NOV 20th 2011 - Wilkes Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena

[JimMorrison4]

Still probably gonna get there around 2, unless there is a line earlier. Bringing my gf with me and she's never been on the rail for a concert (besides Cinerella at the House of Blues, but that doesn't count). I think we're gonna bring some Subway and get a couple cheap flasks we can throw away. It's tough to go pee when you're front row.

Is it supposed to rain in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday?

[The Real McCoy]

Still probably gonna get there around 2, unless there is a line earlier. Bringing my gf with me and she's never been on the rail for a concert (besides Cinerella at the House of Blues, but that doesn't count). I think we're gonna bring some Subway and get a couple cheap flasks we can throw away. It's tough to go pee when you're front row.

Is it supposed to rain in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday?

30% of showers for the time being.

I was thinking of bringing Subway too. There's one in the Wal-Mart across the street from the arena.

[ITW 2012]

Are you guys all younger than whatever the drinking age is at the venue?

[axlslash]

Music lines are fun. I have loved every long line I have waited in. Outside bookstores in Philly for Nikki Sixx, Ozzy, and Ace Frehley book signings over the last few years has been a blast - lots of great convos with interesting folks. I'd love to have the same at a Guns show even if I had a seat!

[Powerage5]

I'd probably be there before 3 if I wasn't bringing people with me; they're both excited to get on the barrier, but neither is as seasoned a concert veteran as me, so I don't wanna make the wait too unbearable for them. In Hamilton last year I got there 2 and a half before doors and I was 15-20 back in line, so I think all of us from here will be fine to get on the barrier Sunday night! B)

A seasoned vet would show up at around 10 pm, buy some merch and beers, and then make their way to the floor. Honestly, it's not that hard to get up close at Guns shows. This isn't 1991.

Respect. I'm not gonna push my way up to the front when those people have been waiting all day.

Why let keeners ruin a good rock and roll party? Being up front is alright, but after awhile it's nice to drop back and listen.

It's all about preference. To me, the barrier is the most fun place to be in a venue.

And for the record; I'm 20. Even when I see shows in countries where I can legally drink, I usually don't. I'm an education major at school, so if I'm caught drinking underage around campus, I lose my major. I guess I just developed a habit of not drinking no matter where I am; even when I was in the UK for Maiden over the Summer, I'd maybe have one drink at the meet-up before a show, and I didn't even drink before every show at that.

[The Real McCoy]

Are you guys all younger than whatever the drinking age is at the venue?

I'm 26.

I don't drink.

[ITW 2012]

And for the record; I'm 20.

It all makes sense now. I thought you guys might actually be crazy.

[JimMorrison4]

Are you guys all younger than whatever the drinking age is at the venue?

28.. don't think so.

I hate paying venue prices for alcohol. Miller Lite tastes the same on dollar beer night as it does when you pay $7 for a 12oz draft. Plus, if I drink beer, I'll have to piss all night. That's kinda difficult if you plan on being in the front row. So.... liquer and lots of sodium while in line. It's win-win.

[guesswehavetowaitnsee]

Ok, so is anybody familiar with the area? I want to get there around 2, where should I park if parking doesn't open until 5:30? Also is anybody still planning on meeting up together in line?

Being that I was born and raised there, I'm kind of familiar with it...

Like I said, the 5:30 opening time for the parking lot MIGHT be wrong. My friend that works at the arena didn't think that sounded right.

Wal-Mart and a strip mall are right across the street (Starbucks...never a bad thing.)

Lucky's Sportshouse is right down the road with a view of the parking lot so that you can keep tabs on what's going on.

I can't imagine the lot opening only an hour before the doors do...as far as I know, they've NEVER done that.

In this case, the earlier...the better.

See you in line and on the rail.

Thanks for the info and the Starbucks tip....I'm more excited about having a Starbucks in line than a beer!

I can hardly wait. See you there!

[The Real McCoy]

Ok, so is anybody familiar with the area? I want to get there around 2, where should I park if parking doesn't open until 5:30? Also is anybody still planning on meeting up together in line?

Being that I was born and raised there, I'm kind of familiar with it...

Like I said, the 5:30 opening time for the parking lot MIGHT be wrong. My friend that works at the arena didn't think that sounded right.

Wal-Mart and a strip mall are right across the street (Starbucks...never a bad thing.)

Lucky's Sportshouse is right down the road with a view of the parking lot so that you can keep tabs on what's going on.

I can't imagine the lot opening only an hour before the doors do...as far as I know, they've NEVER done that.

In this case, the earlier...the better.

See you in line and on the rail.

Thanks for the info and the Starbucks tip....I'm more excited about having a Starbucks in line than a beer!

I can hardly wait. See you there!

I'll be hard to miss in a GNR hoodie.

If you want to add me on Facebook, PM me and I'll link you to my page.

[JimMorrison4]

How many entrances are there to the arena? And which one (if there are multiple) is the best to get on the floor in a hurry?

[The Real McCoy]

How many entrances are there to the arena? And which one (if there are multiple) is the best to get on the floor in a hurry?

There's two...East Gate and West Gate.

I saw Alice In Chains there back in '07 or '08, and I'm pretty sure that one entrance was GA and one was for people with seats.

I imagine that it'll be the same for GNR.

[JimMorrison4]

Thanks. When I used to go to shows at the Mellon Arena, there were like 8 difference entrances. It was confusing if you didn't know where you were going.

Sooo anyone bringing a dolphin?

[The Real McCoy]

Thanks. When I used to go to shows at the Mellon Arena, there were like 8 difference entrances. It was confusing if you didn't know where you were going.

Sooo anyone bringing a dolphin?

Yeah...its pretty simple to figure out.

Only thing that might be confusing is finding out which entrance is GA..it'll probably be marked, but this is Wilkes-Barre, so nothing is guaranteed.

I'm a native son, so I can say that.

Edited November 19, 2011 by The Real McCoy

[Black Sabbath]

My girl and I will be the first two in line.

[The Real McCoy]

My girl and I will be the first two in line.

I'll be right behind you.

Wait..that sounds wrong.

[wasted]

Starbucks was packed for Dylan. 21st century boy.

[The Archer]

Really cool interview by Dizzy -

http://www.timesleader.com/golackawanna/aande/Guns-N-Roses-ready-to-fire-on-all-cylinders-in-Wilkes-Barre.html

When Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose needed a keyboard player during the recording of two of their biggest albums, he made good on a promise he made years before and hired Darren “Dizzy” Reed.

click image to enlarge

Select images available for purchase in the

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If you go

WHAT: Guns N’ Roses with special guest Sebastian Bach.

WHERE: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.

COST: $50.

Now 11 years later, Reed maintains his position with the band as they continue with their first U.S. tour in five years with a stop at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, Nov. 20, with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach.

For Reed, his love of rock n’ roll began at a “very young” age, playing his grandmother’s organ and listening to his father’s Booker T & the M.G.’s records. After playing shows in bands formed with his schoolmates as early as the sixth grade, he decided to pursue a career in music once he joined a group called The Wild in Denver, CO.

When they moved to Los Angeles, CA, they just so happened to share a practice space with an up-and-coming Hollywood act named Guns N’ Roses.

“They were starting to pack the clubs…I went to see them play the Troubadour, and it was the loudest thing I had ever heard at that point. But they just had something going on and I said, ‘I’m going to join that band. I’ve got to be a part of that,’” Reed recalled.

“I remember playing one time when Axl was there, and he just went, ‘You’re going to be our keyboard player, man. When that time comes, it’ll be in the future, we’re going to expand and we’re going to add a keyboard player, and it’s going to be you.’ He just liked the way I played, I guess…I was self-taught and I was just imitating what I heard, the (Rolling) Stones and Elton John and Bad Company and all that cool stuff. It was the right fit, and they went on to become quite gigantic, of course, in the next two years after that, but Axl stuck to his word, man. He gave me the call one day and I was there.”

Playing keyboard and piano on 1991’s “Use Your Illusion” I and II and touring with GnR around the world, Reed said that it wasn’t long before work began on what later become “Chinese Democracy,” which was famously delayed until 2008.

“To me, it was magical then. One day I was playing clubs trying to get a deal, and the next day, I was playing in front of thousands of people, man. I’m just so fortunate to still be able to do it. It’s really cool, and the shows have been going so cool right now.”

Other band members have come and gone since that time, but his devotion would not be deterred.

“I’m a determined (expletive), man. Yeah, it was a long time, but I just really wanted to see it out, and I think I kind of always felt in my heart that I’m a member of Guns N’ Roses for a really cool reason. I’m a loyal person, man, so if you don’t cross me, I’m going to be there for you. And that’s kind of how I felt the whole time, really,” he related.

“Trust me – there were times when I definitely felt, ‘Why am I doing this? It’s taking so long.’ I was trying to raise a couple of kids during that whole time. It was very difficult at times, but it certainly beat getting up at five o’clock to go unload fertilizer at the docks or whatever.”

The wait, Reed feels, was well worth it to both himself and their faithful listeners. GnR has wowed audiences with three-hour setlists that span their 26-year history, but for their keyboardist, it’s just part of the job.

“I know how to pace myself, and we all do. It’s just part of what we do. I was just thinking that I should probably get sponsored by like 5-hour Energy or something,” he said with a laugh.

“That’s how I do it. It’s definitely a long show, but man, I’m sure people are getting their money’s worth. If I went, I’d be into that. I’d want to see that. Most people coming out seem to have the same live set.”

When their current tour winds down, which included a “pretty special” stop back in Denver, Reed will finish up work on his solo record to be released next year. For now, however, GnR remains just as much a focus for him as it has been for over a decade.

“It’s going to be a long night. It’s going to be a fun night,” he says of the upcoming Wilkes-Barre concert.

“The tour’s been going great. It’s just great to see people appreciative of, I think, what we’re bringing to them, whether it’s a track off ‘Use Your Illusion,’ obviously the old stuff, or the ‘Chinese Democracy’ stuff. We’re pulling some covers out that we like playing. I think when the band’s hitting on all cylinders like we have been for quite a while now, it shows, man. There’s a lot of energy and it’s super entertaining, and people are really digging it from what I can tell from my perch up there. That’s the feeling I’m getting,” he continued.

“I’ve done other things, played as kind of a job. This feels like rock n’ roll again.”

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/golackawanna/aande/Guns-N-Roses-ready-to-fire-on-all-cylinders-in-Wilkes-Barre.html#ixzz1e8Z8PNN2

[Powerage5]

My girl and I will be the first two in line.

What time are you getting there tomorrow?

[adrena]

I was wondering the latest possible time to get there, we have floor seats but I don't want to stand around and wait for 5 hours because we are driving from ohio, and what about the casino there, is it worth going to?

[Powerage5]

I was wondering the latest possible time to get there, we have floor seats but I don't want to stand around and wait for 5 hours because we are driving from ohio, and what about the casino there, is it worth going to?

Theoretically, you could get there any time before GN'R go on. But if you want to be up front, I'd be there by 4:30-5.

Welcome to the forum!

[adrena]

I was wondering the latest possible time to get there, we have floor seats but I don't want to stand around and wait for 5 hours because we are driving from ohio, and what about the casino there, is it worth going to?

Theoretically, you could get there any time before GN'R go on. But if you want to be up front, I'd be there by 4:30-5.

Welcome to the forum!

[adrena]

Thanks for the welcome, it is nice to see I am not the only gnr freak in the world. I didn't know that bach was opening, I would like to be there for that as well. Sorry to keep asking but I have little experience with the whole open floor thing, I don't care if I am in the first row, just don't want to be in the last, so watcha think? pre-party?

[The Real McCoy]

I was wondering the latest possible time to get there, we have floor seats but I don't want to stand around and wait for 5 hours because we are driving from ohio, and what about the casino there, is it worth going to?

Yes. The casino is beautiful. It's about 10-15 minutes away from the arena.

[jaybobchris]

Hey Guys,

First Guns N Roses concert for me and I have pit tickets. I was wondering if you guys can help me out. Few questions I have is if you want the front and center what is the best time to get there? I'm assuming between 2:00-3:00. Also while we are waiting in line can we bring chairs and stuff and when the doors open just throw the chair away. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and any additional advice for a first time Guns n Roses concert would be great. Thanks!