It was wild to watch all the gear being taken apart in the middle of the street in front of the theatre. I spied Bobby from the Lovehammers outside their tour bus. He talked with a few of us about Rockstar: INXS. The Lovehammers did a weekly acoustic show, in Chicago, with different singers and encouraged people to vote for Marty. He said he went to the finale, and when they went from three to two and cut to commercial break it was tense. When it was just Marty and JD left, he was biting his nails. He said he was very relieved when Marty didn’t win, and that he was conscious of Marty’s family staring down at him from above, so he didn’t celebrate too much. He had to make a phone call, and I said goodbye and wished them luck.
The London Bridge was packed after the show, so I started walking toward the bus station. One of the police officers in front of the venue told me that it wasn’t such a great idea to go to the bus station at that time. He suggested I find a place to spend some time before my bus left at 3:30 a.m., and told me there was a “safe” bar near by. So that’s where I headed. As I walked in, I saw Andrew and Kirk out of the corner of my eye. Andrew was engrossed in conversation with several people. Kirk was roaming around taking with people in the bar, and bumped into me while I was stashing my luggage again a bar rail. He said “Hello.” I told him it was a great gig and that I was looking forward to the Canadian tour. He wished me happy travelling.
I sat down at the bar and ordered a pint of beer. And then another. Those of you who’ve met me at gigs know I don’t drink anything the day of the show so that I don’t have to pee every five minutes. Those beers were heaven sent. Andrew and Kirk left just as I had ordered two more pints at last call. And moments later Jon entered the bar wearing that lovely red leather jacket. When he placed his bar order I said “Hey gorgeous,” and he turned to me and smiled. I told him it was a great gig, and that I was a bit sad to be heading home after spending a few weeks on the road travelling to see the gigs, but that I had an awesome time at the eight gigs I had attended. He asked me which shows I have gone too, and then what I had done between Norfolk and Jacksonville. I told him I have gone to South Beach, Miami, and he said “Wow.” I told him that’s where I had gotten the really bad sunburn swimming with manatees. He asked what a manatee was, and I explained they were also called sea cows or sea elephants, and I described them. Jon reached out and touched my arm and pronounced that I did indeed have a bad sunburn, and he told me I should take care of it. His drinks finally arrived and I told him to rock on, and he shook my hand and thanked me for coming to the gigs.
I downed pint number three fairly quickly, and started on number four. I was feeling really good at this point. Really good.
Quite a few people in the bar had been getting their pictures taken with the band, and they started to close up the bar, so I decided what the f**k. So I approached Jon and asked if it would be okay to have a pic with him. He said absolutely, and put his arm around me. We chatted a little more and I noticed how he really listens to what you are saying. That’s really special. I told him I was glad he was feeling better, and he was touched that we were concerned about him. He said that in Washington he had been feeling really bad and that he was just starting to feel better. He gave me a big bear hug, then asked me when my bus was leaving, and told me to have a safe trip home. He also said it was crazy that it would take me almost two days to reach home. I told him it was worth it to have the chance to see them play live again, and that I couldn’t wait for the Canadian tour in May. Then he gave me another big hug.
While I was on my way to say goodbye to Jon and ask for the pic, Garry entered the bar, wearing a lovely pair of soft leather pants. As I passed by him, I told him it was a great gig. He was with someone so I left it at that.
I tried to buy them both a drink, but I was told the bar couldn’t serve any more beverages.
After I spoke with Jon, I turned to Garry who had sat down near Jon, and told him how much fun I had in the three weeks I had been travelling to see them play. He said he was glad that I had enjoyed the gigs, and it was wonderful to see that lovely smile of his in person. I told him I was looking forward to the Canadian tour, and I had three tickets and was trying to get at least two more, and hoped I didn’t have to resort to brokers who charged outrageous prices. I mentioned that it was difficult for some of us to purchase tickets for the upcoming tour when the current tour was still on and many of us were travelling. He said he was sorry I couldn’t get the tickets I had hoped for. I asked if I could get a pic with him and he dead-panned a “no.” Just as I starting to feel horrible for asking he touched my arm and broke into a broad grin and told me that of course I could have a pic, and he put his arm around me. I don’t want to ever play poker with Garry because he’d wipe me out. He’s got a wicked game face. He gave me a little hug and went off to see about getting a drink.
My final stop was saying goodbye to INXS personal security. We’d shared quite a few conversations since February 7 in Toronto. I wished him well, and told him I hoped to see him in May.
I walked to the bus station on cloud nine. My visit to the bar and the chance to talk with Jon and Garry was unexpected, and it was such a lovely way to pass the hours after the gig.
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