Favourite concert memories of Janis

[Lincoln Imp]

Hi, I'm new here to this board, but have been a fan of Janis since....ooooh Nineteen Oatcake!! I have seen Janis a few times over the years but my favourite night of all was at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London 1998 when she was touring with Martin Stephenson and Martyn Joseph. What a great night that was, I did not know much about Martin Joseph but after seeing him I started to buy his cd's and what a performer he is. But Janis was outstanding. After she had finished singing At Seventeen, I plucked up the courage and shouted out, "Sing it again Janis." She smiled and then a look of real pain crossed her face and she said "Oh no, it's too much like reliving adolescence." I went home on a cloud because she had spoken to me. I didn't have time to stay for the signing because, well, that's another story.

So, what are your favourite memories?

[SongDragon]

Well... the first time I saw Janis... wasn't that long ago. Almost a year ago, actually. I was at the signing and I was trying to introduce myself and I managed to say, "MynameisJenfer..." and I suddenly realized that that name didn't make any sense. I finally mumbled, "I'm SongDragon," feeling quite strange. I told her how I had become a fan, asked her to sign the two CDs I had, and went away. When I went away I remembered someone had told me to get a hug from Janis... So nervously I went back down after and asked for one. Yippee!

The last Janis concert I went to will probably stay in my memory too... Trying to get around to Janis, saying my name as "SongDragon", Janis recognizing the name. That must have surprised me as much as anything.

~Song

[Wandering Man]

Hi, I'm new here to this board, but have been a fan of Janis since....ooooh Nineteen Oatcake!! I have seen Janis a few times over the years but my favourite night of all was at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London 1998 when she was touring with Martin Stephenson and Martyn Joseph. What a great night that was, I did not know much about Martin Joseph but after seeing him I started to buy his cd's and what a performer he is.?

Ahhh what a night that must have been! I was introduced to Martyn Joseph a couple of years ago. Seeing both Janis and him in one night on one stage must have been fantastic!

[Pesky]

My favorite Janis Ian concert memory is from a couple of years ago. My parents live near Reno, NV. I timed a visit to coincide with a Janis concert in the area. The venue was a some state park, out doors. The evening was perfect. The mountains created an incredible backdrop to the music coming from the stage. My parents fell in love with Janis that night. Which was kinda funny, after all those years of my mom dismissing my music as "too heavy". She still doesn't know I was listening to the same Janis Ian, she now thinks "she discovered".

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Lincoln Welcome to the board...
Firstly you know Janis is currently (now) touring parts of the UK Check the tour schedule page nd you might find a surprize.......

Being a bit older then Janis (and Moses & Dirt I'm told) and a bit of an ornary cuss as some here on the board may have noted from time to time, how could I not like Janis... A kid that was gutsy enough in the 60's to write and sing a song as brash as "Society's Child"... I mean she was banned from some of the AM radio stations I listened to... My ex-wife brought home the an album by Janis.. and I was hooked... well over the years the former wife and I fell apart and divorced and Janis disappeared into the woodwork...:(

Then back in 2002, driving through the center of town we saw on the Marquee of the State Theatre Janis Ian (Performing the night before we had tickets to see the Moody Blues at the same venue) Well, I'm not big on doublr parking but I mean most reasonable police officers would realize double parking to by tickets to a Janis Ian concert is a legitimate emergency... At that concert the spell over my life was refreshed and again my heart, soul and ears were captured... After the show I stood in line to say hello (which I don't do at other concerts) I fumbled for the right words.... I mean this person had been an influence in my life... finding the correct thing to say finally I found myself standing in front of this magnificent smiling Lady. I opened my mouth prepared to be cool and out came the words..."Duuuuuhhhhh I thought you were taller...." Well, I hope i've been forgiven for that... Two weeks later we attended a free outdoor concert in Reading Pa... and since then we've seen her a number of times including three shows this year and currently have plans for four others between now and october... through Janis, Betty and I have been blessed with meeting some really cool, special and wonderful people that are members of this message board so you see it's been a triple blessing for us.. Janis, Rudies and Travel...

What more could one ask?

Best wishes to you and hope you find your way to one or more of her shows... You won't regret it...

R. from Pa

[Anna from Dublin]

Experiencing Janis sing Stars live at my first JI concert and being awestruck and moved to tears. (Dublin 1980)

In 1986 seeing Janis at the Bottom Line in New York and meeting Janis's Mom Pearl. A real lady.

Sitting near the front row in a tiny night club in Philly (The something Angel I think it was called) circa 1995 and being moved to tears again.

The Philly Folk Festival around 1996 when I first heard Janis use the special effects on Ride Me Like a Wave and being really impressed and trying to describe it to people later and them thinking I was nuts!

Seeing Janis being rained off-stage almost at a free concert near Valley Forge around 1997. As everyone dispersed in the pelting rain, I ran up to the stage and shouted to Janis from behind: "Janis what's the name of the new album?" and she replied "Heh, Anna - it's Hunger" I couldn't believe she recognised my voice! (Mind you there weren't many Irish fans living in Philly, I suppose!) Still, I was way impressed and floated home!

Sitting at my Living Room Concert (Jan 13th 2000; Dublin) with all my friends around me and Janis starting off the concert with "This Train Still Runs "and me thinking this is just soooooo cool and literally incredible. And yes the tears came again on that very first song.

The following night in the club in Abbey Street, sitting in the front row - it was one of the best shows ever. Janis did Hunger and it was the best performance ever.

Being at Janismania; then the Club Cafe DVD shoot for the first night and having to leave then and miss the second and better night - bummer!

Bringing my Godson of 22 to his first JI concert last year (Whelans; Dublin) and knowing that he wasn't even born when his mother and I went to our first Janis concert in 1980.

[Eva]

I have only been to two concerts. (But that will change this year) The second concert was in Rotterdam. I was in row 6. I had been completely in the back in Amsterdam during the first concert so this was a real treat to me. After all those years of listening to Janis's music, my idol was so close that I could almost touch her.

I could see every expression on her face while she was singing and playing her guitar. Every raised eyebrow, every little smile, everything. That was so wonderful. A dream come true... And then she turned out to be this really nice woman who spoke with me as if I was living down the street from her. No divatendencies. A very nice, talented and capable woman. And funny too. How lovely! And how refreshing.

Eva

[hoops]

welcome lincoln!!! i'm glad you made it to the board :)
peace
hoops

[Marcia Drummergal]

You said, "Being at JanisMania......" My dear, how about ACCOMPANYING Janis on piano as she sang "Ruby?" How many of us have had the ultimate experience of making music with Janis?! (Other than singing FINB?) LOL You are way too modest! I think though, that you have had some pretty amazing experiences with our favorite Rude Girl!!!

Marcia :)

[GodSistah]

Hello Lincoln Imp, welcome to the board! Have fun! :)

Eva, love the high heel! ;)

~Andrea~

[KarenSews2]

For me, it was probably the LRC at JanisMania. Sitting about 10 feet away, and surrounded by so many wonderful people, the tears came. I had been to only 2 concerts before that, one in 1977, and the other in (I think) 1998. I kept thinking, "My GOD! She's right there! and I'm right here!" The evening was magical with tears and laughter.

[Anna from Dublin]

Of course I am unbelievably proud of playing Ruby with Janis, but funnily enough I was not being coy - I actually didn't think of it when thinking of my favorite memories! I suppose it was because I was so very nervous it doesn't spring to mind when thinking of warm cosy memories. But like I told Janis it is one of the two things I am most proud of in my life and I doubt anything else will ever surpass it. Thanks for reminding me Marcia!

[Dar]

Remains one of the fondest memories of my life, a true dream come true.

As favorite concert memories, I do have another.
It was probably about four years ago now, and Janis actually did TWO shows west of the Rockies that I was able to go to. The second show was in an outdoor venue in a little town near Lake Tahoe, and it was very close to my birthday, so we decided to make it a birthday weekend in Tahoe with the bonus of seeing a Janis concert. There I sit in the front row, all atwitter as usual. Janis comes out and begins her set, I think she winks at me, but I figure I'm just being a dreamer, she doesn't remember me. Then she starts doing one of her guitar solo moves where she comes out close to the end of the stage to play, and as she's standing right in front of me she looks right at me and mouths "Hi Dar!". OH MY GOD!! I will never forget that feeling!

:D

[DaveM]

My thus-far only experience in seeing Janis perform was at JanisMania--could it ever be topped? I was actually in the front row until Michelle and Rachel dumped a couch in front of me (am just jealous because I didn't think of it first). But truly a once in a lifetime experience to be part of a concert where the audience was almost as much of the performance as the star performer (the Janis Horror Picture Show?).

During the break I spoke briefly with Janis, who seemed to recognize practically everyone in the room and wondered who I was. I explained that it was "my first time" and she replied "you really went out on a limb, didn't you?"

Perhaps I did. But I have never had the slightest reason to regret it. Who knew, after all, that I would arrive in Indiana as a mere mortal and depart as an honorary lesbian? Apart from the Catholic air conditioning, I cannot imagine a finer time, unless of course Janis agrees to do it again.

[Lincoln Imp]

What great memories you all have, I would die to accompany Janis singing! I would probably die of fright if I discovered I could play an instrument!! I love listening to music but playing is a different planet for me!!

[Dee]

Welcome, Lincoln Imp.

Notes from my journal:

May 2004
Hugh's Room
Toronto Canada

About eight twenty, we were seated. At our table was a friendly couple named Linda and Jim, so we introduce ourselves and chatted each other up. Suddenly, the lights dim and the room filled with applause as the Rude Girl logo appeared on the black drapes behind the stage.

Janis made her way downstairs and though the dining room, guitar strapped on and strumming the intro to her opening song.

Set One ensued and I was mesmerized. Snapped a picture now and then, and was in seventh heaven. That is Janis Ian! 30 feet away from you! was all my mind kept thinking. By the time she got to singing, When I Lay down, my tear ducts engaged. It was the first time I'd heard it, and it was an immediate favourite in my heart. Set One ended with an amazing rendition of Between The Lines. Incredible.

Following the break, and a chance for my heart rate to return to normal, Janis returned dressed more casually and performed Set Two of the evening. Of course her show was interspersed with her humourous tales and the audience loved them.

Then came time for the meet & greet. <hugs> Janis signed all 3 of my discs and we took a picture together. On BB she signed - To Dee, at last - and WWAN she signed with - To Dee, see you next time! Dwight's she signed directly to him.

An aside: since I was there as a guest of Janis Ian, she made sure that my pass tag was one for JanisMania. She is so cool.

Janis was in spectacular singing/playing form. And that Philip is a total wizard on the sound board.

[Des]

Brighton UK - Mon April 17 2006. :D

[Aunt Becky]

Hello - This is my first post. Guess I'm the new kid on the block. I sent this as an email to Janis, and she actually emailed me back. Could you die??!!! She was packing for the UK. Can't believe she would take the time to reply. I was afraid she might put a restraining order out on me after reading this. Anyway, hope you enjoy my little story:

On Saturday, April 1 2006, I was fortunate to have a VIP seat in the second row for the Janis Ian concert in the charming little town of Mount Dora, Florida. Although this was my first time to see Janis in person, I knew I was going to love it since I've been very connected to her music for a hundred years. What I didn't know could fill an epistle. I knew Janis was an exceptional songwriter and singer. What I didn't know is that Janis Ian is a magician. How was I to know she could make the rest of the world disappear? How was I to know she could make the world stop spinning for two hours? How was I to know that she would rock my world and shake my emotions at their roots? We were enthralled, transfixed, transported to some other place.

After the concert I of course stood in line for the autograph signing. Standing for some time as they set up for the large crowd, I had time to think...well of course I'm going to say something very profound to my precious idol, something clever for sure, and no doubt something terribly memorable. I'll tell her my husband's shirt is soaked from my tears tonight as she reached in and touched my heart to the very core. I'll tell her how I'm not just a regular old fan who loves her music. Oh no, I must somehow let her know that she's had an impact on my life; a profound impact. When I was 16 years old I sang "Society's Child" in my coffeehouse set. I didn't really understand the social commentary until many years later, but I knew it was making a statement and it was an important song. I must somehow let her know how the first time my band was on the road I bought my first cassette tape player for my car (that was something new in the '70's) and the only tape I had for weeks was "Between The Lines", and every song on that album is in my psyche, under my skin. I must let her know I don't just hear her songs, I feel them at the cellular level. The melodies are like rare gems, the lyrics often other-worldly. How does she do it? Where does it all come from? I'm next in line...say something, make your mark, she must know how special she is.

Choke... Silence... In all my many years I have never been at a loss for words. I'm never quiet. I always have a snappy comment in my pocket. But nothing. I'm standing right in front of Janis Ian. She shook my hand. She's writing "To Becky" on the poster. They're going to make me move on in 5 seconds. Say something, you dufus! "Gee, Janis, two hours ago I had some decent eye liner on and a new travel package of tissue. Now the kleenex is gone and I'm a wreck." So, hot shot, that's all you've got??? Standing in the presence of such greatness, and that's all you've got?!!!!! Your make-up is cried off?!!! Oh for godsake, just move on so the next person can give this musical treasure her due.

Oh well, I'll get myself to another concert, maybe next year, and then, yeah buddy, I'll have a fabulous comment for my Janis Ian. I've got months to plan it this time. It'll be brilliant. It'll be profound. She'll remember it always. She'll write a song about it!! It will inspire her!!
She'll write a song that will save humanity from its woes!! And then boy oh boy I'll Be Somebody!! I'll have a hand in saving the world!! Okay, I'm done now. I need a nap. Long live Folk Music. Long live Janis Ian. Love ya. Mean it. Aunt Becky;)

[sister rose]

What a great story, Aunt Becky! Thanks for sharing! You've just experienced what the rest of us experience everytime we see Janis live. It never gets any easier! Welcome to the JIMB! :D

[Irish Beth]

The 2006 Club Cafe concert - sitting 6 feet from Janis, surrounded by all my new found friends - being taken on a metaphysical journey that I hoped would never end.

[david uk]

Of course I am unbelievably proud of playing Ruby with Janis, but funnily enough I was not being coy - I actually didn't think of it when thinking of my favorite memories! I suppose it was because I was so very nervous it doesn't spring to mind when thinking of warm cosy memories. But like I told Janis it is one of the two things I am most proud of in my life and I doubt anything else will ever surpass it. Thanks for reminding me Marcia!

Anna your rendition of Ruby is for me the highlight of the Janismania DVD- awe-inspiring!:)

[Marcia Drummergal]

Well, I think you must know now that you have gotten to share with Janis (and all of her other #1 fans) all of the things you didn't get to say when you met her! So hey, you did really well! And of course, once you've been to 1 Janis concert....well, it's kinda like eating potato chips. Can't have just one!!

Stick around!

Marcia :)

[DaveM]

Unfortunately, the Janismania DVD did not include Janis bringing Anna up on stage after "Ruby" and hugging the stuffing out of her, to general acclaim. Several of us got stills of the moment, but they're not quite the same.

Somehow I have a hunch that gentle Anna still feels the warmth of that evening and smiles.