Chrissie Hynde's Tour Blog
January 27Tour off to a good start.
Left home for London Heathrow
at half past two and arrived J.F.K. about 10 hours later.
Got a van from J.F.K. to take us to Albany. Pulled in after midnight,
about 5 am London time. Lord it was cold. By 4 in the morning
a thick blanket of snow covered the city and it was beautiful. Stood
in the window of my hotel room and watched the first of the snowplows
arrive. Meditated on that for a while. Another tour.
You get this haunting personal relationship with the places youve
been over the years. I only feel right if Im in a hotel downtown.
Thats how you can commune with the ghosts.
January 28 In the morning we all went
trudging off through the snow drifts and ice to a shop called Lodges.
Famous as its been going for over a hundred years. Theyre very
proud of it. Everyone got boots and hats. Skinny little English
guys not used to the freezing weather. Ha ha ha.
Big marquee outside the Palace
Theatre with our name in lights. Nice. One day youre gonna
see your name in lights, kid There it was.
The Palace is one of those
Grande Dames that sit in the middle of town like a family jewel.
The sense of timelessness you get in those places is, for me, a turn
on.
Had a production rehearsal.
We all hate rehearsing - just want to get on with it. Gotta
do your f*****g homework though. Ugh.
Met, and was pleased
to say I was right about our opening act, American Bang. I didnt
even have to hear them - I knew theyre going to be great just by
looking at them. Thats what sets bands apart from other
civilians.
January 29 Got the first
show out of the way always a huge relief. It was good fun
too well, it has to be doesnt it. The audience was well up for
it ( thank you Albany) and we - if I do say so myself - didnt
let them down. Good job we didnt burn ourselves out by over rehearsing
the fear and shambolic ness made it, well unique. I need that
wild element to get off. In everything. I was nervous but the
stage is like a glove. Glad I decided to go with my gold T E L
E. Feels perfect.
Some guy gave Tim a ticket
stub to pass on to me that hed saved from a show we did at the Palace
in 1982. Imagine saving it. Oddly it was marked January 29
exactly 28 years ago to the day. James was two.
Question: who is the
S S officer who designed those bathtubs that drop from your neck at
a 90 degree angle? Ive peeled off enough sandpaper daisies
in my time.
January 30Got the train to the Big Apple.
The guys, being Lymeys and all (except for Eric) probably dont realize
how special it is training it. Of-course Id never
been on one before I went to England and Im still mad for it. How
I dearly wish we could do the whole tour like this. Sadly, only possible
on the east coast. Then we get into the Midwest where the tracks
are down, but nobodys home.
New York State all down along
the Hudson River frozen over was just gorgeous. Always think of Wendy
O Williams when I see The Hudson as she did one of her dare devil stunts
there when she drove a car through flames up a ramp and bailed just
before it plunged in. Miss her.
Naturally shit scared doing
our second show at the high profile Roseland Ballroom. Its another
one of those perfect venues. Last time we played here I came straight
from jail after busting the Gap with P E T A.
Saw some of the Kings
of Leon in the hotel on way to soundcheck.. Nathan
hasnt cut off his curly locks. I was actually compelled to touch
them. Maybe Im starting to lose it here.
Just love those long haired beauties.
Show Time
American Bang delivered,
no problem. So So glad we got them.(Turns out theyre pals
of The Kings. All Tennessee boys of-course! )
Our audience is loving them. Good good good.
Well, I just dig the hell out
of that theatre - standing audience no seats- right there in your
face just like it should be. They see us, we see them. Why bands
want to play stadiums I dont get. When did Rock become a sporting
event? Who wants to sit and eat while youre watching a band?
Recognized so many faces up front, made me feel right at home.
James is a total nutter when
he gets going. I could watch him all night. I can tell people are amazed
to see this lanky pale English kid playing like a hillbilly hot shot.
Then I look to my right and theres Nick giving it his punky thrash
with that maniacal grin egging me on. He is always on. You need that
consistent steady unflappable ness from the bass or the whole thing
just falls apart like stale bread. And because of that Martins playing
at the height of his game which is a joy to behold he really is
the definitive show man. Cracks me up every night. He went all
the way to Liverpool to get some red suede Beatle boots. Did anyone
in the audience see them behind the drums I wonder. And then theres
Eric. Never would have called that one. A peddal
steel player? Whod have thought.
Johnnie Mac got up to play
Precious with us. His face! Bet Borg never saw THAT look.
After the show saw some mates
and had a few. Dozen. Just cant seem to keep that cork in the bottle.
Oh well.
January 31 Train to Atlantic City.
Those train stations are a joy. They now have eateries like
the kilo restaurants in Brazil. My absolute favourite.
You load your plate from a buffet then set it on a scale and pay
by weight. Brussell sprouts, mashed potatoes, asparagus and pesto
pasta. Lots of it. Im getting fat.
Casino gig. Mainly people
in for the week-end who probably just show up cause were the band
playing that night. Of course theres fans too - we give
it to them whatever. Different dynamic than the theatres but the change
keeps you on your toes.
. After the
show everyone went to the tables to try their luck. Not me.
Never got the taste. Surprising really when I consider all my
other disgusting appetites and addictions. Stayed in my room drinking
and watched Step Brothers. Again. Oh I am a sad f**k.
Gail, our manager, lost a hundred
bucks on black jack but not before getting security to throw out some
asshole who was getting abusive. Wish Id been there to
see that. You dont f**k with Gail.
Feburary 1 Nothing to get on room service
for breakfast. Who on Gods green earth would eat a pork sausage
for breakfast by choice? (Only have to take a trip to the
lobby to answer that one.) Never mind. Makes me more resolved
to get my restaurants going. Managed to do my yoga (badly) even with
a hangover. Im a dog.
Penn station again. Ran
to that Kilo bar like a pig to a trough. How I love
sitting in those public places and watching the human pageantry.
I get lost in it. I like people. Sometimes Ill see some
sad sack hanging around and I just feel an overwhelming emotion.
Like the feeling you get when you see the personal effects of someone
recently deceased. Eric and James got their shoes shined.
Eric is that kind of guy, kind of a spiv. But I think
James only did because I accused him of being too cheap to have em done.
He couldnt stop looking at his boots afterwards- obviously
never seen them buffed up before.
Security guard had a
lovely sniffer dog. Glad I havent been smoking
pot for a while. Who needs the hassel. Vice
President Joe Biden and his wife were in our carriage so there was a
twitter of excitement all round. You got my vote brother! Lots
of security, secret service.. Gail and the guys were oh so impressed.
All texting their mates in England. Silly sods.
Going through Baltimore even
more of a thrill than usual since weve turned on to The Wire.
. Avon Barksdale, where are you ? Omar,
come out come out where ever you are! ILL be texting
home about that one.
Washington Train station truly
majestic. The mood in town, up. For all its
troubles, America is feeling pretty darn good. Yes, the mood has definitely
changed. As if the whole planetary alignment above has shifted.
Well, maybe it has. People actually look different and Im not
just imagining it. Even the American flag looks different.
Washington D C is a beautiful
town. I admit, I never really acknowledged it before. Something
to do with hippie in me being ashamed.
A night off and we took James
out to an Italian as its his birthday tomorrow..
Hell be 29. Both Nick and
James had to show their I D s. Hey, what about me? How
about not serving people because theyre too old? That would
save me a great deal of pain.
Ended up in the hotel bar (did
we even pay?) talking to an oboe player who I apparently told to f**k
off. Twice. I dont remember doing that but I did according
to everyone who was there. Those classical musicians are stranger than
rock musicians. I know that for a fact.
Feburary 2 The 9 30 club. Cool venue.
Talked to the guys in American Bang at soundcheck. Found out they
toured with Z Z Top just before we did. We all raved about our time
with the great Z Z Top. I miss seeing Billy Gibbons in his Pijamas.and
boots at soundchecks. Its the little things that count.
Was nervous as hell before
the show. Mainly because I had such a rough day staying in my
room all day indulging in self loathing. Just felt awful.
The guys went out to some museums but I lost the whole day.
Wont be doing that again any time soon. I hope.
Well, thanks to the great Washington
public we had a good if not flawed show. At one point all I could
see was a sea of red lights cause these days people would rather
film the show instead of watch it. Lost my concentration badly
but was partly down to the hang over. Had to ask people to put their
cameras away. Sorry about that. Made some dreadful cock ups but
nobody seemed to mind. Well you can watch me slip and struggle on Youtube.
C******s! Audience was really so gracious. Carried
us through the storm.
The Big Daddy Jackpot was that
the writers/creators of The Wire came back stage after the show. We
were practically kissing their feet. Dan Mathews and David
Cohen and a mate of theirs came back too. They were totally wasted.
I could feel the danger. Back away from the cookie jar! Dan loved
the show so I was happy. They wanted me to go out with them but
after last night I just couldnt face the prospect of another black
tomorrow. In all my times over the years with him, Dan has seen me about
as f****d up as anyone has and probably, recognising the fear in my
eyes, let me off the hook. I imagine he was glad not to have to help
me to my room later with a black eye and bleeding. (me, not him)
He cheered me up a treat by telling me that Pamela Anderson is going
to be in our PETA version of a Boots of Chinese Plastic video.
Went back to hotel and didnt leave the safety of my room. Woke up
at 6, made a pot of tea, feeling the relief. Thank you Jesus.
Gotta quit smoking.
February 3 What a day! Back
to airport hell. Hung around for hours waiting to get a flight
out to Boson. Weather conditions. Made a pig of myself at Chinese buffet.
These airports sorely need some vegetarian fare. I better
get my skates on and get in there. Miss the train but thats
over for now as we get on our tour bus from here on in. The guys
are excited though. Guys love tour busses dont ask me why.
I agree it makes is easier to get out of town. After the
show you climb on, and if you can sleep, wake up in the next city. That
IS nice.
Boston looks absolutely beautiful
in the snow flurries. From my hotel room I look out over the common
and it is a joy to behold. I wonder am I becoming
a sentimental old fool? ( Ive criticised them enough in the
past to deserve it, I know.)
Its a dreaded day off so
I have to be careful.
Went out with Martin to see
The Wrestler. Ive seen it twice now. Nice one Darren.
Nice one Mickey. Nice one Marisa.
February 4 Woke up early and feel refreshed
and good. When Im not a hung over wreck Im awesome.
If I ever get desperate enough to join an on line dating service, maybe
thats how I should describe myself. I imagine the offers
will come in fast and furious.
Well, I
for one am getting sick of my own ramblings so Im going to turn this
blogging shtick over to one of the guys. Its been real!
See you somewhere
down the road.
Yours, Chrissie