the wall
Sorry, actually it was 2010 but it just seems like last year.
Michele Gordon
So excited about the tour this summer. I am trying frantically to get tickets for the show at The Venue. Although, my experience in 2011 as a concert goer in Hammond was a nightmare(drinks spilled on me, ice in my shoe, unable to see due to the ladies in front of me laughing, texting, emailing)I am gearing up for round 2. My hope is that after all these years I will finally get some decent pictures...not the x-rays that I pass off to my friends as photos. So wish me luck. I am shooting for 6th row or better.
Michele Gordon
Hello, Richard! I am flying out to Ringo's Presser tomorrow as a winner from Sirius Satellite Radio. Are you in the All-Starr Band? Will you be at the presser? Love to meet you. I saw you back in the day with Mister Mister. Hope to see you Monday!
Joe Schilp
If you feel tremors tomorrow, the origin is the midwest. It will be my birthday. I will be turning that not so glorious number between 50 and 60. You know, when some restaurants think they are being generous by offering you a discount on your meal. I would rather not say where they can put that. I have become aware that while men age and become distinguished, some woman just fall apart. Although I still find solace in your lyrics, the line "My body burns a gem-like flame" has taken on a whole new meaning.
Michele Gordon
WHAT a coincidence! My Christmas wish list just happens to be the same as the one voiced by Paige in her post below! However, I would add a wish for you to cover David Foster's "Grown Up Christmas List", and a Mr. tour with Steve and Pat. You guys need to carve some time out for it!! Christmas blessings and merriment to you Richard, and to your family, friends, and everyone here on the wall... Marsha
marsha berndt
Richard--Merry Merry Christmas to you and your family, and wishes for a wondrous 2012. I'm also sending you my wish list for next year: a solo tour by you with a date in either Poenix or El Paso so I can be there; a real CD of Christmas music including the ones already available and many more; and more blogs to keep us updated. When you're not on the road, I miss having regular blogs. In any event, I am so happy to have found you again and have all the fabulous new music from the last 2 years--I'm so looking forward to more and more. All the best, always ~ Paige
Paige Richards
Richard in these year-end holidays especially Christmas fill your home with the joy of the coming of the messiah and that next year is full of joys personally and professionally.
A big hug from this country who love you dearly, Chile
Paula
Paula Verdugo
Last week of school. They are finally letting the squirrels out. I hope I can make it. And I just wanted to say......
May the magic that is Christmas bring peace and contentment to you and those you love.
Michele Gordon
Richard, Thank you so much for the wonderful music. As a young teenager in 1986, the music/videos from WTTRW got me through some very difficult times. Now 25 years later, I find myself digging out that old cassette and working out at home so that i can spend more time with my 13 year old German Sheperd (Cosmo) who is struggling with arthiritis and liver disease. Every time I put side 2 on, he settles in front of the speakers and seems at peace, and so do I . Thank you again so much, and God bless...
~Eric J. Carano
Eric Carano
Thankful for lyrics set to wonderful music that got me through a very difficult time. I am still a work in progress. Have a great holiday.
Michele Gordon
Dear Richard,
I thought a lot about what you did in Chile in '88 ever since I found out what had happened. I guess I do have a David against Goliath chip on my shoulder and want to make things right and fair. I greatly admire your courage and that of the rest of the band in this situation, so a big "Thank You" for that. Courage does build on examples.
Would a press conference have been better? It certainly would have been the safer option for you guys in this "inside the lion's den" situation but it would never have had the same impact - in my opinion - with the press being heavily censored and twisting things.
I also want to thank Page & Byron for their shared recollections.
Finally - do you think there is perhaps a sliver of a chance for a Mr. Mister reunion gig in 2012?
Have a great Thanksgiving and congratulations on the finished tour!
Guido Almstedt
Arrogance can come in the form of any nationality. And as for jazz, I can go stupid if it's good.
Michele Gordon
Richard as you have seen the people of Latin America is very warm. The Mexicans, Chileans, Argentines and Brazilians.
I think it's great to be filled with this energy in Latin America that helps to give more strength to continue their projects.
All these countries have good music just that the time was short in some of them and could not appreciate the talent as you could do in Argentina and Brazil sure you can appreciate it too.
Hopefully you have some time later to do it and you can listen to good music we have here in Latin America.
Love from Chile
Paula Verdugo
Oh ! I nearly forgot : thank you for the short videoclips on your facebook !
[You know what ? It's good to see I'm not the only one to be a bad film-maker: until today, I felt a bit lonely... ; ) Ah Ah ! ]
Valerie Alma-Marie
Richard Page, I've just read your new blog post.
So, that's what you're thinking about French people ? A bit "stuck up " ???
; )
Valerie Alma-Marie
Well I red the post of Richard from my city, santiago, Chile. He'still very brave, very clear in what he thinks. He is not "SENILE" ( like Richard HImself told sometime).
I was in 1988 one floor behind the band in 1988 in the Hotel in Vina del mar.
I was too both nights at the venue ( 15.000 each nite ).
I was in the Airport ( a poor Airport , at that time ) Richard was the first to cross the gate , white shirt, jeans, black bag ( I took a pic from every Mister , that's the details ) My only idols in the wold of music , ever . I was Air traffic controller , so i knew the schedule and what time they would arrive.
The press ( as usual ) commeted things like "Mr Mister is coming 2 years later", etc. BTW, after the Friday Concert press wrote Richard Page the Best of night , Ringo a BEATLE and verynice with much charisma
They did not know ( and still ) what was the story of Misters, equipements never seen in Chile. Very famous studio music., who have been their partners in studio, Tina, eddy money, Toto, AlJarreau and al long etc.
Richard did not tell in their blog that the track that transorpoted their equipements from Santiago to Viña del Mar ,broke edges and....the track like a cow was more than 10 hours in the Highway.........150 miles from the venue......
The performances were BRILLIANT, sound ? never heard. the very very very few "Music critics " were mouth open. A Gem. Until the Statement...¿Why ?Simply : for the first time in 15 YEARS ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ somebody saying something that all the country wanted to say, but none could.
The Tv (first nite )after 3rd song went to commertials and started the Fire in Rome, but the radios AM & FM ,continue
in the air. the country knew in 2mins what had happened , and everybody supposed what be the future of our Idols ( the same nite , out of the country , fortunately we failed in our perception ).
The crowd went crazy, first time hearing what was looking for 15 years and the gift came from US.
The people did not keep silence after the Misters finished his performance, let's say hours of " what is goin to happen " "are they in the hotel or in a van to Airport", we were lucky tobe in press seats ( cause a journalist friend of us) in the seats a semi-war...
But they leaved a First Class Presentation , 8 songs plus Higherground ( no award, but people crazy asking for ), then ...Surprise Richard Page on Stage ¿ A letter ? ¿ A what ? No "I'm not politician, I'monly amusician, and I love you" Rome was totally on fire after and divided , the cheaper seats more than 80% , asking for more, expensives seats Get out of here.
The second " They were cleared to performe " as said in the news. Great concert , powerful than the first nite, Award for them and Stand & Deliver to close.
I can get the 2 concerts in VHS , now in DVD.
Just one more thing, I waited 23 years to see again Richard, I ve seen Pat , not the 2 Steves. But producers treated this if were Barack Obama the one for the Concert, but I came to the Hotel lobby to wait Richard to deliver him some gifts like the 2 Concerts in Chile 1988, but was impossible.
Happy and sad. Consireded the best in the Concert, best voice, Great Band, and the gifts , for other time, I wish not have to wait another 23 years.
byron borges
GREAT Statement: "Everybody's work is equally important". Where'd you get the shirt? Any story behind it?
marsha berndt
Oh My Gosh!! I have to explain my post because I don't want you to think that I am a moron. Yesterday I was trying to multi-task; read your blog, type and eat lunch at the same time. My boss is a real task master so I only have 12 minutes to eat. I was all involved in your story AND eating chili at the same time so when I commented, I spelled Chile like the food. I do know better as I work at the local public school. So rest assured, when students leave my class they DO know how to spell. And lucky for me and you, today I am having yogurt for lunch.....I will now stop talking.
Michele Gordon
Oh, boy, do I remember when you guys went to Chile in '88--I had such a bad feeling about it when I learned you were going there and then when all that happened, I said a lot of prayers about you all getting safely home. Not long after your return, you were on a talk show, don't recall whose at the moment, to talk about your trip and what had happened. I taped it, still have it actually, and remember just stting, watching you tell the story and thinking how glad we all were that you, number one, did what you said you would, and number two, lived to tell about it. If I recall correctly, you played in San Diego a few months later and talked about it again at the concert, where, I'm happy to say, I was. There was still some tension in your voice as you spoke of it all and I got that it was pretty unnerving. Anyway, good that you are able to make a return trip in much better times. I know the folks who were at the show and remember those Pinochet years were glad to see you again and let you know how much you mean to them for what you did. Enjoy the rest of the tour.
Paige Richards
Richard,
What a frightening experience you had in Chili back in the day. It makes one appreciate having the freedom to speak out for what we believe in this country, as I do on a daily basis of which I am sure others are not as happy that I have that right. I am glad to hear that the tour is going well. Parts of South America are beautiful. We will all be equally enthusiastic when you return.
Michele Gordon
What good is knowing the story well as it was at that time in the festival of Viña del Mar.
Those who were watching on television transmission is short and we realized that something had happened to your statement, but never gave us an explanation.
I was a critic of the Pinochet regime and some of my family had to leave the country when it was the military coup in 1973.
It was especially difficult time not seeing your family out of the country, as they were forbidden to enter the country.
In addition, we were here we lived in terror of you would be missing something exiled relatives.
The group, your wife, your children and you were very brave and so feel there is a very Diving in connection with Chile.
We love you Richard and hope to see a concert here in Chile yours.
Love from Chile
Paula Verdugo
I think Richard should write a book about his musical career. It wil be a bestseller! Of course after he's made a new record...
niwre
Regarding your recent blog from Santiago, Chile:
A fine account of a situation in which you decided to do the right thing and made an admirable statement for justice. And nearly got screwed in the process. But if we all don't stand up and fight for justice, what does that say about our honor and integrity? Happily for the band and you and your wife and kids, it all turned out ok. It was the right thing to do, and Someone up there blessed and protected you all...Marsha
marsha berndt
Finally the day came to this concert as expected.
Hi Richard was wonderful to see you again in Chile. Feels a special connection with my country. Like I said Ringo was one of your best performances.
It was nice you rule out your songs, hope to see a concert in Chile.
Give my love from this country you esteem.
Paula
Paula Verdugo
Hey Michelle!!
I, too, saw the All Starrs in the summer of 2010, but in Minneapolis, Mn instead of Chicago. Unlike yours, my experience was terrifid--the audience was enthusiastic, but well mannered. Had such a great time hearing and seeing Richard on stage again after all those years that I simply have to fly to Chicago with two of my friends this July to see him at The Venue! Ah, how I miss the Pages and Mister days...I read your posts on The Wall, and empathized with you (we are about the same age--I have a birthday in 16 days--it's #57-ugh!). I know from your posts that you love great music (after all, you're a fan of Richard's--you have good taste!). Since you live in Chi-town, check out ltdanband.com. I have a friend (Jazz pianist Ben Lewis) who is the keyboard player in the Lt. Dan Band. Gary Sinise (the actor) founded the band quite a few years ago--the nicest bunch of folks you'll ever meet. They do such great stuff for our troops. They're playing at Joe's Bar in Chicago on May 4 if you want to hear some cool music. So much for my shameless plug...Perhaps you and I will see each other at The Venue on July 8--we may end up sitting next to each other!! Marsha