I can not express the overwhelming amazingness that was experienced with my husband Frank and brother Mike on Friday for my birthday. Henry Rollins was EVERYTHING awesome you could imagine him to be. I could not be more grateful to Frank for doing this for my brother and I. Best gift ever!
The night started off with us getting VIP treatment. Anyone with VIP (only 50 people) were allowed in first for first pick of the best seats in the house. Honestly Thalia Hall is an amazing venue and there really isn’t a bad seat in the place. Although being on the floor only a few feet away from him was definitely the preferred. We were enjoying every minute of it. We got some cool VIP laminates that had Henry holding 55 birthday candles on top of a skull. We also received matching autographed posters of the same image.
The Spoken Word portion of the show kicked off and as always Henry was filled with incredible stories of his adventures. travel and experiences. It took me back to 15 years ago when the 3 of us and my sister in law Melissa saw his Spoken Word tour on Rollins 40th birthday. Also an unforgettable show. The best part about the show though was his ability to really show us how down to earth he really is. He shared with us his memories of the times he had his own “in awe fan moments” including when he met Bowie and Lemmy for the first time. Which I was so hoping he would do. Listening to those stories brought us not only into Rollins world but also into Bowie and Lemmy’s as well.
He also shared about his contributions and getting Lemmy to be a part of the West Memphis Three benefit CD he put together. A cause you all know I have felt strongly about and have even donated my own work to help raise money for. One thing Rollins said was that the people who knew it was wrong stood up and did something about it. Said NO this is not right and NO we will not stand for it. That people pulled together to do something about it. It made me feel good knowing I was a part of that.
He told us how if we want to go out and do something DO IT! When others tell you that you can’t go at it with twice the force! That is what I love so much about him. Here is a man who stood on stage for hours just talking and left the entire audience in awe, inspired and entertained! A dream of mine would be to have the honor of just sitting down with him for like dinner or something and just picking his brain.
After the show was over everyone that was VIP stayed and the rest of the crowd left. We all sat there anticipating with excitement when Rollins would come out and talk to us to do a intimate Q & A. The best part is he came out on the floor and not on stage to talk to us.
Rollins talking to us after the show
He started off by saying he didn’t want to do the VIP thing at first because to some “it isn’t punk rock of you to pay to meet someone” but he knew if he didn’t give this a shot he might not be able to stick around and talk to all of his fans like he is use to doing. He was not comfortable with the fact that we were paying to meet him but he was honored at the same time. That’s how cool Rollins is. We were the guneia pigs. We were actually history in the making as the very first group of fans/1st show to experience this with Rollins so that was wicked cool as well.
They OMG VIP crew started off with pictures which was very quick but still gave me the opportunity to hand him my Genesis 4:7 portrait and tell him I drew it for him. Show him the “Bloody Bingo” bag I made and even get it in the photo. He was like “wow this is for me” which made my heart sing. I think this photo is worth more then any words I could type here (I have been starring at it all day in awe ha ha)……
Just little ole’ me on my birthday. Henry Rollins with one arm around me and the other holding the Genesis 4:7 (He Never Died) art piece I drew for him in the other. Yeah I call this one “BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!”
My Brother Mike with his idol Henry Rollins
My Husband Frank (who made all of this happen for us) with Henry Rollins
Questions were already asked of the VIPs when entering the venue but he opened the floor to more questions once he finished them. This was my brother Mike’s shining moment (as he is the biggest Rollins fan on the planet). They were just about to wrap things up and he raised his hand. Rollins called on him and my brother was able to reminisce with Rollins about the time Rollins Band was here in Chicago at the Metro and we went to see them live. That Melissa was even 6 months pregnant at the time. That it was the most intense show he had ever seen. Rollins immediately shot the shit with him about the show and in detail talked about what they opened up with and they talked about it being a live taping etc. He thanked my brother for the feedback and for reliving the moment with him.
Needless to say, I can’t stop thinking about Friday so yesterday I contacted Rollins through his site to thank him for everything. To my surprise (yet I am not surprised because he is such a cool guy) I woke up to an email from him and part of it was thanking me for the art piece and telling me he hopes we cross paths again. Best birthday weekend EVER!
Stay Spooky!
Living Dead Girl Nicole
Living Dead Girl Nicole 