jabbawest
Android Enthusiast
The year, 1981. The place, Hyatt Regency & Reunion Arena in Dallas Texas.
The greatness, the one, the only RUSH.
Moving Pictures had just elevated Rush into the mainstream but Eric and myself, both juniors in high school, had been long time fans of the band and this would be our first chance to see them live.
A few days before the concert we had to spend a couple of nights at Reunion Arena in order to be first in line for the chance to buy tickets from the last remaining lot of a few thousand.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel is adjacent to Reunion Arena and we would routinely saunter over to use the bathroom or grab a bite to eat.
On our last trip to the Hyatt Regency, just hours before the ticket windows were to open, we decided to explore the hotel. (Mission Impossible Theme Plays Now)
Armed with liquid courage and probably smelling like a couple of yaks, we snuck past the hotel lobby babe and security then hit the elevators.
At first we were just going to ride for a while but then the light bulbs went off. Maybe the boys were already in town but how would we figure out what room they were in?
Figuring out the floor was easy but there were several Presidential and Penthouse Suites to choose from.
Once we were on the 26th floor, the elevator doors opened and we looked to our left to see the only set of double doors that had trays of half eaten food, empty champagne bottles, dirty linens, etc., etc., piled haphazardly in front of them.
This had to be their room! We exited the elevators, stage left of course, and began debating if we should knock on the door.
By now we were sweating and our hearts pounding but we took our shot, knocked on the doors and giggled like little school girls when Neil Peart opened the door, sighed and had a "not again" look on his face.
We thought he would just tell us to go away and close the door but he asked us what we wanted. We stammered and stuttered our "big fans, love you guys man", not really sure what we said but Neil opened the door fully and told us to come on in.
I've only fainted once in my life and thankfully this wouldn't be one of those times but OMG, the room was spinning and I couldn't believe what was happening!
We knew they were pretty laid back people but we couldn't have dreamed of a better interaction. We introduced ourselves and all three of them came over to shake our sweaty palms!!
After about 5-10 minutes in their room exchanging pleasantries, we figured it was about time to leave them alone. We didn't even think about having them sign anything until Geddy asked us about it. We didn't have any concert wear so we had them sign our bell bottom Levis, which we proudly wore to the concert and never washed.
Once back in line, we couldn't even tell anybody what just happened.
Sorry this was so wordy.
I've had other brushes with greatness but they pale in comparison to this one.
So, anyone else care to share?
The greatness, the one, the only RUSH.
Moving Pictures had just elevated Rush into the mainstream but Eric and myself, both juniors in high school, had been long time fans of the band and this would be our first chance to see them live.
A few days before the concert we had to spend a couple of nights at Reunion Arena in order to be first in line for the chance to buy tickets from the last remaining lot of a few thousand.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel is adjacent to Reunion Arena and we would routinely saunter over to use the bathroom or grab a bite to eat.
On our last trip to the Hyatt Regency, just hours before the ticket windows were to open, we decided to explore the hotel. (Mission Impossible Theme Plays Now)
Armed with liquid courage and probably smelling like a couple of yaks, we snuck past the hotel lobby babe and security then hit the elevators.
At first we were just going to ride for a while but then the light bulbs went off. Maybe the boys were already in town but how would we figure out what room they were in?
Figuring out the floor was easy but there were several Presidential and Penthouse Suites to choose from.
Once we were on the 26th floor, the elevator doors opened and we looked to our left to see the only set of double doors that had trays of half eaten food, empty champagne bottles, dirty linens, etc., etc., piled haphazardly in front of them.
This had to be their room! We exited the elevators, stage left of course, and began debating if we should knock on the door.
By now we were sweating and our hearts pounding but we took our shot, knocked on the doors and giggled like little school girls when Neil Peart opened the door, sighed and had a "not again" look on his face.
We thought he would just tell us to go away and close the door but he asked us what we wanted. We stammered and stuttered our "big fans, love you guys man", not really sure what we said but Neil opened the door fully and told us to come on in.
I've only fainted once in my life and thankfully this wouldn't be one of those times but OMG, the room was spinning and I couldn't believe what was happening!
We knew they were pretty laid back people but we couldn't have dreamed of a better interaction. We introduced ourselves and all three of them came over to shake our sweaty palms!!
After about 5-10 minutes in their room exchanging pleasantries, we figured it was about time to leave them alone. We didn't even think about having them sign anything until Geddy asked us about it. We didn't have any concert wear so we had them sign our bell bottom Levis, which we proudly wore to the concert and never washed.
Once back in line, we couldn't even tell anybody what just happened.
Sorry this was so wordy.
I've had other brushes with greatness but they pale in comparison to this one.
So, anyone else care to share?
.
