End of Elevation (1st leg) – Jersey June 21-22, 2001

MyMusicalJourneyThe last two shows of the first leg of U2’s Elevation Tour on June 21 and 22 were simply magnificent. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. Little did I know the third leg would get even better. Stay tuned.

For the first show, we’ll call it Jersey1, I drove up to New Jersey around 6:30pm the night before and was in the GA line at Continental Airlines Arena the next morning by 6:15am. I was number 30 in line. I stood at the front rail in front of Adam, again. A girl two people down from me had a sign that read, “Larry May I please have your drum sticks?” Right after “Walk On,” Larry hopped up and walked right over to her. I took a great close up picture as Larry leaned over to give her his drum stick. Then Larry looked right into my eyes, nodded and gave me his drum stick. I mouthed “Thank You So Much.” Larry again nodded. As soon as I got the drum stick, I teared up. This was the very first time I ever had any interaction with Larry, after 14 years of adoration and 9 years of concerts trying to meet him. I just walked back into the middle of the heart by myself and started to cry and shake. At the time that was the best moment of the tour for me! I exited the arena clutching my drum stick that Larry gave me after looking into my eyes. I could not get to sleep until about 2:30am and woke up two hours later for the final show on the first leg of Elevation.

49-bono-in-jerseyElevation Jersey1 6.21.01 Set List: Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, Kite, Gone, New York, I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday / Get Up Stand Up, In My Life / Stuck In a Moment, In a Little While, Desire, Stay, Bad / Wild Horses / 40, Where the Streets Have No Name, Pride, Bullet the Blue Sky, With or Without You, The Fly, One, Walk On.

54-elevation-jersey2-setlistI was in the GA line by 5am June 22 for the last show, Jersey2. I was number 14 this time. I went over around 3:30pm to wait for U2 to come in, but at 5:15 they had not arrived yet so I got back in the GA line. Five minutes after I left, Larry arrived and signed autographs for everyone – figures. I stood at the rail two people to the right of Bono’s microphone. The most centered I had been the entire tour – and my neck hurt from looking up at Bono the entire show. U2 played “Wild Honey” for the first time. Daniel Lanois joined U2 on stage for “Ground Beneath Her Feet” and “Wild Honey.” Bono finally did the extra verse to “With or Without You” – ‘we’ll shine like stars in the summer night.’ I got Adam’s fake pick from Dallas. I made a sign that simply read, “Thank You Larry!” I held it up as U2 walked on stage, and Larry nodded. Then I held it up at the end of “Beautiful Day” (or “Until the End of the World”) and Larry nodded and smiled. After the show, I held up the sign again and patted my heart, Larry saw and smiled and nodded again then walked off the stage. A great way to end the first leg of the Elevation Tour.

 

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I have finally found what I am looking for - all because of U2. I am writing my U2 memoir called "On the Road with U2: my musical journey." It is about the 75 U2 shows I've been to since ZooTv, including my three-month road trip during the last leg of the 360 Tour where I drove to every US concert. More than just the concerts, it is about the places I've been, the people I've met, and my quest to meet Larry.

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