The Joshua Tree U2 album and 30th Anniversary Tour has special meaning to me — It was 1987 when U2 led me to an obscure place to find my true expression.
U2 created music that spared the suffering souls and longing hearts with raging energy of not only twenty year olds, but it also consoled wiser wanderers and the rooted. I was one of those restless souls. I dodged the first marriage option and packed a suitcase, a credit card and the classified ads from the Los Angeles Times, and was ready for the vast unknown. Onward, just like their song, “With or without you.”
Driving across the green hills of Missouri, bare red dirt of Oklahoma like “Red Hill Mining Town”, flat Texas, to the Grand Canyon, mountains of Arizona through the desert to the pacific ocean, southern California. “In God’s Country,” it was that album on cassette with me. The U2 album was my companion. Unwind, back track, rewind. Tracked speaker. Eject, flip, insert, rock on.
“Exit” to Los Angeles was sort of radical for a single young woman. A feminist making her own lifestyle, career, money, and yes, a creative freedom of expression. It was complex, exciting, and exhausting.
Fast forward to escaping culture shock and urbanity and expanding on the earth child camping we did throughout the 1970s, I discovered the desert’s subtle beauty, shifting sands and expansive sky. And like America’s “A Horse With No Name” there was U2’s “Where The Streets Have No Name” and it all made sense.
A stake was claimed in the wild west, Joshua Tree, California, my favorite part of the desert.
Drawing from my days at the typewriter letter shop, daily newspaper, moonlighting with magazines, my typewriter art and public activities, the first Type Inn, writers retreat consummated. “Unplug, read, write and listen.” Relisten to “Running to Stand Still.” It’s not perfect, but perfectly appointed with vintage typewriters, an original typewriter desk and inspiring typewriter art. I found what I was looking for! http://www.JoshuaTreeTypeInn.com
Throughout my decades in Cali, there was the constant companion of music. Visiting U2’s album, ‘The Joshua Tree’ was like an old friend. And now this bond deepened by having a special connection with Joshua Tree in common.
The latest project in my publishing path is aligning with fellow artist, producer, publisher, to formulate a new publication, “Art 511 Magazine.” Ever broadening vistas, building decades of passionate photography, music, other artists, connecting through the work. We discussed the this album, The Joshua Tree, and realized we had been affected by it. Their Joshua Tree 30th Anniversary Tour was announced the next day. We had to go.
Most people celebrate the anniversary of a marriage, or a job. U2 celebrates their album and music. I celebrate my Californian life and artistic success with Art 511 Magazine friend and U2. I’lll celebrate with them. http://www.Art511Mag.com
Press passes, pro cameras and dancing centered in front of the stage to songs that tell our stories are worn like badges of honor. Earned. Understood. Belonging. Thriving.
Next day we drive to the wide sky, full sun, strange trees, massive rock formations, and landed at The Joshua Tree Type Inn. Recording the late spring bees swarming in the blooming tree, painting, photographing the beloved national park. Our unedited discussions, stargazing, satellite spotting and extraterrestrials brought together kindred souls, because of this album.
