[email protected]
Tue, 15 Dec 1998 09:04:30 EST
Today is December 15th, and it marks the 10th anniversary of when I first
purchased Rattle and Hum, my first U2 purchase, and was the very first time
that I listened to ANYTHING by U2. I bought the tape out of spite because
there were 3 people arguing over who would buy the last copy of it in a New
York City record shop. I hadn't heard of U2 before that (amazingly enough
because I've heard they were huge in 1987, but in the small town of Rockville,
Connecticut, they really weren't all that noticeable). I also bought this
album on the day that my Grandfather (on my mom's side) was buried.
I don't care what the critics say about this album. It spoke to me like no
other piece of music ever had. I realize that the album was meant as a
tribute to those artists that the band were fans of, but the lyrics of "Love
Rescue Me," "Hawkmoon 269," and "All I Want Is You" were ones that helped me
cope and grieve over the loss of my grandfather.
Today, as I sit at work and listen to the CD nonstop today, I am reminded of
the original reason why I fell in love with this band in the first place. I'm
currently coping with the terminal illness of my Grandmother (on my Dad's
side), as she was finally brought home from the hospital yesterday so that she
can die in her own house. After 10 years, those songs that first spoke to me
because of the loss of my Grandfather are still speaking to me as I start the
coping process with my Grandmother.
Each person's story is different as to why they got into U2, and why they've
become the type of fan that they are. The beauty of it all is that it's the
music that has united so many people, healed so many hearts, and gave so many
souls out there an important boost of positiveness.
After 10 years, I'm very much in need of those lyrics, that music, and that
spirit which transcends whatever Dave Marsh or any other music critic can
argue about.
I hope that you all can celebrate your fandom in some way or another, and
cherish that reason why you became a fan in the first place.
In this holiday season where folks celebrate the joy of giving, celebrate the
music that has given you so much joy, pleasure, and hope. Put that favorite
U2 CD or tape in your stereo today and fall in love with their music all over
again. :)
Happy Holidays to everyone!
-Sherry
[email protected]
==================
"It's all about the drums."--LMJ, 1992
==================
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Tue Dec 15 1998 - 06:11:04 PST