A Sort of Homecoming

My how times have changed.

Over 20 years ago, I cut class and went to Macy's at Willowbrook to buy Roxy Music tickets (they had a Ticketmaster right next to the lingerie).

I almost puked when I saw that Bryan Ferry had the temerity to ask $17.50 face value to see the band at the Capital Theatre in Passaic, NJ. Priced out of that seat, my friend Gary and I went down the list of upcoming $11 shows and quickly settled on U2, as we had a chance to preview "New Year's Day" at our college radio station and really dug it.

We knew within three songs that we were witnessing the start of something really big. And the rest, as we say, is history. Cut to 2005 and I just paid $165 per seat FACE VALUE through an internet presale. The seat is okay, by arena standards, 19th row up from the side of the stage. But it is the side of the stage.

We could have been one section over but threw them back in hopes of something better. After all, this was their fanclub presale. No luck and lots of bickering and second guessing ensued.

Why do it? Well, it will be one month past 20 years since my wife and I had our first date at a U2 show at the same venue (the Meadowlands Arena). That was back when Bono's flag was white instead of green. END.