Experience(s) of a Lifetime

How do you define an experience of a lifetime?

I suppose there are different categories: weddings, births, landing a career- defining role. There are special events like proms and concerts. Sometimes "experience of a lifetime" is just a phrase. If you checked-in to Bring Back Glam! over the weekend, then you probably know that I was in Philadelphia to see George Michael. That concert was 13 years in the making for me - and yes, it was an experience of a lifetime.

You notice I didn't use the quantifier "the." After all, there is no way any of us can possibly know the single event that will define an entire lifetime. That's decided by someone else, much older, much wiser, much more important.

Thirteen years is a long time to wait for anything, let alone a concert.

My love for George Michael is pretty bizarre considering I spend 99% of my time listening to Glam or Metal. That other 1% is reserved for George. I don't like much pop music and I can't stand rap but I've listened to George for years and years. I can remember listening to his music while writing papers when I was an undergraduate. I did the same when I was a graduate student. I've listened to George through my headphones at each of my frustrating, "real-world" jobs.

Finally seeing George Michael in concert Saturday night was an experience of a lifetime - a truly magical experience. Perhaps one of the best concerts I've ever seen. I was actually *nervous * for George before the concert. Yes, I'm one of the few that still get a stomach flutter when the lights gown down and the band starts to play, signaling the start of the show. All those years of expectations are a lot for anyone to live up to - how could George be as good as I imagined? I don't have an answer, but he was - and that's the point. Sometimes, things we wait the better part of a lifetime for disappoint us - then, in rare instances, our expectations are met - and surpassed.

I love concerts where my expectations are exceeded. Quite frankly, it doesn't happen very often. Van Halen met (but did not exceed) my expectations on the recent reunion tour. Kix more than exceeded my expectations at Rocklahoma. I love that rare moment when the artist and crowd become one.

Now that I've achieved my goal of seeing George Michael in concert, I need to look ahead to other life experiences. Top of the list is (naturally) Sweden Rock Festival as well as catching AC/DC live. I imagine watching AC/DC live is sort of like talking directly into the ear of God - if she exists.

**Tell me: what is the longest you've waited to see an artist/band in concert?

Comments

[Christian]

Udo is not gay, he's married. Henry Rollins is not gay either. But, who gives a damn. Rob Halford is, it doesn't change how much I love Priest or how much I am looking forward to seeing them.

You are a retard. I secretly wonder if homophobic people are that way because they have gay feelings of their own, and are ashamed of them due to how they were raised. I don't understand how else to explain it. And, at this point, I'd be in favour of Allyson deleting your posts, you've shown yourself to be a moron, and I'd rather we talked about music.

[Jess]

Motley Crue. I just saw them a few weeks ago and they were freaking fabulous. They seemed to have as much fun as the crowd did. Tommy must've taken his meds this time.

The Crue have to be my favorite band. I would've rather seen them without Crue Fest, but it was fun. They sang "Home sweet Home" at the end, and just as Tommy started the notes the audiance hummed along. I got my lighter out. It was a moment,we were all one.

Vince was really into the show and was pleased with how many people were singing along. He commented on it a few times.

It was indeed one of the best nights of my life. I'm so glad that I got to see them.

[Christian]

I'm bowing out of this while I still have some dignity. I see that's not something you need concern yourself with.

[Kenny Ozz]

Im glad you had a great time Allyson. It saddens me that these fools are trying to ruin your site with hate mail and gay bashing. People seriously need to get a life.

[Kenny Ozz]

Nevertheless, I did get off the subject at hand. Mine would be Lita Ford and Twisted Sister... I STILL havent seen either!! AARRGGHHH!!!!

[Christian]

Hey Kenny

Lita Ford sucked live, we walked off. Twisted, on the other hand, are one of the best live bands I have ever seen.

[Kenny Ozz]

Dude!!! Say it aint so... I love Lita.. DAMMITT!

[Christian]

*grin* well, we didn't especially love her to start with, and she did seem to be giving it her all, so perhaps to someone who was a big fan, it would have been good.

[Eric]

Kenny,

Do you just want to meet Lita because she was hot? I should say I saw her from the photo pit at Rocklahoma and she still is very attractive. I would have pictures for you, but she performed when it was pouring down rain. I have a couple, but they are by no means great shots.

[Kenny Ozz]

Well Eric, her being hot definately didnt hurt, haha, but I do respect her guitar playing and songwriting skills as well. I would LOVE to see the pics.

[aXe mAn]

I'm a huge Lita Ford fan, and from a couple different reports, I heard that she put on a really good performance, like she hadn't missed a step!
And she's another one that I would love to meet in person, Dangerous Curves is one of my favorite albums.

[Dai Raion]

Hey Allyson,

The time and effort you put into this site shows in every aspect of it. :-) And regardless of what ultimately happens to Bring Back Glam the pride you have in its' authorship is well deserved and, I hope, has been well worth it.

I'm glad you got to enjoy an "experience of a lifetime."

[aXe mAn]

Yeah Allyson, you have a passion for music, and it shows in your writing. It's too bad some people have to act out like that. It's like, don't they have anything better to do?! They must have way too much free time on their hands.
Best of luck to ya Allyson, keep up the great work! =)

[Richard]

frank, who gives you the right to talk that way toward another person anyway.and by the way allyson can talk about what ever she wants to after all it is her site.

[aXe mAn]

^ Exactly Richard.

Frank what you are doing is not only annoying, it is very disrespectful. You need to get a life man, seriously.

[Kenny Ozz]

I just remembered another one... I wanna meet David Lee Roth too dammitt!!!!!!

[Sparky]

Great response, Allyson - hope you don't let one ignorant person ruin a good thing here. I've been reading for a long time, but just recently starting posting comments - I don't always agree with your music choices, but I have the ultimate respect for you cause you're out there, pouring out your heart to us, making us think, making us laugh, making us wonder - pondering our Glam existence. I love it. Don't stop because of one idiot - just block him!

Glad you had an experience of a lifetime at George Michael - I myself enjoy all kinds of music other than Glam. My iPod holds over 5,000 songs ranging from Glam to some rap to some country (yes, I admit it - although it's Old country, like Loretta Lynn and Larry Gatlin). But, then again, I'm fierce about my Crue - just saw them in St. Louis - they rocked hard!

Keep up the good work and keep living for those experiences of a lifetime!

[Sparky]

Oh, and to answer your last question, I hadn't seen Crue since the mid 90's - I got married, had a baby.....missed a couple of shows, Tommy wasn't in the band, etc. Glad I finally got back to see them at Cruefest. I agree with one other poster - I would have preferred to see just them without the others, but the other bands did put on good shows. Just not who I was there to see!

[Damnp78]

I would have to say that Lita did indeed put on a good show at ROK and I am not particularly a fan.

[Digg]

Sorry for me a Glam site should be about Glam, that's why I stopped to have a look.

This is actually a bit more like a myspace page, no offence but if I wanted to read about how wonderful George was I wouldn't stop by a site called bring back glam.

Yes people are gay and yes there are people out there who don't like it. My only problem is with bad music...