I was a big Nirvana fan. I remember buying Nevermind, and thinking about the time where the weird was turning mainstream. I was an avid 120 Minutes viewer, watched Headbanger’s Ball, etc. I was into ‘alternative’ and knew about the band Nirvana before Smells Like Teen Spirit. But I remember watching that video (just like everyone else on the planet) and was thinking, this was hot. What surprised me was hearing it on the local radio, hearing at kitchen I worked at (and I didn’t bring it). People that listened to absolutely shitty music were playing it. It was a weird time. After that, the classic 90s grunge and overall alternative/shoegaze stuff started to be much more appreciated, which was fun to be in the middle of that, but just like anything.. too much of a good thing, can be bad.
I remember after In Utero, I was about done with Nirvana. The grunge thing was getting quite boring, and I was exploring bands like Pavement, Built to Spill, etc that were counter-grunge in a way, into that slacky/lazy vibe, but ohhh so good. Kurt killed himself around this time, and shortly after Foo Fighters came up in ranks. I was interested. I had respect. Some of their songs were good, but I never really got into them. Never owned an album.
Fast forward to 2011, I stumbled across an insane opportunity to see them here in Missoula (at this time Foo Fighters were crazy large, and the thought of them playing our little town.. was weird to say the least). On top of that.. I actually had full back stage pass access, and got to hang out with the Foos, pre and post show. Amazing experience. But from that experience, I was totally amazed about how cool and down to earth those guys are — and of course Dave Grohl. That guy just wants to play music, and is appreciative every second that he can. No BS diva stuff here. Just straight up decent human being. You can read about that experience here. I always thought that was his schtick, but after that night, I realized, this is really how he is.
With that said, I have friends that get tired of the constant praise that he gets.. and just like Nirvana being heard everywhere, Dave (and his legendary status) does get old, so I get that. The Sonic Highways was a tipping point for some people of – “Okay, I get it.. you’re amazing”
Yesterday, the internet was all ablaze with stories of Dave Grohl jumping off of the stage and breaking his leg at a concert in Sweden. That’s headlines in itself, but finishes singing the song while on his back, then comes back on stage with a temporary cast to finish the set.. well, that’s next level stuff right there. So here I am again, thinking, damn, I don’t care what other say about Dave Grohl. The ability of him to gut check that pain, and finish a show for the people that paid good money to get a show, that says a lot to me. So if he was legend before, what is he now?
I even heard someone talking about it might have been a hair-line fracture (no big deal). Well, take a look at this x-ray. I think.. that’s a pretty big deal.
Let me know what you think by commenting below!
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9 years ago
Yep…that's a frank break of the distal end if the right fibula. The man is a badass to be able to finish the song, get fitted with a temp splint and finish the show. At the same time he's a bit of a dumbass for jumping off the stage when he's at an age where his mind is writing checks that his body is increasingly able to not cash. He's not in his 20's or 30's anymore and there are things that one needs to consider and then consider again before attempting. Granted that he's not old, but there are definite changes in human anatomy and phisiology when one is fifty-ish that limit ones former abilities. I'm fifty-two and know not to do certain things that I used to take for granted at twenty-two or thirty/two when on the stage making music on any given night.
In any case I admire Grohl for his professionalism and ability to perform through the pain. I'm pretty sure I would not have been able to do that if I were in his shoes.
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9 years ago
With more people like dave grohl, the world would be a better (and funnier) place. What he did on the sweden concert is epic! it shows how humble he is, and how it cares for others
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9 years ago
That takes serious guts and a whole lot of dedication. I hope someone had some codeine or something backstage!
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I’m not a huge Dave Grohl fan but you’ve got to respect this. -
9 years ago
Checking around and digging to find the footage of when he actually went off the stage, he did NOT jump. He was heading away from his mic to interact with the crowd and he tripped on (not sure what….) and then FELL off the stage [about 6-8 ft straight down on concrete]. Not fun. I’m not surprised in the least that he had a nasty break.
The fact that he went offstage, got a temporary splint, and came back to rock for TWO AND A HALF MORE HOURS……like the author said, Legend. He couldn’t run and jump, but he could sit in a chair and scream. So he did. For the fans. Yep…..”there goes my hero, watch him as he goes..” 😉
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