Originally Posted by Gitchigumee
Wow, just got back from one of THE BEST WEEKENDS OF MY LIFE! And I am not kidding in the least.
After having attended the Milwaukee concert on Wednesday, I was quite anxious about how Gord would perform just 2 days later in Rochester. I hadn't heard how he'd done in Sheboygan on Thursday.
He began with Cotton Jenny as usual, and I could tell immediately that whatever the problem had been on Wednesday, it was history. He sounded really really good. His voice was strong and right on the money. He seemed re-invigorated. The crowd was large and responsive. He was very talkative that night. Telling jokes as previously reported, and this time, I was close enough to hear and understand everything he was saying!
I about fell out of my seat when he played Clouds of Lonliness. I thought I had heard here on Corfid that he never played any songs from Harmony. They were wrong.
After the concert, my friend and I hung around by the stage while everyone was filing out. She wanted to see if she could get a guitar pic for her collection, but alas, the guitar tech told her there were none to be had. She was bummed. There were just a few people like us straggling around by the stage area, and we got talking to them. One of the guys was drunk and we nicknamed him Floyd as he was wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt. He actually tried dashing back stage and was wrestled out of the building. It was pretty funny. Anyway, after being asked 3 times to leave, we finally resigned there was no other choice but to leave. But not before one of the security people let slip where the buses were normally parked. We knew it would be a while before Gord & band would be able to leave, as there were VIPs with backstage passes all herded into one area and waiting to meet him. I couldn't help thinking they were big-wigs at Mayo Clinic and not nearly as worthy as I was to get backstage to meet my idol.
Anyway, my friend and I decided to go get our car out of the parking ramp and come back and park it closer to the Civic Center. We got out of the car and began walking around the back of the building, where we found 2 other guys who had been waiting at the stage area after the concert with us. They had found "THE DOOR" and we knew it was true because the truck was there being loaded w/ equipment, the bus was there, and there were 2 limos waiting to whisk the guys off to either the hotel or the airport. Floyd was no-where to be found, thank goodness, so it was just me, my friend, and the 2 men who were actually father and son.
After waiting for probably 1/2 an hour (and by now my stomach is in knots and I'm pacing back and forth like a caged lion), the door opens and out comes Gord, Terry, Rick, Mike and Barry. I approached the band members first as Gord was busy talking to the father and son. I got the band's autographs. Rick really made an impression on me. I told him how much I enjoyed watching them play and how good it was to see him always smiling and having fun. He actually came right over to me, stuck out his hand, and asked me my name. Then...he proceeded to thank me--THANK ME!--for asking him for his autograph. Wow.
Having spoken to the band, I now turned my attention to Gordon, who was just finishing up a conversation with my friend. Now it was my turn. I was the last fan waiting to meet him. Oh my Gosh, here I thought I would not be able to speak, but there I was spilling out everything, how much I loved him, how I had been to Orillia in July, bought his postage stamps, told him I was an internet fan, and that I call myself Gitchigumee. He said "Ahhhh, Gitchigumee..." Cool or what? He autographed an albumn and a CD for me. He sort of apologized that he had been hoarse a few times during the concert, which was totally ridiculous because he sounded wonderful and I told him so. I asked if I could have a photo with him and he said sure, and so then his manager took our cameras and so Gord stood there between my friend and I, with his arms around our waists, and then the darn flash on BOTH of our cameras wouldn't work, so I said that's ok, I can stand here all night with my arm around Gordon Lightfoot, and I said to Gord "You don't have anything better to do anyway, do you?" He chuckled. He was so sweet and patient. When we turned to say goodbye, we shared a hug and I once again thanked him and told him how much I loved him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then off he went in the car with his band, and he was gone... As we were walking back to our car, I was overwhelmed by what had just happened, and broke down in happy tears which did not stop for several minutes. A dream had just come true, and how many times in your life can you say that?
Not many people would understand, but I know that you folks will. I just love him so much and to be able to tell him in person and to thank him in person meant everything in the world to me. What a wonderful warm person he is, I will post photos (I promise JohnFowles) very soon.
- Gitchigumee
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