Paul McCartney sign question
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I've never asked someone to move so that me or any of my friends could hold up signs so I have no idea to who you are referring to. As for being 6'08", I am guilty of being blessed with extra height. I'd gladly sit down if you could get the rows in front of me to sit down...not a problem. Anyone that knows me, knows that it's very unusual for me to hold up signs of any type. Usually too busy shooting photographs to worry about . As far as the line of signs...only happened three times throughout the show...during New, Band on the Run and while Paul thanked band and crew. Band on the run wasn't until the last verse and no song was playing during the thank you's...only New had signs throughout and they were much smaller in design
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Just to weigh in about that line of signs at Candlestick... one lot of signs absolutely did block the view of people behind - I was 4 or 5 rows behind and unable to see Paul while signs were being held up for quite a long time. People were shouting at them to put the signs down. I get it that they were trying to do something fun and grab Paul's attention and thank him/crew, but didn't he already "notice" all of them? Some of them go to a lot of shows and a lot of soundchecks or up-front seats - with his great memory for faces, surely he noticed them without their signs. BTW - there are other "fans on the run" who have traveled for shows for decades, aren't able to attend soundcheck, don't call attention to themselves, and aren't part of this particular group that someone has dubbed Fans On The Run.
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macbrat:
Just to weigh in about that line of signs at Candlestick... one lot of signs absolutely did block the view of people behind - I was 4 or 5 rows behind and unable to see Paul while signs were being held up for quite a long time. People were shouting at them to put the signs down. I get it that they were trying to do something fun and grab Paul's attention and thank him/crew, but didn't he already "notice" all of them? Some of them go to a lot of shows and a lot of soundchecks or up-front seats - with his great memory for faces, surely he noticed them without their signs. BTW - there are other "fans on the run" who have traveled for shows for decades, aren't able to attend soundcheck, don't call attention to themselves, and aren't part of this particular group that someone has dubbed Fans On The Run.
Yes I know many,many fans who love Paul & travel all over the world to see him. & they aren't part of the group. I haven't traveled outside the states to see him,but I have seen him in several states. Bob, you weren't at the show I was referring to.I would have seen you ! Like I said there was no problem,till the the lady came back to her seat & FOTR kind of ignored her & had to be told this wasn't her seat. The lady was being nice,she's been a fan of Paul's since 64 & this was her 1st time being so close,while the other's been a fan of his,maybe 10 years at the most. She told me after,she felt she had been taken advantage of by the younger fan.....HER WORDS.....not mine . She was glad it was only for the 1 song ! I've been in row 3 several times ,never had a problem with anyone or signs....now row 2, I have a problem with,but that's another thread !
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She was very nice, I don't think I would have vacated my seat (and I know Rick). I have been behind signs a lot in my run...even at my height it's easy to get blocked. And yes, there are literally hundreds..probably 1000's who I would describe as "fans on the run". Lots of folks travel to see Paul! Some for 50+ years and some just beginning.
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Bob Gannon:
She was very nice, I don't think I would have vacated my seat (and I know Rick). I have been behind signs a lot in my run...even at my height it's easy to get blocked. And yes, there are literally hundreds..probably 1000's who I would describe as "fans on the run". Lots of folks travel to see Paul! Some for 50+ years and some just beginning.
I never thought back in 76 , I would be planning my vacation, personal days , weekends etc all around Paul ! But so many of us do & I've met some great fellow fans along the way..still waiting for Paul tho!
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Bob, I have no problem with your height and standing at the shows, indeed you are blessed! I do have a problem with missing so much especially after paying so much to sit in the 4th row (my only soundcheck ever). I wasn't sitting behind you, but others held up their own signs in addition to the "group" signs (don't forget Shelley signs during SF Bay Blues). So I missed most of New (which I never saw live before), the whole last verse of BOTR, final minutes of Paul introducing the band, and random other times. In addition the lady behind me kept bugging me to ask those in front to stop it. I didn't want a confrontation to ruin the show for me so I said nothing. Please mention this to your group for the future enjoyment of fans sitting in the row behind you guys.
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kitty55d:
Bob, I have no problem with your height and standing at the shows, indeed you are blessed! I do have a problem with missing so much especially after paying so much to sit in the 4th row (my only soundcheck ever). I wasn't sitting behind you, but others held up their own signs in addition to the "group" signs (don't forget Shelley signs during SF Bay Blues). So I missed most of New (which I never saw live before), the whole last verse of BOTR, final minutes of Paul introducing the band, and random other times. In addition the lady behind me kept bugging me to ask those in front to stop it. I didn't want a confrontation to ruin the show for me so I said nothing. Please mention this to your group for the future enjoyment of fans sitting in the row behind you guys.
I'm sorry that happened to you kitty55d, can only imagine how frustrating that was! I don't understand why they have to hold up signs during the songs, not fair at all to the folks behind them trying to watch Paul perform. I've had signs the past few concerts but was careful to only hold it up between songs quickly. I think I only held mine up three times last week. Hopefully these folks will come to realize they don't need to hold up signs during all these song every concert they go to.
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paulfan11:
kitty55d:
Bob, I have no problem with your height and standing at the shows, indeed you are blessed! I do have a problem with missing so much especially after paying so much to sit in the 4th row (my only soundcheck ever). I wasn't sitting behind you, but others held up their own signs in addition to the "group" signs (don't forget Shelley signs during SF Bay Blues). So I missed most of New (which I never saw live before), the whole last verse of BOTR, final minutes of Paul introducing the band, and random other times. In addition the lady behind me kept bugging me to ask those in front to stop it. I didn't want a confrontation to ruin the show for me so I said nothing. Please mention this to your group for the future enjoyment of fans sitting in the row behind you guys.
I'm sorry that happened to you kitty55d, can only imagine how frustrating that was! I don't understand why they have to hold up signs during the songs, not fair at all to the folks behind them trying to watch Paul perform. I've had signs the past few concerts but was careful to only hold it up between songs quickly. I think I only held mine up three times last week. Hopefully these folks will come to realize they don't need to hold up signs during all these song every concert they go to.
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kitty55d:
Bob, I have no problem with your height and standing at the shows, indeed you are blessed! I do have a problem with missing so much especially after paying so much to sit in the 4th row (my only soundcheck ever). I wasn't sitting behind you, but others held up their own signs in addition to the "group" signs (don't forget Shelley signs during SF Bay Blues). So I missed most of New (which I never saw live before), the whole last verse of BOTR, final minutes of Paul introducing the band, and random other times. In addition the lady behind me kept bugging me to ask those in front to stop it. I didn't want a confrontation to ruin the show for me so I said nothing. Please mention this to your group for the future enjoyment of fans sitting in the row behind you guys.
I'm the one who was behind Mr. Gannon. I'm not a tiny fellow (over 6-foot myself), but I did have to constantly move left or right to see anything, and considering the close quarters, it did get a little frustrating for both myself and the persons on either side of me. However, as I said in my previous post, luck (or not) of the draw. It should also be noted that the folks in row 5 behind me (and I acknowledge I might have been part of the problem for them) chose to move to worse seats midway through the show. I can also confirm that people in the next 3-5 rows (some more vehemently than others) were complaining about the signs.
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People can't help how tall they are, and frankly, whether Bob is in the 3rd row or the 33rd row would make no difference to whoever is located directly behind him if he is standing up. As to signs--I am not a sign person; have probably only brought them twice to all the shows I have seen going back through the mists of time. But I do understand why people bring them. I am not a fan of the "please bring me onstage!!!" style of signs because people do tend to make those very large and hold them up constantly during the entire show. But also remember that *anything* you hold up in the air is going to block the view of people behind you - that includes cameras, cell phone cameras (my personal pet peeve :evil, glow sticks, and even your arms.
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It's ridiculous that signs are even allowed. Period. Especially at those prices for seats on the floor. It's one thing to get a seat behind a tall person. THAT's luck of the draw. But it cannot be helped. Holding up signs CAN be helped.
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Most of the people in that row rarely if ever hold up signs...definitely not normal for me as I like to take pictures. But it was a special show so I went with the idea and from what I heard from within...it went over very well with the man. Sorry for any inconvienance! As far as Shelley signs...weren't many left after soundcheck. I did see a few but it was far from the whole row. I had discarded mine after soundcheck
bentleysmama:
paulfan11:
kitty55d:
Bob, I have no problem with your height and standing at the shows, indeed you are blessed! I do have a problem with missing so much especially after paying so much to sit in the 4th row (my only soundcheck ever). I wasn't sitting behind you, but others held up their own signs in addition to the "group" signs (don't forget Shelley signs during SF Bay Blues). So I missed most of New (which I never saw live before), the whole last verse of BOTR, final minutes of Paul introducing the band, and random other times. In addition the lady behind me kept bugging me to ask those in front to stop it. I didn't want a confrontation to ruin the show for me so I said nothing. Please mention this to your group for the future enjoyment of fans sitting in the row behind you guys.
I'm sorry that happened to you kitty55d, can only imagine how frustrating that was! I don't understand why they have to hold up signs during the songs, not fair at all to the folks behind them trying to watch Paul perform. I've had signs the past few concerts but was careful to only hold it up between songs quickly. I think I only held mine up three times last week. Hopefully these folks will come to realize they don't need to hold up signs during all these song every concert they go to.
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RMartinez:
It's ridiculous that signs are even allowed. Period. Especially at those prices for seats on the floor. It's one thing to get a seat behind a tall person. THAT's luck of the draw. But it cannot be helped. Holding up signs CAN be helped.
People in the mezzanine sections also bring signs.
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Dose of reality....It's a concert....there's going to be signs whether you, I or anybody else likes it. Bottom line, Paul has made it part of the show pretty much encouraging them. And as noted, nowhere in the stadium is really safe from them...upper decks have signs as well. Even if signs bothered people so much as to not go to shows (and I mind you..a tiny, tiny percentage would go this far) and you just waitied for the tour DVD to come out...guess what....you'd still see signs from the opposite view. LOL!! Paul likes them, and that is evident....it's all part of his stage banter making a story out of it and I don't see it going anywhere. Hell, Springsteen shows have even more signs because he actually goes out into the audience and collects them that have song requests on them and then plays a handful. That's in addition to the "we love Bruce" "Please sign my butt" signs
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Bob Gannon:
Dose of reality....It's a concert....there's going to be signs whether you, I or anybody else likes it. Bottom line, Paul has made it part of the show pretty much encouraging them. And as noted, nowhere in the stadium is really safe from them...upper decks have signs as well. Even if signs bothered people so much as to not go to shows (and I mind you..a tiny, tiny percentage would go this far) and you just waitied for the tour DVD to come out...guess what....you'd still see signs from the opposite view. LOL!! Paul likes them, and that is evident....it's all part of his stage banter making a story out of it and I don't see it going anywhere. Hell, Springsteen shows have even more signs because he actually goes out into the audience and collects them that have song requests on them and then plays a handful. That's in addition to the "we love Bruce" "Please sign my butt" signs
Oh I think signs are fine as I've done it myself, even had one at candlestick. My point is they shouldn't be held up during the songs. In between and such is fine but I think when Paul is singing they should be lowered so people can see him performing.
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I have never had anyone hold up a sign in front of me at a concert, but if they did, it would get destroyed real fast. Especially if I paid good money to see an artist perform. I don't care if that is what happens at concerts. Not in front of me it doesn't. Of course, I would ask a couple times politely if they could put the sign away, that it was blocking my view. But if they ignore me, they get what they deserve. I once took a date to a concert and the guy in front of me was a giant. That could not be helped. I just accepted it and looked around him and enjoyed the show. But a sign can be helped. Where I went to see Ringo this Summer, they do not allow umbrellas. And it rained. Hard. But the venue has the wisdom to know that people's view will be blocked, and they paid to see a show.
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paulfan11:
In between and such is fine but I think when Paul is singing they should be lowered so people can see him performing.
But even in between songs, Paul sometimes does some funny movements or dances (such as his charades at the end of Live and Let Die) and people may want to watch those moments, too. There's no "perfect" time to hold stuff up, I think; somebody gets blocked no matter when it is. But as Bob says, it is going to happen. And yes, Springsteen shows can be just as bad because of the song request signs! There is usually a specific time that he asks for the signs to be held up so he can choose the ones he wants, but some people will hold them up during the whole show. Altho I will add that sometimes Bruce's selection of a sign request does turn out to be a great setlist shakeup and a cool addition to the concert.
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thenightfish:
paulfan11:
In between and such is fine but I think when Paul is singing they should be lowered so people can see him performing.
But even in between songs, Paul sometimes does some funny movements or dances (such as his charades at the end of Live and Let Die) and people may want to watch those moments, too. There's no "perfect" time to hold stuff up, I think; somebody gets blocked no matter when it is. But as Bob says, it is going to happen. And yes, Springsteen shows can be just as bad because of the song request signs! There is usually a specific time that he asks for the signs to be held up so he can choose the ones he wants, but some people will hold them up during the whole show. Altho I will add that sometimes Bruce's selection of a sign request does turn out to be a great setlist shakeup and a cool addition to the concert.
I TOTALLY agree Nightfish!! Bruce will do some pretty obscure requests including covers that he's never done!!! They rehearsed 300+ songs for this last tour. Just in the Jan-March string of South Africa & Australia they had played like 128 different songs in the course of like 18 shows! Set list shake ups are normal with the Boss and he's another old guy who knows how to rock it out!
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Does anybody remember that cult-classic movie from 1978 -- The Kentucky Fried Movie? There was a movie-theater scene when a guy whose gi-normous afro blocked the view of the people sitting behind him. Reading these anecdotes about large signs reminds me of that.
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thenightfish:
paulfan11:
In between and such is fine but I think when Paul is singing they should be lowered so people can see him performing.
But even in between songs, Paul sometimes does some funny movements or dances (such as his charades at the end of Live and Let Die) and people may want to watch those moments, too. There's no "perfect" time to hold stuff up, I think; somebody gets blocked no matter when it is. But as Bob says, it is going to happen. And yes, Springsteen shows can be just as bad because of the song request signs! There is usually a specific time that he asks for the signs to be held up so he can choose the ones he wants, but some people will hold them up during the whole show. Altho I will add that sometimes Bruce's selection of a sign request does turn out to be a great setlist shakeup and a cool addition to the concert.
Yes, but the majority of us here on this board know when to hold them up between songs. I'm not going to hold my sign up when I know Paul is going to tell a certain story or do his little funny bit after "Live and Let Die" And certainly not ever hold them up during a song. All I'm going to say on this for now. I've said what I have to say.