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SAFan's ST. LOUIS ADVENTURE I will attempt to put something together parts. The St Louis adventure and the Chicago adventure. This is the St Louis adventure. As luck would have it my hosts for the 10 days lived 5 minutes from SQ's sister so at exactly 8.30 I meet the world famous SQ, hugs and kisses and then I get introduced to Clare one of the first chatters I met whilst on Debbies board. We pack our bags in the Jeep and head down to Chicago Midway minus one passenger - Ray Picl - who is stuck some where with vehicle problems. On arriving at Midway we join a rather long queue heading for a "hurry up and wait" situation when a rather pleasant gentleman comes to our rescue. Boy did we need him, you see on leaving S.A. I left all personal documentation behind, ID books and drivers licence obviously not wanting to lose them whilst on holiday. My passport was back at my host's place, why would I need it? I am only going to the next state. Anyway, Mario goes out of his way to be our personal escort to the plane, vouching for my integrity and religious beliefs that I am not a member of the Taliban. Fortunately he is a rugby fan so we talk rugby which kind of makes for ease of passage to the flight. Ease I thought , I didn't reckon on SQ arguing the toss about her film not being Xrayed. To cut a long argument short, the security personnel were prepared to put the un-xrayed films in a box in the cargo hold but not allow SQ to keep them in her hand on board. No logic there. We arrive at St Louis and I go to the restroom, I hear strains of Glamour boy, I just catch a glimpse of some youngster disappearing around a corner. I tell Clare and Ruth Ann, who think I am joking. Next minute Jim aka The Living Legend introduces himself along with his son, the Glamour Boy singer. We head out of the airport still looking for another picker upper. (I am going to get killed here - I can't remember her name as she had 3, was it Donna, Delia or Samantha ?) She shall be named Delia from now on. Delia missed us because she was scared to wave a Guess Who sign at arrivals!!!!!!. Anyway she found us looking for her and into her huge car and off to our hotel. Noahs Ark. At 4.00 pm we meet at the designated restaurant the following were in attendance SAfan, SuzyQ, Clare (Shillelagh), Ruth Ann (I'm Scared), Rette, Jim (The Living Legend) - his gorgeous better half and son, Charlie (Roast Beef), Carl (Roast Beef Junior), Dawn (Starbaby), Lara (Burtonfan) and Delia? with husband and daughter. Much talking and I get to show all the fellow fans my brag book with photo's of my family and house. Cajun prawns on the menu for me and my first ever Root Beer, we don't have that here in SA. Time marches on and eventually we get to the riverside theatre, no cameras I have been warned - Shucks. We hover around a bit and I find myself sitting 7 rows from the front and to the left. "Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Mr. Joe Cocker" and the show starts. I have a new respect and admiration for Joe, he was just brilliant. I really enjoyed his part as I did not know his set list and the hits rolled for an hour and a half. Some woman in front of SQ and myself was going ballistic and was fun to watch, not too hard on the eye as well. The Sax guy was a blast but I heard a fair amount about the keyboard and drummer but could not see either of them because of the speakers on the ground that hid these 2. I did some tears during "Youčre so Beautiful" I was thinking of the wife and so wished that she was there with me then. The Joe Show ends and the crew start rearranging the furniture. I get to see Sam Boyd, "Sam" I shout but I am ignored. **** I think I am never going to meet the band, Sam or anything, disillusioned I get back to my seat with a friendly Nazi ushering me away. "Ladies and gentleman would you please welcome from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - The Guess Who", First Donnie then Bill, Gary goes to the back of his drum kit and takes a seat, a slight pause then Randy, then Burton, they all take their positions, the first few chords, "When you move right up close to me..." I have just died and gone to heaven. Here I am listening to probably the ultimate voice box in the history of Rock and Roll and I am about 40 feet away. I am not going to bore you with the whole playlist as we all know what it consists of. But the next few lines are some thoughts of what was going through my mind and some observations during the show.
After the show we headed back to the hotel and then onto the same street we had lunch at. A number of pubs had music in and we selected, why I don't know, a grunge bar, pure unadulterated crappy music. We then headed back onto room 234 but not before some female tried to pick up Jim's girlfriend Nicki. Room 234 was a bulldust session with Jim reliving his past, some great stories there. I left at 2.30am knowing full well we had to get up at 6.00 to get back to Chicago.
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SAFan's CHICAGO ADVENTURE This started the moment we landed back at Midway. Clare and Ruth Ann in one car and SQ and myself in the Jeep we headed for the Orgy hotel which was found without too much trouble. Whilst the 3 were booking in I headed for Shoeless Joes and watched some funny rugby, American football. Sitting down this young waitress asked me if I would like something to drink, the chap sitting next to me picked up on the accent and proceeded to explain the finer details of football. It was great sitting there with 3 big screens going however, the team I have a soft spot for, the Miami Dolphins were being slaughtered. About an hour and a half later I go out to find Clare talking to 2 young ladies who are introduced to me - Shelly (bcpcfan) and her friend a very shy Kathy. These 2 ladies claim to have gone into Shoeless Joes looking for a Guess Who fan, I mean please give me a break, the real truth is they were checking out the Chicago male talent. Oh and by the way Shelly makes reference to my accent, remember it is not I with the accent but 240,000,000 Americans with the accent, anyway for Shelly's benefit I am typing this slowly so she can understand my accent. Donna Bridges is the next fan I get introduced to and behind her is her portable Guess Who/Burton Fan Club library. After what seemed ages SQ eventually arrives in her paramilitary outfit ready to march us off to the Navy Pier. We hijack (us South Africans are good at that) a Hotel vehicle and force the driver to take us to O'Hare or else. On our way to the airport I pass a comment about some driver doing a U turn illegally and the only non Guess Who traveler in the hotel vehicle passes a comment as well and it turns out he is from Johannesburg as well. Small World! We arrive at O'Hare and are given directions to the "el", once again SQ commands center stage and negotiates a special deal for 7 people on one ticket. We jump on the "el" and clickety clack our way to some station, to jump on the next "el", to get off somewhere, to walk down a block, to get on the free trolley and magically we arrive at the Navy Pier. The Navy Pier needs a day for a tourist like me. I believe I missed the stained glass exhibition, a Ferris wheel ride, a boat cruise and some other sites. Small world again, I am walking along the pier and see my host's son, Ted, selling at a stall and during the hellos and goodbyes I get a free Chicago T shirt. During the walk back to the start I somehow miss the teams Ferris Wheel ride. At 6.00pm our sergeant major tells us it is time to catch a bus and head off to Butch MacGuires so we go to the bus stop only to find that the free buses have finished at 6.00pm so we hunt down another appropriate bus stop and wait, and wait, and wait. We hop on and again SQ organizes a deal that 2 people can travel for $1.60. We arrive semi near our destination and our sergeant major has transformed herself into a tour guide and shows us all her old haunts where she used to hang during her youth. A number of these did not exist anymore and rumours have it that they went bankrupt when she stopped drinking there. Butch MacGuires - what a great night, it is here we all learnt a new party game called musical bar stools. On arriving we went to the back of the pub and the original Navy Pier 7 (SQ, Safan, Clare, Ruth Ann, Shelly, Kathy and Donna) are met by Bob T and wife (Mr and Mrs Maple Fudge) and Dan and wife (VoteforDan). Dan's wife Joan later becomes Ace taxi driver in the Whooligan Mobile. Now the crowd can't fit around the table provided so we move to the next room and are given an 'L' shaped table. This is still not good enough so we rearrange the furniture again and finally we are seated. Lots of talking and after the route march we had been through at the Navy Pier it was time to order food. SQ has made mention of my Burger on her website. Well the standard fare burger at Butch MacGuires appears to be meat, lettuce, tomato, onion and a choice of 2 sauces. "What about an eggburger" I enquired - "A what" was the reply. "What about an hawaiinburger" I enquired - "A what" was the reply. So I made up my own burger - standard meat patty and BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, a fried egg on top covered with mushrooms all held together with apple sauce. Absolutely delicious. Next came the sing along, SQ had found the Juke Box and donated her life savings to 2 Joe Cocker numbers and TGW greatest hits. Shelly sang 2 numbers and I tried to sing the chorus of Share the Land with her but came a distant second. One thing I do remember is not hearing VfD sing and yet he is on the Fans CD. Home time and to our relief we find out that our taxi driver Joan (VfD's wife), drives a 9 seater Whooligan mobile. We cram in with Ruth Ann selecting not to see where we go and decides to hide behind the front passengers seat. Joan navigates by the stars and other than a minor gliche finds my place of rest safely. The minor gliche involves me asking a store-owner directions, the store owner turns out to be an illegal immigrate from south of the border and knows nothing. Just to clear up a minor point, we were at the corner of Devon - pronounced 'Dev in' not 'De von'. We skip a few hours as I did not do the orgy thing that night and the next time I meet up with gang it is at Gino's East for the pre Concert supper. On arriving there are a few people milling about and I get introduced to the co-coordinator Sherry alias Tross. Within 30 minutes the room is full every saying - "oh so you're 'nickname'". Cameras everywhere working overtime. I assume that everyone has gone to SQ's website and seen all the action. Name badges are handed out by Donna which were a big help and Kpack distributed his US flags. Order was called by Kpack and 2 T shirts signed by all members of the Official Whooligan Crazy Gang were presented to the SQ and Sherry in appreciation of the hard work that had been put into the organizing of this get together by these 2 fine young ladies. I then had my turn and before I opened my mouth I had this huge lump in my throat. I got all emotional because the hospitality shown by all fans meant so much to me. When I first decided to 'go for it' I knew it would cost me a bomb and here are all the people that made my trip happen, offers of accommodation, offers of tickets, offers of flight tickets, offers of meals. I really did not know how to express my thanks to all and yet remain unemotional. Anyway I mumble my way through my gift presentation ceremony little knowing that my coherence had been removed for the next 5 hours - I also botched all conversation I had with the band members. At the close of dinner, Sherry pulls me to one side and tells me I have to travel with her and SQ in the Jeep as we have to get my ticket that Sam had left at collect. We arrive at collect and SQ asks for the ticket for Mr Wilson, the chap behind the counter turns to the "W" box and says sorry no tickets for Mr Wilson. F$%k my worst nightmare has happened, all those negative thoughts I had at St Louis were coming true. "Are you sure, there are no tickets for Mark Wilson from South Africa left here by Sam Boyd" asks SQ. "Oh Mark from South Africa" he says, "Yes here they are". I think I had an orgasm there and then, I am sure the grin wrapped completely around my face. With camera hidden under the armpit and flashing an empty bag save for my American Women book I stroll through to my seat. It had to be the best seat in the house, row H, plum center of the seating, 8 rows from the front at eye level to the keyboard. I am sure they did the sound test there as the sound was 200% perfect. All the fans from Gino's plus others congregated and chatted some more. As the fans dispersed to their seat I found I was the only whooligan in my row, however a lovely young lady, shy Kathy, came to my rescue and sat next to me, "until someone takes the seat" she says. Well would you believe no one took the seat the whole night, so I had excellent company for both shows. Then 7.30pm came and the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, "Ladies and gentleman please welcome Mr Joe Cocker". The crowd roar more, his band start playing, wait a minute I say - is this the same sound system he used at St Louis or is it the seating position or both. Whatever, St louis lost out somewhere with the sound as this was much better. I could now see the drummer and keyboard player, the sax player went ballistic again and walked around the audience. What a performance, if this is Joe's improvement I couldn't wait for TGW. Joe's show ends and we mill around in front. I notice that SQ is talking to Sam Boyd so I get to the front with my book and SA flag wave it and introduce myself as Mark from South Africa. I hint if it is possible to get my book signed sometime. He says sure I'll go and do it right now, 5 minutes later he returns with my American Women book signed by all members. I am now floating, who needs to do drugs when you can get a high just on autographs. The few people around me are in awe and one fan actually asked if he could buy the book! Just before the show starts I purchase an AW tour T-shirt and change into it, a great idea so it turned out later. Then the show - I was in absolute heaven, my seat was perfect, I could hear and see their performance like I imagined it should be. Sorry St Louis but this was sensational, the Shivers down the back bone lasted until 2.30am next morning, Randy was at his best, he seemed to be having fun playing, Gary was his usual laid back self, Bill was doing his own thing - every now and then walking in front of his mike while Donnie was doing an amazing rhythm thing to the right. Burton was the professional, none of this boy band stuff jumping around in front, just rocking. I noticed particularly during Albert Flasher he got off his seat and hit the ivories like there was no tomorrow. The coffee shop set was brilliant the trading of acoustic guitar riffs, leads and rhythms was a delight to watch. This band was tight, professional and I defy anyone to find any fault with the show. The Glamour Boy guitar work at the end was awesome only to be outdone by Randy doing the AW solo. A special moment in "These Eyes" has made that song even more special. The whole way through the concert at the back of my mind a little voice was saying "pinch me it must be a dream". Then the dreaded masterpiece "No Time", this heralds the end of the set so I get my little SA flag out and go down to the right and wave it, Donnie and Bill see it, Donnie nods his head and gives me a wink. At least someone in the band has seen the crazy South African. The show ends, the lights come on and I am in conversation with Kathy when I hear Sam Boyd shout "Mark, Mark, Suzy has something for you", I give him the thumbs up and shout thank you. I turn to go to SQ when Sherry arrives waving a piece of paper. "Here" says Sherry, "this is for you, it's from Sam". It is the playlist as stuck on Burton's keyboard. It's official - a smile can go twice around a head. The guy that wanted to buy my book is now totally overcome with awe. Then Sherry whispers in my ear "SuzyQ has back stage passes for the 3 of us", I am now defying gravity, just floating. Shelly apparently had heard rumours at Fairfax that this may happen and is standing nearby, assesses the situation and hands me 3 items to try and get signed by the band. SQ, Sherry and myself go around the back. "Can I help you" says a friendly Nazi. "We have backstage passes" "Ok stick them onto your shirt then go down the passage and turn left". We enter the room and the first person I see is Randy, I turn to the 2 ladies and we are all smiling from ear to ear. We hang around a few minutes not knowing what to do as some Wally (SA slang for idiot) is hogging Randy's attention. Then Sam appears through a curtained doorway, "Ladies and gentleman Mr Gary Peterson and Mr Bill Wallace". We turn and a smiling Gary appears looks at me straight in the eye, I walk up to him and shake his hand - "Hi I'm Mark Wilson from South Africa" "Oh so you the guy from South Africa, do you play golf, I play golf", My tongue goes numb and a few letters of the English language spill out trying to realign themselves to make a sentence, unsuccessful. I mumble and bumble some answer. I am saved by someone asking for his autograph. I turn to Bill "Hi I'm Mark Wilson from South Africa" "Pleased to meet you" a stoney silence ensues. Then a delayed reaction "Please may I have your autograph and maybe a picture" "Yeah sure" SQ to the rescue here, she organizes shots with Gary, Bill and Gary and Bill together. Saved from further conversation embarressment by the guy following me asking for autographs. I then queue up for Randy's autograph and Wally is still there hogging the whole show, eventually I shuffle a little closer and Randy turns and I introduce myself. "Hi, I'm Mark Wilson from South Africa" "What?, so you the guy that traveled all the way from South Africa just to see us, you must be crazy" "It was an honour and privilege just to see you perform" I say, now that the tongue is back in working order, "Would you mind if I have your autograph and a few pictures with you" "Sure" At this stage I hand the 3 items of Shelley's to Sherry. I had completely forgotten about these. 2 Photo's by SQ. Then Sherry gets to work getting the CD's signed and T shirt. "What's this" says Randy "It's a CD of Guess Who music played by fans of The Guess Who" says Sherry. "I gotta have this" says Randy "I'll even buy it". "It's not mine" says Sherry. "Oh ok then" "He wants the CD" says Sherry to me "Give it to him" I say "Shelly can always cut a new CD" Sherry returns to Randy and presents him with the CD. "Gee thanks, that's great". Meanwhile Donnie comes through "I am looking for my shirt, I can't find my shirt has anyone seen it?" he goes back to the other side of the curtained door. "Mark and Sue come here please" beckons Sam We follow through my heart goes out to Sherry she has not been invited, I take the shirt and 2 CD covers with me. Sam opens the door and introduces us. "Burton this is Mark Wilson from South Africa and SuzyQ" Burton is leaning over the chair with a grimace on his face, he turns and immediately apologises for the condition he is in. "I've hurt my shoulder and I don't know how it happened, I'm in agony" I thrust my hand forward and say what an honour and privilege it is to meet him and would he mind signing a few items and posing for a few photos. "Sure" he says and proceeds to sign the playlist, 2 CD covers and the T-shirt. Sherry did you see the photo? Whilst this is going on Donnie pitches up still looking for his shirt. Sam turns around and introduces me. For goodness sake, Sam has now introduced these 2 guys to me and not the other way around, I mean who are the celebrities here? We shake hands and have a group photo. We make moves to leave the room, I leave first with Donnie. Outside I stop and ask him to sign the Shelly's T shirt. I find my tongue and ask him the classic question. "Mr McDougall how did you get the nickname Leroux?" he chuckles and I thank him, he proceeds to open a cupboard door and continues looking for his illusive shirt. All too soon the whole experience is over, the first time I realize there is ground under my feet is when I stop to pick up a Kpack US flag outside the theatre. The trip back to Shoeless Joes is a blur, Donna is talking but I don't hear a word, I have just met the band, I am having trouble trying to comprehend everything that has just happened. We arrive at the bar and I can't wait to tell everyone what just happened. Into the bar and a thousand questions, I show everyone the playlist signed by the band. Shelly approaches, I tease her about the unavailability of some signatures but then hand her, her T-shirt, she is thrilled but doesn't notice until sometime later that BC had signed the shirt as well, she thought that there were only 4 signatures. BC's happens to be right across the heart. The agreed departure time has arrived all too early and it is goodbyes to one and all, my personal taxi driver reverses the car, one last glance back at it is all over. Just on a lighter note, I get to my hosts house convincing Joan that everything is alright and she leaves. The bloody front door won't open, my hosts slept through the door chimes so I spent from 3.00am to 6.30am sleeping on the porch freezing my butt off with only 3 cushions to keep me warm and I missed a Room 234 party special. SAfan |
© Copyright 2001-2003, SW-Originals, S. Woitovich
Last updated: October 10, 2001