Well---Here goes::: This story may not belong here because it happened on July 3rd "My Forum Soundcheck Story"--- but so much has happened over the past 10 days,{including my trip to see Adam In Las Vegas last Sunday} that I have hardly had enough time to do much of anything-including reflecting on my concert experiences.But this story needs to be told....
When I purchased my VIP tickets last March {lower bowl, row 1} I was concerned because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get to my seat safely. Following ankle reconstructive surgery after I tripped over an extension cord in my classroom 4 years ago, I have needed to use a walker for balance. I discovered there were no rails leading down the 14 steps to my seat at the Forum.I did what I usually do when I really need to communicate, picked up pen and paper and wrote to "the person in charge of security at The Forum."
I explained my concern, and received an email within days from a man named Bill. He was courteous and reassuring ,telling me that he would escort me to and from my seat by elevator and wished me well as I anticipated the event.I received a follow-up email with his cell phone # and direct instructions to follow when I arrived at the venue in July.
The months passed ever so slowly and finally the day arrived .I had asked Bill if there was a special time to arrive and he said,"I'll be here whenever you are." My son had advised my hub- by and I to arrive early to avoid LA traffic,{ we were driving up from San Diego.} So we ended up just blocks from The Forum and I decided to call our Sophie-but she was "out and about" and unfortunately, I just had to leave a message. Hubby and I then rode over to the huge parking lot which was empty because it was only 4PM. We encountered security people every few yards[and those god-awful orange cones every few yards trying to banish us from the lot and each time I showed them the email from Bill_______they let us through.Eventually we got to the west end-and The Forum Club which is where Bill told me to meet him. We met a dear couple sitting in a car who were being told they would have to wait there until the gates opened at 7PM. They were allowed there because the man ,whom I'll call Joe was very ill and his wife, whom I'll call Rosie,was with him. We struck up a conversation and were immediately connected by our love for Adam,{Rosie and me} and her husband's love for Queen.Again, we were being told nothing could happen for us till the gates opened at 7PM. That's when I called Bill on his cell. Less than 5 minutes later,a tall imposing figure came out of the club. "I'm looking for Lorraine," he said. And that's when the fairy tail began.....
"I'm Lorraine!" I shouted, and over he came and began to escort us into the VIP Chase Lounge where, he told us Adam and his family and friends, would be having their post concert party. Of course I asked him if Joe and Rosie could come with us, and he said"Sure." Turns out that Bill_______ is head of the security and he directed us past all the other agents to the lounge where he offered us refreshments and told us to make ourselves comfortable. He was so accommodating and friendly, gave us a little tour and history of the place and assured us that he would be back at 7 to bring us to our seats . Rosie and I went off to the ladies room, while hubby and Joe were chatting it up. They had quite a bit in common, including a love of classical music- and both played instruments in community orchestras.
Back to Rosie and me...Getting ready to leave the ladies room, I hear THAT VOICE !!!! Rosie starts yelling,"Lorraine , hurry up--you have to come out here!" Well, I go as fast as my walker and I can go, and just a few yards past the lounge where our husbands are still comfortably engaged in conversation,and Rosie pulls back this black curtain and there they were-----in that huge,empty arena,Brian and Adam in tee shirts and shorts bantering back and forth ,checking their mikes! I was far more nervous about getting that close to the stage and sound check than Rosie was,but when I turned around and made eye contact with one of the security folk he said,"We don't see anything." It was obvious that they were getting a kick out of two ladies acting like silly schoolgirls,thrilled beyond description to be experiencing ultimate {forbidden?} joy! We went back and forth a couple of times and saw 2 men on that stage as relaxed and comfortable with each other, joking around, yet being professional, asking questions about lighting and sounds.At one point, Adam looked over where we were standing and that's when I told Rosie I was going back to the lounge because I was really feeling a bit intrusive. Back in the lounge we could hear the sound check so clearly and it felt like Adam was giving us a private concert as we were sitting there. He sang only parts of some of the songs, but LOVE KILLS in its entirety. It was that song that seemed to stop my husband dead in his tracks. From the days of Idol he has always agreed that Adam has a great voice and great range, but has never been a fan. After hearing LOVE KILLS, he said,{"My gosh, that man can sing!"}
Back comes Bill____ asking us repeatedly if we were okay and if there was anything we needed.At 7PM he comes back again and says,"I don't want you to have to walk to the elevator," which I tried to assure him I could do.He proceeds to have someone bring the wheelchair and he escorts the 4 of us to our seats.
The concert was,as you all know, incredible ! Before it started, this lovely woman comes up to my seat, and the intense look on her face makes me wonder if I have been sitting in her place by mistake, until my husband, who could hear her better than I, said,"That's Sophie!" We only had a few moments to chat because the concert was ready to start but it was wonderful to see her on that magical night. Of course, I was so wishing she could have been with us to have been part of my sound check story.
My husband looked mesmerized each time I looked over at him during the performance He truly loved the music, Brian and Roger-and the quality of the whole band as well as Adam's ability to bring the music alive. He has even been looking up Queen lyrics on line when we came home and decided to check Adam's audition on AI from 2009. I'm not saying he's become enamored like I am, but he is definitely impressed and appreciates the music. What else can you ask for? He's a classically trained violinist.
In closing ,I just have to say that Bill________ helped to make our night in Inglewood one that I'll always remember, not because of the concert itself,{which was a Thing of Beauty- Keats} but because one gentleman ,out of the goodness of his heart, went out of his way to bring a touch of gladness to 4 people whom he had never met before-and will probably never see again.Rosie said it best when we parted in the parking lot after the concert. Thanking us profusely for "letting them tag along with us,"she said it was a blessing for which she would be forever grateful. Her husband was in stage 4 cancer and his pre concert experience and night with Queen lifted his spirits more than we could even imagine. I'm shedding joyful tears as I write this story because I feel so fortunate to be a part of this beautiful fan base and all the encounters that have resulted therein....
Sweet dreams, all.....
Man! Talk about receiving platinum-level customer service (that I didn't believe even existed anymore!)
