What Was Your First Concert?
by Brian Diedrick
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Generally, we tell people our first concert was U2, in 1986 — because that’s not so bad right? But in truth, it was actually Tiffany, which really isn’t very cool. What can we say, we liked a girl, so we went. Twas ever thus.
CHERI
Where she presides: Subway, Williamsburg
Favorite drink: Absolut Ruby Red and tonic
I saw Soul Asylum and Screaming Trees at my first concert. I’m from California — I saw them play at this theme park, at Six Flags. That was like the only place my mom would let me go unsupervised at that age. It was fun… it was cool.
WILL
Where he presides: Macri Park, Williamsburg
Favorite drink: Maker’s on the rocks
John Cougar Mellencamp. It was in Nashville in 1986. My parents were big Mellencamp fans. I went with them. It was at the Starwood Amphitheater — that was like the biggest place around then. I had a blast. To this day it’s still one of my favorite concerts. I used to actually play Little League baseball with his nephew. He [the nephew] was hilarious. I remember once he got kicked out of a game for telling the ump he “didn’t know his ass from his elbow.”
ALYSSA
Where she presides: Doc Holiday’s, East Village
Favorite drink: Jameson
[Before Alyssa will answer our intrepid correspondent’s question, she requests that he buy her a drink. Which, being a perfect gentleman in every way, he does.] Bon Jovi. It was in New Jersey — where else would you go to see a Bon Jovi concert? It was good times. My friend lost her anal virginity to John Denver. [This last part is, of course, a propos of nothing, really, but, well, it seems like the sort of thing you, gentle reader, might wish to know.]
ROBYN
Where she presides: The Hog Pit, Meatpacking District
Favorite drink: Vodka soda
I saw Debbie Gibson when I was seven. I was obsessed! I begged my mom for tickets for months and months. Then, I think it was the New Kids. Then, I think, Steve Miller.
IAN
Where he presides: Ara, Meatpacking District
Favorite drink: Tequila
I saw Depeche Mode in Seattle back in 1980-something... I wasn’t really into them; my friends dragged me along. A few years ago, the band actually came to my bar while they were in town. Nice guys.
CHERI
Where she presides: Subway, Williamsburg
Favorite drink: Absolut Ruby Red and tonic
I saw Soul Asylum and Screaming Trees at my first concert. I’m from California — I saw them play at this theme park, at Six Flags. That was like the only place my mom would let me go unsupervised at that age. It was fun… it was cool.
WILL
Where he presides: Macri Park, Williamsburg
Favorite drink: Maker’s on the rocks
John Cougar Mellencamp. It was in Nashville in 1986. My parents were big Mellencamp fans. I went with them. It was at the Starwood Amphitheater — that was like the biggest place around then. I had a blast. To this day it’s still one of my favorite concerts. I used to actually play Little League baseball with his nephew. He [the nephew] was hilarious. I remember once he got kicked out of a game for telling the ump he “didn’t know his ass from his elbow.”
ALYSSA
Where she presides: Doc Holiday’s, East Village
Favorite drink: Jameson
[Before Alyssa will answer our intrepid correspondent’s question, she requests that he buy her a drink. Which, being a perfect gentleman in every way, he does.] Bon Jovi. It was in New Jersey — where else would you go to see a Bon Jovi concert? It was good times. My friend lost her anal virginity to John Denver. [This last part is, of course, a propos of nothing, really, but, well, it seems like the sort of thing you, gentle reader, might wish to know.]
ROBYN
Where she presides: The Hog Pit, Meatpacking District
Favorite drink: Vodka soda
I saw Debbie Gibson when I was seven. I was obsessed! I begged my mom for tickets for months and months. Then, I think it was the New Kids. Then, I think, Steve Miller.
IAN
Where he presides: Ara, Meatpacking District
Favorite drink: Tequila
I saw Depeche Mode in Seattle back in 1980-something... I wasn’t really into them; my friends dragged me along. A few years ago, the band actually came to my bar while they were in town. Nice guys.
