"I Was A Middle Aged Runaway"
Excerpts from the personal journals of Hugh Ball
New York, Tuesday, October 23, 2000
Dear Diary,
Our first day in New York and what a trip it's been so far.
Tonight we took a long stroll through the Village and guess who's performing
here on Saturday? Cherie Currie! I was so excited when I saw the poster,
I can't believe that I'm finally going to see her! Zealley will flip when
he hears about this.
New York, Wednesday, October 24, 2000
Dear Diary,
Today I went into every store that had a Cherie poster but
no one is willing to give me one or even sell me one. Jacques offered to
tear one off the wall of some place but I said "No, bad karma". Headed
down Greenwich St. tonight to check out where the club is, a real sort
of nowhere spot but I wanted to be prepared. Iím gonna be so excited on
Saturday I didnít want to take any chances getting lost.
New York, Friday, October 26, 2000
Dear Diary,
Jacques is getting pretty fed up with me singing "American
Nights" all day long but I just can't help myself. "EVERYBODY, WANNA PARTY!"
New York, Sunday, October 28, 2000
Dear Diary,
Got to the club at 10:00 pm but the doorman told me to go
have a drink somewhere, the show wouldn't start for a few hours. I was
terrified not to get in so we sat across the street at a sidewalk cafe
and I counted the people going in. Finally around 11:00 pm I couldn't take
it any longer. It was pretty empty inside but I felt better. Finally Cherie
arrived! I figured I'd better get an autograph before things got too crazy.
She looked so great and was very sweet. I asked her if she was going to
sing "American Nights" she said "You betcha". When the show started I threw
myself into the crowd and screamed and sang along with every song. She
was so amazing and it was a truly wonderful and ecstatic moment for me
(and for her too it seemed). A great way to end this week in NYC.
Montréal, May 2001
Dear Diary,
Just got off the phone with Zealley and youíre not ready.
Cherie is coming to Toronto and Don and Andrew are backing her up! I told
him that he HAS to let me be in the band and so I AM! I started singing
"American Nights" as soon as I hung up and have pulled out my records to
start learning the songs. Better get some new strings for my guitar and
get practicing!
Montréal, May 2001
Dear Diary,
Jacques is getting pretty fed up with me singing "American
Nights" all day long but I just can't help myself. Zealley called with
the set list and I've learned almost everything except the bridge in "Day
Or Night". What the hell are they doing there?
Montréal, Monday, June 11, 2001
Dear Diary,
I went out today and rented a Gibson Les Paul for the Cherie
gig. It looks just like the one Joan Jett has on the cover of "Live In
Japan". And it makes a glorious noise.
Montréal, Wednesday, June 13, 2001
Dear Diary,
Had a long distance phone rehearsal with Zealley today. That
bridge is still a mystery but the rest sounds very cool. Figured out the
opening to "Midnight Music" today and can't wait to play it live. Don said
I should start learning the backup vocals too! Yikes!
Toronto,Tuesday June 19, 2001
Dear Diary,
Arrived in Toronto this afternoon and after coffee and endless
babbling with Zealley and Maurizio we headed over to the rehearsal space.
This is a windowless, airless garage in a alley off Queen West, just perfect.
Met with Don and Beverly (bass) and we started to get the thing together.
It was loud and furious and by the third time through we started to sound
like a band. We were all thrilled and VERY anxious for the next rehearsal.
Toronto,Wednesday June 20, 2001
Dear Diary,
This afternoon Zealley and I went out and rented an amp for
the show. Got some guitar picks to throw into the crowd too. Then we met
up with Don, Beverly and Sara (lead guitar). We ran through each song three
or four times and after a break ran the whole set. The three guitars sound
huge and Sara and I were cracking each other up with all those pick slides
in "California Paradise". We are even playing double lead in "Queens".
Went back to Zealley's place and after Maurizio made us a fabulous dinner
we watched "The Runaways Live In Japan" video. We are SO anxious to meet
Cherie tomorrow!
Toronto,Thursday June 21, 2001
Dear Diary,
An incredible high today, Cherie is here! We had an early
rehearsal then waited anxiously for her to arrive. After the introductions
I told her that I had seen the show in New York and she said she thought
she recognized me! Oh my God, I almost fainted. On the way to the rehearsal
space she asked who was singing harmony and I said "me" so we shared the
mike and sang the whole show together!
She asked me which part I wanted to sing in "Queens" and I ended
up singing the lead on the second verse. My head was spinning when we started
to run the set, I mean there I was, cheek to cheek singing with Cherie
Currie. It was fantastic, unbelievable! And in a flash it was all over.
After autographs and photos Cherie needed a pit stop so I offered to go
with her back out to Queen Street. But on our way back I realized that
I didn't really know where the hell I was. We found the alley back but
it was pitch black so I told her to take my hand. And then I started laughing
because I couldn't quite believe that I was walking hand in hand down a
dark alley with Cherie Currie. And how it was gonna read in my diary! I
gave her and Mara (her adorable manager) a lift back to their hotel and
they cracked me up with all kinds of funny stories. I don't even
remember the drive back. Zealley, Maurizio and I were up for hours talking
about what a thrill it had been and we haven't even played the SHOW!
Oshawa, June 23, 2001
Dear Diary,
Back at the folks place after my big rock 'n roll adventure.
Iím still flying from the show tonight. It was amazing (but that doesn't
adequately describe it). We packed up all the gear in the afternoon and
had a quick sound check at the club. Then home to chill before the show.
Arrived at the El Macombo around 10:30 and saw all sorts of faces that
I hadnít seen in ages. A wild assortment of people there and after what
seemed like and eternity we were on. We plugged in, tuned up and then we
were ready to rock. And rock we did. Cherie got a tremendous greeting from
the crowd and we launched into "Queens". Cherie and I put our heads together
for that second verse and it was even more thrilling than the day before
(if that is possible). Cherie was incredible onstage, radiating an amazing
energy. "American Nights" was awesome and she got a fantastic ovation from
the crowd. When I looked out into the crowd and watched the people watching
her I couldn't help but be amazed at the fact that six months ago I was
out there and now I was up here! How on earth did this happen? The rest
of the set seemed to fly by and after "Cherry Bomb" the crowd was in a
frenzy. We served up "C'mon" and then it was over! But there was no way
the crowd was going to let her go and so we went back for another "Cherry
Bomb" with lots of help from the audience. Just wild! Before I left, Cherie
autographed a copy of her book for me and she was so sweet and generous
with her inscription that I got a little choked up. What a beautiful and
wonderful woman. Tomorrow I head back home but what a wild and fantastic
trip it's been. |
