A day in the life of Rocko

Here is a diary I kept for u2.com of that night...

http://www.u2.com/highlights/?hid=335

At the final night on the Vertigo Tour, Rocko and the Devils – led by U2’s Stage Manager Rocko Reedy - got to open the show. Here’s the diary Rocko kept for U2.Com of a day he ‘took off his my stage manager hat and put on my rock star hat’.

A day in the life of Rocko

5:30 AM - Wake up from a dream that we played the first song and the crowd just stood there in silence. Jumped in the shower and went to the coffee place for a venti latte.

8:30 AM- Arrived at Aloha Stadium. U2 had done us the huge favor of sound checking the night before so we could get a sound check. Brought our van load of gear up on the 30 semi-trucks of gear that make up the U2 stage. Grabbed another cup of coffee and went to check out the sea-containers that we would load-out U2's equipment into after the show. It would be a long night from the look of the parking lot full of containers.

10:00 AM - Rocko and the Devils set their gear on stage at the same time our good friends from the Pearl Jam crew set up their stage stuff. With all their gear as well, it looked like we had a lot of stuff too. It looked cool!

11:00 AM - Rocko and the Devils start our sound check. It is the first time we all played together in 2 months, it was strange on the big stage, but the U2 crew helped us out, and it started to sound amazing.

12:00 Noon - Rocko and the Devils finish, and the Pearl Jam crew set the rest of the gear for their band's sound check. Between all 3 bands there is a lot of stuff up there. I take off my rock star hat and put on my stage manager hat. Jake Berry, my boss and my friend, takes off my stage manager hat and tells me to go be a rock star. This is killing me! This stage has been my home for 131 shows. I could (and have) walked it with my eyes closed. It was my hell and heaven. My best pet and my worst beast. I had not thought about the end of the tour yet. I went numb for a bit, then started to giggle uncontrollably.

3:00 PM - Pearl Jam come in for a sound check. The guys in the band are super cool, and they come up and say very nice things to us. It helps calm me down a bit.

4:00 PM - PJ finish and we reset Rocko and the Devils gear. I go out in the parking lot to meet family and get to chat with hundreds of U2 fans. Very nice people. Very strange they know my name.

6:30 PM - The house lights go out and we hit the stage! After the first song, the crowd applauds and screams wildly. This is very different from the dream I had this morning! I notice several of the REAL rock stars on the side watching us. OK, now I'm a little nervous.

6:45 PM No one has booed us yet, so I decide to go out on the catwalks, what an incredible feeling! Like watching a dream from outside our bodies! The crowd is full of incredible energy, and we soak it up like a sponge.

6:55 PM - People seem to like our music. I am flying on adrenaline, so we launch into The Ramones "I Wanna be Sedated". The whole place starts to pogo dance. We go into the stratosphere. I forget how tired and sore I am from my "day job" and leap 8 feet in the air and down into the pit for the last verse and chorus. Who the hell are these guys? Why are the audience screaming? How would you feel? No words can describe the feeling!

7:00 PM - WHAM! BAM! THANK YOU MAN! I put on my stage manager hat again and get back to work. OMG! It's the last show! Gotta get set lists! Gotta do set change! 2 sets of special guests on stage! House lights! Load out! Trucks, stagehands, forklifts!

6:00 AM the next morning - We finish load out and I head to the hotel. There is a marathon going on and I get within 500 feet of the hotel and I can't get through. I finally turn around and go to the airport and fall asleep in the parking lot of Starbucks.

10:00 AM - I finally get to the hotel. I fall into bed. To sleep... perchance to dream? Did this all really happen? So they tell me...

Love, Rocko



Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

An amazing dream! (Brent)

Aloha from NashVegas,

Brent Jeffers here...Had this amazing dream last night that I jammed with my devil buddies in a big giant stadium on a tropical island in front of thousands of people. In all seriousness, this dream come true was one of the most euphoric 25 minutes of my life. It was such a rush seeing all you Devil Advocates out there rocking and singing along with us, it's an experience I'll never forget thanks to you. Scott, Jim, Larry, Dan, and Rocko...you are not only great musicians but also my friends. It was an honor to share the stage with you. Also, thanks to Jeffro, Chuck, and Mike for watching our backs. Y'all take care now, ya hea.


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

WOW!! (Rocko)

Dear Devils Advocates,

Rocko, "back on One".....Wow! What mere words can describe how I feel right now?!? Rip Van Winkle maybe, as I have just slept more in the last 24 hours than I have in the last month. What a whirlwind of a month it has been, and a typhoon with an earthquake day in Honolulu on December 9th. It is definitely beyond description, but not beyond giving the proper thanks where it is due to all the people that made our incredible dream come true!

Where do I begin?.............Well of course first and foremost it must be giving the Devils their due! To my brothers - Larry O'Connor, Jim Handley, Brent Jeffers and Scott Appleton, as well as the "Inspirational Padre" Terry Lawless, and our well endowed crew - Jeffro Hannah, Kevin Elson, Chuck Beckler, and Mike Price. You guys are the most talented humans I have ever had the pure pleasure of working so hard with. Thank you for enduring my relentless verbal torture and abuse......and not giving up!......

To the wonderful U2 crew - one hundred plus of the hardest working, most loving bunch of guys and girls I have ever known!.......To Adam, Bono, Larry, and Edge (A,B,L,E) the most able and capable men I have ever worked so hard for and with. You have always inspired and driven me, and now have shown me the way to bring it to others using the energy they give you!........ To Paul McGuiness, the man who bravely gave me the chance to come from being Pinocchio to becoming a real live boy!.......

To Melanie, our webmistess and cyber-babe extraordinaire who gave us a path to the world through a bunch of buttons with letters on them......and of course, as I have not overstated enough to please myself, to each and every one of you that come here to the Rocko and the Devils web site - Zootopians, U2 fans, Journey fans, new and old friends, and the generally curious souls who have supported and inspired us to play with the last drop of essence in our souls on that wonderful warm night a couple of days ago. Here is to all of you who were there with us in person - and the rest of you who were there in spirit. Your energy for the last year has inspired us to give the most joyful noise we could never have imagined we could possibly make. Thank you for the love, thank you for the courage, and thank you for giving us the Devil music your parents warned you about!! ...........

Throughout this entire project, as well as the U2 tours I have worked for the last 15 years, there is one person I have seldom mentioned here. This is because I guard my private life very tenaciously, but I must now cry out with joy as I share this moment of joy. She has given me the courage to achieve goals when I am so weary I felt I could not go on, to play the music in my soul when my fingers hurt so bad, and to sing the notes in my mind that my voice could not reach. She has stayed by my side when I am away from home for so many months, and I love her more now than I ever have before. To my wonderful wife Hollie, who has never held me back from my dreams, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...........As to what is next? More songs? Another tour? A CD? A video? ........Let us all enjoy Christmas, and then get ready for the adventures of the new year!!! .........but The Devils ain't done yet, not by a long shot!!!!!!!!.............

Love - Rocko


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

WHAT A NIGHT!!! (Scott)

WHAT A NIGHT!!! I am still on cloud 9 even almost 24 hours later!! Looking at the sea of people in front of us last night was one of the most exhilerating experiences of my life!! First off, I have to say a HUGE Thank You to everyone who was at the show!! Germana, and the girls were right down front with their devil horns on, and I saw a bunch more out there in the audience before the show started! I can't tell you how cool that was!! Second, I have to give a really huge Thank You to all of the U2 tour personnel. They really went the extra mile for us, on the last day of a tour (which is always the busiest), and for dealing with a few tech's pretending to be rockstars for the day, I salute you! Of course big thanks to U2, Paul McGuiness, and Jake Berry for letting us play. Jeffro, Mike and Chuck, we couldn't have done it without you!! And last but not least, I have to thank my band mates, we worked really hard for this, and how sweet it is!!! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!! Now, it's time for a cold adult beverage on the beach!!

Scott


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

Thank you!!! (Jim)

Greetings one and all!!! I'm sitting in the dressing room and Pearl Jam is on now. There are not words to express my gratitude to Rocko Reedy, Scott Appleton, Brent Jeffers, Larry O'Connor, Dan Tracey, Chuck Beckler, and Jeff Hannah. AND....of course to EVERYONE who's been so good to all of us. It was GREAT to see signs and people wearing horns!! Thank you to the wonderfull gents in U2 for having us along.

Thank you........

Jim Handley/Rocko and the Devils


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

Devils rock the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii!!!

What a show!!!!!!!!!

See the complete photo album on the Rocko and the Devils web site:

http://www.rockoandthedevils.com/photos/

Some comments from the ones who were there at the Aloha Stadium:

"You Guys ROCKED the stage in Hawaii.... Awesome band, Awesome music. Hope to hear more from you guys in the future."

"What an amazing show! We were right down in front of the stage to watch as Rocko and the Devils treated the crowd to a healthy serving of all out rock and roll. Wonderful version of "Eleanor Rigby." Outstanding and heartfelt version of "Dirty Roadie." Everyone in the band was feeling it and playing great. They just nailed the closing version of "I Wanna Be Sedated." The crowd loved the Devils! We were all smiles and high-fives throughout the set. As a fellow graduate, I was totally stoked to see two fellow alums of Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois (Rocko and Larry) setting the bar for Pearl Jam and U2. By the way, we got many compliments on the high-quality Devils t-shirts. Hope you sold all of them! Still glowing! " ~ Mike-o

"Rocko, the smile on your face last night as you guys played was angelic :) (a devil? yeah right lol). you fairly glowed the entire set. And you had the crowd listening from the get go, you really know how to engage people to listen. The rest of you guys were fantastic too - the sound was incredibly clear in the stands, much more clear than the band that followed you :). My friend jacquie (justgimmewhatiwant) just said to tell you: she was very impressed, and thought you were awesome too... that you guys are incredible live. I agree. " ~Donna m

"Hey Rocko and the Devils! You guys did a FANTASTIC JOB on Saturday night - bona fide rock stars to be sure! Your energy and enthusiasm on stage was so apparent, we could see you guys were enjoying every second of the performance, as did we :) It won't be long now that the "Who the hell are these guys?' will have to be deleted from your concert t-shirts. ... I hope you guys can get some much deserved rest and relaxation for a little while at least. Keep following your dreams and we hope to see you again soon." ~ The Canadian Contigent Cathy, Kim, Katie, Dorota, Penny, Mel, Mike, Janet and Trev

"Now that was a fun show! Rocko and you little Devils you R-O-C-K!!! Didn't get to buy your t-shirt so now I'll have pay like $500 on e-bay or something, darn. So anyway you were great and the night was great at Aloha. Thanks for rocking and for taking care of the Rockstar. You are the Rockstar's Rockstar!" ~ Love, Alli M, Alameda, CA

"Wow...Rocko, you guys were awesome....I really thought the energy was amazing! And since I was on the end of Edge's B-stage I got a handshake from Rocko!! Congratulations on your chance to shine in front of the stadium crowd! I really appreciate all you have gone through to get to that point!! Sounded great ...keep it up guys!" ~ Eden aka Steelerfan!!

"You were clearly having a lot of fun, and your energy was infectious. Thanks for the entertainment - and for setting the mood for U2 - it was a great show. IMHO - PJ should have stayed home, and let you guys play longer :-)) Take care guys, and keep rockin" ~ Julie aka trinity1167

"Rocko and the rest of the Devils! I could not WAIT to see you guys take the stage and I was not disappointed! As soon as I heard you start I dropped my stuff at the ONE table and ran down to watch. What fun!!!! ... And I can't wait to see who ends up opening up for YOU GUYS ONE DAY!" ~ Beth (trescrazymonkeys!) P.S. Thanks for kicking off a great show. Oh and by the way, "Road Rage" got me through most of mile 17 in the marathon......! Had it in my ipod!

"Your set in Bonolulu was definately a highlight Rocko. It was almost surreal, but for a little while yours, and ours, dream came true. i even got Eleanor Rigby after you said you weren't playing it - go on, lie to me again . . . . . LOL! and i can't see this performance as a one-time shot - yer good! see you soon. may you get everything your heart desires -you worked hard and deserve it. stay close" ~ sammi from seattle =)

"is it really over? I mean... really??? when's the next Rocko and the Devils show? I guess now the U2 crew has finally understood that sign I had... "I love Dirty Roadies"... My horns have been with me for all the dates of the australian tour as you know, and now they're in my suitcase, sadly waiting for another chance... I was prepared to have a post-U2-tour depression, and I have a post-Rocko and the Devils-gig depression instead. It would've been better for me without PJ, and one hour and half of you guys!!! It was so great to be there and see you playing in front of that giant crowd... and Scott's face when he saw me and my horns and my signs, and the surprise on his face watching me singing along to most of the Devils songs..... hehe ok I'll admit I haven't learnt Road Rage too well :p Thank you guys... ... Thank you, thank you, thank you, I will miss you. Here's to hoping I'll see you and the Devils again on stage soon :)" ~ Love, Germana

"Dear Rocko, thank you very much for coming over, for adding something to the banner. 'The devils work is never done.' I sure hope so, because I really enjoyed the show. You all looked so delighted up there. It really was a treat to see and hear you guys deliver what you promised. heehee, I was actually proud to be wearing those silly horns Germana pushed in my hands :-). ... // congrats for fulfilling dreams. Life doesn't get much better than that !" ~ Love, Tina

"Hi Devils! What a great show you guys did! Congratulations :) That was so awesome, you rocked the stadium and its surroundings. Let us know if you're going to play more gigs. Thanks for keeping in touch with all of us these months. Rocko, I did finish the marathon after the show, in 4:44 hours. Could have been less if I hadn't injured my knee after 20 miles. It was great anyway, the adrenaline of your show, PJ and U2 was still running through my body. A big mahalo to all you Devils! I wear my Devils shirt with pride! Take care." ~ Hans

"Thanks for the great opening to an excellent concert. Looking forward to your next tour!!" ~ Paula

"Hello Rocko, hello Devils! Mahalo for a wonderful show in Honolulu. I had a great time listening to you and seeing how much fun you all had up on stage. It was even better than listening to your recordings. I hope that your shirts will be available online because I couldn't find any :( Happy Holidays!!" ~ JuneT

"Hey Rocko- You guys were amazing in Honolulu....I would rather see you than most opening acts any day. Your set had so much energy and you really seemed to be having fun up there. My friend and I were down on rail on the headphone on Edge's side and we were shrieking like little girls when you reached out and touched our hands. Thanks again!" ~ Emily

Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

Larry ready to rock 'n roll!

Thanks to everyone for your support. It's been a long time since i rocked and rolled(about 40 years) I'll be thinking up there about all the great musicians I had the honor of playing with over the years. (Especially you Mick) Thanks for thinking of me Rocko when you put this thing together even though I know McCartney was available.

Your pal, Larry

PS Lets go kick their ass................

Ready to ROCK!!!

Hey Everyone!!! Hope you are all as psyched as we are for Saturday!! The Devils are all in Nashville today, sans Rocko, rehearsing for the big gig, and we are ready to ROCK!!!!!!!!! We have workded very hard, to put on the best show we possibly can, and now we are ready to have some fun with all of you!! See you Saturday!! 6:30 sharp!!!!!

The Devils


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

T-shirts avalable at the Hawaii show (Rocko)

Rocko and the Devils T-shirts will be available for sale at the show. There will be a limited amount of shirts (500) and there is only one style. If demand warrants it, they may be available on line through U2.com, but I didn't want to get stuck with a butt-load of expensive car washing rags after the show.

Love - Rocko

Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

Devils open at 6:30 PM in Honolulu (Rocko)

Dear Everyone, First of all - THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!! You have done an amazing job of getting the word out about our band. People are coming to this web site in record numbers, and downloading our tunes more than ever before! We have just found out that Rocko and the Devils will be performing at 6:30 PM on December 9th. The ticketed show time is listed as an hour later, but we are starting this early to make sure that Pearl Jam and U2 have enough time to do their full sets. We hope you all can spread the word so there is still a lot of fans there early enough to see us. We are just grateful for the opportunity to play for you all, no matter what time we start our show! To be able to open for two of the biggest bands in the world is beyond comprehension, however for us personally to be able to perform for you guys, the fans of U2 and Pearl Jam.... well.... I gotta tell you.... we are overwhelmed with joy!!! Thank you so much, and get ready for a burst of energy and excitement that will make your soul shake to the core!!!! . .. ..

Love - Rocko


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 4

Rocko and the Devils will play the Aloha Stadium!!! (Rocko)

Dear Planet Earth, Thank you to all of you who have remained faithful to us. It was slowly driving us mad to not be able to say anything to all of you about the turn of events for our performance in Hawaii on December 9th. We are honored to be able to perform with Pearl Jam and U2. It looks the the roller coaster ride is starting up again!!!! Are you ready to get on????

Love - Rocko

Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 3


Tour announced: http://www.u2.com/news/index.php?mode=full&news_id=1967

20.07.2006 U2’s Vertigo Tour Hits The Road Again!

It's official! At last we can confirm the rescheduled Vertigo//2006 shows. U2 will hit the road again in November. Starting in Brisbane on November 7th , U2 will play further dates in Australia, New Zealand and Japan before finishing in Hawaii on December 9. Kanye West will join the band in Australia and New Zealand while Special Guests, Pearl Jam will join Rocko and the Devils for December 9 in Honolulu.

These show dates are rescheduled following the postponement of Vertigo//2006 earlier in the year. For full ticket information in your area please see below. “We are very happy to announce the rescheduling and appreciate everyone’s patience.” said Arthur Fogel, of TNA. The Vertigo Tour opened in San Diego in March 2005, is set for a grand finish in Hawaii with the addition of Pearl Jam. “It’s going to be a great night in Hawaii,” said Paul McGuinness, U2’s manager. “The band are really pleased Pearl Jam could join the bill, a great end to what has already been a very successful tour.”

The new show dates are as follows:
Auckland - Ericsson Stadium - (Old Date) Friday, March 17th/06 - (New Date) Friday, November 24/06
Auckland - Ericsson Stadium - (Old Date) Saturday, March 18th/06 - (New Date) Saturday, November 25/06
Brisbane - QSAC Stadium - (Old Date) Tuesday, March 21st/06 - (New Date) Tuesday, November 7/06
Melbourne - Telstra Dome - (Old Date) Friday, March 24th/06 - (New Date) Saturday, November 18/06
Melbourne - Telstra Dome - (Old Date) Saturday, March 25th/06 - (New Date) Sunday, November 19/06
Adelaide - AAMI Stadium - (Old Date) Tuesday, March 28th/06 - (New Date) Thursday, November 16/06
Sydney - Telstra Stadium - (Old Date) Friday, March 31st/06 - (New Date) Friday, November 10/06
Sydney - Telstra Stadium - (Old Date) Saturday, April 1st/06 - (New Date) Saturday, November 11/06
Honolulu - Aloha Stadium - (Old Date) Saturday, April 8/06 - (New Date) Saturday, December 9/06

In Tokyo, 3 New Show Dates have been confirmed Tokyo - Saitama Super Arena - Wednesday, November 29th/06 Tokyo - Saitama Super Arena - Thursday, November 30th/06 Tokyo - Saitama Super Arena - Monday, December 4th/06

More information for ticket holders in Australia/New Zealand More information for ticket holders in Japan More information for ticket holders in Hawaii


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 2

About opening acts (Rocko)

When it comes to opening acts for any of the artists I work with I try to make them feel like stars. I live through their adventures, and I want them to walk away from the experience feeling that they were taken care of as professionally as possible. One never knows who the next "big thing" will be. The first time I met U2 they were the opening act for The J Geils Band. They were young, brash, high energy kids who hadn't yet acheived their musical peak. (...a nice way of saying they weren't that good yet!) You treat people the way you would like to be treated - with respect and encouragement. Some acts are so used to being treated like dirt by other productions they don't know how to react to my ways of doing business. I have had bands offer me gifts and money for special treatment - which I turn down and tell them "...give it to the guys who don't treat you with respect after they are done abusing you, it might make them realise how unprofessional they really are acting". Secret Machine, Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol. Kanye West, the list of my new friends from this last U2 tour is quite long, and I would be happy to work with any of them again. However I would not be buying any of their CD's..... only because I don't buy anyone's records. I have plenty of music drifting in my head already!

Love - Rocko


Original post and replies in: Rocko and the Devils - Guestbook Archives - Page 2