Fan Reviews: The Guess Who, Rosemont, Illinois, October 1, 2001

WHAT DOES 3 HOURS HAVE TO DO WITH CHICAGO?
BCPCFAN/SHELLEY'S REPORT

Several things, actually. Three hours for me was the total time that I spent on my first commercial airflights which went very well (sad though that all flight attendants (five) on the flight out were layed-off after my first flight). Three hours was approximately the total time for the most fantastic concert of my life. Three hours was the total amount of sleep I averaged each night, and finally... Three hours was the amount of time it took to tell the story of this incredible weekend to my family.

Day 1 - Kathy and I arrive to the orgy hotel. We're told our party from St. Louis is running late. Great actually 'cuz so were we. We called down later and were told one of the gentlemen was in the bar and the other whooligans would be there shortly. Now why in the world Kathy and I headed over to the bar to try and spot the lone whooligan, I do not know. We didn't know which one it was -- were we expecting a scarlet W on his forehead or something? So funny. We got over to the bar and realized it's hard to find one lone gentleman in a sports bar on a Sunday afternoon. 'Nuff said...

We headed back toward the lobby when I spot Clare (Shillelagh) and he spots me. We do this fingerpointing mouth opening scene right out of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", all the while hoping that the pictures we've seen of each other are somewhat close or we're going to be quite embarrased. Success, we are bonafide whooligans. Soon after SA Mark comes out of the bar (so HE's the one) and we're introduced. Kathy and I are immediately smitten by the accent. What is it about an accent? Anyway, to continue. Soon after this Ruth Ann comes downstairs and introductions are made. What a great bunch. It's like we've known each other forever after only five minutes. But I've got to tell you, I'm waiting to meet that crazy redhead from Arizona. We go back into the lobby and she arrives from points above. Dressed in black with a wonderful black and brown jacket and brown army boots! OMG, you just immediately love this woman. We scream, run to each other and hug, and look at everyone saying, "Twins, right, huh? Don't you see?". She immediately asks if we have jackets. We're sent to our rooms to retrieve them. As we come out of our room we meet Donna (Brampton Bridges). Wonderful, high energy lady. She comes out of her room pulling a most intiquing small suitcase on wheels. Hmmm.... what's in the bag we're wondering. Anyway introducions are made again and we return to the lobby.

We next went to the Navy Pier. Fantastic place, but we kept losing SA Mark. He was "seeing with a feeling of wonder never forgeting what it means to be free". Mark had shared with us what it's like living in SA where racial tensions and fear of the other race keep some people in their homes behind razor wire and how children can't play in the streets. Mark, you brought home to me all the wonderful freedoms that we Americans and Canadians too take for granted every day. I loved seeing Chicago and America through your wondering eyes. Thank you so much for that experience.

After the navy pier (I did ride that 15 story ferris wheel, too), we went to Bruce Macquire's by bus and then by foot. Suzie doesn't wear army boots for nothing... She moved us out at top speed, but then I think she was so high on sniffing the sewer gas that she was floating down the street. At Bruce M's, she put on her four-star generals helmet and went in to battle with the establishment on acquiring a room for her whooligan army. Three moves later, mission accomplished. Then she disappeared (uh-oh) and the next thing we heard was Lenny's AW. Booooo---hhhisss. No, just kidding, we sang along, what the heck. This was followed by a Joe Cocker set and then the highlight of the evening, the Best of the GW Vol. I, on the jukebox. Chicago rocks!!!! Imagine that actual CD AND Chad Allan's Shakin all Over on a jukebox. Let the singing begin... I don't know, did we eat? I think so, I can't remember. Hard to eat when you're singing.

During this time several other Whooligans joined us. It's incredible that they didn't walk up to this group and head for cover. Bob and Karen (Maple Fudge and Miss Maypole) and then VfD (Dan) and Mrs. VfD (Joan) arrived from their respective homes and states. Dan and Joan had the wonderful van that became the Guess Who Mobile. We fit nine people into this vehicle (poor Ruth Ann was on floor level) and commenced to the hotel. You must read Dan's post regarding the fine musical atmosphere of the van. Then it was on to --- room 234 where our lovely Suzie was holding court.

I walked in and Dan and Joan were there along with Shillelagh and Ruth Ann. Dan had his guitar and we proceeded to have a wonderful jam session on GW material and some of Dan's original music. This man is awesome! His guitar playing is incredible, his voice wonderful and his spirit sours when performing this music. It was an incredible show. Suzie was attempting to go through pictures on her laptop of the events so far. She began to look at the board with an intention to begin a short write up. She turned around and said, "I can't do it, I just don't know how to begin." We all knew exactly what she meant. And this was only Sunday. Then Donna came in with the bag that she had been seen with all day. We finally had to ask, "Donna, what is in that bag?". Well, in the bag were the most incredible photos of Burton that I have ever seen. Some of them signed by the man himself, all wonderfully taken and obviously lovingly cherished. Donna, thank you so much for sharing. I must confess though to a fall from grace where I sort of felt like having you kidnapped and stealing your bag and getting your name graphically removed and my name in it's place. But as you know you still have your bag, so I still have my dignity End Day 1.

Day 2: Kathy and I head out to explore the big city. P.S. -- we have no car (ha). We get about a block, look in all directions, see a restaurant behind us, and decide eating sounds better. While eating we're joined by VfD, Joan, and Clare. Joan offers to take us all to the mall (this is a very brave woman). Dan immediately groans about the mall, but he is also a brave man, so we loaded up the Whooligan Mobile and headed for the mall. Now I know I live in a small town in PA, but I've never been to a place where it takes a half our to reach the mall. Still with the right music playing in the background these long drives are hardly noticable. The mall time passed in relative normality, except for the time when we lost Clare. As it turns out there was this Irish store, and well, you can just imagine the rest.

Now we're back in the van heading back to the hotel. Kathy and I need a special favor though. We are on a mission to get a message back to Burton regarding the From the Fans CD. We really wanted to get autographs on the covers, but we didn't want to send them back in case we couldn't get them back. We had been strategizing. We needed to get to a copy place. Dan and Joan took us there and patiently waited with all the other "van riders" for us to get what we needed done. Since Kathy had given her copy of the CD to SA Mark, she needed a copy of the liner notes. Done. We had decided to copy the cover and make a big sign out of the cover and we would write some sort of message on that to give to Sam Boyd to take back to BC. We would write something to the effect that several of the performers from the CD were in the audience and would like to meet him, etc. The copy place made us a wonderful 11x17 laminated sign. It looked like a placemat. What a hoot. Back in the van and back to the hotel to ready for the concert.

Monday, approximately 3 hours before the concert (there's that three hours again). Kathy and I are trying to brainstorm what we are going to write on the back of this placemat to get Burton's attention. We wish to get our point across, but not to come off as too needy, right? I say, "Well, I know he loves dogs, and we could tell him he could always use this placemat for Toast's (BC's dog) food dish" Kathy agrees this is a great p.s. to our message. Then I thought, oh dear, does BC still have Toast? Pardon me for my sick humo(u)r here, but "What if Toast is toast????" That could be a very bad idea. About this time, Ruth Ann comes to visit. I tell her what we're up to and I ask her about Toast. She thinks Toast is still alive and well and we put our p.s. back in. Kathy then comes up with the following which we put on the back of the placemat:

"Burton - What good is it if I can't even sing it to ya? Several of the performers who participated in this CD are in the audience tonight and would love the opportunity to thank you in person." Then the p.s. Kathy (who played piano on my selections) and I signed it along with VfD (later down in the lobby). Ruth Ann returned to her room, Kathy and I got ready and went to the lobby. Once there we were introduced to several new Whooligan arrivals and I am going to be committing the ultimate faux pax by not recalling all the names. Kpack (Phil) and his wife were there and had tshirts made up for Suzie and Tross. He was on a mission to have these signed by all Whooligans and presented to the co-captains of the Chicago adventure. I believe he succeeded. I think (and it's a blur) that I also met Dottie, Tross, LindaG and her brother here in the lobby, or did we meet at Gino's pizza? I honestly don't know. By this time, my sensory system is on overload.

What I know next is that we did all manage to get to Gino's where the official Whooligan party began. We collected Canadian pins and our official nametags from Donna and she had her photo albums on display, Kpack was distributing American flags to those who'd ordered them and secretly getting the rest of the signatures needed on Suzie's and Tross' shirts. Suzie was working the crowd passing out these incredible signs she'd been creating. Camera's were in constant use, introductions were flying right and left. Finally we all had to sit and eat. HA, who could eat? I couldn't. You know this weekend could be packaged as the most effective diet in the world.

After the meal, Kpack took the stage and presented the shirts to Suzie and Sherry. There were tears and more pictures and most of all there was the tremendous thanks from everyone in that room for the unbelievable job these two ladies did. I just can't possibly get this down in print. I think the gentleman from South Africa put it all into perspective when he took the floor next.

Mark asked for everyone's attention and began by saying that this was going to be a very emotional speech. It took him a few moments to begin (I began to cry... so much for makeup). I can't put this scene down in great detail, but the people that he particularly thanked do need to be mentioned -- I'm really trying hard to remember all, please forgive me if I don't: Suzie, Tross, Ray Picl, Bob (MapleFudge) and I think LindaG. I will edit this message to include anyone else because it's important that they are included here. Mark gave presents to all these folks, wonderful momentos of South Africa.

Then it was time to go to the concert. First may I say, I have limited experience of these things, but the Rosemont was a beautiful venue. What a wonderful theater. By the time we got in from the parking lot and made our purchases, Cocker was starting. We all made our way to our seats with signs in hand. Cocker was amazing, just amazing. I'd seen him in Fairfax where the sound was deafening and I didn't enjoy it. Here I did, but maybe the company I was in had something to do with it? Or maybe I was on such sensory overload that Cocker seemed tame compared to a room full of Whooligans I'm with Tross though, no matter how good he is -- bring on the boyz.

During the intermission I tried to get my placemat to Sam Boyd. Now was not the time though and I had the greatest respect for the way Sam handled fans lining up to get stuff backstage. I even began feeling ashamed of myself for the fact that I was one trying so desperately. I watched as Sam shook his head, moved more equipment, set up more stuff, and generally worked his butt off, while being called to the edge of the stage by fans like myself. And I'm not judging any of us, hey -- I was right there doing the same thing. I went back to my seat thinking I'd try after the show during the tear down. Then I saw Sam sit down in front of Suzie and Tross and SAMark. Shamefully, I saw an opportunity... I'm so ashamed.

I handed the placemat to Sam. He already had SAMark's American Woman book in his hand. Sam asked, "What's this?" I said, "Read the back". He read, he chuckled, he said "OK" and it went with Mark's book to go backstage. I asked if I could get the CD covers signed. Sam said he didn't think so as there were 20 people who would be backstage that night. It was okay though, I was happy and actually I thought it was kinda right that a placemat for Toast was all that would ever come of this. I remember all too well Hawk's many reminders that these gentlemen owe us nothing more than the great concerts we go to see.

I went back to my seat among the infamous row H that held the AMERICAN letters. I was seated with Shillelagh to my left and VfD to my right. Yea, I know the rose and the thorns, LOL!!!

The concert began. Donnie, Garry, Bill... the excitement is tremendous already... Randy... then Burton. I won the bet, it was the orange and black striped shirt tonight. But then I saw something. Burton was holding his shoulder and rubbing it when they were getting settled at their instrument. This did not look good. I will not attempt to go into the details of the concert because there are others who will do it better, actually Dan has already started. I will tell you what I saw from a man named Burton Cummings. I saw a performer give a wonderful concert that would seem to most of the people in that arena to be the performance of a lifetime. But I saw a man that every time he turned away from the audience was grimacing in pain. As soon as he faced that audience again, he was the consumate performer.

Now folks, I have only been to two GW shows in my life. In Fairfax as reported before, I was mesmerized by Burton. Though I tried I could not watch much of the others in the group. BC casts a spell that just has to be experienced to be believed.

At this concert because of his illness/injury I think the spell was a little weakened. Not gone -- never gone, but weakened enough that I watched Donnie, Bill, Garry, and Randy. They were incredible. I felt like eye contact was made with each one several times during this concert. I know that the whole band was playing to the whole audience, but I felt that they knew their Whooligans were out there. Of course we were immensely entertaining with our signage.

Share the Land! OMG, just imagine STL among fellow Whooligans. It is not just hands raised in the air, it is hands held and raised the the air! It was a defining moment of a defining concert.

I ran down to the stage with the No Klones sign that Dan and I were keeping very busy all night. I thought I could pass it up to them on stage. Unfortunately, I caught them right when they were doing the bow. They went off and I turned around to go. But wait -- Sam comes out and stops me and says, "Burton wants the No Klones signs." Well, here you go. I stop and talk to several folks and make my way out to the lobby.

When I get to the lobby, Kathy tells me SAMark is going backstage. Seriously, I'm going to interject my own opinion here. I know we can all be adult about understanding why this man deserved an audience with the boys. This man came from half way around the world. He had to pay tremendous penalties to change his travel arrangements when the concert date was changed. He also came to America for the first time in his entire life.

Earlier I said that I was slightly ashamed of myself for being a typical fan and trying to get my stuff backstage and autographed. Well, why stop now. I'm a snook. I saw an opportunity in this very gracious gent from SA. "Oh, Mark..." I gave Mark my tshirt, my From the Fans CD, and Kathy's From the Fans cover art. Then I had to go back to the hotel and leave it to fate.

Back at the hotel, I went upstairs for awhile, got changed and regrouped. This did take a while. Well, hey, I'm having life changing experiences here, it takes awhile to appear normal.

I went down to go to the bar next door where the afterparty was commencing. In the parking lot, Kpack's wife stops me. "Did you hear what happened with your CD?" she says. What? I'm thinking, poor Mark, I overloaded him so much he dropped the CD, it broke, yadayada the thoughts were racing by. Mrs. Kpack says... "Randy has it -- he wanted to buy it" I said, "WHAT?" Yes, she's coming a little undun here. Mrs. Kpack told me to go inside and the rest of the bunch would fill me in. I honestly don't know how I got from that parking lot to standing in front of Mark. I flew, I do believe.

So begins my life changing experience. Mark sheepishly tells me, "Burton's shoulder is injured so he wasn't signing anything." My excitement somewhat dims, but for that moment I feel a rush of awe again for Burton that most of the unwashed public will never know that Burton played that concert injured. Okay, back to Mark -- He pulls out my tshirt and grins, then says, "So I hope it's alright that I got the rest of the band to sign it" OMG (I'm saying that alot aren't I?). Then the crowd says "tell her about the CD". Again Mark sheepishly grins. He tells of meeting each member of the group in turn -- Garry, then Bill, then Randy. Again, I will not steal his thunder here, but suffice it to say along the route he was making one American Woman very happy.

In front of Randy Bachman though, he had to pass his armfull of paraphenalia to Tross in order that he could pose for the picture with Randy. After that was completed (I'm going from pure memory here, and I'm sure it's not exactly right, but you'll get the gist), Randy glances back to Tross and sees the CD. He says something like "What's that". Tross tells him and he says something like "I want one". Tross says she can't give it to him, it doesn't belong to her. Randy says something like, "Seriously, I want one -- I'll buy it from you". Then my Knight in Shining Armour says in his wonderful SA accent something to the effect of, "Give him the damn CD, we'll make more!" GOD I LOVE YOU PEOPLE. Tross and Mark even had the foresight to take out the partially signed liner notes on the CD, get Randy's autograph on those and Kathy's copy with the promise that we would get him a replacement for the liner notes. I really think this should be done ASAP! That's a whole nother discussion though. Right now, all I've got to say is Randy Bachman HAS OUR CD fellow FTF contributors. And he wanted it so badly he wanted to buy it. Clark, big hugs. Unbelievable.

Sam then comes out of a backroom and says that SAMark and SuzieQ can come into this other room. Mark describes that Burton is resting against a chair in obvious pain. Again, here Mark needs to tell you what Burton says to him upon being introduced. It's a tribute to the classy performer that is Burton Lorne Cummings.

Mark asked for a picture, and you have seen from Suzie's post the result of that. After this narrative, it is hoped that you can see much more in this picture. You can see that Burton is posing with his arm up on Mark's shoulder even though it had to be lifted and placed there. You can see that this man needed to go to a doctor immediately. You can see why right after that session and Mark left, the band went to their buses and BC could not stop to interact with the fans gathered there. If you can't see that anyone who might still be questioning, I feel very sorry for you. According to my information, the band went on to Milwaukee that night.

I know that when I left the bar after receiving all these treasures from Mark, I was on a cloud from which there was no return. I was sad, however, about Burton. Somewhat saddened that his autograph would not grace my shirt, but I am not one of those who question why not. I return to my room to try on my shirt... There are miracles, right below Garry's signature is the distinctive autograph of Burton Cummings. I begin to cry.

Shelley (bcpcfan)