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Two flights and a lengthy layover – ( enough said )
Pam and I did meet a great guy on the Dallas layover. A fellow Sammy fan, and graphic artist from South Carolina Mike (who later became “Miguel”) He has a tattoo of the Cabo Wabo logo, complete with the blue agabe cactus leaves. Even Sammy’s tat doesn’t have the leaves like on the Tequila bottle. There was a very dramatic mystery surrounding Mike (who later became “Miguel”) He was waiting for his best friend so they could take the connecting flight to Cabo together. He never showed. Is he injured? Is he dead? Was there a family tragedy? No sign and no word. The mystery has begun, but more on that later.
The rest of the people with us on the van ride to the hotel, were a group of Sammy fans from St. Louis who were a part of the 100 or so strong showing of K-SHE listeners who called “Rockin’ Rhonda at Travel Link and bought the all inclusive package like I did. For now I’ll call them “Steve, the two Kevin’s, Toby and their chicas. These four couples are a complete segment of this story. The most romantic and heart touching part of Sammy’s b-day week. More on that later too.
After checking in at the hotel, Pam and I met up with the working contingent of the K-SHE staff that made the trip. Favaz of course, and Tony (Promotions and Marketing Director) and Sam Caputa the engineer with his lovely wife Mary, whom I was really glad to get to know better and spend some time with. The six of us had an excellent Italian meal at a very romantic place called “Romeo and Julietta’s. (It was even better than Fazoli’s. HA-HA)
So, we had just enough time to check in, get cleaned up, have dinner then walk two or three blocks to the Cabo Wabo Cantina for the surprise concert. It may not have been a surprise to everybody but it sure was to me. We saw Collective Soul live our first night ever at Sammy’s bar. How cool is that? What made it even better is that we were just 30 feet from the stage. (Kind of like standing next to the bar at Pops) The Roland brothers were “on-it”, you could tell they were more than happy to be rockin’ out in a tropical paradise and celebrating Sammy’s b-day. After Collective Soul, it was Michael Anthony’s “Mad Anthony’s Express”. A stellar job I must say, Vick’s guitar and Michael’s voice were top notch.
The celebrity spotting of the night was Chris Angel “Mind Freak”. He was above us on the v.v.i.p. balcony. I looked down just to take a sip of my Mexican beer, then looked back up and – poof - he disappeared. (Like magic)
Sunrise in Cabo, a long walk on the beach and pockets full of sand from a swim in the Sea of Cortez. Another meeting with Mike (who later became “Miguel”), still no word from his missing friend. The worrying begins, the mystery continues.
Friday was our first dip in the Hotel Tesoro pool with a swim-up bar. It was also our first experience with a dirty monkey, a chocolaty drink, as popular as it is sweet. I thought there has to be a dirty monkey joke somewhere. With this many people drinking them it would go over well.
Friday night’s show at the Cabo Wabo Cantina was one of six scheduled shows that kick off the sixty show tour that includes the two sold out shows K-SHE is presenting in November at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.
It was an abbreviated show that everyone agreed was slightly shorter than normal in preparation for the big event less than 24 hours away. Sammy, Vic, Mona and Dave were gearing up for a once in a lifetime party.
Mona roamed the crowd after the show and I was lucky enough to talk to her for only the second time in my life. I reminded her that I have one of her picks from a concert years ago. Then out of the blue she gives me not one, but two guitar picks, another of her pink ones with her name on one side, and the words “house of cat” on the other. Plus, she gives me one of Sammy’s picks with the Cabo Wabo logo backed with the wood carving looking picture of Sammy’s face. Oh, by the way, how many dirty monkeys does it take to screw in a light bulb? Ready. Just one, but if his name is Sanchez, you have to wipe it off when he’s done. See I told you.
The big day has arrived. Sammy is now immersed in the love of not only his closest friends and dearest relatives, but also his biggest fans from around the world. (A group of which, I’m thrilled to be a part)
Security packed the Cantina tight as a drum. Pam and I were three tightly packed Sammy fans and one security guard away from the stage. The Red Rocker’s microphone was right in front of me. If my arm could stretch ten feet, I could have had another pick. (Well, that and a grotesquely long broken arm) The security guards at the Cantina are very serious.
The show started with about a 30 minute video presentation of friends, family members and celebrities wishing Sammy a happy 60th birthday. The cool part about the video for me, and all other K-SHE listeners, is
John Ulett and Katy Kruse made it onto the video. (Way to go guys, you made us proud)
The crowd spontaneously sang happy b-day twice to entice Sammy to start the show. The birthday boy and the Waboritas opened with a few of their own and one from ZZ top. Then Sammy said he has a special friend in the house and started playing “I LOVE THIS BAR”. The volume of the roaring crowd rose to the next level when Toby Keith walked along the balcony, down the stairs, and onto the stage. Sammy fans love Toby Keith. Take my word for it. After more Hagar penned tunes, one from Bob Seeger and another from ZZ top, Sammy said the only way he could get Toby to come to Cabo, was if he would let him play this next song. That’s when we heard the opening notes of Stranglehold and got a glimpse of Ted Nugent taking the same walk of fame Toby had just enjoyed. After Stranglehold, a couple more Sammy tunes and one from Led Zeppelin complete, with duel lead guitar from Vic and Ted, Michael Anthony made his return. It wasn’t long when Chad Smith, from Red Hot Chili Peppers, took David Louser’s place behind the drum kit. A jam session on Route 66 ensued. Some say “Chickenfoot” is just a rumor, however, I am starting to believe.
When the music ended and the bows were taken, Sammy’s wife Kari brought out a gift and a cake. We sang happy b-day to Sammy again, but this time we were accompanied by Sammy’s friends and relatives. It was almost as good as sharing the cake. Yes I had some, I didn’t care how many hands it went through, Pam’s hands were the last ones and that was good enough for me. The cake was chocolate with black and white icing, to match the balloons all over the place.
Sammy opened his gift from Kari, he was surprised as hell to find a big cage and a live duck. Kari said, she once got a goat as a gift from Sammy, and she looked forward to telling him to “shut the duck up”.
I thought about not telling you about the mischievous grin on Ted Nugent’s face as he cradled the duck in his arms with one hand around its neck and the other stroking its feathers. The whole crowd had the same thought. Don’t do it Ted, that’s one duck you’ll never get to taste. Sammy told the crowd he would build a castle on the beach for his duck. The show ended with a live duck and new hope for “Chickenfoot”, cross your fingers.
Can you imagine a band consisting of Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Ted Nugent and Chad Smith? We can dream can’t we?
After the show I got a hug from my favorite Waborita Mona. Pam took our picture and another satisfied Sammy fan snapped a shot of the three us. I was sure to not let another opportunity for pictures with Mona pass me by. We learned about her 9 cats and three litter boxes which are cleaned often. We talked about her home base, which I will not name out of respect for her privacy. Mona knows me as the K-SHE jock that collects guitar picks. She once placed one in the palm of my hand at a concert at the V. W. amphitheater. This was before she met me as a K-SHE jock, in other words, she would do this for any fan. Without a doubt Mona is the most approachable person in the band, and that’s why she’s my and many others favorite Waborita.
Lots of socializing takes place at the pool. That’s where we all met Angie and her good friend Chris. Angie is the K-SHE trip winner and Chris is fortunate to have the lucky Angie as a friend.
During my one handed Mexican beer holding swim, Favazz looked at me and said “I have something for you Nick”. I remember thinking please don’t let it be a dirty monkey. Well it wasn’t, my nose was spared and Favazz informed me that Mona had given him yet another pick to give to me. A pick I can’t describe to you because I haven’t even seen it yet, he’s smart enough to know not to bring a tiny gift like that to the pool.
The day before at the pool I was invited to go salt water fishing Sunday morning by Steve, the two Kevin’s and Toby. I turned them down. I was still making up with Pam after being an ass the night before. I have priorities.
Mike (who later became Miguel) showed up and I asked him, as usual, about the mystery. Was there any news about his missing friend? As it turns out Miguel’s friend is active duty Air Force, and was called up to Iraq, and was prohibited from telling anyone, even his best friend livin’ it up down in Cabo without him. I told everyone I ran into at the pool that sun baked Sunday. That’s how I found out two things. Steve, the two Kevin’s and Toby caught 30 lbs of Mahi Mahi on their morning fishing excursion, and one of the two Kevin’s is about to propose to his girlfriend Debbie at sunset on Lover’s Beach. Romance is not dead ladies, it lives where two seas kiss, the tiny waterfall created when the crashing waves of the mighty Pacific trickle down into the Sea of Cortez.
The heart touching part involves my heart. It’s not an easy thing to describe how honored I was to have been invited to such an important event. I ate fresh Mahi Mahi, with the people who caught it, while celebrating an engagement. Thank you's to: Steve and Moe, Kevin and Donna, Toby and Pam.
May all of your days shared together be filled with the warmth, joy and fun of the days you shared with us.
From all your friends at K-SHE.
Happy birthday Sammy, now we all know why you’re livin’ it up down in Cabo.
Por Nick Bacott con dos t's
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