thing i asked my guy after ed smiled at me. i wanted somebody to confirm it. and he did...he really really did!
front row va beach 08.
mike is a pro at tossing pics by the way. it was headed straight down my cleavage if somebody hadn't blocked it.
yes, i take pride in saying mike almost got in my shirt.
gotta ed and mike pick that night.
found the ed pick on the floor. I WANT TO THANK THE DUDE WHO LET MY GUY HAVE IT TO GIVE TO ME!
My wife is always giving me a bad time about having a man-crush on Eddie, but after that weekend and getting gifts from the man on back-to-back nights, I told her I think Ed might have a man-crush on me!
amesome!
Post edited by blondieblue227 on
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*
Yes, back in the 90's when there was no "rows" or assigned seats. All GA, and if you wanted to be up front, you had to fight to get there, and stay there.
However, since the switch to assigned seats, I have gotten to the 5th row I think. Which is close enough for me. Personally, I think the sound is better back in the 5th row than it is right up front in the first row. I have never understood the draw to needing to be, and whining about never having been, in the front row. Sure, I like to be close to the stage within 10 or so rows, but the very first row is extremely over rated, imo.
Yes, back in the 90's when there was no "rows" or assigned seats. All GA, and if you wanted to be up front, you had to fight to get there, and stay there.
However, since the switch to assigned seats, I have gotten to the 5th row I think. Which is close enough for me. Personally, I think the sound is better back in the 5th row than it is right up front in the first row. I have never understood the draw to needing to be, and whining about never having been, in the front row. Sure, I like to be close to the stage within 10 or so rows, but the very first row is extremely over rated, imo.
Having been front row in the above story, I have to agree that it is indeed a little harder to hear... since the speakers are pointed behind you. I'd love to be front row again, but being row 4 or row 6 is pretty much just as good visually, with better sound.
ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Was lucky enough to be twice in the last Oz tour. One in Sydney and the other ir Melbourne.
For the Sydney concert had to buy it trough ebay...wasnt cheap but worth. As for the Melbourne one bougth it trough ticketek...never gonna be that lucky again!!! My club seats werent bad at all, but they didn't have for those extra concerts.
In sydney I got 3 guitar pics and a setlist...Bloody awesome. Was in front of Mike...he was staring at me the whole show...maybe a few moments!
In Melbourne was even better...no pics, no setlist, but eddie shared the wine!!! I was on the far right side, by stone, and he came during the alive solo and I had my cup ready for it. Nice wine as well. At the end of the concert Eddie came down to shake hands with the guy that was by my side on a wheelchair and I got to shake hands with him as well!
4th row CHICAGO 1998 - Missed catching Eddie's tambourine by about 3 feet 3rd row MEMPHIS 2000 - Pointed at Mike after a ripping guitar solo... he pointed back. 3rd row THUNDER BAY 2005 - At the end of the night, my sister looked on the ground and found a Mike McCready guitar pick... she gave it to me since I supplied the seat! It's now framed with my ticket from the show.
Halifax and I did get an Ament pick but I could have cared less as the show totally rocked me to the core.
I gave the pick to my daughter.
Thanks again to Heather and Melissa and Lori and Laurie. My favorite PJ ladies of all time!!
Down the street you can hear her scream youre a disgrace
As she slams the door in his drunken face
And now he stands outside
And all the neighbours start to gossip and drool
He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
And his tears fall and burn the garden green
Comments
Chicago 5/16/06 - Milwaukee 6/30/06 - Bonnaroo 6/14/08 - Milwaukee (EV)8/19/08
Chicago 8/23/09 - St. Louis 5/4/10 - East Troy 9/3/11 - East Troy 9/4/11
Minor League Park 7/19/13 - Milwaukee 10-20-14 - Bonnaroo 6/11/16
Minor League Park 8/20/16 - Minor League Park 8/22/16
Minor League Park 8/18/18 - Minor League Park 8/20/18 - Los Angeles 4/16/20
How is this story: At Alpine 98 After a song (memory slipping on which one)Ed reaches down grabs my sisters hand, places his guitar pick in it, and then closes her fingers around it.
As for me, probably one of the cooler things that has happened was at the Gorge in 2006. Night one, Ed gives me a pic. Night two, they surprise everyone by playing Little Wing after Ed's GTF from the roof of the soundshack. I love this song and was really stoked to hear it fully realized and not just as a tag to YL. Anyway, towards the end I'm really just focusing in on Mike shredding when out of the corner of my eye I see Ed coming my way again while folding something up. Before I know it, he's tossing a piece of paper my way! I was thinking, "Damn dude, I just got a pic last night!" Well I don't why, but I guess maybe Ed could really see my enjoyment and appreciation of them covering Little Wing cause he had given me his lyrical cheat sheet!
My wife is always giving me a bad time about having a man-crush on Eddie, but after that weekend and getting gifts from the man on back-to-back nights, I told her I think Ed might have a man-crush on me!
I see a pattern here. Looks like Ed is a real ladiesman
I've only seen PJ live once. Unfortunately I was not even close to the front row.34
Yeah no seats were switched as there were none, but the guy did switch spots for me. I swear I was so close to punching this guy right in the face!!
"I'm not about to give thanks or appologize"
"Caught a bolt of lighting, cursed the day he let it go"
no doubt about it..Ed is the coolest frontman EVER!!!
I'd shit my pants if I got to the front row. Best I had was 13th row DC '03. And that was due to a hookup.
Berlin 06 Stone's side - didn't get anything, but I swear the sweatband Matt threw out was meant for me - but being rather short a guy to my left grabbed it
Dusseldorf 07 Mike's side - best gig EVER!! After the first couple of songs Mike pointed and threw me the pic he was using. Then later on, just as Uru was up on stage, he walked over and handed me a signed setlist, another pic and cd. Throughout the gig he was showering pics to the crowd, but I only kept the 2 and avoided getting any more of Mike's pics. Right at the end of the night Jeff threw out a pic to my other half. Amazing, best night I've ever had. :P :P :P
Come back to Europe guys!!!
http://www.strummersphotography.com
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During one point of All Night, Mike was standing directly in front of me. I screamed, "McCready, you fucking rock!" as loud as I could. Not sure if he heard what I said or not, but he made a face and nodded and then flicked a pick at me. It all happened so fast, but I still managed to catch it and scream a thank you. Having a pick thrown right to you is pretty sweet.
I also got to drink from Eddie's wine bottle during Crazy Mary as it was passed around. Very cool experience all around!
About midway through the show Ed did this thing where he was recording a birthday greeting for his grandmother. He had the house kill the lights and everyone spark up their lighters. He looked into his camera and told her to make a wish. Then on the count of three everyone put out their lighters and the place went black. You could tell Ed was really excited with how well it went. Afterwards he pulled out a bottle of wine from his suitcase and a couple of plastic wine glasses. I walked up to the stage and got to share a toast with him for his grandmothers birthday. I passed it around to the other lucky ones up front and they were kind enough to pass the glass back. I still have it and every once in awhile we'll break it out for a toast from "Vedder's Chalice".
I was front row center at Meadowlands Arena (CAA) in NJ on 9/8/1998, the show before the MSG shows. I brought a bunch of frizbee style signs that were glued to circular matboard which said "May I Play Drums With You" on each side. I had like 15 of them. Every time the lights would dim I would chuck a few at Ed right in front of me. He read them while playing. Picked one up, showed it to Matt who kinda smiled (he was new at that time). When they came back out on stage, they laughed because lots of people on the floor were holding "Breath" signs. Ed commented on that... and then he said something while pointing at me saying "and this guy up front, this guy right here, has had signs all night saying 'may I play drums with you', 'may I play drums with you'.
If you want to hear it, just go here:
http://tinyurl.com/b26hae
Scroll until the song ends at about 3:55 you'll hear Ed come back on stage and the conversation about the Breath signs and then talking to me.
I say "yes" and my friend is pointing at me saying to Ed "and he's really good too...". Well... Ed looked at me, and then he looked at Matt. Matt shrugged his shoulders as if to say "sure", "why not". The crowd really wanted Breath, and I was ready to play it at Ed's request, so the crowd gets louder in apparent approval. I was happy to be asked by Ed to re-introduce Breath into their live catalog. But then Ed looks at Stone. ...and man. Stone gave him the "no" look. It was totally Stone's fault.
Anyway, cool it can all be heard on a boot. If anyone's got a vid, let me know!
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
At first, I was anxious about catching picks, taking pics, and possibly getting a swig of wine, but then I realized it was all too much of a diversion, so I just focused on the music!
was front row 4 times, although the 1st time ('98 Barrie) was GA admission so it just felt like one large mass of people. the other 3 times were '00 Toronto (in front of Mike), '03 Buffalo (in front of Stone), and '06 Grand Rapids (between Ed and Stone, closer to Ed). i suppose after being fortunate enough to secure setlists, guitar/bass pics and drumsticks, the best story i have to share would be from the '06 Grand Rapids show where we scored both tamborines tossed out (i'll just copy and paste the previous post i made in another thread):
my brother and i sat front row centre at the Grand Rapids '06 concert. eV tossed me the 1st tamborine, the slightly smashed one, which i instinctively handed over to my brother. while i was watching Mike rock a solo during the next song, my brother and eV made eye contact and eV noticed that my brother, and not i, was holding the tamborine,...so eV mouthed to my brother "are you here together?" and my brother gave eV a thumbs-up! i was still watching Mike over on the other side of the stage during his solo when i suddenly felt a presence over us, so i looked up and saw eV standing over us at the edge of the stage with another tamborine in his hand. i remember thinking to myself "i already got 1 tamborine, why is eV giving me another one?" at which point my brother eagerly turned and handed the 1st tamborine back to me and proceeded to catch the 2nd new tamborine from eV. after he tossed the 2nd tamborine to my brother, eV turned around and took one step forward before turning around again and motioning for my brother to throw his tamborine back up, which my brother did with a great toss up. eV caught the tamborine and used it to wipe the sweat off his entire face before throwing it right back to my brother for the final time,...
both tamborines were signed by eV to each of us just prior to the "Body of War" premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September '07.
"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, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
Cleveland 2003
Grand Rapids 2004
In Cincy 2000, I got the pick that Ed used for The Kids Are Alright after he threw it. He also walked over to my brother and handed him a pick during the show.
In Cleveland 2003, he handed me the pick that he used on LBC and I Am Mine.
In Grand Rapids, at the end of the show while Mike was playing the outro, Ed was on his knees and he just kind of slowly scanned across the front, and I just mouthed the words "thank you" and he patted his heart.
unforgettable experiences.
Posters for Sale: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/117469/posters-for-sale
T-Shirts for Sale: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/149289/pj-t-shirt-trade-or-sale
oh and I forgot, in VA Beach I had 4th row tickets, and I got the last tambourine of the night which Ed very deliberately pointed at me, for obvious reasons...
...but I like my above story from 98 much better.
(and yes, I know I misspelled tambourine)
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
[/quote]
hahahahahahahaha....awesome fucking sign dude!!
This is a really cool story!
Yes it is - great story. Mike is awesome, always gives so much to the fans!
http://www.strummersphotography.com
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that's the same thing i asked my guy after ed smiled at me. i wanted somebody to confirm it. and he did...he really really did!
front row va beach 08.
mike is a pro at tossing pics by the way. it was headed straight down my cleavage if somebody hadn't blocked it.
yes, i take pride in saying mike almost got in my shirt.
gotta ed and mike pick that night.
found the ed pick on the floor. I WANT TO THANK THE DUDE WHO LET MY GUY HAVE IT TO GIVE TO ME!
crazy thing is I found where mike tossed his pick to me on you tube the next day. it blew my mind.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y175/b ... /throw.jpg
amesome!
However, since the switch to assigned seats, I have gotten to the 5th row I think. Which is close enough for me. Personally, I think the sound is better back in the 5th row than it is right up front in the first row. I have never understood the draw to needing to be, and whining about never having been, in the front row. Sure, I like to be close to the stage within 10 or so rows, but the very first row is extremely over rated, imo.
Having been front row in the above story, I have to agree that it is indeed a little harder to hear... since the speakers are pointed behind you. I'd love to be front row again, but being row 4 or row 6 is pretty much just as good visually, with better sound.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
For the Sydney concert had to buy it trough ebay...wasnt cheap but worth. As for the Melbourne one bougth it trough ticketek...never gonna be that lucky again!!! My club seats werent bad at all, but they didn't have for those extra concerts.
In sydney I got 3 guitar pics and a setlist...Bloody awesome. Was in front of Mike...he was staring at me the whole show...maybe a few moments!
In Melbourne was even better...no pics, no setlist, but eddie shared the wine!!! I was on the far right side, by stone, and he came during the alive solo and I had my cup ready for it. Nice wine as well. At the end of the concert Eddie came down to shake hands with the guy that was by my side on a wheelchair and I got to shake hands with him as well!
3rd row MEMPHIS 2000 - Pointed at Mike after a ripping guitar solo... he pointed back.
3rd row THUNDER BAY 2005 - At the end of the night, my sister looked on the ground and found a Mike McCready guitar pick... she gave it to me since I supplied the seat! It's now framed with my ticket from the show.
2000: 8/15, 8/18, 10/9, 10/11, 10/12
2003: 6/18, 6/21, 6/22
2005: 9/9, 9/28
2006: 5/16, 5/17, 6/26, 6/27
2007: 8/5
2009: 8/23, 8/24
2010: 5/3, 5/4, 5/21
2011: 9/3, 9/4, 9/11, 9/12
2013: 7/19, 11/16
2014: 10/3, 10/9, 10/12, 10/17
2016: 4/16, 8/20, 8/22
2018: 8/18, 8/20, 9/2
2022: 9/18
2023: 8/31, 9/2, 9/5
2024: 5/18, 6/29
but I met cool people!!!
I gave the pick to my daughter.
Thanks again to Heather and Melissa and Lori and Laurie. My favorite PJ ladies of all time!!
As she slams the door in his drunken face
And now he stands outside
And all the neighbours start to gossip and drool
He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
And his tears fall and burn the garden green