07-12-2003, 02:39 PM
This is my first post to hipbase.com. Bare with me because I can't wipe the shit-eatting grin off my face. My cousin Sean, Suzie and my wife Carolyn couldn't wait for Gord Downie & TCOM to come to our hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
Carolyn took me to Gord's show as a present for my 41st birthday. I had to work my 24 hour shift on my actual birthday, July 10. (Sorry for the white lie to all the people around me who made it a birthday never to forget). I wouldn't let myself celebrate until I saw the show.
St. Andrew's Hall is very small and was built by Scottish immigrants in the 1920's. Both of my dad's parents emigrated to Detroit from Uddington, Scotland not knowing each other. They met and married here establishing my family's roots. My Grandmother told me she used to attend social events at this same place. How ironic I was here to rock out with G. D.
I wanted to be in the first row. We arrived early just as the band was doing their sound check inside. The tour bus was parked about 300 ft. down from the front entrance. The die hard few who were there early saw Gord walk in and out of the venue. He chatted with everyone as he passed by.
Again, St. Andrew's is very small. It has an elevated stage in front of a hardwood dance floor which holds 850 people. I expected a sold out show and felt disappointed only about 250 people came. But what an intense group. We were front row center, right in front of Gord. I felt like I was at a private concert. Gord & TCOM played fantastically.
During the first three songs my friends kept yelling 'Happy Birthday' to me over the music. Gord heard this. To introduce the next song he said, "Happy Bithday Hugh"! He also saw my beautiful wife Carolyn next to me and jokingly said, (I'm paraphrasing as Gord does), " If we were in Vancouver she would not be yours anymore". Everyone laughed and the band kicked into Vancouver Divorce.
A great highlight of the show was Roll Another Number during the first encore. Dale Morningstar sang an extra verse he made up about the Detroit Red Wings personnel dilemma. He mentioned the names of CuJo, the Dominator, and Sergie Federov in a hilarious rhyming verse. Did I mention Dale was wearing a cool t-shirt with Gordie Howe on it. To end the song Gord put his guitar pick in his mouth pretending to smoke it.
The final encore consisted of Insomniacs of the World, Goodnight. Dale played this tiny organ whick fit on his lap while the band played. Of course, this is mostly spoken word and Gord put a lot of emotion into it, pretending to fall asleep as he said the last line. The lights went out and the show was over. Julie, Josh, Dale, Dave and Dr. P. played great behind Gord.
Anthony from Port Huron, Michigan who was next to me scored a set list. He showed it to me and I thought he was very lucky. At this point the band members were breaking down there own instruments. Someone called my name from the stage. Dr. P. came over, wished me a happy birthday and gave me his set list. I couldn't believe it!
We went outside to stand by the tour bus and hopefully get Gord's autograph. Close to 75 other people had the same idea. The band came out without Gord and we all enjoyed talking to them.
With so many people waiting to speak with Gord, I thought he would sign a few and leave quickly. I was amazed! Gord spent close to an hour with his fans. I am not kidding when I say he personally spoke to everyone, signing autographs and taking pictures. At times he looked tired and overwhelmed, but he was very gracious. We spoke with Gord, then left for a bar around the corner.
Fifteen minutes later, I decided to go back and see if Gord had left. The crowd of 75 had dwindled to 5 people huddled around him. I started talking Red Wing hockey with Gord. The other fans told Gord how funny Dale's Red Wing verse was. One guy remembered it and started to sing it. Gord joined in and we all had a great laugh.
Thank you to all the people standing by me who cheered for my birthday during the show. It was very memorable! Gord, I'll remember what you said about partying and family life.
Best Wishes
1. Willow Logic 7. I Can Only Give You...
2. Pascel's Sub. 8. Figment
3. Chancellor 9. Yer Possesed
4. Vancouver Divorce 10. Into the Night
5. Trick Rider 11. Canada Geese
6. Going, going, gone...
Encore 1 Encore2
1. 11th Fret 1. Insomniacs of the World, Goodnight
2. Roll Another Number
Carolyn took me to Gord's show as a present for my 41st birthday. I had to work my 24 hour shift on my actual birthday, July 10. (Sorry for the white lie to all the people around me who made it a birthday never to forget). I wouldn't let myself celebrate until I saw the show.
St. Andrew's Hall is very small and was built by Scottish immigrants in the 1920's. Both of my dad's parents emigrated to Detroit from Uddington, Scotland not knowing each other. They met and married here establishing my family's roots. My Grandmother told me she used to attend social events at this same place. How ironic I was here to rock out with G. D.
I wanted to be in the first row. We arrived early just as the band was doing their sound check inside. The tour bus was parked about 300 ft. down from the front entrance. The die hard few who were there early saw Gord walk in and out of the venue. He chatted with everyone as he passed by.
Again, St. Andrew's is very small. It has an elevated stage in front of a hardwood dance floor which holds 850 people. I expected a sold out show and felt disappointed only about 250 people came. But what an intense group. We were front row center, right in front of Gord. I felt like I was at a private concert. Gord & TCOM played fantastically.
During the first three songs my friends kept yelling 'Happy Birthday' to me over the music. Gord heard this. To introduce the next song he said, "Happy Bithday Hugh"! He also saw my beautiful wife Carolyn next to me and jokingly said, (I'm paraphrasing as Gord does), " If we were in Vancouver she would not be yours anymore". Everyone laughed and the band kicked into Vancouver Divorce.
A great highlight of the show was Roll Another Number during the first encore. Dale Morningstar sang an extra verse he made up about the Detroit Red Wings personnel dilemma. He mentioned the names of CuJo, the Dominator, and Sergie Federov in a hilarious rhyming verse. Did I mention Dale was wearing a cool t-shirt with Gordie Howe on it. To end the song Gord put his guitar pick in his mouth pretending to smoke it.
The final encore consisted of Insomniacs of the World, Goodnight. Dale played this tiny organ whick fit on his lap while the band played. Of course, this is mostly spoken word and Gord put a lot of emotion into it, pretending to fall asleep as he said the last line. The lights went out and the show was over. Julie, Josh, Dale, Dave and Dr. P. played great behind Gord.
Anthony from Port Huron, Michigan who was next to me scored a set list. He showed it to me and I thought he was very lucky. At this point the band members were breaking down there own instruments. Someone called my name from the stage. Dr. P. came over, wished me a happy birthday and gave me his set list. I couldn't believe it!
We went outside to stand by the tour bus and hopefully get Gord's autograph. Close to 75 other people had the same idea. The band came out without Gord and we all enjoyed talking to them.
With so many people waiting to speak with Gord, I thought he would sign a few and leave quickly. I was amazed! Gord spent close to an hour with his fans. I am not kidding when I say he personally spoke to everyone, signing autographs and taking pictures. At times he looked tired and overwhelmed, but he was very gracious. We spoke with Gord, then left for a bar around the corner.
Fifteen minutes later, I decided to go back and see if Gord had left. The crowd of 75 had dwindled to 5 people huddled around him. I started talking Red Wing hockey with Gord. The other fans told Gord how funny Dale's Red Wing verse was. One guy remembered it and started to sing it. Gord joined in and we all had a great laugh.
Thank you to all the people standing by me who cheered for my birthday during the show. It was very memorable! Gord, I'll remember what you said about partying and family life.
Best Wishes
1. Willow Logic 7. I Can Only Give You...
2. Pascel's Sub. 8. Figment
3. Chancellor 9. Yer Possesed
4. Vancouver Divorce 10. Into the Night
5. Trick Rider 11. Canada Geese
6. Going, going, gone...
Encore 1 Encore2
1. 11th Fret 1. Insomniacs of the World, Goodnight
2. Roll Another Number
Probably a good thing....should give my Gord crush time to subside. 
cratch: