Up All Night...

As I've mentioned in several posts, Heather also attended Rocklahoma. Today, she shares her insights and experiences.

Well, we made it through Rocklahoma, and what an experience it was. Glam fans, if you missed the event this year, next year is a must. Take my advice though... go as a spectator, and let www.bringbackglam.com do all the work. It was an absolutely grueling 3 days... and I hope everyone understands and appreciates how much effort Allyson put into bringing you these postings. We're talking 14 hour days in the 90 degree heat, covered in mud... followed by a 40 minute drive to the hotel, shower, MAYBE 3 hours of sleep... then up to write and start all over again. 

  

Now don't get me wrong... the BBG crew did manage to have some fun along the way. We met so many great bands, and saw some awesome performances. I thought Warrant, Firehouse, Slaughter, Great White and Poison were all amazing. While I'm not a big fan of Dokken or Twisted Sister, both put on really good shows as well.

Here are a few memorable moments from my Rocklahoma experience:

TOP 5 ONSTAGE MOMENTS

5. The first time I saw "Dirty Penny."  Wow... talk about glam!!

4. Twisted Sister's anti-American Idol rant.

3. Jackyl: Chainsaw, naked butt, enough said.

2. Dee Snider breaking out the Santa hat, and getting 60 thousand people to sing along to "Silver Bells." Classic. 

1. Patriotic moments, such as Poison's tribute to the troops. It was very touching. Also, as Greg Leon played the national anthem Friday night and a National Guard chopper buzzed the crowd. Very cool.

TOP 5 CROWD MOMENTS

5. The group of people in section E, rows 17,18 & 19.  They were a lot of fun, and really into the music.

4. Looking at all of the outrageous glam outfits. Sorry folks, it was 112 degrees and muddy. I just couldn't do it. Cheers to those of you who did.

3. The confusion in the crowd during the Vince Neil set. From "Hello Montana!" to the 4 songs where Vince disappeared. Glad to know I wasn't the only one who didn't know what the hell was going on.

2. Watching a guy we nicknamed "Mulletman" who was REALLY getting into the shows. He may have whiplash now.

1. A guy who made his own shirt to show is disappointment after Faster Pussycat didn't play "Bathroom Wall."  On the front, it said "Faster Pussycat Sucks".  The back said "Tamie Downe Blows!"

TOP 5 DISAPPOINTMENTS

5. Eddie Trunk. (Details in backstage moments, #1)

4. Missing performances by Britny Fox, Bang Tango, Quiet Riot, and several bands on the side stages because of media events.

3. Vince Neil not singing "Shout at the Devil" or "Home Sweet Home."

2. Not getting to meet Poison. I love Bret Michaels.

1. The fact that my beloved Bret forgot the words to two of his songs.

And because we spent SO much time behind the scenes...

TOP 10 BACKSTAGE MOMENTS

10. Mike Tramp going off about the situation with Vito Bratta.

  9. Watching some "journalists" pimp their girlfriends in an effort to get in good with the bands.

  8. Listening to rumors about backstage fights, including one between Tracii Gunns and Obi Steinman.

  7. Taking pictures with all of the bands. They were all very friendly and accomodating, despite the heat and their busy schedules. 

  6. The Faster Pussycat press call. Talk about a fun group of guys.  

  5. Steven Adler offering to share his bottle of Boone's Farm with us.

  4. Eddie Ojeda looking for a quiet place to do an interview with BBG. (We ended up in a storage closet.)

3.  A surprise appearance by Jani Lane in the media tent. This was particularly sweet because BBG were among the only journalists there at the time.

  2.  Skid Row talking about their "bag of shame." For those of you that don't know, they are not allowed to "take a dump" on the bus.  Instead, they go in a bag, then throw it out the window. Very rockstar.

  1. Several bands having to do their own interviews or ask other journalists to do them, because esteemed host Eddie Trunk didn't show up.  As a side note to this, Trunk also asked Lee Pistolero who he was, and if his band played on a side stage.  Eddie, some advice for next year (if you're invited back): do some research.  At the very least, show up on time and be able to identify the musicians! Ok folks, that's it. I'm sure those of you who were there have some memories of your own to share.

Those of you who weren't... stay tuned for more interviews with the bands and photos.