4.27.2011

Nettie & The Mosh Pit




It wasn't until "October Rust" that Peter allowed his mother to see him in concert. It wasn't that he was worried that she'd have to stay up late (she was a night owl) or that she wouldn't understand the music (she listened to all Peter's music), I think he was waiting for the best venue so she could really see what he was doing all those months away from his family.

So, we all went to Nassau Collusium (about 15 - 20 family members) when TypeO performed there, even Nettie who, needed a walker. Pete had arranged for her to have a good seat in the audience, stage right.  The stage was decorated beautifully with autumn leaves and plants to celebrate the “October Rust” songs in the venue. Nettie, whose eyesight was also failing, complained of not being able to see her son Pete in her first time at a big concert. 

She made the decision to get up, work her way down some steps, and with 4 security guards surrounding her, made her way through the flailing and frenetic mosh pit up to the stage to wave to Pete. The sight of this  5 foot gray-haired old lady excusing herself through the moshers was one to behold.  And to our surprise, the mostly male moshers were very nice about it. They parted and allowed her to use her walker to get to the front. They punched and pushed each other, as Nettie stood there and watched. She pushed herself down to the front and marveled at the stage, smiling at Peter, as if he was playing in the backyard when he was a little boy. 

Peter, on the other hand was horrified. He spent the whole time on stage glued to watching what his mother was doing and if she was being protected properly. 

The rest of us stood at our seats watching and laughing. We wondered would she get caught up in the crowd? Would she get carried away and end up stage diving? Would she beat one of those guys with her walker? 

When we found her again and went back stage after the concert, her reaction was all too funny. After hugging Peter, she exciteably talked about the outfits and high heels  the girls in the audience wore ... she was amazed by the artwork and colors of the lighting on stage ... and with Pete blushing, she admonished Peter for using the F*** word too many times when he addressed the crowd.

Peter's mom was a gutsy lady who wore high heels to do her housework ... taught her granddaughters how to fist fight ... encouraged us to dance in the street during a sun shower ... and knew that laughter and family was the best way to get through life's hardships. 

While Peter adored her more than you could imagine any son's love for his mother ... she taught him and us to never be afraid of anything or anyone. We can only imagine that she didn't crowd dive at that concert because she was wearing a dress, but most likely she didn't want to lose her walker.


28 comments:

  1. What a lovely story.
    Wish my mother was like that.

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  2. This is a wonderful story.

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  3. That is just so sweet. What a wonderful lady. I wish I had known her. No wonder Peter loved her so much. Once again, thanks for all you are doing here to include us in your lives and sweet memories. Hugs

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  4. That's gonna be me when I'm old. I pray that I'm able to make it that far. What a beautiful story. I'm surprised that he didn't put her up on the stage with him!! Mama's baby. My nine year old son said the other day, I'm a mama's boy and I'm not ashamed one bit. I bout cried. Did you guys get a video of her in the mosh pit??

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  5. such a a wonderful story. Thank you!

    Peter said in one interview that he loves RUSH.
    I would like to dedicate this beautiful song for him and his family. Thank you for this blog..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-gkArNHSbk

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  6. I just LOVE that story!!! Wow What a lady! I wouldn't expect anything less of Pete's Mum : ) xxxx

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  7. such a wonderful story ! what an amazing mom !

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  8. I love this story.. Nettie reminds me of my Nana in so many ways.. I miss her so much... R.I.P. beautiful ladies ~Carrie

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  9. absolutely wonderful story and boy does Nettie sound like a kick-a*ss sort of lady (pardon my French). How wonderfully sweet and gutsy that she wanted to be see her boy up close and did not think twice about braving the mosh pit, walker and all. Her keen observations and admonishment of Peter just made me laugh out loud... she must have been one proud mother and surely a wonderful one to have raised such loving, kind children. Thank you for sharing this. Truly beautiful.

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  10. Oh my goodness!! What a super great story!! I know Pete always said that Nettie was the ONLY woman who truly loved him for who he is. Nettie sounds so much like my grammaw (rip). It has helped me that Pete is with Nettie again. He is in his mothers loving care once again. I see him as quite very happy where he is now. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!!

    REST IN PEACE PETE, NETTIE & PETER SR.

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  11. I love hearing stories like this! Good to know Mama Nettie was as sweet and tough as this and why Pete was such a doll. I bet right now, Pete and Nettie are making God laugh...

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  12. Okay, this brought tears to my eyes. I love hearing how he loved his mother.

    Thank you for posting these stories and info, he was so much more than than a lot of people got to see and you sharing it just makes him even better.

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  13. Hahahaha... this is just so lovely and funny. I wish my mom would be like that. I just can't imagine Nettie in the middle of the show singing to "I know you're fucking someone eeeeeelse!". lol What a GREAT mom!!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Oh btw, I have read that it was Nettie who made the outfits for Carnivore, is that true??

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  15. Awww...Thats awesome this is a very nice story thank you for sharing...Windy

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  16. This is a nice picture. They are very lovely couple! ....Windy

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  17. Oh a man that loves his mother is a golden soul. I suppose we all adore our parents in our own way, but this was a great example of how different generations can still enjoy each others' accomplishments, successes, and even tolerate the F-word in the name of love. :)

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  18. It's a real treasure, being able to hear Pete's family stories like this. Thanks again for sharing them with us. My mother always told me that the sure way to know a man's character was to look at the way he treated his mother.

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  19. I got the "warm fuzzies" reading this passage as it painted such a picture of the love Peter and Nettie had for one another. I LOVE reading about Peter and family stories and hope to read more ;-) Thank you for sharing this.
    Jade

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  20. Thank you...With 4-8 Gratitude

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  21. My daughter started going to see T.O.N.when she was 13 and had to bribe a classmate's brother to drive them.Over the years she would go whenever they came to Florida,she is close to 30 now.I always wanted to go ,but thought I was too old.Nettie was a trooper, and Pete loved his mother very much. Can not say how grateful I am that you decided to do this.All my best wishes.Looking forward to the T shirt.

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  22. They say there is nothing like a mother and son's love for one another. What a funny story!!!

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  23. That is just so AWESOME. I can't believe she walked through a mosh pit. I know how brutal the front center was at a TON concert. I was at one in Ybor City Florida during Guavaween...It was mostly women vying to get as close to the stage as possible. (I was front and center and NOT moving) Peter threw a towel that he wiped sweat on into the crowd and the women literally tore each other apart for it. You should have seen the madness. He tried to ask them to stop, but it was a melee with this white towel undulating in and out of the grasping hands. Wigs flew, (I hope that was fake hair!) costumes flew...blood flew. Guys were trying to pull their girlfriends off of other girls...some one sprayed mace. I was happy that towel went over my head and behind me. Poor Peter was so upset. He looked absolutely mortified.

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  24. what a great story. just confirms what a sweetheart peter was, and what a great family he came from...

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  25. @Aimee.My daughter would always dress in girly dresses for type o concerts.Topped off by combat boots, 'in case she had to kick to keep people off her 'she said.In 2003 she brought home one of these white towels famously thrown by Pete.I framed it for her in one of those deep frames they put flags off coffins in.I never thought to ask her if she had to fight for it.

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  26. Peter really loved his mother so much. How heartwarming. I mean, it all comes full circle. She got to see her sun become something so grand. It was true to Peter. He may have been pissed and disapointed, but hey, he did it his way and he got the admiration of so many people. I'm so jealous. Peter, you're awesome. One day I want to show you just how awesome I can be, too. Halloween in Heaven style.

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  27. His mother listened to all his albums? Wonder what she thought of his lyrics on Slow Deep and Hard if she was offended by too much of the f-word in concert?

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