Some fans really make you smile when smiles are in short supply. Starting a new venture like Memories in Music has been difficult, and some days I wonder if I will make it succeed. The reason I wonder is because I had a lot of support for the idea when it was just talk at the beginning, but when the talk turned into reality and the time came for people to contribute and help the idea they thought was so fantastic to work, I mostly heard the chirping of crickets and the sound of tumble weed rolling across the barren landscape. Oh dear…
Then there is the criticism to deal with. I know not everyone will think my idea is smashing, but some criticism is hard to take when it is mean-spirited for no reason. When I got an email simply saying, “You are a whack job and I hope this will never work,” it hurt. I had to wonder why I am bothering. Ouch.
But then I remember I am doing it because music makes me happy. The people who make the music that gives me so much joy also make me want to spread that joy. If you have read my site, you will know for me the number one person that brings me joy with music is Jimmy Page. I want to influence the world for good like he did. I know my influence won’t be as big as his, but if I can help people in need with the money I raise for charity, and make fans smile to recount their stories of how music influenced them, it will be worth the effort. One thing I have to keep reminding myself over and over again – nothing worthwhile is easy to do, so when it gets rough, I just have to keep going.
So, here I was feeling all down when I read this post on a Zeppelin fan listing. This fan is my kind of guy! He made me smile. This is the type of fan I am hoping will help with the charity fund raising, and will contribute to the company. He reminded me pursuing your dream is worth it because he shares the joy Jimmy gives me, and when you share that joy, you change the world around you for good. This post certainly changed my world for good. Here’s what he said:
If Jimmy Page announced he was coming to my hometown to recite Nursery School rhymes accompanying himself on the Fisher-Price xylophone, I would buy tickets. If he was going to bill himself and three hoboes as Led Zeppelin and charge $40 to hear him read the phone book aloud while they made underarm fart noises, I’d go, AND buy the t-shirt. Essentially, I’d take any opportunity to bask in his presence.
What a fabulous post! What great enthusiasm! Thank you John C. I’d take any opportunity to bask in Jimmy’s presence too, and if the above ever happens, please save a seat for me next to you. I’ll even buy you the t-shirt.
I’m totally with John C. on this! Back in ’98, I had 2 really good tickets to the Gorge (WA) to see Plant & Page. Long story short: I had a really bad case of the flu and after visiting the dr., accidentally left my whole purse–containing said-”fresh” tickets–in the back of a cab & never saw them, again! I didn’t give a fig about the purse, or anything else in it, but I was on a limited budget, and at least one of those tickets was to be an anniversary present for my boyfriend–not to mention, the opportunity to see two of my favorite childhood heroes! It was the closest that I ever came to truly considering suicide, and my boyfriend spent the next two weeks before the show–and our anniversary–”talking me down;” he promised that “Bob and Jim” would certainly “understand” & that it was no big deal…they’d tour, again, someday…
Yup, he’s still my great boyfriend, but I kick myself every time I see Robert, John or Jimmy in the news & think of that missed opportunity!
Remember, folks, keep those tickets in a safe, before the show!
OMG – I am absolutely GUTTED for you! A plague on the person who found your purse and didn’t return it!!
I missed a chance to see Page/Plant because a friend of mine got tickets, promised one to me, then she broke her ankle and couldn’t go. Her husband, not knowing she had promised a ticket to me, sold both of them.
Oh well, fortunately I did get to see both Jimmy and Robert since then. I hope you have managed it to.
Annie x
Hi, Annie:
Sadly, no…I haven’t been able to see any of the “dynamic trio” in recent years…and, I’ll always regret that I never got to see and hear John Bonham play…but at least, there is still a lot of great footage of him, out there…
Back in the day, though, my boyfriend took me to see Robert on his “Shaken and Stirred” tour (Tacoma Dome? I think so…) and even though the concert was under an hour, it was a thrill to even be breathing the same oxygen as that golden voice! I was in heaven for days!
But, I have yet to see my axeman, Jimmy, or John on bass, with or without Robert…what a thrill that would be for this old lady (LOL!).
But, I am always glad that ANYONE gets to see ANY of those three, so good 4 U! :>) I would consider it a supreme religious experience, if I ever got the chance, again…
My boyfriend and I are committed Rush fans, too, but since my incident, above, I make him handle the tickets! I couldn’t go through a “losing experience” like that, ever again! :>0
I am psyched, waiting for “It Might Get Loud” to come out on dvd! While I wished I could’ve seen it in a theater, I don’t think anyone around our small town, here, even had it on a marquee. I have to confess, too, that I don’t know much about Jack White/White Stripes, but I love the Edge (to me, he is the BEST part of U2!) and his playing technique…and what can I say about Jimmy that hasn’t been said, already? I am still LOVING his production values and direction on the 2003 “Led Zeppelin” dvd–not to mention everyone’s performances on it! In fact, I keep repeating the ’70 Royal Albert Hall concert & can’t seem to get past it! I also have 3 different copies of “The Song Remains The Same” & I’d be embarassed to tell you how many times I’ve re-watched them…so when “It Might Get Loud” comes out, I’ll probably need 3 copies of that, too!
Thank you, so much, for this great site! :>) I am so glad that I stumbled across others who love the Zep members, as much as I do! Take care!
–Lola