a-ha - impromptu performance in NYC!!!
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:42 pmI was walking through Times Square today (9/11). I got out of the subway at the 49th street station with the intention of going to the Virgin Megastore. First, I decided to walk up to the Bank Of America in Times Square. On my way there, I walked past the Mariott hotel, which is right across the street from the Virgin Megastore. I saw a couple of dudes with spiky hair and sunglasses, holding guitars. I figured "Eh, a couple of rocker guys, whatever." I continued my walk towards the bank, and called a friend on my cellphone to coordinate my plans for the day. After I talked to him, I got some cash out of the bank and walked back down towards the Mariott. The light changed, and I crossed the street on my way to the Virgin store. Once I got across the street, I heard the strains of a song that was very familiar to me. As my brain processed these lyrics, they also processed the images of the dudes I passed on the way to the bank. I quickly realized what was happening...a-ha were holding an impromptu perfomance in Times Square!!! The song being played was, of course, "Take On Me." They were perfoming on the street with a small band of latin musicians. I ran back across the street (in front of traffic) and caught them playing the song. I called my friend back, told him what was happening, and held up the phone so he could hear the song. It was amazing!!! A camera crew was on hand to film the event - the microphone had a logo on it which looked like some video network from Europe (possibly Norway). They finished the song and started to walk off. I saw Pal and Magne, told them they were amazing, then saw Morten - I also said he was amazing, he shook my hand, and I said "I have tickets for the concert tomorrow night - I'll see ya there!" And that was pretty much it. They walked along, talked to a couple more people, did an interview for that European show, and then were off. A once in a lifetime moment!!!!
Sure, I've met many musicians before, but a-ha are a very big band for me, and it was amazing to see them like that. Tomorrow night: the real concert, in NYC. I had tix for them in 1986 in Cleveland, but the show was eventually cancelled. I finally get to see them at last, 19 years later!!
They have a new album coming out soon in Europe, and I heard Pal tell someone in the crowd "We finally got a new record company," so that album will probably come out in the US sometime in the near future.
"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"
Sure, I've met many musicians before, but a-ha are a very big band for me, and it was amazing to see them like that. Tomorrow night: the real concert, in NYC. I had tix for them in 1986 in Cleveland, but the show was eventually cancelled. I finally get to see them at last, 19 years later!!
They have a new album coming out soon in Europe, and I heard Pal tell someone in the crowd "We finally got a new record company," so that album will probably come out in the US sometime in the near future.
"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"