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Friday, July 18, 2008

Billy Joel at Shea Stadium

Here in New York Shea Stadium (home of the Mets) is being demolished and will be replaced with a new arena, ready for Spring '09. The new stadium is being built on the parking lot of the old stadium. As soon as the new stadium is completely ready, the old will be demolished for the new parking lot! (Even I had to reread that but it does make sense!)

Here's a shot you won't see for long--the 2 stadiums adjacent to each other!


Knowing this would occur, the powers that be decided there needed to be one last blow out concert at Shea during its last season. The choice? New York's own Billy Joel. I pecked away at the computer the morning tix went on sale and was luckily able to grab 2.

My hubby and I took the train into Queens last evening. The night was sooo sultry and after a few train and subway rides we were parched. As I was taking this shot on the walkover bridge from the train station, we heard a large crack. We walked a little faster down the entry plank not really knowing what the noise was. Behind us we could hear thunderous rolling. Turning around, we saw what had happened: there was a man about 10 feet behind us who was holding a styrofoam cooler filled with ice and cans of beer. The cooler had split in his hands and the beer was rolling down at us! We scrambled to retreive the beer to give back to the fellow.

"Never mind!", he yelled, "Finder's keepers, losers weepers! Enjoy the beer!!" and he disappeared into the crowd. We looked at each other. We were thirsty, the walkover bridge was jammed. Knowing good karma when I see it, I pulled my hubby out of the way of the bustling crowd and we had the coldest, most delicious Heineken beer of my life! I do not know if you have ever experienced New York humidity but when it's humid, it's HUMID. We watched the subways come in and out of Shea and enjoyed quenching our thirst! Hee-hee!


We finally did make our way into the stadium! Billy Joel dubbed this performance THE LAST PLAY AT SHEA.


The last beer at Shea...
Sunset dimmed and out he came!
Not a great pic, sorry! Singing his heart out!
Special guest was Tony Bennett!
Later, he had Don Henley and John Mayer join him for a few songs!
Lastly, John Cougar Mellencamp appeared. Billy Joel's percussionist also works with JCM. I know this as she is a friend of mine's sister. (No, I did not get good seats as a result! Ah, well! But she is one talented lady!!)

What a great evening! Billy Joel is a talented musician and a grounded man. He thanked the audience for letting him do his job as a career and then we all sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"!
Nothing like a sultry New York evening filled with good music and beer rolling at you right when you need it! :0)

21 comments:

Amongst The Oaks said...

Wow, that looks like so much fun; poignant, but fun.
Hugs, Laura

Magnolia Street Style said...

How "cool" was that??? Did you know they were all performing? What an added surprise if you didn't.

Don Henley was a busy guy, I saw the Eagles on Monday night in Philadelphia. An awesome show as always.

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW! WHat a night! The beers rolling to you was just the start of it all! I would have LOVED to have been there... I saw BJ a couple of years ago here, and it was so much fun, I can only imagine what it was like at Shea's last night!

Tracy said...

That looked like the most amazing evening, Tara...great moments there! Glad you had that fantastic night! Happy weekend to you & yours ((HUGS))

Gina said...

Oh you lucky thing!!
BIG fan of Billy Joel...then I saw Don Henley.. another master..but John Mellencamp?? nearly fell off my chair..sooo envious What an incredible night you must have had!
Gx

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

What fun! Glad you got tickets and had a great time!

Unknown said...

Sounds fun Tara! Yes it is humid!!

annie

CIELO said...

Wow.... too many people for me! :) but I bet you had a real good time...

Have a lovely weekend, Tara!

Hugs

cielo

Unknown said...

Wow, Shea's Stadium and Billy Joel...it doesn't get much more New York than that. It sounds like you had a fabulous time, and I can only imagine how great a night it was. The beer...OMG you have the best Karma. Are you sure you don't have angels around you? Tara, it sounds terrific, and coming from a New Yorker, now I'm in a "New York State of Mind!"

Kissing of the Frogs said...

WOW what a night! Haaa...I really enjoyed reading your post and all of the great pictures. And to see all of these stars at once is amazing!
Hugs,
Rose

Life on the Edge said...

How cool! Looks like you had a fabulous night! Very sad though that they are ripping down the old ball parks. There is such a charm about them and such great history.

The show must have really rocked!

Kady

oliver rain said...

Looks like you had a wonderful evening.

Susie Q said...

What a night this had to be!
Thank you for sharing it all with us...as wonderful as it was, I know it must have been bittersweet too.

I am glad you had such a sweet evening!

Love,
Sue

Teresa said...

What a fabulous evening...and beer on a hot summer night; it just doesn't get any better!

julie king said...

oh, wow, lucky you to be able to participate in this historic occasion! thanks for sharing. i really enjoyed your tale!

bluemuf said...

Tara, what a fantastic night you had. I thought it was so much fun that the beer came just at the right time. Great pictures and a historic concert.

Karen

Anonymous said...

Great post Tara. My son was there too. And I really loved the beer story. I am not a beer drinker but when it is really, really hot and humid and I have just come off the tennis court an icy cold beer taste so good.

Rhondi said...

Wow, what a great concert that must have been.

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

What a blast!! I remember seeing Billy Joel and John Mellencamp here in Australia many many years ago. They were both fantastic!
Alicia :0)

Shannon (Faith and Chocolate) said...

Hi Tara! Wow! What a fun concert! Boy, those were the days.... haven't been to one in soooo long. ;) Almost had tickets to see Bon Jovi back in April... oh well. Glad you had a great time.
hugs! Shannon

Anonymous said...

seems only yesterday in 79, I went to see Billy Joel in NY. He had long hair. No he has no hair. Looks like Joe Cocker! He can still sing though!Bet you had a ball!