U2 in Boston 1978

[Rokkr]

This concert is a great memory for a number of reasons.
U2 hadn't released anything in the US at this point. Boy was available as an import and I loved the record.
I managed the largest record store in Boston at the time, Strawberries on Boylston St.
I knew the headline act was a band called Barooga and I called Capitol and got free tickets for Barooga with U2 opening at the Paradise, a nightclub.
I got there and the place was jammed, sold out.
Probably 600 of us watched U2 do an intense, amazing set.
They finally left the stage and people began to leave.

By the time Barooga hit the stage, there were maybe 40 of us left in the whole place. Those of us who got comped stayed (you just don't ask for tickets to a band and leave without seeing them, big faux pas)and of course the record company folks for Barooga.
I never felt sorrier for a band in my life.
Here they watched fronm the dressing rooms 600 people screaming and thought they came to see them. Or maybe they didn't. But I felt badly for them. It must have been a huge letdown to know over 500 people left before they played even one note.
Barooga were predictably mediocre if not horrible.

[marie3]

Great story, I am pretty sure I have a bootleg lp from this show. I know I also had a video of a early show I bought in the late 80's. I may have thrown that one out I am ashamed to say! It was a terrible copy but I wish I still had it.[:(]