Let Me Introduce You to Bono: Winnipeg superfan's chance meeting with U2

Justin Anders second from the left.  (CBC)

Could this really be them?

Standing behind the Burton Cumming Theatre on Friday, this is exactly what went through my mind as every "official" set of vehicles came around the corner.

 

The crowd quickly grew from around 20 to 100 people in a very short period. We were all there for one thing,.. to each have our own personal experience with the band. 

 

We knew we were close. After standing around the previous day for a few hours without luck or any signs, we still had hope. Jake Berry, the production manager for the band came out and it was becoming even more of a reality. If he was around, the band wasn't far.

 

He gave us our marching orders. If you "stand in a line",  "don't rush them", "stay calm" we may get lucky or they might just walk inside.

 

Then it happened, a series of SUVs and a white BMW pulled up carrying the members of the band. First, Adam Clayton came out and happily greeted all the fans, shaking our hands, chatting with us and signing autographs. Bono and The Edge weren't far behind. Unfortunately Larry Mullen Jr. made a dash for the door.

 

I wrote my first blog post only 6 hours before meeting the band. I said, "those 30 seconds with one of the greatest bands ever would be something I would never forget".... And I can assure now that it's happened, I will never forget that time behind the Burt when I met the band. My framed 1983 LP of War is proudly framed and hanging on my wall at home.

 

If you were one of those other lucky fans that had a chance to meet the band this past weekend, I would love to hear your experience.