more notes on JEB in VT

[Jeff and Melanie House <jjthandmeh@juno.com>]

Some more thoughts on the JEB in VT.  I agree with Kevin’s description,
but would like to offer some more color.

I found the whole day a bit freaky.  Upon further reflection, I think the
freakiness has to do with interactions with people who all of my previous
interactions with had taken place in entirely different mediums. (Yeah –
that broke many grammatical rules – shoot me.)  What I mean is that Kevin
and Bjorn had been virtual people that suddenly became real.  Much like
the way John suddenly became real in this up-close-and-personal gig.  I
was not completely comfortable with that.

Upon my arrival at Chez O’Neal, the adrenaline and freakiness of meeting
a stranger that I already knew had me babbling and stuttering like a
fool.  No problem – my gracious host offered up some alcohol.  Bjorn
arrived next and is so cute and charming that I just had to pinch his
cheek :-)

Bjorn’s traveling companion (Christian) is an attractive young man – very
soft spoken and thoughtful.  I saw Bjorn and Christian’s fan styles as a
younger reflection of Kevin and myself.  (Christian = Jeff, Bjorn =
Kevin).  

Tania O’Neal arrives and is clearly amused by the goings-on.  She is
jumps into hostess mode.  Very sweet.

We get to the  “sound check party” to find that there are approximately
20 people who think it is worth the time and effort to plop down $16 to
hear and meet the John Entwistle.  Clearly, those of us who traveled
great distances for this chance are in the minority of society as a whole
:o)

The Band launches into “Heaven and Hell” while we few and standing at
John’s feet snapping pictures of ourselves with John in the background. 
I do love their version  “Love is Like a Heart Attack/Eminence Front”.

Godfrey and Luongo started into some schtick about how the want to do
“The Real Me” but that Godfrey's voice was feeling a bit tired.  Before
he could get the punchline out asking if anyone in the club would like to
sing it, Christian was on the stage grabbing John’s mic.  John raised his
eyebrows, stepped back and waved his hand to yield to Christian. 
Chrisian critiqued his performance thusly:  “That was the best fucking
karaoke I ever had!”

After the jamming, I’m talking with Bjorn in front of the stage when John
walked up behind him, tapped Bjorn’s shoulder and said “Thanks for
coming.”  Bjorn lit up.

While were waiting in line to shake John’s hand and get some autographs,
I’ve got some time to think about what I am going to say to John.  As it
turns out, I’ve got LOTS of time because some guy in front of me is
monopolizing John’s time with countless photos to sign and presents him
with a “Thank you” Hallmark.  I’m really not that interested in an
autograph, but I grabbed a bar coaster because everyone else was getting
autographs and I didn’t want to appear un-cool.  I really just wanted to
shake his hand and say something that would freak him out.

I told him that “Boris” is my 5-year-old’s favorite (not the freak-out
part) and that this scene reminded me of waiting in line at Disney World
to meet Mickey.  I don’t think I freaked him out, but I definitely
confused him  :-)

After the soundcheck Bjorn showed us the cigarette butt he pilfered from
John’s ashtray.  I am serious.

During the show I wondered around the club a bit to check out the scene. 
If you ever want the best sound, stand in front of the mixing board.  I
stood there for the Sparks jam and it sounded great.  Highlights of the
show for me were “Heaven and Hell”, “Sparks”, “Shakin’ All Over” (with
mind-bending John solo) and “Love is Like a Heart Attack/Eminence Front”.

As the show moved into high volume excitement, I elbowed to a spot about
10 feet in front of John, next to Tania O’Neal, where we could feel the
full impact of John’s rig and still see Kevin O and crew bopping and
screaming.  Beautiful.

Funny moment was when John reached for a pick and came up empty, the guy
standing in front of me held up a pick and (without missing a beat) John
raised his eyebrows and grabbed the pick from the fan to continue the
jam.

I think that is enough.

Jeff