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Jenney · 07-19-2002, 03:59 PM

I'll chime in my two cents worth (is that $3.59 Canadian?). I thought my first concert was in 1971, but have now discovered it was probably in 1972. I was in high school, and my friend's older sister was a GL fan. She had the incredibly cool name of Starr Light. She offered to take me to the American Shakspere Theatre in Stamford Connecticut for my first concert. I didn't drive yet, so I was overjoyed!
Just like now, the band came out first, Rick, Red (if I remember correctly) and an impossibly young looking Terry, who had just joined the band. Gord came out, and my new best friend Starr said in a loud (ear splitting to me!) voice, "my, he's getting a bit paunchy". I was devastated, but got over it as soon as the first note started. I seem to remember him opening with Me and Bobby Mcgee, but I could very easily be wrong. I know he played SDYS, Cobwebs and Dust, Saturday Clothes, and lots more that were on the IYCRMM lp. I think he did a number of songs from SSOL too. The moment I had waited for though was IYCRMM. He sang it beautifully, then right when my 14 year old heart was near capacity, he did this loud sniffle, the real honking kind, that reverberated throughout the concert hall. I think he may have even started the song all over again, but again, that was 30 years ago and my memory ain't all that great!
I was hooked none the less and went to at least one concert every year until the early 1990's, when we had a dry spell of 4 years. I decided that was way too long, and decided to go to Toronto to see him at Massey Hall. I caught 7 concerts that year, 9 the next and on and on. I think my record is this year, when I will see him 11 times. Heck, I even flew to Reno to watch the taping of the PBS show!
Thank heavens for the internet, for cheap airfares, for on line friendships, and for GL still enjoying touring!
Jenney

07-19-2002, 03:59 PM	#15
Jenney Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Rocky Hill, CT USA Posts: 558	I'll chime in my two cents worth (is that $3.59 Canadian?). I thought my first concert was in 1971, but have now discovered it was probably in 1972. I was in high school, and my friend's older sister was a GL fan. She had the incredibly cool name of Starr Light. She offered to take me to the American Shakspere Theatre in Stamford Connecticut for my first concert. I didn't drive yet, so I was overjoyed! Just like now, the band came out first, Rick, Red (if I remember correctly) and an impossibly young looking Terry, who had just joined the band. Gord came out, and my new best friend Starr said in a loud (ear splitting to me!) voice, "my, he's getting a bit paunchy". I was devastated, but got over it as soon as the first note started. I seem to remember him opening with Me and Bobby Mcgee, but I could very easily be wrong. I know he played SDYS, Cobwebs and Dust, Saturday Clothes, and lots more that were on the IYCRMM lp. I think he did a number of songs from SSOL too. The moment I had waited for though was IYCRMM. He sang it beautifully, then right when my 14 year old heart was near capacity, he did this loud sniffle, the real honking kind, that reverberated throughout the concert hall. I think he may have even started the song all over again, but again, that was 30 years ago and my memory ain't all that great! I was hooked none the less and went to at least one concert every year until the early 1990's, when we had a dry spell of 4 years. I decided that was way too long, and decided to go to Toronto to see him at Massey Hall. I caught 7 concerts that year, 9 the next and on and on. I think my record is this year, when I will see him 11 times. Heck, I even flew to Reno to watch the taping of the PBS show! Thank heavens for the internet, for cheap airfares, for on line friendships, and for GL still enjoying touring! Jenney