On Sunday June 12th when the news broke, Many fans emailed me, complaining, because I did not have the info on the REG website yet. But because I never publish rumors - especially about Pink Floyd reuniting, I waited until the next day, when I could get confirmation from Mark Fenwick, Roger's manager. So you can imagine that I was completely flabbergasted to find that the news was indeed true, Roger would be reuniting with Dave, Nick and Rick for a benefit concert.

I knew there was no way I could afford to go to London to see the show. But when REG member Steve Weiler, offered to pay for my round trip plane ticket, I was ecstatic. I presumed Roger's manager could help me with a ticket to the show, but unfortunately, because of the multi-performer show, and the way tickets were distributed free via a lottery, he couldn't help.

So I had another problem. I could get to London, but didn't have a ticket. I fretfully contacted many friends and Floyd fan colleagues to see if they could help, and my good friend and peer Simon Wimpenny from the Rogerwatersonline website said he could probably help and find me a ticket. However the cheapest ticket to be had, was going for 300 pounds. That's about $550.00!!! I surely couldn't afford that!

But, again, my friend Steve, offered to buy it for me. He told me that after the many years I've worked so hard for the REG fanclub, that if anyone deserved to go, it was me. It is beyond wonderful that there are so many kindhearted and giving REG members and others in the Pink Floyd/Roger Waters fan world willing to help. Their kindness and generosity is beyond my words to thank them.

I had a fantastic time in London. My trip was indeed an adventure I'll always remember. Therefore, this report is not so much a review of the concert as it is a story of my trip to England and the adventures I experienced, which includes my reflection of the show.

After I left the San Francisco airport, I had a 5 hour stop over in New Jersey. I'd never been to the East Coast of the US before, and though the airport wasn't much to see, when I went outside to smoke a cigarette I discovered that though it was quite cloudy... it was over 90 degrees and the humidity was awful. I guess I'm spoiled by great California weather. I did meet a US Marine coming back home, and we spent most of the time hanging out and sharing stories and music with each other.

Brighton by the Sea

When I arrived at Gatwick airport, a friend who lives in Brighton, offered to pick me up, and I stayed at his house for a day before taking a train into London. Again, it's wonderful to have such good and generous friends... I don't know what I'd do without them!

My friends wife is a high priced hairdresser and owns a really nice salon. She said she just had to style my hair. So in the morning before taking the train to London, I went to her salon and she gave me a great $300.00 European styled haircut, short and all spiky. It was like a complete make over... I really like it and think it looks good on me.

I took the train from Brighton to London, and along the way, before getting into London proper, I got some great photo's of the Battersea Power Station. It's unfortunate that it's still very much in disrepair. But I'm hoping it, and the area around it, is redeveloped so this Floydian Icon and architectural landmark will continue to stand.

When I got to London, I took the tube from Victoria Station to the area near Hyde Park where I'd made arrangements with friends of Simon's to share their hotel room.

But after getting to the hotel, it turned out that the room was much too small for 4 guys, with 4 beds all crammed together in a small room, and no bathroom or shower, except in the hall way. This was definitely not to my satisfaction, so even though I couldn't afford much, I decided to seek out other lodging options. I went to meet Simon to pay for and pick up my concert ticket, and along the way, I went from hotel to hotel to see if there were rooms available, only to find that with 250,000 people coming to town to see the concert, there were no longer any vacancies to be had.

I got to the Columbia hotel where I was supposed to meet Simon and he wasn't there. When I called his cell, he said there had been a snafu in his reservations, but he'd meet me there shortly.

While waiting for him, I went across the street to a 5 star hotel that was also directly across from Hyde Park. They miraculously said they had some spare single room vacancies, but the price - 99 pounds ($180.00) a night, was a bit steep. However, I had little choice, so I booked a room. The hotel room, though small, was quite nice. So I left my luggage and went back to the Columbia hotel where I was to meet Simon among other fans that were supposed to gather there.

I don't remember everyone's names off the top of my head. I'm in the blue striped shirt on the floor in the center. Simon is in the back row in the white t-shirt. Kristin, top right. Werner on the floor to my right. Jens, is holding the sign top middle which says "Hi Mom" in Danish. ;o) Emil, center far right.

There were several fans already there waiting for him as well, some of whom I had met during the 2002 In The Flesh Tour, and more came in as time went by. It was great to see everyone. We were all really happy and excited about the concert the next day, and it was great chatting together, becoming reacquainted and making new friends.

I don't remember everyone's names off the top of my head. Again, I'm in the blue striped shirt on the floor in the center, doing a hammer salute. Simon is in the back row,in the white t-shirt arms, in hammer salute. Kristin, top... hammer salute with beer. Werner on the floor second from the left. Jens, is holding the sign top middle which says "Hi Mom" in Danish. ;o) Emil, on floor, doing hammer salute, far right.

Simon finally got there, and I paid him for my ticket. After a while, we all decided to go out to the Hyde Park concert area to see if we could watch and hear Pink Floyd practice and do their sound check. But after we got there we found that Pink Floyd wouldn't be doing their sound check yet. Later I found out it was because of problems caused by Madonna wanting to take over the entire stage and do a complete and total rehearsal and run through of her set. She made a really big stink, and even threatened to cancel her performance if all work on the stage and concert area wasn't stopped during her rehearsals. Plus, she forced the concert organizer, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, as well as the stage manager to remove the speaker system that enabled the performers to hear themselves, saying it was a distraction and impaired her view of the non-existent audience. Talk about egomaniacs!

Some of us were hungry... others, even after all the beers at the hotel... were still thirsty. So it was decided that we'd all go to a pub Simon and a few others knew about. On the way we took some photo's of all of us by some of the signs that were posted all around Hyde Park advertising the show. Here are the photo's we took of us posing by some of the Live 8 concert signs. It's fun to ham it up sometimes! LOL But honestly, we had a great time together. Really good camaraderie and fellowship. It was nice that on the way to the pub we could share a part of this adventure together.

Anyway, the Floyd weren't to do a sound check yet, so still hungry and thirsty, we continued on our way to the pub. When we finally got to the pub, I found that it was really a different sort of pub, where all the staff were dressed and facepainted in monster garb. It was really quite an interesting atmosphere.

We all ate and drank and conversed and carried on, after which I went outside to stretch my legs and I could have sworn I heard a bit of Comfortably Numb echoing off the buildings down a long street that led to Hyde Park. I went back into the pub to get some of the others, but when we got outside the music had stopped. They looked at me like I was crazy! ;o) Well, I know I wasn't hearing things, even though the pub as about 10 or 12 blocks away. So I walked back to the park, but when I got there I found a lot of people leaving. Many were staring wide eyed in wonder, and I asked, "Did Pink Floyd do their sound check?" And they replied that not only had they done a sound check, but they'd rehearsed all four of the songs they were to do the following day at the show; "Breathe," "Money," "Wish You Were Here," and "Comfortably Numb!" I was also told that before they started, Roger had played a few bars of his solo song "Flickering Flame." Damn, I'd have loved to have heard that and the rest of the rehearsal.

Oh well, I missed the rehearsal, and so went back to the pub, but one by one, everyone was leaving so I walked back to my hotel after a tiring day of carrying around my luggage and walking my feet off.

The next morning, I decided to sleep in instead of meet up with the others to go stand in line together. I figured that because Pink Floyd wouldn't be playing until the end, it would be purposeless to try to get up front right away and wait in the same spot all day. I usually can maneuver myself into tight crowds pretty easily, and get close enough to the front. That's what I did at The Wall Berlin show, and I had had a pretty good view.

After a good sleep, I gathered all my things that I wanted to take with me to the show into a large plastic bag, which included about a thousand REG flyers that I intended handing out. The day was over cast and cloudy, and at times looked like rain. It had even rained and drizzled a bit the day before. And even though the weather reports kept saying it was going to be a sunny day, it remained quite cloudy and inclement over London. So I bought a cheap 3 pound umbrella just to be prepared. I certainly didn't relish the thought of a day stomping around in the rain and mud, as had been the case at the recent Glastonbury festival.

When I finally got out of the hotel room (I take forever to leave my house or go anywhere), I was hungry and walked to a small coffee shop type place and had breakfast. I also ordered some bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches to go as well, so I'd have some good food to eat at the show without having to pay an arm and a leg at the concession stands. I sat at a table by myself waiting for the waitress to bring me my meal, when two young college age English blokes came in. Unfortunately for them, there was no place left to sit, so I offered my table and they graciously accepted. We had a nice chat and I got to know them, and we all ate breakfast together.

After breakfast, I gathered my bag and lunch to go, left the restaurant, and began my trek to the show. Although I was at least a mile away from the gates to the concert, there was already a HUGE long line queuing across the street. So I walked toward the gates on the other side of the street. The police had the street cordoned off so that concert goers had to walk on the one side of the street, and to get into line... had to walk blocks and blocks and blocks away.

Finally, across the street from the gates, walked a bit further down the road, and when I thought the police were busy or not looking I hurried across the street to the masses queuing in line, and began passing out REG fliers, just past where they had railings set up by the gates to keep people from cutting in line. After a few minutes of passing out flyers I quietly slipped into the queuing crowd and made my way to the gates in about 10 minutes.

Once inside the gates, there was still a good walk to the concert area, where there were more gates, and we all had to stand in line again to be searched, and to have our ticket stubs taken. On the way there were many people selling concert programs for 10 pounds each. Though, about $20.00 for a program is a bit expensive, they were very thick, and nicely done. However, I figured I'd get my program inside during the afternoon at the same time when I would buy a few t-shirts for souvenirs.

At the gates to the concert area, I opened my plastic bag for the inspection, expecting it to be searched thoroughly as others back packs were being searched, but all that happened was a glance into my bag and I got passed to the ticket taker.

Once inside the concert area which was surrounded by a high 20 foot perimeter wood fence, I made my way to the merchandise area to peruse the wares and see how much things cost. I also wanted to see if I could leave a stack of REG flyers on the counter. But unfortunately, there was no counter, just a railing. There were merchandise booths and food booths up and down both sides of the concert area, and after looking at the food prices, I'm glad I brought my own.

T-shirt prices began at 20 pounds (that's about $40.00 for a t-shirt!!!). Sweat shirts and polo shirts were more, and there were hats, visors, programs and posters as well. I checked out the t-shirt designs to decide which ones I wanted when the time came. I didn't want an over priced hat or poster.

But before I did anything, I really needed to get rid of the 1000 REG flyers I brought cause they made my bag really heavy. So I began passing out flyers to the concert attendee's. However, I soon found that Pink Floyd fans were few and far between, and there were not many people interested in a Roger Waters fan club. So I proceeded to leave small stacks of flyers at the condiment areas of each of the food booths, and soon I had only a small stack left.

So I figured it was time to weigh myself down again with programs and t-shirts. I stood in line at one of the merchandise booths, all of which were really crowded with people, so much so that it took over an hour waiting in line to get to the front to make my purchases. I had been glad there was a sign that said "1 pound charge for credit cards" because I did not want to spend the money I'd drawn out of an ATM before the show because I wanted to have some cash if I needed it. But by the time I got to the front of the line, I was told that the credit card machine was down and they were only accepting cash. Fortunately, after over an hour standing in line, jam packed like sardines, I had just enough money to get what I wanted. 3 shirts and 2 programs cost me 80 pounds, about $150.00! Unbelievable!

The music had just started, with Paul McCartney and Bono doing a duet of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The show had begun. Next up was, U2. And since I don't care much for U2, I walked around passing out REG flyers and talking to fans.

I ran into some fans I'd met in Vienna during the 2002 In the Flesh Tour, and since I didn't have any more money, they offered to buy me a drink, which by that time was most appreciated because my mouth was completely dry. Even though it was still completely overcast, I was parched. In fact, though the cloud cover remained, the day was getting a lot warmer and I saw some guys with their shirts off. So being a typical Californian, I took my shirt off and actually kept it off the rest of the day. Even when it began to cool down, standing amongst a mass of people has a way of keeping you pretty warm.

Elton John was playing, and even though I like Elton John, I didn't pay much attention to his show, and continued to walk around passing out flyers, and people watching.

Like the Altamont rock concert in 1969, which had been billed as Woodstock West... at a concert where there were 250,000 people, the music was more of a side attraction, as many just enjoyed the festive atmosphere of so many people at one place, like one big party.

However, unlike most concerts, and certainly Altamont, where there were 500,000 people, at Live 8, NO alcoholic beverages were allowed. And, not only did I not see anyone drinking alcohol, I did not see ANY drugs!!! I did not even smell any marijuana! I was amazed! I've never been to a rock concert like this. It was a new experience, and made for a wonderful environment.

People were actually caring about, and being respectful and considerate of one another. There was nobody drinking, and there were no drunk assholes to put up with! Most of the first aid tents, that at most concerts seemed crowded with drug overdoses, were consistently empty. And having been clean and sober (alcohol and drug free) for almost 20 years now, this made for a concert that was so much more enjoyable to me. Because believe me, I've had my concert party days!!

Because a majority of the audience could not see the performers on stage, and those who could, saw only small stick or ant like figures, there were large projections screens on each side of the stage as well as situated throughout the huge concert area amongst the vast crowd. These massive projection screens allowed the audience to see the performers up close and personal.

Amid my wanderings, I did stop to watch Cold Play. They were really great and it seemed everyone enjoyed their music immensely. REM REALLY SUCKED!! "If ya believe, they put a man on the moon...man on the moon..." what puerile tripe.

It was not possible to get even near the stage area. Unfortunately the concert grounds had been divided into two main sections. The general admission area, which was comprised of the entire back 3/4's of the concert grounds, and the Gold Circle area, a huge fenced off area in front of the stage. The main concert area was for the general admission audience who were the vast majority of attendees, and the "Gold Circle" area was for the privileged few.

These were VIP's or friends or relatives of the bands who played, and of their support staff. The 'Gold Circle' tickets were not those given away by the lottery, but were given to what seemed a specially privileged class of individuals. The Gold Circle area was a huge area about the size of one or two football stadiums in front of the stage, capable of holding many thousands, but ended up being comparatively sparsely populated. The Gold Circle area was divided from the main crowd by a double barrier fence with many guards patrolling every few feet ensuring no one got across.

It was quite ironic, that this concert was put on to attempt to end poverty in Africa, kind of the have's wanting to help the have-not's. But, when we in the general audience, saw the fantastic view and special food, merchandise and bathroom area's that the privileged VIP's got in the Gold Circle area, it almost felt as if we were the starving Africans looking over the double barrier fence at the comfort and luxury of the Gold Circle VIP's, as Guards patrolled like SS Storm troopers protecting them. So the irony was that it seemed like we were the have-not's, looking over the border at the have's, enjoying a concert put on by the have's for the have-not's. Of course we were rather wealthy have-not's comparatively!

I made my way to the front left of the general admission area. Most everyone were condensed together like sardines, and literally wormed my way slowly through the thick masses of standing room only bodies, as far as I could get towards the stage. I finally got to within 2 yards of the front barrier separating us from the Gold Circle, and I could actually see the performers (between a few heads) on stage, though still quite small, I could at least make out what was going on. But to see expressions on performers faces you still had to look at the large projection screens.

I had traveled seven thousand miles to see 20 minutes of Pink Floyd perform, and so if I wanted to get any kind of view at all I'd have to stay in this spot for the rest of the day. And so it was, standing almost continually hour after hour after hour after hour! Almost 11 hours of standing got to be quite grueling, and eventually I had to attempt to sit down amongst the many feet attempting to surge their way forward.

I did make a friend of a young English lad named Josh. It turned he out was a musician, and a cellist, as well as a classical singer who had been invited to sing solo in choruses at some famous cathedrals and was to be on British TV shows. He said he would me a CD of his! It was great to make a friend at the show because it made the whole atmosphere that much more festive, and as crammed as we were like sardines, much more enjoyable for me.

There were many different types of music at the show. Some of the bands were pretty good, others were so so. Some were really really awful! Marria Carry was horrid, Madonna was GOD Awful. It was great I could sit down during her set.

Keane was pretty good. The Stereophonics were a bit too punk for me... The Scissor Sisters weren't very good.

Snoop Dog kept the crowd hoppin but the hip hop trash he sang was all about trying to make everyone remember hi name!! It was really pretty lame. I don't even remember Razorlight, or Snow Patrol. Velvet Revolver were pretty good, but I heard they've put on a hell of a lot better shows. UB40 really sucked. Joss Stone was horrible. But really the only band I cared about seeing was the one I'd traveled 7 thousand miles to see and that was Pink Floyd.

Bob Geldof came out and made a few announcements periodically during the day. And at one time he even came out with some musicians and did a few songs.

Unfortunately, because the show had already run 2 hours over, my new young friend had to leave early to catch the train home as he did not live in London. And because we were so close to the front, and so packed tightly together, there was no way to leave by making your way back through the thousands and thousands of people. So Josh, as well as others, who wanted to leave, had to be lifted up over the Gold Circle barrier by guards, and then escorted out of the concert.

Sting was pretty good surprisingly. He only played Police hits though, and even politically changed some of the lyrics. Travis was so so.

Annie Lennox was really fantastic! She did this wonderful emotionally evocative song that touched my heart! Without my friend Josh there to keep me company, standing in one place for so many hours was beginning to wear on me.

I was getting very very tired and quite grumpy. And when London crowd favorite, Robbie Williams came on, I had had just about enough! They cheered him almost more than their famous soccer player.. David Beckham... which is something I didn't think was possible. It was like a Robbie Williams fan convention. EVERYBODY and I mean everybody knew ALL the words to all his songs and everyone was singing along... except for me that is. Not only did I not know the words, I thought the songs were rather pop trash reserved for brainless sheep masses who had no musical taste whatsoever! God they were awful, and everybody going ga ga and ape shit over them was almost more than I could take. I wanted to push my finger down my throat to throw up and relieve my agony!

So I decided that I just could not stay there in that crowd much longer. After Robbie Williams, I knew that The Who, Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney were next. And I still couldn't see very well at all. I was exhausted from standing cramped between thousands for too many hours, and wasn't going to put up with traveling all that way and barely being able to see Pink Floyd. I planned to push my way up to the barrier separating the main crowd and the Gold Circle area, and do what my friend did, say he wanted to leave. Only after I was allowed over the barrier... I planned to try somehow to make a break or run for it and loose myself into the Gold Circle crowd.

Well, after Robbie Williams finished (thank God!), I eased my way up to the barrier telling people I wanted to leave. The guards helped me up and over the barrier. But it was only then that saw that it was a double barrier, and I had been lifted into a walk way between them... a walkway that led to an exit completely outside the concert.

My God I thought, I've really fucked myself now, because I was trying to be greedy. And instead of seeing the Pink Floyd reunion, albight from a distance, now, I wouldn't be able to see it at all and would be escorted out of the show. I couldn't believe this... traveling 7 thousand miles for nothing. But as I walked to the exit door in the 20 foot wall that a guard was directing people out of, I noticed a large gap in the second barrier that allowed access to the food and bathroom areas at the back of the Gold Circle area.

And just as I approached the exit, the guard at the door became distracted by some other people going out, as were other guards behind me and I walked swiftly to my left through the second barrier gap and into the food and bathroom area of the Gold Circle! I continued walking briskly, not running or causing attention to my self, and not looking back either, just in case someone might have seen me. I passed some food stands, and went to some rows of fancy portable bathrooms. Not port-a-potties mind you, but real swank portable bathrooms. This was indeed an area for the privileged class. I quickly made up some bullshit in my head, that if I had been seen, and be stopped by a guard, I'd say I had an emergency and had to use the toilet.

I ditched into a bathroom and stayed their for a few moments to make sure I was not seen entering the Gold Circle, and figured, as long as I was there, I might as well use the facilities. After leaving the bathroom, I made my way around the food stands and out past the exit area I'd escaped from. Making myself as nonchalant and un-noticeable as possible, I walked as quickly as I could directly into the packed crowd in front of the stage.

My God. I had made it. I was like only about a hundred yards from the stage, and was standing on a raised part of ground. looking over everyone's heads at the massive stage before me. I had a spectacular view, and I had my digital camera with me as well. I couldn't believe my luck. It was as if it was meant to be. I had arrived in the Gold Circle just in time for The Who.

The Who? Well it was really not The Who. I mean if Paul McCartney and Ringo Star got together, would you call them The Beatles? Hardly, But Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry were great, and carrying on the Who tradition, even though John Entwhistle and Keith Moon are now dead. Anyway Daltry and Townsend were excellent!!

After The Who, I saw some familiar stage hands like Cowboy, Mr. Lamb, Roger Waters' stage manager, directing and overseeing the stage crew, and I instantly knew who was on next.

Then the lights went out and Pink Floyd came out on stage. Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright. There was a massive roar from the 250,000 plus crowd. Roger waved as they all got their instruments ready. And then it began, the moment I'd waited 30 years for. The moment I'd traveled so many miles to see.

Then, you could hear the recording of the sound effects begin and the first strum of the cord from Dave's guitar began... Breathe! And I realized I had been holding my breath so I did. It was unbelievable... awe inspiring. I could not believe what I was witnessing. Roger, Dave, Nick and Rick on stage... together again... for the first time in 24 years.

For me, it was 30 years exactly. The last time I saw the real Pink Floyd was at the Cow Palace in South San Francisco in 1975. It was general admission, and I had stood in line at noon for the 8 PM show to get a good seat. The show before that, in LA, was one that the police made all kinds of arrests and drug busts. In fact, some of the footage from the LA show, of cops beating fans and busting people was used in The Wall movie. It was only a few days later that I saw them in San Francisco. And standing there in line everyone was partying and I saw a few San Francisco police walking up and down the line... taking hit's off joints offered by the concert goers. It just shows what a different atmosphere it was from LA to San Francisco.

At the Cow Palace, they played all of Dark Side of the Moon (it was their first tour to use the round screen, and they had a movie to go with each song. They also played all of Wish You Were Here. An album that would not even come out for 6 months. We had never heard that music before. They also played two other new songs; "Raving and Drooling," and You've Got To Be Crazy. Which as you all know became "Sheep" and "Dogs" from the Animals album.

I had dropped a tab of orange wedge (acid), and it was really a mind blower when this huge mock up of a jet came screaming the auditorium behind and above our heads, to crash into a back drop behind the stage, right in time with the plane crash in the movie on the round screen.

But I digress... Hearing this song again, brought back those memories of 30 years ago when I saw these same 4 guys play this song.

At the sound of cash registers and coins, Roger began the bass line of "Money." It's really wonderful when a band like this can get back together and after only one rehearsal, play their classic music again so completely effortlessly! They played as if they had never stopped playing together. It was as if they were beginning where they had left off 25 years ago! Everything was right on. Dave's guitar solo shown magnificently. You could tell they were having fun! They just ROCKED!!

I was in a state of non-reality!! As the extra guitarist began strumming his acoustic guitar to the opening cords of "Wish You Were Here." As he did so Roger made a comment to the crowd regarding how good it felt to play with these 3 guys once again after so many years, and why they were there to make a difference like everyone else at the show. And then he said... so this is for everyone who couldn't be here... and of course for Syd.

It is impossible for me to describe my feelings... other than to say I was 'comfortably numb,' even before they played it. So many times when listening to this song, I wished that the band could get back together and play again... wished they were here...so to speak... and now they were. But this song means a lot to so many fans that were young when it came out, who listened to this song during times in their life where there was strife, or love, or a well of other memories. And hearing them play this song... together again... brought back all those memories of my youth... of a different time, a different place and a different perspective on life. Time seemed endless, and yet, like it had stopped. Like time stood still. It felt as if I was in a state of suspended animation.

A massive roar was heard at the beginning of each song... as the quarter million in the crowd went ballistic!! Everyone and their brother was taking pictures... there were more people with cell phones snappin photo's above the heads in front of them than there were cameras. I had a great vantage point and was snapping photo's like crazy with my digital. You can see the pics I took on the Live 8 pix page here.

After Wish You Were Here ended, Roger said... and here we go... as they launched into "Comfortably Numb". And of course by that time I wasn't the only one there who already was!!

This was the first time I had ever seen Pink Floyd play this song. When Pink Floyd performed The Wall in LA, I had to work at my job at a record store, while my manager flew down to LA to see the show!

I've seen Dave sing it with Gilmour's so called version of Pink Floyd, and I'm very used to seeing Roger play it at his solo concerts, but I'd never before witnessed the REAL thing with Roger playing bass, and Dave on Guitar! Hearing Dave's voice with Roger's on this song was beyond words... I was truly comfortably numb. Dave's guitar solo was impeccable as always. As the song ended, the crowd once again roared their approval.

What struck me during all 4 songs was how effortlessly each song was done, as if it was 1981 and they'd never stopped playing together. They'd had only one rehearsal, and yet, they were so together and so into their music. Talk about consummate musicians.

After Pink Floyd left the stage, Paul McCartney came on and played. He of course was fantastic. I'd seen him on one of his recent tours. Anytime you can see a Beatle in concert, you know you'll never be disappointed, as all other bands pale in comparison. Being able to see a member of a band that were comparatively the Beethoven's of our time is something you'll be able to tell your grand children about. Without the Beatles, there wouldn't be a Pink Floyd, or even the entire genre of rock and rock and roll music (as well as all the offshoots) that evolved over the past 45 years.

I had heard that Paul had demanded he close the show as the top bill or headliner. And even though I at first kind of thought that was pretty egotistic of him... he is a Beatle and so commanded that honor if he wants it. Although he was probably really upstaged by the first Pink Floyd reunion on 24 years, and I bet it was really hard to go on after Pink Floyd. I don't think anything could have topped that. Except of course if John and George had been alive and they and Ringo had come up on stage to play with Paul! But then that would have topped anything.

As Sir Paul McCartney ended his set... he launched into an encore of "Hey Jude." As the song progressed almost most of the performers who had played at the show began to trickle out onto stage adding their voices to the tune, singing along, until the stage was filled. I spotted Dave as well as Nick, perhaps Rick was there too, but I didn't see Roger, though I assumed he wouldn't be there, as end of show get togethers isn't his thing. Plus, I'm not sure he wanted to be on the same stage with the likes of Madonna and other posers and personalities of the famous and elite.

After the song ended and everyone left the stage, most of those around me looked completely dazed and tired. I for one, was both physically and emotionally exhausted. So, I exited the Gold Circle area following the crowd, which slowly meandered out the gates and wove around past the back of the stage area, and then out of Hyde Park to the streets.

Previous to leaving for London, before I knew I could get a ticket, I had been trying to ask the help of everyone I knew in the Floyd Camp. Because tickets were given out by lottery, Roger's manager couldn't help me. One of my contacts had written saying that he'd see if he could get me on the Pink Floyd guest list. However, by the time my flight left, he hadn't written back.

As the crowd leaving the show, passed the back of the stage area, I saw a Press entrance that led back stage, and thought to myself what the heck... lets see if I can get in. And to my complete surprise I did. I went into the Press hospitality bar, and got a drink and then through the press building into the the back stage hospitality bar and performer area. I spotted Mark Fenwick and Andrew Zweck and went over to chat for a few minutes.

Then, I turned around and not 3 yards behind me I saw Roger drinking a glass of wine and talking to some people. So I put my plastic bag full of t-shirts and programs down on a table with my drink I'd gotten from the bar. I took one of the programs out to have Roger sign, and asked someone to borrow their pen, and waited for Roger to finish his conversation. Then I said hello and asked if he'd sign my program. He recognized me and was glad to give me an autograph as well as write a personal note. He also was good enough to have a photo taken with me. We didn't know if the first one came out well, so we had another taken.

After my picture with Roger I went back to the table 3 yards way to get my bag. But it was gone! I looked everywhere. I thought security might have taken it so I went to report it and tell security I'd been robbed. I had thought the bag would be safe back stage because there were so many security guards everywhere, and only authorized people were allowed to get in. Well live and learn I guess. I'd waited so long in line to get those t-shirts and programs, and at 20 pounds, about $40.00 each, including the program, I'd lost about $140.00. And although that was a huge loss as I didn't know if I'd be able to replace these concert keepsakes, I had also had my new prescription sun glasses as well as prescription glasses in the bag, and I can't even begin to afford to replace them as they were worth well over $500.00. Not to mention the cost to me of not being able to see. It almost ruined my entire trip!!

While talking to security. Jonathan Park was walking by with his grandson and we had a nice conversation. I told him what had happened and he was upset and appalled that such a thing could occur in such a secure area as back stage with so much security all around.

I wandered back to the table where I'd left the bag. Roger was still there conversing with people. And who do I see walking up but David Gilmour. He began chatting to Roger. They both smiled warm smiles at one another and as they talked with each other they seemed like long lost friends reunited once again. I waited until they were done and walked up to him and said, "Hi David, could you sign my program. He said sure. I mentioned that I was the president of the International Roger Waters fan club. He stopped writing and looked askance at me and smiled and said... "oh... well then you forgive me?" It was so classic and so funny! He was very nice and very polite... a friendly English Gentleman. He was also kind enough to have a picture taken with me. I chatted with him for a few minutes and told him how I'd been a Floyd fan since 1968 and seen their show's in San Francisco in 1972 and 1975.

After chatting with Dave for a bit longer. I turned to continue looking for my stolen bag... and who do I see standing on the side by the hospitality trailers but Nick. He wasn't talking to anyone so I went up and asked for his autograph on my program. He was very nice and cordial, and also nice enough to have a photo taken with me. We chatted for a few minutes. We had previously met back stage at the Wembly shows in 2002, and he remembered that I had given him an issue of the REG magazine, and commented that it was very nice.

Again searching for my bag, I decided to look in the Men's room to the side of the hospitality bar. And in one of the toilet stalls, I found my empty bag on the floor, as well as some of the last of the REG flyers I had had in it. I was so depressed! I can understand someone wanting to steal my t-shirts and program, but why would someone want to steal my glasses is beyond me, not to mention the cheap 3 pound umbrella I had brought just in case it rained at the show.

I walked out of the men's room more than a bit down. The security guys came up to me and told me that the head of the security team had told them to tell me that they just guard the artists and the buildings and that they were not responsible for any personal belongings that were lost or stolen. Fuck... a lot of help they were... trying to cover their asses!

I walked over and stood by the Pink Floyd hospitality trailer, and Jonathan Park, his grandson, and the Floyd's kids, youngsters and teenagers, were there. I chatted with Jonathan for a long while and told him all that had happened and we caught up on other things going on in our lives that we'd talked about previously when I'd done an interview with him.

Afterwards, he then went over and talked with... Rick Wright who had just walked out by the hospitality trailer. I didn't want to interrupt. But after a while I walked up and asked Jonathan if he'd mind if his grandson took a photo of me and Rick and him. He said he didn't mind if Rick didn't. And Rick said that would be fine. So I had my photo taken with both Rick and Jonathan. Rick also signed my program. He wasn't very talkative however. He seemed a bit reserved and quiet, but still quite nice and cordial, and it was great to meet him.

While talking to each of the members of Pink Floyd, I refrained from asking the question that was on everyone's mind. And that was, Are Pink Floyd going to get back together again? I felt it was something that all the press had been pestering them about and I didn't want to appear to be one of the paparazzi! I told each Floyd member how much I enjoyed the show and how happy I was that they performed together again. However, by the mood of all the Pink Floyd members, it seemed that they all enjoyed playing together again immensely! In fact, they were all smiles and I could tell the atmosphere was one of glee and reconciliation. There was absolutely no tension that I could detect. Dave, Nick and Roger talked animatedly together smiling and nodding. It was as if they'd never been adversaries.

So for anyone that is hoping for a real reunion... well I'll just say that it wouldn't surprise me if they got back together for at least a proper concert, perhaps for some charity or benefit. But at this point, nothing would surprise me. If they toured... I'd be extremely excited, though the chances of that happening are still not the best. But as long as we're dreaming... if they got back together and Roger wrote another Floyd album and they toured, I'd be extremely ecstatic, however the chances of that happening are even more remote. Though, at this point, anything could happen. Roger has done what he vowed never to do. Hell has frozen over and pigs must indeed fly. So it's a new ball game as they say. Anything could happen, but I'll not predict it. And be very careful about believing rumor, because they're still rampant out there.

I was surprised that out of all the many many performers and musicians that were at the show, the only ones I saw back stage were Pink Floyd. Although that was just fine by me, it would have been great meeting Paul McCartney or Elton John.

By this time, everyone was leaving the back stage area, and I left by way of the motor car/ bus parking area, and ended up having to walk the long way around the outside of Hyde Park trying to get back to my hotel at about 1:30 or 2 in the morning. I got lost for a bit a few times, and had to back track back to the main Hyde Park area. This was not a great part of London, very ethnic and less well off. In fact I passed 3 youths who seemingly had just beaten up another. They were holding this guy who had thrown up and was very drunk. It was hard to tell if they were holding up a friend or twisting the guy's arm behind him... I think the latter. And kept turning around to stare, wanting to help or do something... I tried to find a Bobbie but you can never find a cop when ya want one. And after walking many blocks saw a patrol car zooming back the way I had come. So I assumed someone with a cell phone (I don't have one) had called and they were coming to the rescue.

I finally found my way back to my hotel. You can't even imagine how tired I was. Standing in relatively one place for 11 hours is hard on one's feet. They tend to ache. And then doing a lot of walking afterwards... I was completely and totally exhausted. I got inside the hotel, and it turned out that although it was a 5 star hotel, they locked the front door, and I had to ring a bell. So much for Hyde Park at night! I finally took the elevator to my room, and it never felt so good to take off my clothes and jump in the shower. Oh my God... it felt good to lay down on a soft bed and drift off to sleep. I had planned to meet Simon and my fellow Floyd fans the next morning, but decided I was too exhausted and just slept in until noon! It was wonderful.

Because my hotel room was so expensive... I couldn't afford to stay in London for another day, so I decided that I would take the train back to Brighton to stay with my friend for another night before leaving for San Francisco the next morning. I left the hotel and took the bus back to Victoria station instead of the "tube," cause lugging my luggage around up and down all the stairs and walkways of London's underground subway system is not a cherished experience. Once at Victoria Station, I bought my train ticket and went to telephone my friend when I'd be there. Figuring out how to use a foreign phone system... even one in a country that speaks the same language can be quite a challenge.

Anyway, I finally arrived back in Brighton, my friend picked me up and when I told him about my stolen t-shirts and glasses, he reminded me that although that was a horrible thing to have happen, that I had gotten a once in a lifetime chance to meet all the members of Pink Floyd in person. The glasses and t-shirts can somehow, eventually be replaced. But how many of the 250,000 people at the concert got to meet Pink Floyd? I knew he was right, and have that great memory to cherish as long as I live. That night, he and his wife cooked me a fantastic traditional English Sunday Supper, roast beef, roasted potatoes and gravy with Yorkshire pudding. It was wonderful!

The next morning he took me to the airport, and after another 5 hour stop-over, this time in Cleveland, I arrived home, still delirious over my excellent adventure.