"Guns 'N' Roses, Guns 'N' Roses, GUNS 'N' ROSES!"

Price of two concert tickets to see Guns 'N' Roses, $70. Price of dinner for two at Stir Crazy Asian Fusion Grill, $20. Price of a GnR concert t-shirt, $30. Price of a multi-colored glow stick wand, $1. Watching Zayne at his first rock concert, playing an innovated version of air guitar using his 5 stranded glow stick wand to Axl Rose performing "Sweet Child of Mine"? PRICELESS!!!

It wasn't without some trepidation that I chose my 4 (almost 5) year old as my date to GnR. I'm a seasoned concert goer, per se. The last decade has probably averaged one major concert a year, though enough to know the scene we would be in for. After weighing the pro's & cons for a couple of days of taking him to a crowded adult dominated scene, I settled on a decision. I would rather him experience the artistry of a rock concert, through my eyes, while at my side, where I could address the disparities of people's life-style choices. Besides, it's not as if I were planning on bringing him into the GA, throwing him on my shoulders, and heading to the pit. I researched the venue, avoiding the areas prone to partying, e.g. the GA lawn option. Then selected specific seats, taking into consideration the proximity to exits & the stage. As well as I know my child, I also know just as well the unpredictability of children. One minute everything is smooth sailing, and the next you've ruined their lives, and they are sobbing loudly in the lobby of Chick Fila because you traded in their "toy" i.e. 1/5th of a plastic globe (a plastic wedge) for an ice-cream cone. Even while purchasing our tickets online, and hitting the "submit order" confirmation, I thought, "Well. I'm either going to win the "worst mother ever" or "coolest mom ever"award." His smile speaks for itself. As does his excited declaration of "Our concert date is awesome! I like the loud music. The really loud songs are my favorite!"



I timed our arrival perfectly. This was calculated as well. I knew his attention span would wane if we were just waiting around. And as much as I enjoy people watching, I didn't really want to be walking him around in the crowds. My 'mama bear' mode kicked in as I ushered him past a belligerent drunk, gripped his little hand, and bee-lined it to the concert t-shirt tent. He chose contemplatively, and settled on a skull, eagle wings, & roses number. The smallest size was an adult small, but he has assured me that if we wash & dry it enough times it will eventually shrink to his size.

Keeping him close, we made our way to our seats, attracting the attention of every eye we passed. I mean how could we not, with his fabulous smile and his rock-star skinny jeans tucked into his red & tan cowboy boots!? I breathed a sigh of relief as we found our seats, and I surveyed and acknowledged our neighbors. A family in front of us with 5 adolescents, 2 friendly couples behind us, and a couple in their early 50's; her epitomizing the quintessential boobs, blonde, & black of the iconic rocker chic, and him sporting a clean conservative haircut & a leather bomber jacket. I no sooner had pulled out the children's Highlights magazine to read to him, and the opening chords of the electric guitar pierced the air. With the roar of the crowd and the palpable energy intensifying with the anticipation of the appearance on the stage, I watched Zayne's eye's widen and his smile grow. As the band took the stage and started to play, he turned to me and said in appreciative awe, "That is an electric guitar. Mom, please I have one for at home?" To which I smiled and replied, "So you want to learn how to play the guitar?" His classic response to my inquiry was, "I already know how to play the guitar, I just need one to play."

So during Rocket Queen I turned to him and asked my usually willing dance partner, " Want to dance!?" I look down at his studious amused face, taking it all in. He looked up at me and apolegetically said "No, I just want to watch & listen." I was shocked at his decline. I worriedly barraged him with questions "Are you okay? Are you tired? Are you ready to leave?"
He replied "Mom, I'm not tired. I like it. I want to stay!...But Mom I want to put my hands in my hoodie pockets."
It was then it hit me. My premonition was confirmed as I glanced around and saw that every man within our vantage, was standing stoically with their hands in their pockets. Moving only their heads and shoulders to the music. I was amused and annoyed. I wanted to yell out, "thanks a lot guys, y'all just lost me my dance partner!"


My partner returned with The Jungle and some pyrotechnics. The crowd responded loudly in appreciation. And from there we rocked out to a killer set including Estranged, Sweet Child of Mine, Live & Let Die, and November Rain.. He lasted about as long as I anticipated. At 11:30, he turned his tired eyes up at me and smiled. Knowing I'd miss Paradise City, I said "Have you had fun, are you ready to go, or do you want to listen to more songs?"
To which he said, "Guns N Roses is cool rockstars. Can I put on my shirt, and we go home so I can sleep?"

We had so much fun! My prayer that the concert would start on time was answered (on this tour they had been known to not come on stage til 11:15), so by 11:30 we had already rocked out for two hours. He was a fantastic concert date. As we were leaving the pavilion a stylish, responsibly fun looking, couple about my age was walking out and she smiled at me and said "We take our kids to concerts too, our daughter takes electric guitar lessons at School of Rock." Of course I knew what she was talking about, so I replied, "The one in Southlake? I've looked into that, we drive by there on the way to drop him to school." And from there we talked all the way out of the pavilion, out into the middle of the parking lot (In retrospect, I probably should have taken down her contact info.) It was with this conversation with a kindred rocker chic momma from my neighborhood, Zayne's declaration of "I didn't see scary, rowdy people. I saw rockstars", and pulling out of the parking lot, with Zayne chanting, "Guns N Roses, Guns N Roses, Guns N Roses", then having him promptly fall asleep, that I was able to breath a sigh of relief. I hadn't just won the "Worst Mother Ever" award.