HalfwayToGone

12/22/81--always thought it was the Moving Pictures Tour (as the jersey said on the back), but one site lists it as the Exit...Stage Left Tour.

QUOTE (KMH @ Aug 6 2012, 11:08 AM)

... it's back up. http://twitter.com/praetorianx1 - This is the official (and only) Neil twitter account.

Yeah, there are all kinds of creeps out there trying scalp stuff on ebay. I had to resort to ebay for the Far and Away LE, and it was pricey. Saw someone asking $600 for it recently (no one bought it). The only gold ed. I see is insanely priced--like $700 or $800. Crazy. I thought just getting one of each was already pushing the bounds of good taste, but getting 5 or more of either edition is not right.

QUOTE (arfo98 @ Aug 5 2012, 11:17 AM)

Hi. Thanks for your honest and sensible reply. The only thing I have to offer regarding its authenticity is my word. I wouldn't know how to make a high definition copy if my life depended on it. To try to forge anything would be futile and destructive; I am a pharmacist and I see forgeries every day. I am just a fan with a great piece of memorabilia that has been special to me. I am just trying to reach out to other fans. I am a pharmacist and a mom, and I certainly don't try to cheat anyone.

The only way to know is to see it in person and look to see if it's really sharpie ink sitting on top of the litho, and if it's really written by hand as opposed to an auto-pen (which is slower, so a lot more ink soaks into the paper, and there are no streaks like you'd get with a faster pen stroke).

 

$400 may be high for this depending on the size of the frame and whether it's one of a limited edition or a unique item. It's not a vintage item, and it's not from a more legendary album, but it's definitely worth something if the signatures are real. I'd make an offer if I didn't already have a 2112 litho, hand-signed and framed, w/paperwork, etc. (long story, but let's just say I lucked out and got a ridiculous deal on it).

+1 for either What You're Doing or Lakeside Park. I'd also add In The End.

For some reason, VIP package buyers don't get tix until the day of the show, or even a seat location. Seems weird, but whatcha gonna do?

Recently saw: Roger Waters--the Wall, Meshuggah w/Baroness.

 

Upcoming: KISS w/Motley Crue, Down w/Saint Vitus, Rush. Possibly Primus also.

Cheapest I paid was probably the first show I saw--Moving Pictures tour Meadowlands, NJ Dec. 22, 1981. I think it was around $17. But, in 1994 I saw the first night at MSG, NY on the Counterparts tour for free, and got an invite to the aftershow party held by Atlantic Records. (details in the thread about Neil & Michael tweeting during the CA tour).

QUOTE (nettiesaur @ Jul 28 2012, 10:51 PM)

... and I think [Neil] tries to connect with the fans more than the two guys who shake hands and pose for pictures with people.
My comment was directed to the usual naysayers.

That's a bold assumption, from someone I'm guessing has never met any of the band members.

 

I met Geddy and Alex back on the Counterparts tour, when Atlantic Records threw Rush aftershow parties during the Madison Sq. Garden run. It was before the whole "organized" meet and greet days where they just herd everyone thru like cattle for a photo op. This was more informal, and bunches of people were just mingling with the band, drinks and trays of food, etc. in a vip area.

 

Anyway here's my point. Geddy and Alex were mingling and chatting with everyone, being gracious and very generous with their time. While Neil was tucked in the innermost spot of a large circular booth with 3 people on each side of him. As I was about to speak with Geddy, everyone on one side of the booth shuffled out, Neil then shuffled out, walked right past me and hurried out a side door (maybe an elevator?, I forget, it happened very quickly and I was a moment away from meeting Geddy Lee--a once in a lifetime experience for me). I'm sure I gawked at him for a second before he got up, and for all I know, he got creeped out by me, but when he darted out, I just let him be and didn't try to say anything or impose myself on him. Then I spoke to Geddy, and had a nice chat for a few minutes. My friend and I had already said hello to Alex first, but after talking to Geddy for a bit we ran into Alex again on the way out of the vip section, and thanked him, and chatted a little bit more. The two of them were very sweet and down to earth. Alex seemed so happy to be there--very funny and bubbly.

 

Memorable moments and quotes: Geddy (after hearing my friend and I gush about how Rush inspired us to be musicians and to try to make a career playing rock) "Wow, you guys are laying some heavy $@!% on me!" Moments later my friend was talking and unfortunately gesturing with his drink, when the tiny straw popped out of it and bounced off Geddy's very perfectly glossy, shined black leather dress shoe. My friend, just kinda choked in mid-sentence, and Geddy just reached out and put his hand on his shoulder and said, "It's OK. Really, it's OK." (laughs all around). Alex (to my other friend who actually got us all invited to the whole shindig--she had worked with Atlantic and personally with Rush during Presto) "YOU CHANGED YOUR HAIR!!!" A moment after that my other friend told him, "I'll never forget my first Rush show! It was 1976, I was 15, and WASTED!" Alex immediately added, "...and I was 23, and wasted!" Unforgettable night. Not getting to thank Neil for everything was a let-down, but hardly anything to whine about. It's nice that he's been sharing a lot more of his personal experience in writing lately and online, but he's still the most private of the three.

 

Now 18 years later, they are coming to a venue in Newark, NJ about 5 minutes from my home, and I'm hoping to get a moment to shake hands with Geddy and Alex again after all this time. I doubt they'll remember any of what I posted above, and I'll only have a second to say hello and goodbye, but it would be nice to update Geddy on the twists and turns in my musical career since then.

QUOTE (mrbarlint @ Jul 27 2012, 09:41 AM)

Yikes!!! My order "crapped out" during payment processing as soon as the sale began. Then, both websites did not allow online orders and the Backstage phone busy, busy busy!!! After twnety minutes, I finally managed to get the Gold Edition online. Now I can happily get back to work.