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Partys & Promos Very Special Events and the Planning it Takes |
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Ain't To Proud to Ask STORY CONTRIBUTED by LOCAL LEGENDS - The Local People Made it Happen Some parites are impromtu. It's All Good. But make no mistake about it, ALL of the other parties listed here take a lot of planning, dirty work, unappreciative work, excellence in executions and attention to the details. This one just kinda happened, and fell together. A "Wingin It" happenstance. It does not really happen that way, you may stumble onto a great event, but there are major organizing that went on behind the scenes. I have seen soundchecks for a host of bands, they are unique but not mind-blowing in my opinion, (Except Jeff Beck) saw Tom Petty at MSG, was the Only one in the room for a Johnny Winters band practice, a previously mentioned a private Jeff Beck Soundcheck show for an hour that blew even the band and crew away. But never say goodbye the Rolling Stones. Nor I have ever attempted to. Thinking Security and Uncertainty of timing would be impossible hassles to overcome. Since this was to be there last stop / show on the 2022 tour that I was going to, (this could be the Last Time, maybe the last time I don't know - didn't end up they added one in Germany) maybe I should try for a soundcheck!?! Thru my contacts in the Venue, Events Industry and more, they put me in contact with The Friends Arena Management that was involved in Soundcheck or could establish the guest lists to possible figure it out. It's a long shot at best as anything can change, at any given moment. Unless you want to hang out "Be on Call" for hours or days. DEF NOT my thing to waste valuable time like that. But they said they would see and let me know. Thats All I asked. I really didnt/dont Push it, as I AM Too Proud to Beg Sweet Darlin LOL. All I did was follow up with casual emails. They did not say NO. thats 90% of the potential deal. Now I am in Stockholm, Internet is scrapey at the hotel (Cannot access work emails from phone) and I have forgotten all about this, as I was not planning to make a Soundcheck anyway, due to work conflicts back home, taking in some Stockholm sites, beaches, clubs ( never been before ) and an ABBA Museum booking. (yes really LOL and Fun as Hell). But an email pops saying we are still workin on this for ya, 3 days out from the show. Holy Fug. Was not expecting that at all! Do I really change up my schedule and get over to Friends Arena when they call? . . . In the mean time . . . the back of my hotel is attached by an alley to The Back of the Stones Hotel (Grand Hotel). So walking over took 1 minute hanging out, people watchin and mostly Stones Fans watching from the Marina was a special treat and a daily checklist 2-3 x's a day. ( Grand Cafe AM People Watchin, Sunning, Funning & Sunsets for the Best Stockholm Waterfront were Superb ). Now I get the email, Not quite what I was expecting but the Arena says come on up, right away, we are not sure we can get ya in but Soundcheck is on in 30 minutes!! Friends Arena is about 40 minutes away with a cab. So, as I mentioned I value my time and not that interested in going for a "maybe". The next half of my email is how do ya know ? We just got the word The Band is leaving their hotel out the back and will be here in 30 minutes. Thats All I get emailed & know. Thank You very much appreciative, but I will pass. Next move is I go downstairs to talk to the exceptionnally graicious front desk personell at my hotel. They know I am here from the USA to see the Stones play first & foremost then take in all the sites, so I mention about Soundcheck missing it and how the Stones are leaving out back for it, jokingly mention hey can I get a rooftop view of them leaving, from here, you have to have a perfect few out the back private exit of the Grand Hotel . . and they go OH YEAH We have a suite up top thats being renovated right now I can use my pass key and you key go take pictures hangin off the 4th story balcony. This is primo view A1A, that if I was paparazzi, this is where you want to be, unobstructed VIEW just a few flights up no more than 50-70 feet, away from where the band was exiting for Soundcheck. Perfect Photo Opps - Ya know they are coming out. While waiting the front desk gets slammed with people checking & checking out - they tell me to hold on they will walk me up open the suite with their pass key, of course I cannot be pushy. I am Too Proud to be Impolite Also LOL. While these minutes which seemed like hours are going by . . . I text a friend Jeanne H who was also staying at the and say where are ya? She goes hanging out front of the Grand Hotel. I go you need to get up and go to the back exit I showed ya between our hotel and the Grand. Yer boys are coming out any minute !!! She has never seen the band up close before, a Jagger Fanatic. RIGHT NOW DO NOT HESITATE! . . I cant make it . . you Enjoy . . . I got some other plans in my way. Catch Up Later. Jeanne runs the 1/2 block from the front of the Grand to around back where I pointed out the Private Exit. There were 20-30 people already there as There always was trying to catch a glimpse of anything. but there were triple that out front, Not knowing the Band was leaving out this back entrance. BUT She wiggled here way to the front AND Within 1 minute out came Ronnie Wood and family. Ronniw was as cordial as ever. The Keith came out, not saying anything just a wave and just duckin into the Car Service waiting for him. Now out comes Mick who was as boisterous and happy, as the crowd let me know it by cheering the loudest for him. My friend was right up next to Mick. Made her day. In the mean time I could not get into the suite to take some killer pictures, because the front desk managers just got overwhelemed with requests from quests at that moment needed in time. By time they finished up. The Stones were long gone and I was still sitting in the Hotel lobby. Oh wel they tried I tries everyone tried and a one person who was oblivious to all behind the scenes coordination this had her day made - week made and Stones show Story made for the ages. Again this reason that I post this as a Special Party get together, is that things dont always work out. You know the song: YCAGWAW. No Not that one. AINT TO PROUD TO BEG or AINT TO PROUD TO ASK. LOL. . |
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