Please correct me if I do not remember correctly. Was it not stated by Mr. Petty himself that he was bringing us an "Authentic American Rock & Roll Show"?

I sat in my excellent "Fan club" seat and Jackson Brown had just us left with Petty anticipation. The roadies were hard at work, and I looked acrossed the river and could see the building that I go to each work day. I was seated next to my Son that I had always wanted to take to see Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker's and realized this was the day!

It had been 21 years ago last July that my Son & I had attended two TPHB concerts.You may have read about them in this forum under "Pack Up The Plantation". Now I'm not sure, was the 1985 tour titled "Southern Accent's" or "Pack Up The Plantation"?

Of course my Son had never seen the 1985 concerts since he was not born untill 12/10/85. Let me tell you, he was definately there!

What a thrill to be in a crowd of people that enjoy and love the same music that I do for the past 30 years. I raised my Son listening the music of Mr. Tom Petty. Brian had been asking me, do you think he'll play "Refugee"?

Back to the point... An "Authentic American Rock & Roll Show"?

I've not felt "American" much lately. Our leaders have left me feeling less than enchanted in times of late. But something happened to me that night at Raley Field. I felt like an American at an authentic rock & roll show. I realized, we can not let leaders of this nation take our country to place that is not us. We are America. This world does not know us really. I don't think we have cared to know us ourselves lately. Am I the only one that felt it that night? It couldn't have been the codine in the cough medicine? Could it?

Well said, Doris. I wasn't at Sac, but I agree, Tom and the boys, and American rock 'n' roll in general, make me feel good about my country. We do have so much to offer besides the current foriegn policy that is so the focus of the world these days.

Next week I will see an Australian band in Manchester with a new UK work friend. Fortunately, music transends many boundries in this life - geographical, political, national, social.

Rock on!

Thank you for your response LizzieB.

I'm so excited! I'm getting ready to head out to Berkeley for tomorrow's show. The last time I was at the Greek Theatre was when he was touring with Bob Dylan. What year was that?

Anyway, To all that will be there, see you tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful time at the show Doris.

The vibe, and the wonderful audience at The Greek when combined with performers such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is sure to result in a very special evening for everyone lucky enough to participate.

The acoustics at that venue are among the best I have heard on the tour. The only thing that detracts from that venue is getting there and back, but Berkeley has an excellent rapid transit system so driving there yourself can be avoided (and probably should be)!

Be sure to cheer, clap, and even sing and shout! We cant make it so you are going to have to make extra ruckus for us ok?

(Of course, only at the proper times so as to not detract from the performance)

Rock and Roll, and the Blues are 100% American. Their roots are wrapped deep in the South and their gnarled structure reflect the struggle for survival, equality, peace, and justice. That struggle continues today. We should all be proud of what was (and is still being) accomplished - every one of us enjoys benefits earned in that brave struggle.

Patriots never give up, nor does Rock and Roll.

And they don't back down!

Peace


Peace

The glory of America is that we have never been defined by the actions of our leaders.

quote:

The glory of America is that we have never been defined by the actions of our leaders.

You most certainly are. Presidential candidates are well "groomed" for the office of the presidency. It's all about public image. Imagine the First Lady patronizing some bar, and having a couple of dances with a complete stranger--the kinds of things the average joe/jane does. My God!!! It would be on the front page of every newspaper in the world and public opinion would not be too pretty. Even the President's daughters can't lead a 'normal' life without being under media scrutiny. Look what happened when the two of them got drunk at some bar, awhile ago. Every newspaper from here to kingdom come carried the story and photos.

What the office of the presidency does is project an image of "traditional" American values. It projects an image that says "this is what America is about." It says this is the "typical" American family. The president and first lady (and offspring) represent the country's "role model".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: white elephant,

Hey Doris.... Where are you gonna be sittin'?? There's quite a few of us going so be sure to say "Hey"! I'm in the pit wearin' one of my Southern Accents shirts (that's what the '85 Tour was called). Oh, wasn't the Bob & TP&THB Tour 1986, yep, '86 it was.
See ya'all there!!! & everyone be safe & have fun tonight.

Doris, you've taken the words right out of my mouth. Standing in a crowd with thousands of strangers has never felt more cozy, comforting, and familiar. It reminds me of the lines "they love it like you love Jesus, it does the same thing to their souls."

Thanks for the answers Annaconda69, Sorry I missed you last night. I was in section 7 in the second row. I had a wonderful time and I thought the show was great! I must admit I've got a pretty bad case of the "Post Petty Blues" and I'm tired. I just got back to Sacramento and the drive was fine.

What did you think of the show? It must have been great in the pit!

Sorry I missed you two, too.
Doris, you rolled into town shortly after us.
We got home around 2.
Had a beautiful view of the bay from our 7th floor hotel balcony in Emeryville.
Good to be home and existing on this post concert high.

Doris Wilbury I wish I would have gotten to meet you at the Sacramento show.

That, to me, was one of the best shows of the year! I just love TPATH fans. I really think they are amazing people! Much less listening to this great band too!

How was the Berkeley show? What was the highlight for you?

Hi fireflyelf,

I always want to call you firefly for short. I see you sprit'in around like a cute little fire lantern fairy-elf. I just love that fantasy/mystical stuff!

I wish we had met too! The Sacramento show was great! I had my Son Brian with me and that was a real treat! It was his first TPHB show. (Not counting the one's he attended while he was still in me.) He grew up listening to Tom Petty's music and that show is a memory for the Bradbury history book!

I really wish I had the words that could describe the Greek show 10/27. The vocals, guitar amazement, collective tight energy of musical excitement like I have never experienced before! Woah, I must catch my breath.

The highlight for me seems like a dream now. Way to good to be true and I'm reluctant to share. Everytime I try to express it in words it comes out sounding like delusions of grandeur. That show was just to wonderful to taint with my silly "personal petty trip"!

Anyway, I hope we get a chance to meet some day. You are right, Tom Petty fans are great!

Oh gee, we all tell our silly stories 'round here. We actually enjoy hearing about it.

It would not let me be a Firefly so I had to add the rest so at least you would know I'm a firefly. LOL

If you ever feel like it, post your story!

That's why I always hear firefly when I read your posts! It's that psycho - oh I mean psychic - ability again. I just never can be sure.

If you look in <makin' some noise under topic "Greek Last Night" by lazydaysooz, I tell about my magic moment in time. Who knows, someday, I may write a cocktail version of my "personal petty moment". We'll see. Thanks for asking.

Things got buried while I was in Vegas. I need to dig deeper.