by Stuart Beattie

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

First concert of the Lovetown tour and there was electricity in the air. Aussie and Weddings, Parties, Anything opened the show and set the tone for the show.

BB King followed and the whole place was enraptured. One of the great bluesmen of all time. It was the stuff of dreams.

During the intermission the PA was playing The Beatles and the crowd was jumping and singing twist & Shout! This was a special night by any measure.

U2 opened with Hawkmoon 269 and played a number of new songs. Halfway thru Bono (playing guitar to People Get Ready) asked for someone who could play guitar to help him out. Someone to the left of stage volunteered to play but when Bono invited him onstage then said he couldn't really play. At that point Bono walked to the front & centre of the stage asking if there was anyone in the crowd who play guitar. In an amazing moment of silence, my wife pointed to me and yelled out "he can play". To my amazement Bono invited me onto the stage, put his red Gibson 335 around my neck and before I knew it I was playing with the world's greatest rock band. What an unforgettable experience and, even more amazing, we had a camera there (before the days of mobile phones and YouTube) to capture the moment. One day I'll get the band to sign one of my photos but until then I have some unforgettable memories.

Two nights later we went back to the concert venue (Perth Entertainment Centre) where Bono was singing to a small group late into the night. He recognised me and signed my program and some other pieces of paper. Even shook my wife's hand and made a big fuss of us both. The whole thing was magical by any definition.

Twenty years later I'm still dining out on this unforgettable experience.

Thank you u2.

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