Okay, anyone that knows me knows I have been in love with Tom Petty since I was 13. Let's just say its been a long, unrequited love affair. I've come to terms with that over the years though and have even given my heart to another. The Firefighter (who does sing and play the guitar by the way!). The Firefighter has been kind about this, buying me videos, records (yes, I still say records) and taking me to concerts. Like last night. It was our anniversary and coincidentally Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were playing at the awesome Hollywood Bowl. On our anniversary. As if Tom was saying, "But what about us?" So off we went and had an amazing time. Steve Winwood opened (and joined in with TP for a few songs which was amazing) and TP rocked it! Wow. After 30 something years these guys kicked a** and the entire audience sang almost ever song. I can't even begin to describe the joy in being there - the sense of some kindred community in a sea of thousands of happy people.
We didn't get very close, even though we were center stage. TP was a little dot. I wish I had gotten tickets to the Mudcrutch show for my birthday. I would have been real close (it's not weird to want to see the sweat running down his face is it?). And after shooting Sweet I was itching to get down into the press area to get some awesome shots. I kept seeing them - everything I would have taken pictures of... ah well... one day...
Here are some crappy photos I took with my son's point and shot. Be ready - they suck! ha ha
Here is one of Steve Winwood, which is a smidge better because it was still daylight. These are zoomed in so you know we were in the nose bleed section. But we were there! Yea!