It started out like any other normal day. I woke up, got ready for work, had a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal and packed my bag for the night gig. This time, I didn’t grab one of my security shirts. I had to pack my black suit. I was working a private event at the Capitol Theatre. Working at The Capitol Theatre is not always easy for me. They host quite a few jam bands. By quite a few, I mean they are almost an exclusively jam band venue. The jam roots run deep at The Cap with Jerry Garcia’s blessing and an attached bar named after him. Phil Lesh had played there over 100 times. They have dozens of Grateful Dead tributes and influenced bands- which pack the theater every time. I dont hate it. It’s just not my thing. I have many friends who love the Dead and that sound, but I never got it. I can appreciate the talent, but it’s one of the few genres of music that just elude my taste and my liking. Tonight was going to be different though.
Eldridge Industries is an investment company valued at 74 billion dollars. They rent out The Cap every year for their annual Christmas party- and do they know how to throw a party! Catered with a non-stop flow of amazing food…food that we are told not to touch…wink wink. This year they had two big open bars and two large lounge type bars with couches, built inside the theater just for the party. They also have an array of food stations set up throughout the venue. The highlight of the night is always the music. They bring in a band that usually plays stadiums, not the 2,000 seat Capitol Theatre.
When I got to Port Chester, Broad Street was blocked off with police trucks and flashing lights. The catering tents were set up in the road outside the venue with stadium lighting that made it look like daytime. I parked at the train station across the street and walked upstairs above the Cap for the security briefing where we were told this is a very “hands off” show. We are there to basically provide assistance in case of emergencies or medical issues. My assignment was “Evolve” which is watching the metal detectors at the door for entrancing. This means, much like at The Chance, I am the first one the guests see when they walk into the building. Lucky them.
There are only 1,000 guests- half of The Cap’s note male capacity. All of them are Eldridge employees or VIP guests and a few friends of the Cap’s owner, Peter Shapiro. It’s a pretty exclusive event and there was a lot of money in the room- including Eldridge CEO Todd Boehly, whose net worth is nearly ten billion dollars. About 45 minutes after doors opened, I am watching the security monitors and a smiling face pops up right next to me. It’s Rob Lowe. He says hello and asks how I’m doing. I say, Welcome Mr. Lowe, and direct him to the ticket takers. Several minutes later, a woman walks towards me and starts up a conversation. I asked her if she has a QR code and look up to see her husband, The Captain, Mark Messier. He was very friendly as I welcomed them in. I’ve seen Mark at the Cap a few times and it’s always a little bit of a thrill.
After entrancing was done, I gave breaks to a few guards and then went into the theater to float. The room is pretty much unrecognizable, as it is decorated with at least 25 Christmas trees food stations, platform lounges and a steady parade of servers with delicious appetizers, followed by chicken and beef sliders, sushi, gourmet hotdogs and probably some other great stuff that I had missed.
The band had started and it was quite a lineup. The house band was Smith Watt Steakhouse, which is comprised of Chad Smith (from The Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Andrew Watt, who is one of the hottest producers in music today- and a hell of a guitar player/singer. They played a great set including “Whipping Post” with Cap regular, Warren Haynes before welcoming the first guest headliner- Elvis Costello. A few songs later, they introduce Billy Idol. Billy really gets the crowd going and then brings on the amazing Miss Lisa Fischer for a rousing version of “Gimme Shelter.”
If you don’t know who she is, google her and come see her at Daryl’s House in January. She is one of my favorite artists to visit the club. After Billy’s set Andrew introduces the one and only Iggy Pop, who very soon has his shirt off and is rolling around on the floor. He drops a ton of f-bombs and asks the crowd, “Who has the balls to come up here and sing with me?” At this point, I am standing at stage right, looking at the other guards who are all wondering if he really just said that and how many people are going to storm the stage. Fortunately, there is just one guy at stage left who Iggy invites up. While he is talking to the brave and quite probably intoxicatied man, I am intently watching and waiting for something stupid to happen. Just then, I feel a hand in my shoulder. I hear a very familiar and recognizable voice say, “Did he just invite people up?” For a quick second, I thought I was in a scene from St. Elmo’s Fire. I turn around and yes, it is Rob Lowe, who was very nice to me earlier. I said, I believe he did. Rob replied, I have to get up there! The guard next to me was blocking him with his arm and shaking his head. I said, Dude- It’s Rob Lowe! We have to let him up! Reluctantly, he dropped his arm and Rob climbed the steps and navigated his way over the monitors and wires. My coworker said, I have a feeling we’re gonna get shit for this. I said, “It’s Rob Lowe. I’ll take the heat.” Just then, I saw my boss standing on the opposite side of side of the stage, watching this all go down. He wasn’t freaking out, so I figured we were safe. Then I watch Rob, and I prepare to catch him or help him up when he falls, but instead, he frantically starts to disrobe, throwing his jacket to the side of the stage and pulling off his shirt. He stomps across the stage, arms flailing about, like he’s Iggy Pop himself and starts dancing and singing with Iggy, who has launched into, I Wanna Be Your Dog, by The Stooges.
Is this really happening? My eyes scan across the theater and I look up to the owners box and see Leonardo DiCaprio enjoying the moment. Leonardo DiCaprio?? Mark Messier is in the box behind him, laughing at the scene. There have been a lot of drugs done in this building, and that would explain this moment, but I don’t do drugs and I hardly ever drink. This was real. And crazy.
When Iggy was done, the next guest was introduced. Eddie Vetter. I am not a huge Pearl Jam fan, but I respect them and it was pretty cool to see Eddie so close up. My much younger coworker and partner at Bethel as well as the Cap was in his glory, as he is a huge fan.
The final guest to join the band was the one and only Roger Daltrey. He did a great set of Who classics and then all the performers joined him on stage for a very grand finalé.
To top this strange and wonderful night off, my drive home was detoured and lengthened due to a plane crash on Rt 684. This gave me a few extra minutes to replay the crazy moments of the night in my mind and think for a second, Forrest Gump was right. Life is like a box of chocolates…
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