In My Dreams
The Gambler Hat
You could feel the sweat in the air. The old theater, sans air conditioning, made the place one wet, pulsating cloud of humanity. Even the breeze from giant fans in the corner foyers barely brushed us. Unrefreshed but just starting to feel the effects of our cocktails, we began noticing the crowd around us.
There she was. Black leather jacket, flowing scarves, a cross hanging from her neck. And the hat. Yes, the gambler hat. A chintsy metal band circled the crown and a plume of feathers stood out against wool felt as black as sin. She was Don Dokken.
“The Dream Warriors” rocker and his namesake band opened for the Tom Keifer Band that night at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois. We were jonesing for some Cinderella tunes, but Dokken and their league of ever-dedicated fans fascinated us.
What creates such admiration that you would decide to physically embody an artist? What happened in your life that “Breaking the Chains” becomes your anthem? What do you do that affords you to follow a band around the world?
These fans are starving for that music, for that sharp, palpitating rush that takes over when the band first hits the stage or when that instantly recognizable riff opens up a base flood of memories.
Angie and I decided to explore this through storytelling and photography. Digging into people’s lives to find out what inspires them, what has hurt them and why a band or an artist is the cure. A snapshot of a super fan.
These fans are starving for that music, for that sharp, palpitating rush that takes over when the band first hits the stage or when that instantly recognizable riff opens up a base flood of memories. Good or bad, we love it. It feeds our souls.
Together and separately, we go to a lot of shows from ‘80s rock (our personal connection) and heavy metal to country and rockabilly. Along the way, we will meet intriguing characters and even friends to feature. In between, you’ll learn a little about us, our own concert experiences and what fuels our souls — rock-star recipes, anyone?
