Chicago Snapshots

— Walking into Mitchell’s apartment in Chicago and seeing Rachel sitting there, with her coffee, both their laptops out – is my idea of heaven.

— My packing strategy for this trip. “I brought pajamas and a skirt. That’s about it.”

— Mitchell on Peter Allen: “He is the gayest man … on the planet. He makes me look like Rambo.”

— There is a big Second City extravaganza going on here right now, due to it being the 50th anniversary of Second City (is that possible?) – which is why “the Rachels” are here (as we refer to them) – Hamilton and Dratch – and everyone else in the WORLD who has ever worked at Second City. I wonder who I’ll run into. The thought is actually alarming. “So look out,” said Rachel. “You might go into a Starbucks and see ___________ there. Actually, it’s not likely that he would be at Starbucks, is it?” No. It is not. Still: a funny memory lane. All those names and people from the past.

— Watched snippets of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert, which I had not seen.

1. Stevie Wonder doing backup singing for Sting playing “Roxanne”. What?? So beautiful, so moving.

2. Stevie Wonder breaking down during singing “The Way You Make Me Feel”. John Legend sitting next to him, playing along, just jamming out.

3. Metallica. Holy shit, playing BACKUP for Lou Reed? That is one of the weirdest and most beautiful things I think I have ever seen in my life. Also, it made me realize (on a visceral level) just how FAST it is that Metallica normally plays. Here, they slowed it down – playing someone else’s song, and just rocking out. I love those guys so much. Also playing backup for Ozzy (Lars, yelling into the microphone at the end), “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for this man” – and Ray Davies – that one might have been my favorite “duet” of all. Hetfield saying, before introducing Davies, “He SCHOOLED us, man.” There was something just so EMOTIONAL about all of this. Every single person on that stage is a world-famous musician. But there was something about the energy of these duets that made it seem like they were just kids, “jamming” in their parents’ basements, playing each other’s songs.

4. U2. Only saw a little bit of that one but I had a million thoughts racing through my head as I watched Bono effing OWN that stage. He’s not a tall man, but dude is a rock star, and his persona is enormous. He SEEMED like he was a giant.

some thoughts watching U2:
— Bono’s voice just keeps getting better and better. He launches it up into high notes with total freedom and confidence, knowing he can “get there”. No fear or pushing. It’s an amazing instrument – and doesn’t at all show the wear and tear of some of those harder-living rock stars who can no longer hit their old notes. Bono’s voice just soars up into that exciting higher-range.
— I wish I could describe just what it is The Edge does that gives U2 that SOUND. That unmistakable U2 sound. You could pick their songs out of a lineup every time. It’s thrilling.

5. Speaking of voices sounding better, James Hetfield’s voice is just getting stronger and better and more flexible. It’s quite incredible. His singing backup to “You Really Got Me” showed how strong and amazing his voice is. Even more so than when he was a young man.

6. Jeff Beck coming on to play the guitar part in Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” – INCREDIBLE!!!! Jeff Beck – my God. These two giants, supporting each other – Mitchell and I were both all choked up. Artists. Even at the high multimillion-dollar level, they’re just musicians … this is what they do. They have been highly fortunate, they are geniuses as well – but seeing all of these huge singular STARS doing backup for each other … just so amazing. I also loved when the song ended, and everyone was applauding, and Stevie stood up to take a bow – and you could see Jeff Beck across the stage, laughing and happy, and he waved at Wonder. Uhm, Jeff, don’t think the dude can see you. But it was a beautiful moment, full of heart.

— Plans. Breakfast this morning with Mitchell and Jordan and Brian (whom I’ve never met but who is FAMOUS to me due to a viewing of a DVD of him in a crazy wig and sparkley lipstick lip synching BRILLIANTLY to Eartha Kitt singing a song in Japanese – one of the most amazing things I have ever seen). Then I’m going to see Mitchell’s matinee – and Jimmy Sweetheart will be there!!. Dinner afterwards. Maybe cocktails with Jordan. Please? Tomorrow? Lunch with Kate, Mitchell and Julie – I know OF Julie, and I’ve met her (sort of) – but my main experience of her is looking up at a highwire, and seeing her in a sparkley leotard dancing across the air above my head – so it’ll be fun to actually MEET meet her. At some point, dinner and drinks with Ann Marie. Then, on Wednesday, going to see Kate’s show. A full schedule.

— It’s actually not that cold. It was colder on the day I left New York than it is here at this moment. I must get down to the lake – I need to say hello.