...the concert was sold out, cancelled, or you simply got snubbed by GnR? I have accepted the fact that I will probably never, EVER get a chance to see my alltime favorite band seeing as how four times, FOUR TIMES, Axl and crew have evaded me!
The first time was back in June of '91, when GnR was coming with Skid Row to the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia. I lived in Virginia Beach, a mere 15 minutes away from this venue, and had been psyched out for MONTHS at the prospect of seeing my favorite band live. Unfortunately, I was a young naive kid and didn't know about the concept of "sold out", which this concert was by the time a buddy of mine and I were dropped off at the Coliseum to get our tickets. I think I cried like a little bitch when I saw all these people who had their tickets beforehand walz into the arena and we sat there hoping to see some scalpers (which never came).
Fast forward about 11 years later, and I find myself stationed in Belgium. There is this music festival that will be going on literally DOWN THE STREET from my house called Pukkelpop in Hasselt (I live in Neerpelt, trust me, it's close), and much to my chagrin, the 'new" GnR will be playing it. I waste no time in getting a ticket for it many weeks ahead of the show, thinking "hell yeah, now I can make up for that time I missed them as a kid!" Well...not so much, as this little place called Afghanistan was causing the good ol' USA some problems at the time, and I along with many others get sent there to keep the peace or whatever it was. I miss Pukkelpop by three weeks, and once again, GnR eludes me. I end up giving my ticket to a Belgian friend of mine who says the show was awesome?
Well, after I get done with that business in the desert, I get some much needed R&R time back in the states. I arrive home in Virginia in December, see the infamous video of GnR at the VMAs, and then hear all about the tour they are on. My fiance at the time, knowing all about my troubles with GnR in the past, goes on ebay and got me two FRONT ROW CENTER tickets to the show at the MCI Center in Washington DC. I can't freaking wait! Surely THIS time I'll be able to see them, I mean hell, it's a World Tour!
Well, we all know what happened then. Axl doesn't show up in Philly, and the tour is cancelled...three days before I was supposed to see them. I read about it here on HTGTH when I was looking for info on the MSG show, so I would know what to expect. First thing I see....DC: Cancelled. At this point I curse Axl and the name GnR and swear to never listen to another one of their damn CDs again. Well...that lasts all of a day or two, and me and a buddy go see Appetite for Destruction, a really good GnR cover band at the NorVa in Norfolk. If you ever get the chance and live on the east coast, check them out. Anyhow, it is again at this point that I lose all hope of ever seeing GnR live.?
UNTIL....Rock in Rio 4 in Lisbon. I find out about this, and I hold off from buying a ticket or making any travel plans. Three times I had missed out on GnR and I wasn't going to let Rio be number 4. But....I couldn't help it. I put in for leave, make travel arrangements, and I'm on my way to Rock in Rio 4 to see GnR!
Then Buckethead quits, Axl releases his statement, and it's a no-go for GnR at Rio. I once again read all about it here on HTGTH. And to tell the truth...I'm not one bit surprised. Pissed and upset yeah, but surprised? Nah. I just get wasted that night in a bar down in the centrum.?
So there you have it...four times I set out to see GnR, and four times I was deniiiiiiiied. Maybe it's just destiny for me to never see the band live, I dunno. I'm not going to lie though...if they put out tour dates again (and I'm confident they will, one day) I'll probably buy a ticket to go see them. Does that make me a sucker? Maybe...but I like to think of it more as being a loyal, true fan. Chinese Democracy being delayed so many times doesn't bother me so much, as I've had to have more patience when it comes to this band than waiting for an album to come out. And I'm sure it will, one day. Then maybe I can finally see my favorite band since I was in grade school play live in concert.? ?
So....anybody else have some stories on how they were going to see GnR, but somehow it eluded them?
Wow, what really bad luck. I had 2002 tickets for GNR but the show was cancelled about 2 weeks before. On the other hand, I have seen VR 3 times without any problems (just had to throw that in there although I realize it is not technically relevant to the original thread).
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