I have a story to tell you. But first a little background knowledge of me..
In 1977, or there abouts, I discovered the band Genesis. I have had 5 major music loves in my life so far - when I was 6 to about 10 years old I loved The New Seekers. Then the next obsession was Genesis when I was 13 following on to Crosby, Stills & Nash when I was 17 (gosh, I've just discovered that site. Wonderful). Then I got married, moved to NZ, moved back, had babies until my beloved Coldplay touched my heart 5 years ago. I have no idea why any of these bands have left such a footprint in my heart as I do like lots of other bands/artists and always have some music on somewhere. But so far, these bands are the real essence of me. Maybe I should point out in the interest of 'coolness' that I don't listen to the New Seekers quite as much as I did when I was 6!!
But I digress...it seems that history again has repeated itself. In late 1979 my mother casually mentioned over the breakfast table one morning if I had heard of the band Genesis? The fact that most of the music that had floated out of my room over the previous 2 years was Genesis seemed to escape her.
"Genesis, have I heard of Genesis? I squawked in my indignant teenage manner.
"Well, their management rang up to see if they could stay in the hotel for their tour." (We lived in the largest hotel in Paignton at the time. Blog fodder for another time. Promise.)
.......mouth hit the floor..."What did you tell them?" breath held....
"That we were full...."
We were not. She was just understandably nervous at having a rock band and their entourage (that she had never heard of) trashing the hotel.
Well, this then was the start of trying to get tickets for the Duke tour. Mum, obviously racked with guilt, did everything to try and get me one. They were playing 2 dates in Paignton (unheard of to get such a big band) and there were none available. I was absolutely heart broken. Devastated. It didn't get easier and I tried not to wince when the band were interviewed at 'their hotel' (the 2nd biggest in Paignton). The night of the first concert I went outside the theatre and pressed my ear up to the fire door and tried to listen to the show. No good so I went home.
The next morning as my father drove me to school we drove past the theatre and I saw Genesis name up on the billboard a strange sort of peace entered my heart. I think now it was an acceptance that it was too late to get a ticket and I should just let it go. I did . Two hours later a miracle happened - I had a ticket for that night's performance in my hot little hand ! Yes, I really did!
So on 18th March 1980, thanks to God, who manovered a girl at school to sell me her ticket (as she didn't want to go. What!?.) I took my seat. When they came on stage and straight into Back in NY City, I had tears streaming down my face I was completely overwhelmed that they were only yards from me. I'll never forget that. Ever. I have found that in my life when I really, really want something I have to change my attitude - almost an acceptance, create the right spirit within me. When that happens God never fails to bless me with my heart's desire.
Going back to the title of this long post (sorry) Genesis are touring in the UK again in 3 weeks, only 2 dates, but tickets have sold out again and are only available at vast prices. Yes, I would dearly love to go though I do not like the later Genesis (from 1980 onwards) but it looks like it won't happen for me this time. But hey, I'm OK about it - it just makes me smile that I am in the same position again only 27 years later! I'll just have to add this to my wish list and in the words of one of their songs..."Some you lose and some you lose.."
Hmmmm.....I wonder where they're staying....?
