Do It Again

First, I’ll say this about ordering room service with a seven-year-old at 10:15 p.m. Don’t. She will say it’s something she’s been looking forward to forever but, when the food finally arrives, she will be way too tired to consume much of anything and you’ll end up finishing her fries and scarfing down the brownie sundae that you had planned to share.

Now, about the movie.

We had a strong crowd, a standby audience, and were honored with the presence of Kinks site czar Dave Emlen, who drove from Rochester, NY. Big laughs early on and applause at the first mention of Warren Zanes and his Rock Hall history – we were, after all, sponsored on this night by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

My greatest joy had to be sitting with Lila. She wore a special dress for the night and seemed genuinely stunned to see our lives up on a big screen. She didn’t fall asleep until very late in the game and was moving in her seat along to “You Really Got Me” At the end, as the Q & A got started, I mentioned that Lila would sign autographs and, by my count, at least a couple dozen people took her up on that offer.

Jim Henke interviewed us for the post-screening chat. This is the same Jim Henke who, before he became the Rock Hall’s V.P. of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs, basically introduced the States to U2 and The Police. He also put together the fantastic Bruce Springsteen exhibition currently at the Rock Hall.

I always feel a bit sad during an important event like this. I know there’s only one US premiere and we’re also at a special festival. Cleveland is packed, the volunteers are right on and we are being sponsored by the Rock Hall. I’m here with my daughter – Carlene can’t travel; she’s too close to giving birth – and we’re experiencing something she doesn’t quite realize won’t happen again.

So forgive me for finishing the brownie sundae. As I took another spoonful, I realized it was okay. Sometimes, you just have to celebrate.