OMG! The agony and the ecstasy. On June 9th in Uniondale, I asked Bono for a ticket to the Apollo show because I grew up four blocks from the venue, and he said "You're from Harlem?" I said "yes." His reply: "Then you're in," and told me to give my information to his bodyguard, Ian. The weekend came and went with no updates. On Monday morning, I get a text from a fellow fan/friend who knows Brian Murphy, who had called her to ask about me. My contact said that Brian Murphy will see what he can do, but he made no promises.
I went to the Apollo after work and got on the "stand by" line - I was #51! I approached big bodyguard Ian when he came out, and he had remembered me. He told me that he had forwarded the information, but would check again, but could not make any promises. I wanted to cry, seriously, but not in public. Then he came out with a woman who had a handful of tickets. Some people ahead of me on line wanted to know why big bodyguard Ian came to me, and he said that I was a "special" case. When the lady asked me if I was alone, I motioned to a lady whom I had met in 2015. This fan arrived at 1 pm to be on the stand by line. I was not expecting more than one ticket! We ran because we heard music, then the ushers had told us that the band was not yet on stage! We ran for the stairs, and my colleague said that she had to use the restroom. After that, she wanted cocktails, and I became anxious! Lol.
We made it to the seats just in time. My colleague pointed out Jon Bon Jovi, Robert Kraft, Kristy Turlington, Mrs. Paul McCartney, Jared Leto, none of whom I was interested in, lol. We were on the LL MEZZANINE. The crowd was electric. Red Flag Day at last! A wonderful view of Edge!! I was not aware until after the show that the stand by line people were selected randomly, not in numerical order. I was starving after the show because I only had Starbursts in my bag (I came straight from work)! I caught Whole Foods before they closed, and was up most of the night. Above all, I believe that my friend/fellow fan advocating for me helped, which allowed me to help another fan get in when I was offered two tickets.
Always dream out loud...