Tonight ( rather July 4th 2010) I experienced the greatest musical concert I have ever and will ever experience in my life. That is not hyperbole. I mean those words. It was July 4th 2010 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado and the band was Blues Traveler.
After hearing the opening band ( Rebelution) I was very excited for Blues Traveler to grace the stage. However the skies seemed to echo what the weather report had predicted- heavy storms and a tornado watch. I was more afraid I wouldn’t have gotten to see Blues Traveler than anything else.
Popper and the rest of Blues Traveler took the stage and began to play. I cannot describe how surreal it was to hear The Mountains Win Again, while being surrounded by mountains ourselves. I was soaking wet due to the storm and was afraid the show would be cancelled - Popper said “ We’ll keep playing until they tell us to stop- if you can take it - we can too!” Take it we did. The rain was nothing short of Biblical and the already crisp mountain air seemed ever so slightly more crisp. John Popper said something I didn’t quite catch about 2 songs and then a break. I was sure they were going to call the show early at that time but to my surprise and delight a video appeared on the giant screen by the stage - it was the music video for “But Anyway” the first song off of their first album ( which they were playing in it’s entirety ) The crowd roar as Chan’s guitar soared into the opening chords. It was a very fun video and it was over the band once again took to the stage.
Popper took time to thank the fans and the audience in attendance for their support over the years, he reminded the crowd that it was the 10 year anniversary of Tad and Ben joining the band after Bobby Sheehan’s passing in 1999. Listening to the speech now , I can really hear Popper almost being on the verge of tears ( as I was), he and the rest of the band seemed so grateful and appreciative of the fans. “We really appreciate the love that we give to you and that you give to us and I never try to comment on it because why F&#$@@ up a good thing??”
After Cheers had been said the band launched into But Anyway.
The night seemed to fly by but for me it seemed to go in slow motion as well.
As the opening notes to 100 Years sounded, I took a mental step back. That song has always had special meaning for me- whenever I am very stressed out - I listen to that song and realize that it is all going to be okay. I was surrounded by good people and the beautiful mountains. I thought of what had led me there to Red Rocks. I thought of discovering “four” one day in my parent’s CD spindle, ripping it to use as an in game soundtrack for my Xbox games ( hence why I was known around the message boards as kidxbox). I must have listened to that album hundreds of times. I then, slowly, began to pick up their other album - Blues Traveler- the album in question being the first disc besides four that I listened too. That album did and still does blow me away , there is such an energy and playfulness on that record that seems to announce : We ARE Blues Traveler and we came here to BLOW YOUR MIND!!
I discovered four , five years ago - I don’t remember the exact month but I’m sure it was shortly after my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I thought of all the great music that Traveler has provided me with over the pass five years. Blues Traveler - the album, really connects with me ( now, especially) because these are guys just like me - not huge rock stars who haven’t a care in the world. These are guys whose hearts get broken and who have to travel on. There is such emotion on that record. Blues Traveler was the album that got me through high school. Popper was the only writing about the awkwardness I was experiencing with girls ( not in a relationship, sometimes out of a friendship, being in love and having to face rejection) , these are emotions and thoughts your average FM radio breakup song will NOT address. It was and still is of great comfort to me.
I think back to all the Traveler shows I have had the honor of attending. My first one, Morristown NJ ( my only regret, no Instant Live recording) they really blew the doors off of that place that night and it was that night where I got my first Blues Traveler T- Shirt. I think of the Quick Check Balloon Festival and John’s HORDE Balloon. I think to the York PA show where I was surrounded by drunks who didn’t know who the band were and were there on ticket giveaways ( I still managed to have a great time anyway and I got to hear some cuts from their yet to be released album ( North Hollywood Shootout) at the time. I think back to my second Morristown show - I was recovering from major surgery but had really great seats and was grooving all night. After the show, Tad “parted the Red Sea” that was the crowd, came over to me and shook my hand and gave me a guitar pick and a setlist. I could not speak for the rest of the night and it takes A LOT to shut me up. That was the last show I attended with my mother. She passed away in the middle of March of 2010. I remember how much Blues Traveler has helped me and still is helping me heal. “Pretty Angry “ off of Bridge and “Alone” from Blues Traveler and “Letter from A Friend “ from Save His Soul are key tracks.
I thought of how much my mom really enjoyed Blues Traveler, she loved to dance and she would dance on occasion during shows. I feel as though she was enjoying the show tonight from heaven.
Back to the narrative ...
... The storm and the band raged on and the performances were nothing short of epic. The wind and the rain really added to the overall Biblical effect that was achieved tonight.
“Warmer Days” started up and I was very happy to see young men around my age getting into that groove- the band gained a lot of fans tonight .
It was really a treat to hear “Alone”-my favorite song of theirs. Stupendous as were all of the other songs that were played tonight.
They were many times during the night when I cried or welled up. I realized that the band has been playing at Red Rocks as long as I have been alive and although I have only been a fan of theirs for five years they have provided me a soundtrack for my entire life and they will always be a great source of fun and comfort for me. I really do not know what I would do if I haven’t had discovered Blues Traveler.
Seeing all of the couples at Red Rocks tonight, I have renewed faith that I will eventually fall in love and my girlfriend and I will go see Blues Traveler and have some wonderful memories. It was great to see married couples as well and I hope that one day I can be in one of those at a Traveler concert.
The band played “Creep” and “Hook” for their encore scores - they were great.
I couldn’t have asked for a better night or a better venue or better band.
They are truly one of the greatest bands ever to grace this Earth. Their music has gotten me out of sometimes and helped me enjoy some great times.
Seeing all of the couples at Red Rocks tonight, I have renewed faith that I will eventually fall in love and my girlfriend and I will go see Blues Traveler and have some wonderful memories. It was great to see married couples as well and I hope that one day I can be in one of those at a Traveler concert.
John, Brendan, Chan, Bobby, Tad and Ben- Thank you so much- I love you guys.
See you in a few weeks at the Sherman Theatre, PA - I’m bringing my friends to their first Traveler concert !!
Adam Johnson
