My Summer of Billy Squier 2009

A brief journal, including photos, of my travels following my favorite rocker, Billy Squier, on tour summer of 2009.

The First Time...

I clearly remember the first time I heard the music of Billy Squier. I was at a party at an apartment of a boy named Jimmy Elmer. A typical weekend party at Jimmy Elmer's consisted of beer, illicit drugs, and extremely loud music. Jimmy had the best stereo system of the time, which consisted of two turntables, double cassette tape-players, and two huge five-foot speakers that blasted the works of AC/DC, Van Halen, Def Leppard, and The Talking Heads to name a few. Often, the music was turned to a level so deafening that the only form of communication was to read the lips of others through the smoke filled room.

This seemed like a nuisance and forced solitude to me; after all, this was a party, a gathering place to drink, talk, laugh, and socialize. But, after the very first time Jimmy played Billy Squier’s Emotions in Motion album, the volume and the solitude didn’t bother me in the least. I recall the beat blasting out of those giant speakers on the first track “Everybody Wants You.” I remember instantly thinking that the resonance of the singer was different, sexier, and sweeter than the previous artists heard coming from the massive sound system. I felt the soul soothing rhythms stir in my chest with the second song “Emotions in Motion.” The lyrics within the third song “Learn How to Live,” replicated the feelings I, as a teenager, felt but couldn’t express. The timbre and quality of the music was far different from anyone I had ever heard.

Looking around the room, I searched the faces of others wondering if anyone else was hearing what I felt. The taps of feet and the bobbing of heads from males and females alike gave credence to my new discovery. Yes, others felt the difference too. However, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough. I had to hear Billy at every party Jimmy threw. I longed for information regarding Billy, so I bought every rock magazine I could afford in hopes of discovering any written word about him. I sat for hours watching MTV every Saturday desperately hoping to catch a glimpse. I dreamt for years of meeting him. I attended every concert he performed in my area. But, I never had the opportunity to meet him. That was then. This is now.

After twenty-six years of dreaming about meeting the extraordinary singer, song writer, guitar player, my dreams have come true—not just once, but in fact several times over. This blog contains a brief glimpse into my travels during the summer of 2009 while following my favorite rocker the one and only--Billy Squier.

10/10/09

Billy in Hankinson, ND June 26, 2009















After we found out we were the only two meeting Billy in his dressing room before the show, we were so nervous we kept taking pictures of ourselves in our hotel room.



After meeting Mike, Billy's tour manager, at the pre-designated location before the show, we followed Mike through the ballroom, up the stage steps, across several thick black cords--my heart racing with each step--and came face-to-face with Billy striding toward us. Meeting him in the center of the stage, Natalie put out her hand and introduced herself as she shook hands with Billy. I, waiting twenty-six-years for this moment, threw my arms around him while he said, "Hi. I'm Billy Squier."


One of the happiest moments of my life!
Billy seemed rather reserved while the four of us stood in the tiny little dressing room located two steps from the stage. I'm sure celebrities must be cautious when meeting people--especially in their own dressing rooms--as they never know what type of crazy fans they may be meeting!




I'm not sure what I said to him other than inadvertently insulting him once due to my nerves, but I remember being very glad that Natalie was there to help gloss over my tongue tied state. After a few moments of chatting I asked Billy, "So, have you been waiting twenty-six-years to meet me also?" He laughed at that and said, "Yes, I think I have."



He signed the lithograph "To Teresa, at long last. Billy Squier."



Billy graciously took several photos with us in a variety of poses.



After the meet and greet we couldn't stop smiling!

Billy jammed to a full house with men and women of all ages.
I met a woman with her 19 year-old son who said he's loved Billy his entire life!
Yes--me too!
























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10/9/09

Billy in Walker, MN June 27, 2009












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10/8/09

Billy in Walker, MN June 28, 2009








Mark Clarke is a very nice man and a true gentleman! We took him shopping
in Walker on Saturday. He said he needed some new boots!


We had a chance to sit and talk with Nir Z at the hotel restaurant.




My favorite picture...probably in the entire world!
After meeting Billy for the third night in a row, I asked
him if I could get one more picture before we left.
He said, "Sure!" and threw his arms around my neck.
It was so sweet!


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10/7/09

Billy in Traverse City, MI July 7, 2009






Traverse City Michigan was by far my favorite trip even though
I took this adventure solo. I flew into beautiful Traverse City
and stayed at the Holiday Inn located just a few blocks from the
Cherry Festival. During the afternoon I walked around the Festival
and later walked back to the Festival to catch the show. At the concert
I was in awe of my surroundings. I even wrote a short free-flow poem
about the experience, which I included in a multi-genre writing project for a class
that I took this summer:

Heaven
A serene Traverse City sky dances with yellow and pink
the sun sets on the water of Lake Michigan bay
fluorescent hues blend with the deepening blue
high in the air, on stage, cradling his guitar, stands Billy Squier
belting out his famous “Rock me Tonight.”
His voice powerful, sweet, and sexy.
In a crowd of hundreds, emotion pours over me.
I revel in the beauty of the scenery to my left and to my right.
I praise God for both.
Mark Clarke sees me in the crowd. He motions me back stage.
I accept.
I’m in heaven.

During the packed outdoor concert, Mark Clarke spotted me in the crowd
and motioned for me to go backstage. Finding Billy's tour manager, Mike, I
explained to him that Mark Clarke invited me backstage, so Mike walked me
through the gates.

Going behind the gated area of the outdoor venue I felt slightly strange. After all,
I had no relationship to the group, so I felt very self conscious. Walking behind the
trailers and equipment, Alan St. Jon spotted me and immediately greeted me warmly.
Marc Copely and his lovely wife, Kirsten, also said hello.

A few moments later, Alan invited me inside Billy's trailer and offered me a glass of
wine. Sometime thereafter, Billy appeared and chatted with me briefly. I felt like
an incredible intrusion, but Alan made me feel very welcome.

Traverse City was beautiful, Billy and the band played incredibly, and the weather
was perfect during the evening concert. Walking back to the hotel late that evening,
I was on cloud nine. I was overwhelmed with joy at the gracious acceptance by
Mark and Alan. But most of all, I couldn't believe my good fortune of sitting casually
near Billy, each of us on a brown wooden folding chair, talking, and drinking red wine out
of plastic cups. I was no one in particular—just one of the gang—just a fan—just hanging
with my idol.
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10/6/09

Billy in Minneapolis, MN July 20, 2009

I loved seeing Billy in my twin city!

Mark Clarke and Alan St. Jon had told me in Traverse City, MI
that I was not to purchase anymore tickets to the shows. So when
the band played in St. Paul there was a ticket reserved in my name
at the Night Club. That was so nice!


The band played in top form at the Myth Night Club in St. Paul.
Billy played longer this evening by adding songs to his set that
he hadn't played in other venues. The band rocked!





Mark Clarke was all over the large stage this evening, which
the crowd really loved. I told him later, in Lake Ozark, MO
that we really enjoyed seeing him move around the stage in St.Paul.
He said he wasn't sure if he looked like an "ass" or not, so I reassured
him that everyone really enjoyed when he moved around the stage.



I didn't get a chance to meet up with the band at this venue, but Mark Clarke did come
out before the show to greet me. I gave him a birthday card and thanked him for the
ticket. While waiting for Mark I spotted Alan St. Jon. He stopped and gave me a kiss
on the cheek and said hello. Those guys are so sweet!

As always, I recruited new people to the show who became Billy Squier fans!

Jodi, me, and Natalie...............Natalie and Jerry

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About Me

I've been an avid fan of Billy Squier since the very first moment I heard him sing on his Emotions in Motions album. Over the past few decades my love for his music has never faltered. Since my early twenties I have dreamt of following him to as many concerts as possible, but I never had the chance until now. First, back in the 80's it wasn't exactly easy to find out when and where a band would be playing. One was pretty much at the mercy of radio spots to disclose concert information and even then it was only announced for the local area. Then Billy took a very long hiatus leaving his fans with brief glimpses of him until he jumped on the road with Ringo. Alas, by the turn of the century I was old enough and financially secure enough to follow him to a few shows with Ringo. Fortunately for me, he loved performing so much that he decided to tour on his own. Finally, my dream of following Billy around the country and actually meeting him has come to pass. Thanks to the Internet, I am able to find up to the minute tour dates and city information in order to plan my route. It has been one fabulous summer for me as I follow my dream. I wish others the same opportunity and good fortune.