Larry, 26 Years, and the Death of a Camera

happy880 · 03-06-2009, 10:23 AM

I was 11 years old when I first heard the wine of Edge's guitar and the pounding heartbeat of Larry's drum in the song An Cat Dubh. From that moment on, I was hooked….another U2 fan was created. And thus began my quest to get a picture, autograph, a mere side glance from the band members. Had I known it would have taken 26 years for something to happen, would I have given up? Obviously not!
The pieces fell together. The company I currently work for moved my office this past November from 5 minutes away from my home in NJ all the way to New York City. 53rd and Broadway to be exact. That first dreaded bus ride turned out to not be so bad. It would be a while before I hear the official announcement that U2 would be playing David Letterman for an entire week. "David Letterman?" I thought. Did my ears deceive me? As we all know now, it was true. For some reason, I felt this was my chance for some type of interaction with one of them. I thought I'd be lucky to interact with one of them.
I tried and tried for 26 years to no evail. At any concert venue, book signing or other public displays, I'd get pushed out by autograph hounds, or get there too late, or be disappointed waiting for them only to be told they were not going to see the crowd tonight. Sad story? Not in the least.
Tueday night, March 3, 2009 I waited outside Letterman until about 9pm and was told that they weren't coming out until way after 11pm. Tired and somewhat defeated, I left, but I knew I'd be back. Wednesday night, March 4, 2009 outside Letterman at 8pm out popped Bono. I couldn't believe it!!! But was I going to get an autograph..a look..something? He skipped me and went to the girl next to me. While he was signing, I pleaded. "Bono….I waited 26 years for an autograph…will you PLEASE sign?" "YOU GOT IT!" he said in that sexy Irish accent and scribbled on my plaque. I didn't realize it was real until I looked at it. THRILLING!!
I had a crush on the coolest, most confident man with a heart warming smile since I was 11 years old. You may have heard of him….Larry Mullen. He comes out those doors and in spite of the crowds responses that he'll just wave, jump in the car and take off, he comes over to the line. He didn't sign but shakes people hands as he goes down. Only a few are chosen and I would have accepted it if I were left out but that warm hand cupped mine. I said, "Nice to meet you" and he said "How ya doin?" Naturally, I couldn't answer that.
For me, I was done. I left not caring about anything else. The bus ride home was different than all the previous ones. This was my favorite ride home.
The next evening, Thursday, March 6, 2009, I went back down to David Letterman only to say hi and goobye to my new U2 friends I met online. I chatted with them for a while and each time I wanted to leave, they berated me to stay a little longer. "In A Little While"…they'll come out. You'll see.
And they did! Larry first this time. I was recording a video with my digital camera as Larry shook hands down the line again. He was just about to approach me when the camera crashed to the street! Oh no! What was I going to do now? Nothing except watch Larry bend down, pick it up, hand it back to me with empathy on his face. Our hands touched as he gave me the now broken camera and asked if I was going to be ok. I just shook my head, yes. I would be just fine with you handing me anything. A silly little camera did not matter. He remained long enough so that my friends can take a picture with him and then moved on.
So for a girl who waited 26 years for a glance from one band member had a special interaction (special for me, probably not for him) with her favorite band member, favorite drummer, and favorite famous person. So for all of those out there who think Larry is ______, I say not. Yes, I had a good moment with him and some of you may not have but he's only one man and cannot smile and greet every single fan out there. He's a person with a family and obligations to so many people. So I say to those cynical fans, don't give up. You'll get your moment. It will eventually come around. Mine did. And it was the coolest moment with the coolest guy walking this Earth.

U2FloridaFan · 03-06-2009, 10:29 AM

So glad meeting Larry (finally) was all that you hoped it would be. Congratulations!!

Will you be able to post your video or some of your photos for us?

kellyahern · 03-06-2009, 10:33 AM

Thanks for posting your story, happy.

It brought a smile to my face

.

happy880 · 03-06-2009, 10:33 AM

I would love to post the video. I'll try it now although I am not 100% sure how to do it.

lauramullen · 03-06-2009, 10:36 AM

I was right near you. I remember when your camera dropped and he picked it up.

zuropa_fit · 03-06-2009, 10:37 AM

That's a very sweet story and told with true heart. I'm so glad you found what you were looking for.

happy880 · 03-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Oh wow! LauraMullen...cool. I can't believe the video kept. The camera is completely busted but I am not going to throw it away!

~Everyone...I can't seem to figure out how to upload the video. Any advice?

U2FloridaFan · 03-06-2009, 10:43 AM

Maybe it's easiest to post it to Youtube then provide a link here

lovezeuser · 03-06-2009, 10:59 AM

Wow! This is a great story! I'm right there with you after waiting 25 years, I finally met all four of them. And, doesn't Larry have the softest hands!!!

Sorry about your camera. Seems like a lot of us had camera trouble this week.

happy880 · 03-06-2009, 11:50 AM

Lovezeuser, Larry does have soft hands but it's the look on his face that is burned in my memory forever. Camera trouble does stink but if it weren't for my camera trouble, where would I be?

Anji · 03-06-2009, 11:56 AM

Awww

Don't those boys warm your heart

Great story, crap about the camera!

Same happened to me at HQ Dublin

Except I had no U2 to hand me my camera. There were a few people who kindly took a picture of me and Edge to compensate, and only ONE person sent me them pictures

But it was one special person

forbonou2 · 03-06-2009, 01:49 PM

YAH!!! For you after 26 years!!!! It does give me hope, too1 So thank you for sharing your story and eventually, your pics! Ahh..I think the memory of Larry

bending down and picking up your camara for you...was worth so much more!!!

RavenBlue · 03-06-2009, 02:18 PM

What an amazing experience. Congrats

and a big shout out to Larry for being so kind. I've never thought of Larry as mean, he is just private and picks when he wants to be made available to fans. I am so happy for you.

lauramullen · 03-06-2009, 02:33 PM

Actualy, I think he was standing in front of me when he picked it up

happy880 · 03-06-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauramullen

Actualy, I think he was standing in front of me when he picked it up

There was a short girl with red hair next to me, then me, then a short woman from North Carolina on the other side of me, then a tall guy with a hat on. Which side were you on? Were you the girl with the blue sweatshirt on from texas who was there with her mother?

03-06-2009, 10:23 AM	#1
happy880 The Fly Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 120 Local Time: 11:58 PM	Larry, 26 Years, and the Death of a Camera I was 11 years old when I first heard the wine of Edge's guitar and the pounding heartbeat of Larry's drum in the song An Cat Dubh. From that moment on, I was hooked….another U2 fan was created. And thus began my quest to get a picture, autograph, a mere side glance from the band members. Had I known it would have taken 26 years for something to happen, would I have given up? Obviously not! The pieces fell together. The company I currently work for moved my office this past November from 5 minutes away from my home in NJ all the way to New York City. 53rd and Broadway to be exact. That first dreaded bus ride turned out to not be so bad. It would be a while before I hear the official announcement that U2 would be playing David Letterman for an entire week. "David Letterman?" I thought. Did my ears deceive me? As we all know now, it was true. For some reason, I felt this was my chance for some type of interaction with one of them. I thought I'd be lucky to interact with one of them. I tried and tried for 26 years to no evail. At any concert venue, book signing or other public displays, I'd get pushed out by autograph hounds, or get there too late, or be disappointed waiting for them only to be told they were not going to see the crowd tonight. Sad story? Not in the least. Tueday night, March 3, 2009 I waited outside Letterman until about 9pm and was told that they weren't coming out until way after 11pm. Tired and somewhat defeated, I left, but I knew I'd be back. Wednesday night, March 4, 2009 outside Letterman at 8pm out popped Bono. I couldn't believe it!!! But was I going to get an autograph..a look..something? He skipped me and went to the girl next to me. While he was signing, I pleaded. "Bono….I waited 26 years for an autograph…will you PLEASE sign?" "YOU GOT IT!" he said in that sexy Irish accent and scribbled on my plaque. I didn't realize it was real until I looked at it. THRILLING!! I had a crush on the coolest, most confident man with a heart warming smile since I was 11 years old. You may have heard of him….Larry Mullen. He comes out those doors and in spite of the crowds responses that he'll just wave, jump in the car and take off, he comes over to the line. He didn't sign but shakes people hands as he goes down. Only a few are chosen and I would have accepted it if I were left out but that warm hand cupped mine. I said, "Nice to meet you" and he said "How ya doin?" Naturally, I couldn't answer that. For me, I was done. I left not caring about anything else. The bus ride home was different than all the previous ones. This was my favorite ride home. The next evening, Thursday, March 6, 2009, I went back down to David Letterman only to say hi and goobye to my new U2 friends I met online. I chatted with them for a while and each time I wanted to leave, they berated me to stay a little longer. "In A Little While"…they'll come out. You'll see. And they did! Larry first this time. I was recording a video with my digital camera as Larry shook hands down the line again. He was just about to approach me when the camera crashed to the street! Oh no! What was I going to do now? Nothing except watch Larry bend down, pick it up, hand it back to me with empathy on his face. Our hands touched as he gave me the now broken camera and asked if I was going to be ok. I just shook my head, yes. I would be just fine with you handing me anything. A silly little camera did not matter. He remained long enough so that my friends can take a picture with him and then moved on. So for a girl who waited 26 years for a glance from one band member had a special interaction (special for me, probably not for him) with her favorite band member, favorite drummer, and favorite famous person. So for all of those out there who think Larry is ______, I say not. Yes, I had a good moment with him and some of you may not have but he's only one man and cannot smile and greet every single fan out there. He's a person with a family and obligations to so many people. So I say to those cynical fans, don't give up. You'll get your moment. It will eventually come around. Mine did. And it was the coolest moment with the coolest guy walking this Earth.

03-06-2009, 10:29 AM	#2
U2FloridaFan Refugee Premium Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,094 Local Time: 07:58 PM	So glad meeting Larry (finally) was all that you hoped it would be. Congratulations!! Will you be able to post your video or some of your photos for us? __________________ Password...Anaheim!! ~~Boston 1 - September 20th, 2009~~ ~~Boston 2 - September 21st, 2009~~ ~~Tampa - October 9th,2009~~ Anaheim 1 - June 6th, 2010 Anaheim 2 - June 7th, 2010 Miami - July 9, 2010

03-06-2009, 10:36 AM	#5
lauramullen Jersey Girl who loves U2 Premium Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In my own little world Posts: 31,978 Local Time: 07:58 PM	I was right near you. I remember when your camera dropped and he picked it up. __________________ 2010 Concert Schedule: March 5th- Muse- NYC/ MSG May 26th &29th- Bon Jovi- East Rutherford/ New Stadium June 6 &7th- U2- Anaheim/ Angel Stadium June 12th- U2- Denver/ Invesco Field June 16th- U2- Oakland/Oakland Coliseum July 1st- Dave Matthews Band- Philly/ S. Bank Center July12th- U2- Philly/Lincoln Financial Field July 16th- Dave Matthews Band- NYC/Citi Field July 19th- U2- East Rutherford/New Stadium

03-06-2009, 10:43 AM	#8
U2FloridaFan Refugee Premium Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,094 Local Time: 07:58 PM	Maybe it's easiest to post it to Youtube then provide a link here __________________ Password...Anaheim!! ~~Boston 1 - September 20th, 2009~~ ~~Boston 2 - September 21st, 2009~~ ~~Tampa - October 9th,2009~~ Anaheim 1 - June 6th, 2010 Anaheim 2 - June 7th, 2010 Miami - July 9, 2010

03-06-2009, 02:33 PM	#14
lauramullen Jersey Girl who loves U2 Premium Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In my own little world Posts: 31,978 Local Time: 07:58 PM	Actualy, I think he was standing in front of me when he picked it up __________________ 2010 Concert Schedule: March 5th- Muse- NYC/ MSG May 26th &29th- Bon Jovi- East Rutherford/ New Stadium June 6 &7th- U2- Anaheim/ Angel Stadium June 12th- U2- Denver/ Invesco Field June 16th- U2- Oakland/Oakland Coliseum July 1st- Dave Matthews Band- Philly/ S. Bank Center July12th- U2- Philly/Lincoln Financial Field July 16th- Dave Matthews Band- NYC/Citi Field July 19th- U2- East Rutherford/New Stadium

03-06-2009, 10:33 AM	#3
kellyahern Blue Crack Supplier Premium Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 8 years and I still can't think of anything witty to put here Posts: 33,678 Local Time: 07:58 PM	Thanks for posting your story, happy. It brought a smile to my face .

03-06-2009, 10:37 AM	#6
zuropa_fit Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: on Zooey's U2 Disco Bus Posts: 15,549 Local Time: 04:58 PM	That's a very sweet story and told with true heart. I'm so glad you found what you were looking for.

03-06-2009, 10:40 AM	#7
happy880 The Fly Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 120 Local Time: 11:58 PM	Oh wow! LauraMullen...cool. I can't believe the video kept. The camera is completely busted but I am not going to throw it away! ~Everyone...I can't seem to figure out how to upload the video. Any advice?

03-06-2009, 10:59 AM	#9
lovezeuser The Fly Premium Gold Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Just moved back to "real" Virginia...not the land of the fake people in NoVA. Posts: 196 Local Time: 06:58 PM	Wow! This is a great story! I'm right there with you after waiting 25 years, I finally met all four of them. And, doesn't Larry have the softest hands!!! Sorry about your camera. Seems like a lot of us had camera trouble this week.

03-06-2009, 11:50 AM	#10
happy880 The Fly Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 120 Local Time: 11:58 PM	Lovezeuser, Larry does have soft hands but it's the look on his face that is burned in my memory forever. Camera trouble does stink but if it weren't for my camera trouble, where would I be?

03-06-2009, 11:56 AM	#11
Anji Refugee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Middlesex, UK Posts: 2,164 Local Time: 11:58 PM	Awww Don't those boys warm your heart Great story, crap about the camera! Same happened to me at HQ Dublin Except I had no U2 to hand me my camera. There were a few people who kindly took a picture of me and Edge to compensate, and only ONE person sent me them pictures But it was one special person

03-06-2009, 01:49 PM	#12
forbonou2 Refugee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Richmond, Kentucky Posts: 1,819 Local Time: 11:58 PM	YAH!!! For you after 26 years!!!! It does give me hope, too1 So thank you for sharing your story and eventually, your pics! Ahh..I think the memory of Larry bending down and picking up your camara for you...was worth so much more!!!

03-06-2009, 02:18 PM	#13
RavenBlue Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The majestic Canuckian wilderness Posts: 15,443 Local Time: 08:58 PM	What an amazing experience. Congrats and a big shout out to Larry for being so kind. I've never thought of Larry as mean, he is just private and picks when he wants to be made available to fans. I am so happy for you.

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