Gavin Rossdale
At The NorVA
May 13, 2009
My parents told me I was special
when I was young. Especially my dad, he told me a lot. Back then I really
didn’t know what it meant. Yeah I was different but did that equate to being
special? Even as an adult, I see myself as just like anybody else. I feel the
same emotions, have a sweet sense of humor, strive for the same goals as
everybody, etc; my body just doesn’t work right. Does that make me special? My
answer is no, but to others it’s yes. There are times when I have to remind
myself on how I may be perceived by some abled-bodied people.
Would I describe what happened
last night as creepy or sweet? Maybe 90% sweet and 10% creepy. As time goes by
it’ll probably become 100% sweet.
It wasn’t just a 5-minute chance
meeting; it went on the whole show. I’ve met a few rock stars in my life, but
nothing like this has ever happened.
I want to say The NorVA is my
favorite concert venue. Even before we caught an elevator ride with Gavin! The
place just kicks major ass. No wonder Rolling Stone ranked it in their top ten
venues. …And yes the reason why I like it probably doesn’t even register to
people, but they’ve got the best ADA seats ever! (Above the stage)
Brian I got there 30 minutes
early. As we were making our way to the elevator, Brian spotted Gavin just
ahead of us and pointed him out to me. I put my wheelchair into high gear in
hopes of getting on the elevator with him. We made it! Though I thought for sure
the doors where going to clamp shut in our faces. But that wouldn’t have been
very nice, would it?
‘Hey Gavin!’ I said with a big
smile on my face. Immediately I scrambled to find something to say. I didn’t
want the time to go by in complete silence. I think I asked him how he liked
Norfolk. My brain kept stalling on Gwen, but I wasn’t about to ask him
something so personal. He said he just had a delicious fish sandwich over at
Kincaid’s. He was smiling and being friendly. Great guy. Then somehow he mentions
how cold it was in there. I’m a goofball. I had my jean jacket over my legs. I
picked it up in the air and said; ‘Yeah that’s why I have this!’ Hehehe.
Stupid. Midway between our short convo I finally noticed I had to pull up my
wheelchair a bit more so the door could close. A tad embarrassing. I felt kind
of bad for Brian. He didn’t get to say anything! Gavin did shake Brian’s hand
though before we got off the elevator.
I called mom to tell her before
the music started. All week, she teased me. ‘Who are you going to see? Who?’
I’d reply back, ‘That guy. The guy from Bush.’ Hehehe. She knew who, she just
was being funny. So when I got her on the phone I said, ‘I met that guy! We
rode the elevator together!’
As Brian and I were waiting for the
music to start, we happy babbled about what had just happened and remembered
other famous people we’ve met. ‘Man! I wish had gotten his autograph! Boy, we
should’ve had the camera out! I’m so glad I didn’t run over his toes!’ Blah
blah, blah. So the first band starts playing and we finally calmed down. They
are on the last song. Who comes up behind me?! Gavin! This is where it gets
unreal. Brian tells me later that Gavin put his finger to his lips as to say
don’t let her know I’m here. He swats down by my feet, and I say real loud
‘HHHEEEEYYYY!’ He smiles and says he really likes this band. I say, ‘Yeah,
they’re pretty good.’ He stays swatted down by my feet watching until they are
done playing. I’m thinking two things, ‘Please don’t kick him and why oh why
don’t I have my camera ready?’ I’m laughing to myself about not kicking him.
It’s a CP thing. I’m thinking ‘Holy shit, please God don’t kick him’. I didn’t
kick him incase you’re wondering. He gets up to leave. I think he touches my
shoulder. I try to say have a good set, but he doesn’t hear me. He says,
‘You’re very pretty.’ Thank you and I smile. Ironic. This was the first concert
of the season for us so beforehand I was reminding Brian not to tell drunks
hang on me as they sometimes do. They usually tell me I’m beautiful as they’re
hanging on me. Now it’s the lead singer is telling me I’m pretty! But he wasn’t
high or drunk, rather the opposite. Just then he reminded me of Johnny Depp for
some reason. For one, he had this tiny little waist like Johnny probably has,
and he struck me as this super sensitive artist type guys. After the show,
before Gavin left the stage, he blew me a kiss. I blew him one back and mouthed
‘bye’ to him.
As he was standing by us, a few
people recognized him and were taking pictures. Wouldn’t it be wild if I could
find a picture of the three of us online?!
I have to be honest now. A few
many times during the show Gavin looked up and sang to me. First time it was
cool, then I kind of creeped me out. I knew he meant nothing by it though. It’s
just awkward having everyone look up at us, probably wondering who the heck is
she? Well here I am. Just a regular ol cripple gal he shared an elevator with.
Now you know! Hehehehe!
I wished I wasn’t creeped out
but I was. Brian was too. Good thing I didn’t have a pimple that day. Believe
or not, it was the few times of the year when Brian was shaved. I mean people
were looking up at us a lot! I wished I could’ve taken it all in for what it
was. But I’m used to people ignoring me. People don’t seem to care about issues
I struggle with, like disability rights. I’m used to having to ‘scream’ to be
heard, and here is this rock star singing to me off and on thru the whole
night.
Thank you Gavin. I appreciate
it. You’re not weird, you’re just super sweet! I’m just not used to strangers
being sweet to me. You singing part of the acoustic version of Landslide to me
was amazing. I’ll never forget it. I
found a video of it thanks to shellatbeach! Click Here
I knew my mother would be able
to explain it to Brian when we got home. I know why sometimes people act like
that towards me, but it’s hard for me to explain. She helped us get a better
perspective. He’s on the road everyday nonstop, and he found a face he can
identify with. It’s good for him to do that. I touched him in some sort of way.
I still feel like I’m just like everybody else. But really I’m not and I know
that too. I’m glad he saw something special that night
What a way to start the 2009 concert season!
My mother had a good idea I thought…..
She said I should write to him.
So I’m posting this on the chat board and mailing this in
to his fan club.
Gavin, I wish I had told you my name.
It’s Ivy.
setlist:
Frontline
Machinehead
Boombox
Chemicals
Can't stop the world
Animals Attack
The trouble im in
Forever may you run
Landslide
Everything Zen
Another Night in the Hills
This is happiness
The people that we love
ENCORE
Love remains the same
Adrenaline
Glycerine
Comedown
Holy Shit, Gavin replied back to me on the chat board!!!
http://www.gavinrossdale.com/forum/default.aspx?cid=462&tid=331511
Re: Gavin at the Norva
thx for your note ivy-
i've read it twice and appreciate what you say.
yes,people that come and see me help through the shows.
i lean heavily on my audience.i guess i appreciate you coming
out and seeing me so i want to dive into everyone and make the show the best
possible.
i kind of pick people that i feel connected/safe to and
that seem to be lost in the show too.
i could see you peaking through the railings and i wanted
you to feel the music and the words and the whole experience,so you became a
focus for me.thx.
i would NEVER want to creep you out-that is the opposite
of my intention.
but as you say,memory will shift it to 100% good,as it
was intended.
thx for coming to the show- and i too applaud the venue
for being disabled friendly.
they were very good to us and it was a cool set up.
we enjoyed the staff plenty.
my recommendation at kincaid's was the pulled pork
sandwich,which for me was the best pulled pork sandwich i have ever eaten and i
am picky.
so if you're passing..
until we meet again-thx for enjoying the show and coming
out-it was great to meet you.
best
g
______________________________
my reply:
So you weren’t joking about the sandwich. Hehehe cool! Oh
it was the pork, not the fish. Ok.
I want to say this again. …Thank you Gavin. I appreciate
it. You’re not weird, you’re just super sweet! I’m just not used to strangers
being sweet to me. You singing part of the acoustic version of Landslide to me
was amazing. I’ll never forget it. So don’t feel bad. I wouldn’t change that
night for a million bucks!
I’m ecstatic you wrote back!
Thank you again Gavin.
PS. Before I read your reply, it finally hit me. I
couldn’t sleep last night because I finally got it. hahaha! It WAS a special
night.
Other Concerts
|
Dave
Matthews Band with Autograph |
|