Geez, I’ve been so busy since I got back from my quick trip to LA, that it has taken me this long to blog about my trip to see U2.  Busy doing what, I don’t know…there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.  You know how that is.

Anyway, I almost missed out on that first night of the U2 “Three Nights Live” radio special.  My flights were delayed/cancelled and I made it to the Burbank airport with only about 5 minutes to spare before U2 took the stage.  The “secret location” was a studio on the first floor of the Capitol Records building!

At first, it was just Bono, Adam and The Edge who came out as the radio special started.  They explained that Larry Mullen Jr wasn’t feeling well.  However, when he came out later, he looked just fine.  I think he had airline problems too. 

Shirley Manson (singer of the band Garbage) was the host for the evening and she confided to us, before U2 came out, that she was nervous as heck.  I can understand…it’s U2! afterall!  Who wouldn’t be?  She asked some great questions and while the new songs played over the air, the band answered questions from the audience.  There were about 100 winners from all over the west coast sitting up front and about 50 radio and record people in the back.  After the hour was up and the radio special wrapped, the band paused a bit for pictures and autographs with some of the winners.

After the winners were ushered out, the radio and record people were instructed to cross the street and meet at the Avalon Club.  There were groups of us who knew each other from past radio get-togethers.  We mingled and chatted and barely noticed when the band entered the room.  Bono came over to the small table where a few of us were seated and made small talk with all of us for about 15 minutes.  Actually, it was the other people who made most of the small talk….I was starstruck and could barely get a word out.  It was BONO after all, friend of Oprah’s, saver of the world!  He made the comment that we had the best table in the joint and didn’t want to get up.  We encouraged him to stay, but there were others who wanted to meet the great one.

There were no pictures allowed, no autographs…”let’s keep it chill”, so I have no proof.  However, you can see below, an old picture of me and a former co-worker with The Edge, taken backstage in Indianapolis.   I did bring it with me and asked him for a quick autograph when I met him again on Monday, (when no one was looking).

I did get to chat with Adam Clayton for a bit.  He asked some general questions about radio, like do we get to pick our own music?  He commented that U2 doesn’t really ever mingle with radio people anymore (like we were special or something…and we were!).  They used to, back in the early days when they were trying to get their records played on the radio.  He gave us all a kiss on the cheek before he wandered off.  I said a quick “hi, hello” to Larry Mullen Jr.  He said “hi” and touched my arm.  That was it from the man who started the band so many years ago.

So now you know how it went…just like that.  I went back to an awesome hotel room at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, just off Hollywood Blvd.  I could see the Hollywood sign from my room and all the bright lights of the boulevard.  Ah, good to be home in So Cal…if just for a night.

The next day, I HAD to have breakfast/lunch at El Pollo Loco, my favorite fast food restaurant.  I think I was the first customer of the day, but that was OK…I can eat chicken anytime of the day or night.  I spent some time, before my flight back, at the local IKEA store.  (I wish I had a lot of money so I could buy EVERYTHING at that store.)  I returned my rental car and waited at the airport for my flight back to Spokane. 

Called my mom when I got home to let her know that the plane didn’t crash.  She couldn’t believe that I would fly that far for just a day, just to see “some band”.  C’mon Mom, it was U2!

Check it out:

…but there are only six exits off this plane.”

I should’ve known when the flight attendant made that announcement that my flight home from San Diego wouldn’t be as fun as his punchline. 

After waiting for hours for several hours in a crowded airport for my flight, I couldn’t wait to get on-board and get back to Spokane. Even though I spent the last few nights at a fancy hotel, there’s nothing like being home and sleeping in your own bed.

Our flight back to Spokane included a short layover in Oakland, where That Guy Steve, his girlfriend and I had a quick dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen. I had the BBQ Chicken Pizza, which was delicious. 

However, shortly after getting home, I came to realize that the pizza wasn’t as good coming up as it was going down. I spent the night, not sleeping in my own comfy bed, but crouched over the toilet. I have never had such a painful bout of nausea in my life. After 7 hours of letting it all out, my throat was thrashed. And that’s why I had laryngitis for a week. I did go to the doctor who said I probably burned holes in my esophagus. That sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? Come to think of it, the whole story about vomiting is pretty disgusting.  Sorry.

Another fun day in paradise, however it was cold and rainy.  All music moved indoors, which made it convenient to visit with old friends and make new acquaintances throughout the day.  Saw a couple of up & comers, Lex Land and Sara Haze, both young women with fantastic voices.  When Tyrone Wells was in town recently, his drummer told me to be sure to check out Sara.  Only 19, but singing since she was 12!

Their were a couple of moderated panels and group meals, and not much time to enjoy the scenery around this beautiful resort.  Maybe tomorrow.

The night time sessions included sets from Serena Ryder (the one who sings “A Little Bit of Red”), Tamarama (band featured on The City), Green River Ordinance and Third Eye Blind (who played near all new material from their forth-coming album.)

Later in the day, I was quickly whisked behind a closed door for a “secret” meet & greet with Chris Isaak, though it wasn’t so secret, because just about every radio person there was behind that closed door.  Chris is amazing, both musically and physically, and his shirt totally out-sparkled the one in his eyes.  He had a little, white Maltese dog, Rodney, with him backstage and told a heartwarming story about the dog’s affect on war veterans when he takes him visiting hospitals.  I would have been touched by the story, but I was too dazzled by the sparkles on Rodney’s matching outfit.   

After Chris’ short set, I ran into the new American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi.

I am in San Diego at the moment for a “music convention” where people from stations from all around the US, (stations similar to The River), gather to hear new & upcoming bands and artists.  Of course, there are a couple of big names thrown in just to keep you from sneaking down to the hotel cantina.  It’s serious business.  They actually take roll call to make sure you’re here. Thursday’s festivities started out with a Rick Springfield “Meet & Greet”, which every woman over the age of 30 wanted to be a part of.   Scheduled to last from 3:45 to 4:30, there was a very small window of opportunity…especially when your plane lands at 2:30 and you’re still waiting at the car rental place at 3:30.  Luckily, we made it just in time to get a quick picture and autograph.  Rick is still gorgeous and very gracious.  He performed some of his new stuff later in the evening, and some of his other goodies, including the classic “Jesse’s Girl”.  I believe there’s some damaging video of me right down in front of the stage, singing along like a teenage groupie.