Tickets. The process to attain them has come a long way since my first concert roughly 30 years ago. I remember Mark C. and Dave M. being our designated ticket buyers in high school. They would collect the funds from everybody and then make the drive to the ticket office at Twelve Oaks mall. There was no Internet so it was every man for themselves once the mall doors opened. I can picture those two doing a sprint through Hudson's, running up the escalator and making a mad dash to the ticket booth. Thanks guys.
With that, here are some tickets and their stories.
Black Sabbath - Cobo Arena - November 11, 1983
My first concert. Just 15 years old at the time; what a way to break into the concert scene. I always ragged on my brother in that his first concert was the Bee Gees; ha. As far the show, it wasn't so much about the band as Sabbath didn't have Ozzy or Dio leading them at the time. It was the whole experience. Everything from the fans dressed in more or less Halloween costumes (whole lotta leather and leopard) to the many illuminated crosses that the band had on stage. I recall a little person being part of the act dressed in a devil-like costume on stage right before the band came on. And yes, of course I bought a concert shirt but it was one of those that shrunk to baby size after one wash so a lesson learned there.
The Romantics - Pine Knob - July 27, 1984
As Sabbath was my first concert, this show was my introduction to Pine Knob. Hanging out with about 40 of your friends on a beautiful summer evening, it was one of my all-time favorite experiences. The 40 reference is a conservative estimate as about a quarter of the hill was Milford.
Michigan Panthers - 1983-1984
It was a short run and as the lack of sell outs confirm, not everyone embraced the Panthers; but I dug them. Everything from the uniforms to Anthony Carter to John Corker to Novo Bojovic. I recently won a USFL trivia contest on the radio as the hosts were amazed that I knew that Chuck Fusina was the quarterback for the Philadelphia Stars or that Reggie Collier was the quarterback of the Birmingham Stallions. I thought everyone knew that. I only got on because the two callers before me knew absolutely nothing about the league; again confirming my initial statement. The ticket prices sure weren't the problem; $9.50 for 15th row in the lower level is not too bad. Gus, Jim, Joe and Rob got season tickets the second (and final) year and I went to a few with them when one couldn't go. They were right behind the visitor's bench and could pretty much hear what the players/coaches were saying.
Long live the 1983 USFL champions!
Indy 500 - May 24, 1998
While it wasn't the Indy 500 of my youth when the Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt's of the world were kicking ass, it was still the Indy 500. As the character in the movie Platoon says, "Ain't nothing like a piece of pussy, except maybe the Indy 500." I wasn't even looking to go but a co-worker friend when I was working in Indianapolis had a ticket available. I was available, and there I was in seats near the finish line. It was a pretty cool experience.
Chicago - Chicago Stadium, Wrigley Field, Soldier Field
Ah yes, our friendly neighbors across the lake. A short drive and game on!
The Red Wing-Blackhawk road trip in 1993 was one for the record books. The game was at the since tore down Chicago Stadium and am glad I got to see it once. I am guessing there were about 10 of us so Rob and I rented a large van to transport the troops. This van had the baldest tires and I-94 was a black ice paradise so a gold star to Rob for getting a pack of beverage drinking morons there. Matt B. was working in Chicago at the time and was able to get the tickets. One day our group took over a local neighborhood bar (Uncle Leo's?) for pretty much the entire afternoon. The bartender had to go down the street to re-stock the blackberry brandy (yuck!) because we consumed her stock. So there we were with our happy faces on and "Sweet Caroline" comes on the jukebox. While it's tough NOT to sing along when it comes on; add a few blackberry brandies and you have yourself a chorus. Rob opened the bar door and sang to a passerby who was so startled, she dropped her groceries on the sidewalk. I have tried to find the bar since returning to the city but don't think it's there anymore. There are many other stories from that trip but to protect those involved, I'll leave those for garage talk only.
Indianapolis Colts 1998 Season - RCA Dome
The reason this stands out because it was Peyton Manning's rookie year. He was an interception machine but obviously learned from his mistakes that first year. A co-worker friend and I bought a pack of three season tickets as the franchise was pretty much giving them away due to the team sucking. They had designated tailgate areas for the season ticket holders sponsored by local bars (free beer and food!). But again, you can eat all the wings and drink all the beer you want, you eventually had to watch some bad football.
Acts So Good You See Them Multiple Times
Seger, Seinfeld, and Steely Dan. They have never disappointed.
Various Road Trips - Using Work Time To Your Advantage
Some trips are planned to see whatever Detroit team play on the road but if I'm on the road for work, you bet I'll be checking to see if the local team is playing. Case in point when I was through Philadelphia and Toronto in recent years. I didn't care that it was the Phillies vs. the Padres or the Blue Jays vs. the Orioles, I just wanted to check out their stadiums.
My list of stadiums attended is not shabby, however, as is the case in life, there is always someone better out there. One of my bosses at work is three ballparks away from seeing every major league baseball stadium. Got me on that one.
