Butch Walker: He's the Best for a Monday Morning

Yes, it's agreed by all who matter--these are some cool guys I met in front of AC/DC's hotel in Paris, Manu, Didier and Robert--and I think they would go along with Bibi:  there is nothing finer in Carolina (or Texas) on a grey and dreary Monday that is also the first class day (yikes!  what a stomach-churning combo!) than listening to Butch Walker to make the day somewhat less foreboding.  Just hearing:   And I don't want to remember, but I don't want to forget, That no one will believe me if I say:  So honey don't you call now, don't pick up the phone now, don't you know we're better off this way? mellows me out.  That lovely, lovely voice, the Todd Rundgren vibe in the words...we can be in love for just one day...so I met you by the bathroom to escape....Aaaaahhhh! 

Sometimes, listening to Butch sing, Bibi thinks that Butch so loves to hear his voice.  Not saying it in a "he's so full of himself" way.  What a gift he has!  Not just the sound/texture/shading of his voice, but the lyrics he writes, the phrasing he uses.  (sigh) AND, he's sharing it with us, his lucky, lucky fans!!!

Here's Butch reportedly singing Ponce de Leon Ave. sometime in the past.

It's a different look from the one he currently has, but the voice is still as fab as ever!  Of course, the camera adores Butch as much as ever--that hair! those eyes, those cheekbones, that thoroughly adorable nose!--though, emphatically, he's so much more than a pretty face.

Love you, Butch!

Emmanuel, Joel, Emmanuel, Samuel--Great Copains

Just want to be sure to mention these great guys. They were standing outside AC/DC's hotel in Paris and by the time we said good-bye, see you next time on Friday after the concert, I felt like we were huge friends. Now, in my really weak French: J'ai faites la connaissance d'une groupe de mecs genials au dehors de l'hotel ou AC/DC a demeure pendant leur visite a Paris. Nous avons parle d'AC/DC d'avantage et partage nos pensees sur eux. Tous nous sommes grands fans du meilleur groupe rock du monde. Quand nous nous sommes partis, j'ai senti que nous etions grands amis, aussi. Salut, les gars! Vous savez, le prochaine journee, j'ai vu le fils de Malcolm devant l'hotel. Il est reste la depuis les longues heures qu'il (et nous) attendons que son pere sort. Il semble etre un assez bon fils.

Well, maybe you can understand me. De plus, je crois que j'ai vue Samuel dans les nouvelles au tv ce soir et aussi a votre groupe entiere devant l'hotel.

Paris--less than a week away!

Lisbon on June 3--review I read: good show. Madrid on June 5 (still saying Happy Birthday to Nana!!). Offered to take her to Madrid for this one, but she wouldn't budge! acdc abruzzo posted some mixed reivews of the show, same setlist, plus it rained, some wind. Fingers SO CROSSED for decent weather on June 12! Barcelona on June 7, Marseilles June 9...AND...June 12...(prolonged Bon Scott scream here)!!!
Have the flag ready, all the pre-departure shopping done, getting crazy packing the suitcase in my head. Trying to stay calm and organzed: the trip doesn't seem real sometimes; other times it's overwhelming thinking about it. Angus, Malcolm, Brian, Cliff and Phil--see you soon!

PARIS, PARIS, PARIS on June 12, 2009

The reality of the dream is evolving: I have my Stade de France tickets!!!! (really long, incredible Bon Scott scream here) The tickets are beautiful--those French, always prducing stylish and eye-catching items.
Just came back from a short vacation in Washington, D.C. and visiting Sarah. A very lovely city, soooo many notable sights. The cherry blossoms were out and the weather was mostly mild. Spring is always such a surprize to a Texan. The National Gallery of Art and the Phillips Collection were superb. The Smithsonian museums were great, too, the whole experience was exhausitng, though. Sarah looks great and was full of positive energy. She is definitely Bibi's favorite person on earth. We had fun visiting the different sights--Lincoln Memorial is awe-inspiring, as is the VietNam Memorial--eating at the cool restaurants Sarah knows. Got a chance to smash cascarones on each others' heads, too!
Lots of drama for me about the summer US tour. Hope to have the fortitude to hold on to my plan NOT to buy AC/DC tour tickets until a Texas venue is announced. Otherwise, really counting on the guys making a concert stop in Mexico City.
Very glad to see that AC/DC Abruzzo is back on the tour trail. Rock on, guys, in London!

Since my time in DC was so packed with activities, I felt that the AC/DC presence and energy was at a low level on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. On the few occassions I was able to listen to the IPOD, it was like entering a different plane. I know, I know--sounding disturbingly new age, but really, my perspective and some of my best memories of walking around Washington DC will always be tinged with the sounds of Thunderstruck, If You Want Blood, and of course, Live Wire.

It was great spending time with Sarita and getting her advice on the upcoming trip! but, SO looking forward to June!

Finally, they're on their way!!!

No, not the aliens from outer space that established the monolith we saw in 2001: A Space Odyssey, who would be revisiting us in order to fix the economy--since apparently no one on earth can figure out how to do it. (Bon Scott scream here) MY TICKETS FOR THE PARIS CONCERT!!!!!!! are on their way!!!! (another Bon Scott scream here) One day, will I say: "Angus, we'll always have Paris"? All I can think is: "HIGH VOLTAGE, HIGH VOLTAGE, HIGH VOLTAGE ROCK AND ROLL...WINE, WOMEN AND SONG...." Big problem, though. I'm leaving for DC at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning and the tickets will be arriving while I'm gone. Now that David is no longer with us as guardian of my neighborhood, will I have to depend on those downstairs neighbors? What if they're arrested again and aren't home when the tickets get there?

I will figure this out, though, as I've figured out other things in this house like: what's with this litter box situation, is there any way to get a feeding schedule set around here, and what does a cat have to do to get treats every now and then? When will the cleaning lady--who comes by too infrequently--get with the program about me? Although she is appropriately deferential when I deign to make an appearance, so alright.

A mention on the AC/DC tour revenue: AC/DC will bring their Black Ice World Tour back to North America for another leg of dates this summer, playing stadiums and arenas. Since starting its tour in late October, most (??) of AC/DC's North America dates sold out. From October 2008 through March 2009, the band grossed $49.1 million from 36 concerts that drew more than 561,000 fans, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Great to meet you!

Hello, I’m Bibi and I love, love, love Angus. Yes, that Angus, or as I think of him: the incomparable lead guitar god from AC/DC. Of course, I love AC/DC: their music, their straight-up, kick ass attitude about rock n roll, their grit and absolute, unwavering dedication to giving us a shake you all night long level of performance every time they take the stage. I think and talk about a lot of things—myself, for example, a fantastic subject-- but also a whole range of fascinating subjects that shall be revealed over time. Since I saw AC/DC in concert for the first time on December 14, 2009, though, it’s all about them and particularly Angus, as you will see. I was most definitely thunderstruck.

As everyone in the free world knows, AC/DC is on a so long- awaited world tour after an extended absence in support of their newest album, Black Ice. Having completely laid waste to the US and parts of Canada late last year—this is when I first saw them in concert on that fateful day--they are currently blazing across Europe, leaving their ecstatic fans exhausted but satisfied—at least until their summer outdoor concert venues begin in May. The guys are up for a short break in early April from their outrageously full concert schedule and will continue their world domination throughout the summer months, culminating in what will very likely be a rock til the stadium comes crashing down in Glasgow on June 30. (Did you notice that U2 wisely won't begin their European tour until AC/DC finishes their tour?) The fabulous, incredible, unbelievable thing is: I plan to see them in Paris on June 12 and in Amsterdam on June 23---Bon Scott type scream here, yes!!! Paris in June...and AC/DC...whoa! The tickets are bought, the reservations all made, the excel file with the outfits planned out is in process…omigod! Also have gotten in contact with Marc in Paris and we’re planning to meet, I’ll finally meet his children, catch up with Jessica—bet the pregnancy will not even have an effect on her; some people! Still hoping that Raymond will be able to come to Paris or at least to Amsterdam to experience AC/DC's effect on thier loyal following.

I've discovered several like-minded AC/DC fans on the web, particularly AC/DC ABRUZZO, an Italian group of fans that has followed the guys for some time now, but for this tour have already seen them in the US and in many of the European cities so far. Their blog is really well-written and they seem like a nice bunch of obsessed guys. There's also the gang that talks on all kinds of AC/DC stuff at acdc.com. Hope to run into some of these folks in Paris and/or Amsterdam. I've followed their comments and concert reviews with avid interest. Another site: AC-DC.net has the best listing of online articles and reviews--great way to follow the group across Europe, links to AC/DC merchandise, including a book which seems to have been written by the guy that owns AC-DC.net--fantastic work!