Kuba's Dublin shows review - The story of a dream

I will admit that when I first read your review, I shed a couple of tears, as one can tell that it it truly written from the heart.

Also, I'm very happy for you that the dream that you had as a little boy came true. Very little can top that.

Having said that, I take exception to the following: "I know that they could get away with the shows without Richie in US, but Richie holds a huge part in fans' hearts."

Unquote.

They did not really "get away" with doing the last leg of the US tour without Richie. There were loads of fans, including myself, and many others on this board that were furious/livid, mostly, because we were not given any other options. These tickets for these shows, for the most part, were purchased months and months ago. Promises were made and promises (by the band) were broken, but apparently that is ok with the CEO.

My husband & I purchased a rather expensive package for our wedding anniversary. HE wanted to do the backstage thing because HE wanted a chance to see Richie's guitars up close, etc. So, for that and for other reasons, we chose this show and this trip as our anniversary gift. BTW, we have never even been out of town for our anniversary and we never had the opportunity for a honeymoon. So, this was a huge deal for us.

When I found out that Richie was going to be in rehab, I was furious (of course, I cared about Richie, that goes without saying) and incredibly frustrated. This meant that my husband would not get to see Richie's guitars, gear, etc. And, of course, he would not get to see Richie, up close.

So ... I did everything but beg the powers that be, to make an exception, (give us options), explained our situation in more detail than I really wanted to, but - nope - seems that "management" would make no exceptions.

There were numerous emails exchanged that, in the end, led to nothing. They should have just stated in the first email, we don't care about your dream, your once in lifetime anniversary trip/celebration, we don't care that you chose to spend it with us, nope, we want you to be miserable, and well... HAND.

We went. We got thru it. It was not horrible. But, it was either go, or waste the tickets, completely. I thought that Phil X did an amazing job, filling in. I still really like the guy. But, that is not who my husband paid to see play, etc.

We both TRIED to make the best of it.

One of the worst parts, before we ever left home, was when we got the signed lithographs, Richie's signature was not on his. Another promise broken.

Something, that most others have gotten, except for the few where their most important and most expensive show, just happened to be in May when Richie - out of the blue - decided that was the month to rehabilitate himself.



IMO, I do not think that anyone can make such a drastic life change in a month, but more power to him, if he is able to sustain it.

Am I bitter?

Yes, and that is why your comments above hurt. We Americans did not - "let them get away with it" - we were trapped into it - no way out. And, that came from management at Backstage.

My own huge trip/dream of a lifetime trashed and no one in the Bon Jovi corporation cared one iota.

Hell, with that kind of money, we could have taken an amazing cruise, or just saved the money, for another time.

And, don't come in here and tell me that we should not have bought that package, it was a dream of my husband's and he was nice enough to purchase it as OUR anniversary gift.

So, what's the chances that my Richie lith will ever get signed?

Slim and NONE.

There is no way to get that week end back.

I will always, always, always, have a special spot in my heart, for this band.

But, they really screwed the US fans on this one. Having said all of this, they did not, in reality, get away with anything.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, frankly, I don't think that anyone could do that.

Just pointing out something that you said that is highly inaccurate and something that I'm sure many American fans would take exception to, that's all.

Your dream came true ~ our's did not.

But, hey, that's life.

Aloha !

I've read this story several times and do think that if you really look into it legally they'd not be able to get away with, or at least not here in Holland. If you pay for a trip that includes a litho signed by the band, it means the 4 of them. If one of their signatures is missing its a breach of contract here, which means a full refund. I feel the way they handled this is a "They won't have the money to hire a lawyer anyway so we'll just pressure them into it".

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Thank you, Seb ...

I was so afraid that I would get slammed for my post/reply.

You are right, of course, that is exactly why and how the band handled this entire issue and of course, not just for us --- I am sure, for many, many, other US fans as well.

Although, I'm not sure that even I had the money that I would have sued them, but I would have had my lawyer make a lot of noise over it.

Aloha !

In Holland I know you can get a lawyer for free if you're insured like that, and many people over here are. When it's this blatantly obvious that you're right (I've never read the conditions and whether it was listed as "full band signed lithograph" for example) all you have to do over here is just tell that company (as in BSWJBJ) you can refer to where their breach of contract is, and what will happen to them if they do not offer you a refund which most often means that they'll have to pay for legal expenses as well. Further on, if you get lucky others will follow and Backstage will lose a lot of money over it.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Thank you for sharing that, interesting reading and I would feel exactly the same as you. The more stories I hear like this the more angry I become with that ****ing "fan" club! Would it have hurt to give you a refund with all the money they are making?!

MATT OUT!

Thank you very much, all of you, for such warm comments to my review. I am in shock that so many of you managed to read it from start to finish and what’s even more unbelievable - enjoyed it. I am truly touched.

I think it gave me a glimpse of what band has to feel when thousands of people enjoy their music. I just wanted to share with you the things that mean the most to me, just like they write songs about things that were/are the most important for them, and they just want to share them with everyone. They give out their heart and souls to us. Nothing else. Money became a side effect for them, I am sure about that, and still artists and musicians in them enjoy every second on stage more than digits on their accounts afterwards. But of course it’s just my opinion.

Anyway, thanks again for all your support before and after the shows. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I would love to answer and thank all of you individually but unfortunately don’t have enough time to do this (everyday life and work sucks) but I hope you understand I will answer only some of you.

Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you a lot of strength but I already now you have loads of it in you.
Just for the record I love “Complicated” too, and it is on my dream set list. So you never know, maybe one day they will play it again. And I wish you to be there when they do.


No, it wasn’t me. We reached RDS at 7pm on the second night. But it seems like we missed a lot of fun


Oh yeah, it was definitely them. Those wigs were cool. Actually I loved how they danced all over the show, it’s just that when they blocked a view for a huge part of the audience it wasn’t that cool anymore. One of them came to me during “Vertigo” cover and said “don’t take photos, enjoy it!” She made me laugh, but I am not such a fan of U2 as Irish fans so I don’t blame her for that comment as she clearly was on cloud number nine at that point. I will upload it soon so look out for your crew
By the way, one of the guys that were with them (or was it you? But I think he was holding one of them on his shoulders and you’re saying it was some strange folks not you, but maybe I misunderstood that part) wearing light brown jacket and standing on my right hand side, had an amazing voice, knew all the lyrics and was singing to every song. In fact you can hear him more than Jon in my HN video. It’s not me singing, that’s him (or you).
And yeah, I am a guy with the beard, so probably it is me you’re talking about


Thanks for sharing your story too. I can only imagine how hard it was for you on that day. But BJ can definitely heal the wounds and make you realize life’s worth living, even though we have so many dark days on the way. I am glad you had a great time. I am sure your father-in-law would want that for you too.
It’s great to hear you got your dream song too. It seems they made a lot of dreams come true on those 2 shows.
And what a coincidence our daughters were born on the same day. It’s great to hear she’s BJ fan. I have no doubts that ours will be too, she has it in her blood. By the way you can find Natalie on my YT channel, dancing to NA, so she’s a fan already - ) . And I wish one day we’ll be able to see BJ live together, just like you and your daughter.


Thanks, you know I wish that too. I am sure somewhere out there, there is another “Kuba” dreaming to see Richie for the first time and hear his amazing sounds. I am sure that artist in him needs to be reminded that his work is so valuable to people in all parts of the world, more than he even thinks it is. Those kind of words should lift him up and help fighting with the disease too. Sometimes even our heroes collapse and they just need a helping hand or word to raise and shine again, like never before.


That was funny, had a good laugh. Actually Natalie Portman should play as my ex-girlfriend and Jessica Alba should play my wife’s part, as both of them look similar to those actresses respectively Colin is fine though

Yeah, that was me!! I tried to put one of the girls on my shoulders when the security guy came over. I actually recognised my voice on your Never say Goodbye video - I was singing Richie's harmonies.

It was a brilliant night - certainly one of the best Dublin shows I have seen. I really enjoyed your review, thankyou!

It was only when I started to read your story that I remembered you as the same guy who wrote the story from the O2 last year! What an amazing trip to Dublin and I'm so glad your dreams came true with Dry County. My little boy is three and I've never been a position where I've had to make a choice about being with him on his birthday or not, luckily I've always been able to spend the whole day with him - so far anyway. It must have been such a heart breaking decision, but you do have to live for yourself every now and then, especially if it means a lifelong dream can be realised.

My grandparents on my Mother's side are from Poland and we have always said that we want to visit Poland some day. If you are still there when we visit we will look you up!

Hahah I love that! I always sing the different harmonies, accidently the ones they don't even sing no more, and end up hearing myself on all my vids.

You were great, man! I can’t believe we were standing side by side throughout the show and didn’t realize we are both from JT I loved your singing. In general I love when people enjoy the shows and I don’t mind when they sing out loud, because I do the same
MAM video is on my YT channel already so you can check your girls. Send them greetings from me

Do you sing in a band or something? Your vocals are fantastic.