So there I was, minding my own beeswax last night in the lobby at Merrill Auditorium milling with the throngs of hipster fans before the Ryan Adams & The Cardinals perform. When all of a sudden, and quite randomnly, a friend of a friend pointed out that standing out 15 feet away was none other than Tour de France rock star cyclist, Lance Freaking Armstrong. Notebook in hand, I gently approached him and he was perfectly pleasant. I wasn't after an autograph, I was after a couple of quotes to throw into my review of the show. I introduced myself and told him I was covering the show for the local paper.Lance told me he's been a fan of Ryan's for many years, dating back to Whiskeytown days. He decided to come to Portland for this show before heading to NYC tomorrow to celebrate his 36th birthday. Lance had never been to Portland before and he did what any well do to first timer would do: have dinner at Fore Street. Then we shook hands, I thanked him and that was that. I saw him again during the intermission (which was an unplanned one due to sound issues) and we chatted some more about the show. I then patted him on the shoulder, said "Thanks, Lance" and he thanked me as well and I was on my merry way. As for Ryan Adams, he is an incredibly talented musician but something of a tortured soul. He was Mr. Negative Nelly but he and the band sounded GREAT.
And that my friends, is my tales from the city from last night. Later, ALP
And that my friends, is my tales from the city from last night. Later, ALP
