What is your most prized DD possession?
Over the weekend, and it might have even been yesterday – DDHQ asked fans for their most prized DD possession. I didn't see many replies, but the few I caught were memorabilia like tour programs or signed CD's.
When DDHQ sends out these questions, it takes me a few minutes of thinking before I settle on an answer worth tweeting. This time though, gut instinct took over and I tweeted right away. My answer wasn't very exciting compared to those who tweeted signed photos or books or CD's. My prized possession isn't even my vinyl copy of Astronaut, signed by all five original members, although it's a close second.
My most prized possession is the Encore CD set of the first time I saw all five original members onstage together in Costa Mesa, California in 2003. I keep it hidden down deep in my sweater drawer and it is the one CD that isn't already packed! I don't really know why I've attached so much sentiment to one single thing. It isn't signed, I rarely play it, and I didn't even meet the band that night. I suppose though, it has everything to do with why I'm a fan.
When I listen to the thunderous applause at the beginning of the concert, I know that I was one of those voices. We sat way back in the 16th row that night ("sat" is probably not the right word here. I jumped up and down. Shook like a tuning fork, even, but I didn't really sit.), and I've never felt so much joy emanate through my body as I did that night. I couldn't replicate the feeling if I tried, and I have. The memory of the concert that night still makes me smile and feel all tingly. I think it is that concert "high" that I still chase to this day.
Sure, the fact that all five were on that stage, playing together, is a wonderful memory. I am so grateful that I was able to be there and witness it. Andy was there, and I nearly came out of my skin when Roger stepped away from his set at the end of the show. I can remember seeing him walk to the front of the stage with his tongue hanging out of his mouth from exhaustion. I stared at John and Simon for most of the show, periodically pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming the whole thing. It was amazing and I could hardly believe I was there. Finally, after so many years! My heart still swells, just thinking about it.
There was something else that night though. I watched the audience before the band took the stage. People knew one another in the front. There was a lot of hugging, laughing, talking, and even some happy tears. I was so curious about all of that, because I knew no one aside from my husband, who was sitting next to me. It was an odd feeling. While I was overjoyed to be there like any Duranie might, I also felt just the slightest bit left out. I knew that whatever was going on with the people in the seats closest to the stage – I wanted to be a part of it.
There's no question in my mind that my Encore CD from that show is still my most prized DD possession. It is a memory from the show that changed everything for me. The friends I've made, the times I've had, and even the few encounters I've had with the band themselves – are in direct result from that show. I'm so grateful I was there.
There are plenty of moments from my Duranie life that I hold dear. I have fond memories of seeing Duran Duran (Nick, Simon and Warren) at the Anaheim House of Blues a couple of years prior. I felt that I'd left Duran Duran back in my childhood, only to have that "fan feeling" roar right back to life once again. That show in 2001 made me realize that I was still a Duran Duran fan, but it was the Costa Mesa show in 2003 that convinced me to participate in fandom. I wanted to meet people, make friends, and get involved.
Obviously, I took it a little farther than I'd planned. I'm funny that way.