I was 11 years old when I first heard the wine of Edge's guitar and the pounding heartbeat of Larry's drum in the song An Cat Dubh. From that moment on, I was hooked….another U2 fan was created. And thus began my quest to get a picture, autograph, a mere side glance from the band members. Had I known it would have taken 26 years for something to happen, would I have given up? Obviously not!
The pieces fell together. The company I currently work for moved my office this past November from 5 minutes away from my home in NJ all the way to New York City. 53rd and Broadway to be exact. That first dreaded bus ride turned out to not be so bad. It would be a while before I hear the official announcement that U2 would be playing David Letterman for an entire week. "David Letterman?" I thought. Did my ears deceive me? As we all know now, it was true. For some reason, I felt this was my chance for some type of interaction with one of them. I thought I'd be lucky to interact with one of them.
I tried and tried for 26 years to no evail. At any concert venue, book signing or other public displays, I'd get pushed out by autograph hounds, or get there too late, or be disappointed waiting for them only to be told they were not going to see the crowd tonight. Sad story? Not in the least.
Tueday night, March 3, 2009 I waited outside Letterman until about 9pm and was told that they weren't coming out until way after 11pm. Tired and somewhat defeated, I left, but I knew I'd be back. Wednesday night, March 4, 2009 outside Letterman at 8pm out popped Bono. I couldn't believe it!!! But was I going to get an autograph..a look..something? He skipped me and went to the girl next to me. While he was signing, I pleaded. "Bono….I waited 26 years for an autograph…will you PLEASE sign?" "YOU GOT IT!" he said in that sexy Irish accent and scribbled on my plaque. I didn't realize it was real until I looked at it. THRILLING!!
I had a crush on the coolest, most confident man with a heart warming smile since I was 11 years old. You may have heard of him….Larry Mullen. He comes out those doors and in spite of the crowds responses that he'll just wave, jump in the car and take off, he comes over to the line. He didn't sign but shakes people hands as he goes down. Only a few are chosen and I would have accepted it if I were left out but that warm hand cupped mine. I said, "Nice to meet you" and he said "How ya doin?" Naturally, I couldn't answer that.
For me, I was done. I left not caring about anything else. The bus ride home was different than all the previous ones. This was my favorite ride home.
The next evening, Thursday, March 6, 2009, I went back down to David Letterman only to say hi and goobye to my new U2 friends I met online. I chatted with them for a while and each time I wanted to leave, they berated me to stay a little longer. "In A Little While"…they'll come out. You'll see.
And they did! Larry first this time. I was recording a video with my digital camera as Larry shook hands down the line again. He was just about to approach me when the camera crashed to the street! Oh no! What was I going to do now? Nothing except watch Larry bend down, pick it up, hand it back to me with empathy on his face. Our hands touched as he gave me the now broken camera and asked if I was going to be ok. I just shook my head, yes. I would be just fine with you handing me anything. A silly little camera did not matter. He remained long enough so that my friends can take a picture with him and then moved on.
So for a girl who waited 26 years for a glance from one band member had a special interaction (special for me, probably not for him) with her favorite band member, favorite drummer, and favorite famous person. So for all of those out there who think Larry is ______, I say not. Yes, I had a good moment with him and some of you may not have but he's only one man and cannot smile and greet every single fan out there. He's a person with a family and obligations to so many people. So I say to those cynical fans, don't give up. You'll get your moment. It will eventually come around. Mine did. And it was the coolest moment with the coolest guy walking this Earth.
YouTube - Larry Mullen being cool
...this story is a dream come true... ...I'm waiting for 15 years...hope mine will come true too.. Love Larry since the first day...
