Thursday, October 29, 2009

Maybe He's Still Searching for a Heart of Gold. And He's Gettin' Old.

For as long as I can remember my mother has wanted to see Neil Young in concert. Not Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Just Young. There was always one issue or another why that didn't happen. In 2008, Neil Young set off on his tour. Finally! And better yet, he'd be playing in Los Angeles within a week of my mother's birthday! My sisters and I smelled a birthday present made of WIN! I wrote a check and my sister took care of everything.

Then, a day or so before the concert - it happened. In a panicked phone call, my sister explained that she recieved an email informing her that her credit card would be refunded for the tickets. That's it. No explanation. Why the refund? Did she mess up the transaction somehow? WTF, Ticketmaster? Why? Don't you know it's our mother's birthday? Do you KNOW how long she's waited for this? What was the deal? Also - why do you hate my mom?

"Give me five minutes", I told her. Insert Google frenzy here.

And there it was. Oh. No. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union, Local 33, planned to picket Neil Young's show at the Forum.

And Neil? Canceled.

I can appreciate your principles Mr. Young - but - way to harsh my mom's mellow, man. But since you said that you'd reschedule, then we'll see you at the show. Oh, except you never did, so, ya know - kiss my ass, Neil Young.

My mother was looking forward to the possibility of seeing the upcoming Michael Jackson concert. Then. Well. You know...

In 1984, my mother's co-worker had extra tickets to the Michael Jackson Victory Tour at Dodger's Stadium. Best. Concert. Ever. Taking her to see This Is It is the closest to getting Michael Jackson concert tickets for her birthday that I can do. And judging from the movie we saw last night - that concert would have been AM-AZ-ZA-ZING!

7 comments:

smalltownme said...

I'm still quite angry with Aerosmith. Well, Steven Tyler in particular.

Stacie said...

New Order started playing at a concert I attended. I was so excited and then the lead singer decided we weren't excited enough to see him and left the stage 30 minutes into the concert never to return. Jackass! So I am with you! Kiss Tootsie's ass, Neil!

calicobebop said...

Just can't trust those rockstars, dammit. Glad you enjoyed the movie - too bad it wasn't the real thing, but what are ya gonna do?

seachange said...

I'm sad for your Mom.
We saw Neil Young at the New Orleans Jazz Fesitval, outside. His show was unbelievably f***ing good! The voice is the same, the face is so much older! Surprise, :-)

I hope he goes on tour next year and nobody decides to go on strike.

You are GREAT daughters for trying!

Manic Mommy said...

The Man is stickin' it to the Union. He couldn't not back The Union. He'd lose his hippy cred.

Sucks for you. I mean your mom.

dkuroiwa said...

Neil came to Japan a few years ago (his Green Day tour) and though I'm not a huge fan (my hub is!), it was really good!
And I totally agree with you about the Michael Jackson movie...just saw it on Friday and yeah, THAT would have been one hell of a concert!!
Did he seem more....'real' to you? he sure did to me...making little jokes, sucking on a tootsie pop...he didn't seem so weird. and that was so nice.

prashant said...

I was so excited and then the lead singer decided we weren't excited enough to see him and left the stage 30 minutes
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