The comment section is a funny thing. 🙂
You never know what people are going to say. And how one teeny tiny little comment can turn into a totally unexpected last minute adventure.
Yada yada yada….
Last wednesday as I was reading your comments about spotting Esprit sweatshirts at Costco and the next thing you know I am online buying tickets to see John Mellencamp for Friday night’s concert in Massachusetts.
Remember the story about how I gave up John Mellencamp for the HH? 😉
Well a BIG thank you to April from California who left a comment letting me know John Mellencamp was going to be in concert this past weekend!!!
Somehow I managed to get us some really good seats and HOLY COW MAN, a lot has changed since the last time I saw John Mellencamp in concert back in 1992.
Back in 1992 you weren’t even allowed to bring a camera to a concert. And why would you? Cameras were big and bulky.
When you went to concerts back then, if you wanted to eat something, you ate before you got to the concert.
There was nothing at the venue for you to buy except t-shirts.
But at this concert, there was food for purchase.
And alcohol. Lot’s and lots of alcohol. And you know what else there was? People smoking things you can’t buy at the grocery store.
And to top it off, everybody there was OLD. Like my age and up.
It was so strange.
I don’t know what I was expecting. But the whole experience was so surreal.
I had a really good time. And the funny thing was, I actually think John Mellencamp did too. You could see it in the way he was reacting to the crowd.
He played all the old songs, the greatest hits. Something I don’t think he’s ever done before in concert so that was a big treat. He’s still got it. The voice is still there.
So April, thank you! Thanks for the comment. I’m so glad you let me know he was coming to town.
We turned what was to be an ordinary weekend into a mini adventure and had a blast.
~Mavis
P.S. If you could go to any concert {a band that’s still playing today} what would it be?
Is there a performer you wish you had the chance to see when they were in town but didn’t? Curious minds want to know.
Lori K says
I met him once! He was riding his bike and stopped to talk to my friends and I and he said he was going to do concerts soon. He was so nice!
Paula says
How Fun! Glad you took the opportunity to go. I went to a concert this spring to see Robert Plant (lead singer of Led Zeppelin). He has a new band called Saving Grace. He sang of a few of the Zeppelin songs. His voice was still amazing. Everyone there was old.
Kerri Adams says
I’m so glad you got to go on this grand adventure. My choice would be a Backstreet Boys concert. I’m 72 with the “dance mind” of a 16 yr old. In my head I can do all kinds of things.
Christine says
Kerri, I love this. I feel the same way about being able to do all kinds of things in my head.
I wish I could have attended a Rush concert. I am taking my kids to see Modest Mouse in October. It will be their first concert and we are looking forward to it.
Samantha says
We were fortunate to see Billy Joel a few years back. So glad we did. We were also lucky to see Elton John before he retired and the Rolling Stones on their most recent tour. I would love it if Spandau Ballet was back together and on tour! They and Tears for Fears were my 80’s favorites!
Sue S. says
The Doobie Brothers and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. For now I’ll have to settle for fundraisers on PBS when they feature these guys.
Sue in SoCal says
I got to see the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at a small venue called The Crazy Horse years ago and they really put on a great show. Totally entertaining! I ended up with one of their guitar picks which I gave to my son as I don’t play and he does. Also really happy I got to see Chris Issack there. Better shows than some others I could name.
Candy says
We saw ZZTOP last year, Billy Gibbons just gets better with age.
SueD says
I saw Neil Diamond about a week before he cancelled the rest of the tour due to his diagnosis. Amazing concert.
Peg says
That is my one big regret as far as concerts go. We’ve gone to dozens and never managed to see Neil Diamond.
Annette says
I am so thankful that I saw Neil Diamond a few years back. Great concert!!
The movie Song Sung Blue is awesome too!
Nancy Settel says
On there is no doubt about it I would be right up there rocking away with Bob Seager and the Silver Bullet Band. I would probably die right afterwards but I would go out in a blaze of glory…….
Carole says
OH YES, I would go too
Jenell says
Oh how great to hear this story
,and that he’s still got it ! I went and saw Rick Springfield and he looked like he was gonna die on stage. He just did not look like he was having any fun at all, and it made it kind of miserable
Nancy Settel says
oh that is so sad.
Mrs. C. says
Who would IO see? see? Bruce Springsstein, AC/DC, Hailey Reinhardt.
Anne says
We have been to a lot of concerts in the past few years. Our teen daughters wanted to see some groups they follow. We live in the sticks and wouldn’t send the teens off on a 3 hour drive to get to the venue. The younger performers have all kinds of special effects that don’t improve the show. The older performers, like ZZTop, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr. don’t need special effects. We have been to country, rock, pop – you name it. The old guys put on a much better show, by far!
Lana says
We are more the old bluegrass type and yes everyone is old. All the old guys going in and out to the bathroom all through the concert is hilarious.
Gina says
I saw the Eagles and Rolling Stones on a visit with my boss & family in LA a few years ago. Both were AMAZING! I would love to see the Eagles again. Definitely lots of us were old at that concert. My boss is young and he said he didn’t know many of their songs. What the heck…. These days, I would love to see Willie Nelson.
Mona McGinnis says
In 1992, the audience probably stood & rocked out throughout the duration of the concert. In 2026, that audience remains seated?! I’d love to have seen the Highwaymen perform live. I’ve seen 3 of 4 perform individually, having never seen Johnny Cash live. And now I never will with only Willie alive.
Mavis Butterfield says
Everyone around us was standing the whole time. It was great to see that.
BethC. says
I REALLY wanted to see John Mellencamp when he was in our area this week, but had a conflict.Glad you had a great time! I would love to see the Grateful Dead reincarnated so I could see them again. I listened to all 3 of their farewell Dead & Company Golden Gate Park farewell concerts last August, and dragged my husband to see them on their last tour.
Cindy says
Saw him a few years ago in a small venue. He was awesome. We also saw the Stones not long ago, they’ve still got it too.
Sue says
I saw Radiohead from a private suite at Madison Square Garden.
Laura says
Well, I went twice (35 years apart!), and it’s no longer possible because he is no longer with us, but I would return to a Prince concert in a minute!
Laura says
Did you price the drinks and food? We just went to see Rush in Chicago and drinks were $25 for each!
Mavis Butterfield says
No, but I’m sure they were expensive.
Christine says
Hi, Laura! How was the Rush concert without Neil Peart? I commented earlier that they were the one band I regret not seeing. It doesn’t look like they are going to be anywhere near me this tour.
Dana says
Wish I would have seen Prince in concert before he died. Took the opportunity to see Cindy Lauper in Las Vegas in the Spring – it did not disappoint. Also saw Patti LaBelle a few years back. Iconic voice and presence.
sandy says
Jackson Browne anytime-anyway. Even though I have seen him more times than I can count.
Never gets old-and neither does he!
Pamela Sheppard says
I would have loved to have seen George Michael in concert. At least i got to see plenty of him on MTV back when they played music videos!
Jeri says
Id love to see local girl (Ravensdale, Maple Valley, Black Diamond, WA) Brandi Carlile! I’ve watched many of her concerts on YouTube and they are so good, sometimes I get teary eyed listening to her.
debbie in alaska says
I’ve seen her a few times (between 2005 – tiny venues – up until now – much larger venues) and she was amazing every time
Jeri says
Even on YouTube, she’s amazing!
Sara says
So the Ogunquit Playhouse is doing a musical inspired by John Mellencamp’s music this October. Maybe you should check it out!
Jessica Raber says
One of my sisters and I took our dad to see his fave band, ACDC, for the second year in a row. Had a blast!
Pat Daugherty says
When my husband was young in southern Indiana, he was a temporary “roadie” for a local band who was opening for “Johnny Cougar”. Fast forward a few years and you couldn’t get in to see John Cougar Mellencamp – tickets were sold out. I can’t remember when he dropped the “Cougar” and became just plain old John Mellencamp.
Pat
Sandy says
I saw Foo Fighters last year. Pretenders opened for them. They were amazing. If I could see anyone, it would be Rush. They are touring, but I don’t think they are coming to PDX.
Gayle says
Your comment made me laugh, we went to a Queen tribute concert last winter. I don’t know what I was thinking but Freddie is forever young in my brain. I was shocked to see all the orthopedic shoes and walkers. The singer kept inviting people to dance if they wanted to. I leaned over to my husband and said I sure hope there’s a doctor in the house if they do. Concert was great and no we didn’t get up and dance. I think we at 70 and 75 were so of the youngest people there.
Carrie V says
I would choose a John Denver concert if he was still alive!! I went to one in 1975 at the New Haven, CT arena! What a wonderful memory…..!!!
Carole says
Hands down, Fleetwood Mac. NO question!!