Years ago, I took my mom on a road trip to see Bobby Darin. I didn’t know it then, but that was her first concert…ever.
Now that I think about it, she didn’t tell me that was her first concert until I took her to the Beach Boys concert at the Ryman a few years ago, which was the second concert she had ever attended!
Since Bobby Darin and our first Beach Boys concert, we’ve seen the Beach Boys again, and in February, we saw - gasp - Frankie Valli!
Let me tell you something: no artist can match the energy and excitement of hearing the opening chords of Grease.
Also, let’s talk about genuine star appeal. Not bogus imitation star appeal that is contrived for only a moment in time by social media campaigns and shock value. I’m talking about actual awe.
People were staring at the stage, mouths agape and forgetting to blink. A black scarf was tossed to Frankie Valli. He snatched it from the air, wrapped it around his neck, and struck a pose.
Whoever designed the lighting was on it. The backdrops were vibrant and gorgeous without overpowering the amazing backup singers who were performing choreographed dances through almost every song.
Not one but two women rushed the stage, and security had to guide them away.
One of those women delivered flowers to the stage and was politely guided away from Mr. Frankie Valli. She couldn’t have been more than 20 years old, and she was delivering flowers to an artist she loves, gazing up at him like he hung the moon.
Another woman, my spirit animal in her bell bottoms and mushroom hat, rushed the stage and held up a glittery rose for Frankie Valli. A guard slid between her and the stage and walked her back to the aisle.
Then, she snuck back up to the front again, made it to the stage, and reached out for his hand. Before being escorted away by a slightly more irritated security staff member, he reached down and held her hand as he sang Let’s Hang On.
As we were leaving, we saw her giving her information to someone who worked for the facility. My mom and I gave her the Bill and Ted as we walked out wearing our “Just a Girl Who Loves Frankie Valli” t-shirts.
Another fantastic adventure in the books. I have no idea what our next concert will be, but if no one else rushes the stage, I’m gonna.