CONCERT JOE |
ARTICLES page 2 |
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February 9, 1993, The Star*
He loves all kinds of music. A typical evening can see him taking in a New York Philharmonic concert at Lincoln Center before going downtown to see a grunge band, such as the Screaming Headless Torsos, and winding down with jazz great Cecil Taylor. "I like diversity in music," he says. "I've seen the Grateful Dead nearly 400 times and last year I flew back from one of their shows in Arizona to catch a classical recital in Manhattan." Joe plans his concert nights with military precision three months in advance. "I'll look through the newspaper and pick 10 to 15 concerts I like and write down the details on one of the little cards I have for every day of the week," explains Joe, who lives in Brooklyn, NY. He orders tickets for the big shows and then plans his seven-night-a-week schedule as he goes along, depending on when headlining bands are going on stage. "Timing is everything," says the king of concerts, who spends an average of $50 a night on shows. "Schedulers are always lying about when the headliners are coming on stage, so I always phone ahead to find out how far into the set the opening act is. That way I know when to arrive for a show. "I use the subway or walk, so my timing has to be exact. I get taxis only when I'm out on a date. If I had a car and lived in Manhattan, I reckon I could have broken 2,000 concerts last year." Joe says he has no problem with dress codes for concerts and often carries a white shirt to put over one of his 700 T-shirts in case the occasion demands it. But he pays a high price in more ways than one for his crazy routine. Joe, who rarely gets home until 3 am after taking a 30-minute subway ride, has to survive on just a few hours sleep. He says he manages to stay awake during his punishing concert schedule by drinking lots of ginseng and eating royal jelly and bee pollen. Now he is planning to start a 900 hotline to share his expertise. Concert Joe says: "I'm not looking to make a lot of money, but it would be a great way to pay for my tickets and get out of debt." December 19, 1992, New York Post from Page Six, by Frank DiGiacomo and Joanna Molloy, with Florence Anthony "I'm addicted," says Joe when asked why he's been to 999 concerts this year. "I don't smoke pot, drink, or eat meat, but I do have a three-concert a night habit." "Concert Joe," as he's known, will break the 1,000 barrier tomorrow night at Wetlands for the Jorma Kaukonen show. How does he manage? "I flew back from a Grateful Dead Concert in Arizona for the anniversary of Lincoln Center," says the 38-year-old construction worker. "After Ella Fitzgerald, it was the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I saw Megadeath after Philip Glass, and the Butthole Surfers after Kitaro." A stunning achievement--especially since Joe uses the subway to get from show to show, and he pays for them. "I've been to SOB's about 200 times this year," he says. "I pay every time." 13 February, 1993, New Musical Express A music-mad New York construction worker has run up $14,000 in debts after attending up to eight concerts in one night. Joe saw 1,031 shows in 1992. In a typical evening, he saw the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, then went downtown to catch the Screaming Headless Torsos, before finishing off with jazz great Cecil Taylor. Joe has seen The Grateful Dead nearly 400 times and flew back last year from an Arizona show by The Dead to catch a classical recital in Manhattan. He spends an average of $50 a night on concerts. |
