from Buffalo Rising The Buffalo Story Behind U2, "God Bless Bruce and Mary Moser" U2 IN BUFFALO LAST NIGHT Dec 10, 2005 Posted by Sound Of Buffalo In The City Comments 0 Last night in Buffalo 20,000 gathered to hear and sing along as one, with a band from Dublin Ireland who first caught our attention back in 1980. It was a spectacular performance and one not to be forgotten any time soon. Figmo, Queenseyes, and yours truly witnessed a truly spiritual event as one of the few if not the only band of our generation, that can still pack an arena and be relevant, took us on trip through time, bringing back the High School memories, as well as the contemporary optimism that music and faith can bring about positive change in the world and the world in us. There is a Buffalo story behind the iBiggest Rock Band In The Worldi and it was referenced a few times last night from the stage by Bono, the following is what I know: At the end of one of the sets last night, the band heads off stage and Bono suddenly shoots back out, grabs the mike and shouts out iGod Bless Bruce and Mary Moser, God Bless Willie Nilei, and then heads off again. Here is the Buffalo Story behind iThe Blessingi- 25 Years ago that little record store on Elmwood Avenue near Forest known as Home of The Hits, featured a special employee, Mary Moser. Back in the day when you went to a store like Home of The Hits to be informed about music, versus getting loss leader pricing, Mary gave a special guarantee to all who shopped at the store that year. She was raving about an Irish Band called U2 and their debut album Boy, and told anyone willing to buy this album, if they didnit like it, sheid give them their money back. Buffalo Folklore tells us to this day, Mary Moser never had to refund anyone’s money, and U2 went from playing club shows opening for Talas and headlining with Pauline and The Perils, to Sheais Buffalo, and then The Aud seven years later, as the band who just weeks before found themselves on the cover of Time Magazine, and in front of a sold out show in Buffalo, proved they never forgot. Bono retold the story of Mary Moser and her U2 Guarantee from the stage that night at The Aud to that same sold out audience. During that same period Maryis now husband Bruce Moser was on a parallel path as one of the first independent promoters in Rock Radio with his iCould Be Wildi Promotions Company, he too saw something in U2 and became their first champion on this side of the Atlantic, so much so at one point it was Bruce who introduced them to the President of Island Records U.S., who previous to that had never took the time to actually meet the newest label signing. Bruce fought tooth and nail to get U2 airplay in those days from the Boy Album right through to the breakthrough Joshua Tree. From the beginning Bruce forged a friendship that has lasted to this day. On his 50th birthday a mysterious package arrived in Bruceis mailbox containing a CD featuring an artist who sounded similar to Johnny Cash, singing a song about Bruce Moser and how heis one of the Best. At the end of the song that Johnny Cash voice reveals himself to be Bono, and the best birthday present ever, a personalized song from the biggest rock band in the world found itis way once again proving a never ceasing sense of friendship, loyalty and love, to one of Buffalois own. At the same time U2 was trying to make it big, a singer songwriter from South Buffalo, who went by the stage name of Willie Nile was forging his way to critical success. The New York Times called him the next Bob Dylan, and heis had albums on Columbia Records, and has recorded and performed with Roger McGuinn, Richard Thompson, Ringo Starr, Tori Amos, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, and The Barenaked Ladies. Bonois a big fan and friend of Willie Nile to this day, thus the stage mention last night as Buffalois Willie Nile was in the house. It was 25 years ago today… During another moment during last nights show just before iI Still Havenit Found What Iim Looking Fori Bono referenced a dark moment in Rock History which happened on the same night U2 played their first show in Buffalo. It was an opening gig for Talas at Stage One in , a club owned and booked by Buffalois Harvey, and Corky Productions(Partner Harvey Weinstein later went on to form Miramax Films). While playing a video game with Mary Moser, someone came up to them and said that John Lennon had died. The end of one rock era reincarnates to the next, at that moment in Buffalo. Throughout the last nights show John Lennonis spirit was alive with U2 performing Beatles songs Sgt. Pepper, Help, and John Lennonis iInstant Karmai. At around 9pm last night Arcade Fireis song iWake Upi blares through the PA warning us that Buffalo was about to witness the best rock show seen here in quite some time. 20,000 rise to their feet, and the rest is Buffalo Rock History…….. buffalorising/2005/12/u2-in-buffalo-last-night/
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:16:12 +0000
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