My Summer of Billy Squier 2009: Billy in Horton, KS September 11, 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.

10/4/09

Billy in Horton, KS September 11, 2009

We drove 7 hours 20 minutes from Minneapolis to Horton, KS on Friday, September 11th
to see Billy and the band. The trip, as always, was well worth the time as indicated by the
smile on my face in the pics below.

Front row seats. Gotta love when Billy Squier
stands before you, guitar in hand, belting out
tunes!

Alan had a slight solo spot on keyboards during this leg
of the tour. It's always enjoyable hearing the talents
of Mr. St. Jon!

During the show, Mark Clarke didn't seem himself. After the show, I found
out why. During the break from the tour, Mark went on vacation and injured himself
while jet-skiing. He actually tore his spleen! Speaking to Mike, Billy's tour manager,
after the show, I found out that Billy may have cancelled the rest of the tour had Mark
not been able to continue. Speaking to Mark briefly afterwards, he confirmed his injury
and apologized for not staying to talk with us longer than he did, but he had to go lie down.
His doctor actually told him he should not continue with the tour, but the talented
Mr. Clarke hopped on the bus and continued with Billy anyway. Now that's dedication!

Nir Z's wife had her baby days before the tour commenced, so Joe Magistro
lended his arms to the band for the first few shows of the second leg.

Not a typical action, Billy came out to the theatre after the show to say hello and sign
items for the fans who stuck around in hopes of getting to speak with him.
The band members posed for photos with us. I thought they would be
sick of taking pictures with me by now, but they didn't seem to mind.