March 18, 2017
Current Status: Cloud Eight. Just a little lower than yesterday’s cloud Nine. I’ll explain.
Earlier this week, Tuesday, I believe, I learned that legendary rock band The Who will be taking up a residence this summer at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. I’m a fan of the Who. Big fan. Love ‘em. Only saw them perform live once, a couple of years ago. The started the U.S. portion of “The Who hits 50” tour in Tamps, not terribly far away from where I live. It also nearly coincided with my 50th birthday, the show was just a couple of days after. It was my “first” birthday present to myself, you’ve read all about the other, Paul’s big Alaska/Canadian adventure in previous posts.
For various reason, that was my first time seeing them live, even though I’ve been a fan for most of my life. None of my “crew” ever wanted to go see them with me. I even didn’t go see them when they played just a few miles from where I live (closer than Tampa) many years ago because I didn’t want to go alone. So for my 50th, and their 50th, I had to go. I didn’t spend a lot on the tickets to the show that time, since I was going alone, and sat in the upper reaches of Amalie arena. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, got to see another Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts open the show. It was great, but I immediately regretted not spending more money to get better seats for that show though.
Fast forward to earlier this week, and learning of the residency, the shows start at the end of July, and continue into August. There are 6 for now, and they hint at more. Tickets went on sale at noon Vegas time yesterday, 3:00 pm here. I was determined to get tickets. I was shut out last summer for tickets to see another of my favorite bands, The Tragically Hip, I didn’t want that to happen this time. I was on the website in the morning, watching the countdown timer until the tickets went on sale. I stepped away a little after 2:00 to grab some lunch, planning on being back before 3:00 to continue watching the timer, and fight the bots for tickets. I walked in, and my laptop wasn’t asleep, as it should have been, there was a prompt on the screen, asking if I wanted to get in the waiting room for tickets. That should have been a safe assumption, as I’d been on the site watching the clock for 5+ hours. J I got in line, upset that I had missed my place by an unknown amount of time, but I was one step closer. After some additional waiting and clock watching, I got into where you could actually buy tickets! I am the proud owner of a pair of tickets to see The Who in August in Las Vegas!!
Hopefully either my buddy Eric from Michigan, or Erick from Florida will be going with me. If not, no worries for me, I’m going, and that’s what I’m really excited about. I didn’t break the bank again on the tickets, but I will be a more intimate concert experience. These shows are in the sub 5000 seat Colosseum at Caesar’s palace, I’m sitting in the first balcony. I’m ridiculously excited. I get to see the Who, I plan on seeing the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show “Love” as well while I’m there. It will be a Classic Rick vacation. There are still numerous details to work out, but the vacation has been decided, and is at least partially locked in. Rock on!