Two Year NYC Hammerstein Ballroom Anniversary

[deep pocketz]

Two years ago today, I remember driving into NYC on our way to Hammerstein Ballroom in great anticipation of the GNR  "warm-up "  shows. I can  VIVIDLY  remember , what I was wearing, how many Jack Daniels I had at Mustang Harry's, the electric feeling in the air, the sense I had while standing on the pit floor and thinking is AXL really gonna come out here on this stage ? Axl walked out on stage and the rest of the night (early morning) was history. GNR was back !!!   So I thought.  Off they went to the Europe tour, back to some more warm up shows in Vegas and then a US tour. With each tour a slight glimmer of hope for a new album.

We are still here and we keep waiting for that "new" album. "We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life" as the great C-3PO  said to R2D2 wondering the sands of tatooine. We all just have to learn to accept it. I know I have. If the album never comes out I am fine with it ,  but I can still have hope. The new album will not restore them to Rock N Roll Gods anyway.  It is a different industry now then back in the 80/90's. There is too much pressure being put on this new album.  It's quite simple for us purists, I only want to hear some new tunes by AXL and the band. I don't even care if they make radio airplay or not. I am not consumed by thinking I get to walk around and tell everyone "See GNR is back baby !!!"  and strut my feathers like a peacock. We (fans)  have nothing to prove to anyone or any nay sayers. The music is for us, the fans.

We keep wondering around  in the desert , no matter how long it will take we don't care, (oh we care) but not enough to drive us away for good , yet.

I have an 75% feeling that we will get to the 3 year anniv of Hammerstein before the new album is out . But that's ok,  it  gives me something to talk about next year.  Until that time, I just stare at my Hammerstein Ballroom ticket stub and a ziplock bag of confetti I scooped up off the floor. 

Lagada in the highest. 

[F*ck Fear]

I remember wanting to go to these gigs so bad. I even stayed up all night, waiting for updates being posted on the forums from people who were in attendance. I almost shit myself when I read that they played Better.

[pilferk]

Yup, I remember the shows well.....

GREAT shows.  Great time meeting the other fans, too.

[MikeD]

Saw the second show. Awesome, electric. One of the funniest momenets: Happy Mother's Day, Motherfuckers!!!!!

[Ines_rocks!]

I joined this board when I saw the Hammerstein concerts on the news section of the site... hehe 

[SINSHINE]

Was there the first night...great experience seeing 'em in a theatre like that! Came sooooooooo close to seeing 'em on the Illusions tour at Giants Stadium but the day before, the ticket I was about to buy from a friend was already sold.

Hammerstein definitely cured the sting of that experience  

[Luigi]

My God! It's been two years? I flew all the way from California to see that show, met some cool people.     

[patcooper]

went to the second night. mothers day. great times

[snead hearn]

I was there the final night. I still remember checking the board the previous three nights. Boy, that was such a busy time for us, right? Trunk's show as the teaser of teasers. Sightings of Axl in the city.

Bumblefoot's debut. Baz's involvement. and IZZY that night. One of the few times in my life where you are part of a giant crowd just GASPING in disbelief all at once.

I've seen countless shows there before and since. Yet there's still nothing close than feeling the electricity of when Jungle started and the pyro went off. Pure electricity and magic.

[HBK]

I Remember, Emotions... Day & Night, Look Forums... Excelent performance, Surprise, New Look Of ROBIN, Presentation Of Bumblefoot, Special Guests: Sebastian, Izzy, kid Rock...

 

HBK *

[SonofAGun]

I was there....including at the bar we met at (Mustang Grill?) before the show. Then, I was in line with Sebastian Bach to get in...very cool. It was cool to meet some of you. One dude came all the way from Detroit for the show.


The first night was awesome.

[ppbebe]

I remember the excitement
of standing by for GNR in a front of my pc every nite.
I couldn't go to nyc but thanks to the board and the updaters, I managed to enjoy the shows, sorta .

[Mr.Intensity]

I logged in just for this thread!!!

Great times, great times was New York.... I remember it like it was yesterday.


Hopefully we'll get the album before this time next year.

[Mr.Intensity]

I was there....including at the bar we met at (Mustang Grill?) before the show. Then, I was in line with Sebastian Bach to get in...very cool. It was cool to meet some of you. One dude came all the way from Detroit for the show.


The first night was awesome.

My whole crew was from Detroit.

[COMAMOTIVE]

Was there the 3rd show ( should've been the first)

It was a great show and that week alone, was one of the best for a Gnr fan

Now we're here, with no album, talking about Finck being gone, Brain being gone and being told that this thing is in " negotiations"

Unfortunately, they blew a big chance to get the album out there back then, when the buzz was rather large about Axl's return

Fortunately, if they announce an actual release date and repeat history and play the Hammerstein again, they can start the buzz again

We'll see

[russtcb]

I remember wanting to go to these gigs so bad. I even stayed up all night, waiting for updates being posted on the forums from people who were in attendance. I almost shit myself when I read that they played Better.

I only went to the first show but it was AMAZING.

I remember being WAY stoked when they played Better as well. It was also awesome to be the first to hear There Was A Time live!

[willow]

Went to the 2,3 and 4th show!! I would have gone to the 1st but I bought my plane ticket before the two shows were added. I was lucky to go to the 2nd one.
Most amazing shows I have ever been to for any band! Met some great fucking people too! Would love to do that again!!

[mrbucketfoot]

I really hope that they play there again soon. Hammerstein is a great venue and the shows were blowaway. The vibe was incredible.

[bazgnr]

I was at the first show, and I remember how stunned I was to be so close to the stage, and to see my heroes right in front of me;  realizing that Robin's look was *drastically* different from the MTV-Goth gear, and trying desperately to figure out just who Ron was....the concert highlight of my life, to be sure.

[younggunner]

opening night was simply amazing