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I teach middle school in Washington state. But I used to teach at John Swett High in Crockett, California. And I had this kid in class who became a rock star.
I remember Billie Joe well. He used to sit in my math class on the third floor of the ancient, run down brick building in the back of the room right next to the window. He had a perfect view of "Tightwad Hill." I don't remember if he was a good student ... if he did his homework or got good grades. But I do remeber him as a good person ... he got along with just about everyone (except, perhaps, the vice-principal) and he was pretty cool ... mature for his age.
My biggest dissapointment is that he once invited me to come and see his band ... Sweet Children. I didn't go ... I don't remember why. Now, with Green Day's success, I'd kill to have seen that band.
Anyway the first time I saw Green Day is when they played an arena in Seattle in 1995. Someone threw a shoe at Billie Joe and he got pissed off and cut the set short. I liked the Nimrod tour a lot more. My wife and I saw Green Day play a small club (DV8) on Dec. 2, 1997 and the show kicked ass. Green Day just wasn't made to play arena shows.
Anyway, I'm a big fan. I wear my Green Day shirt to school every now and again. And I've got a Green Day poster up on the wall. It's cool to tell my students that Billie Joe was once one of my students. A few of them don't believe me ... oh well.
Hey, Billie Joe ... I bet none of your other teachers have asked for a back stage pass. Next time you come to Seattle ... what do you say? I'd like to party with a rock star ... and a former student!
- John Goar
Set list for 12-2-97 at DV8, Seattle
GOING TO PASALACQUA
WELCOME TO PARADISE
GEEK STINK BREATH
NICE GUYS FINISH LAST
HITCHIN' A RIDE
SASSAFRAS ROOTS
CHUMP
LONGVIEW
2,000 LIGHT YEARS AWAY
BRAIN STEW
JADED
KNOWLEDGE (Operation Ivy)
BASKET CASE
SHE
F.O.D.
PAPER LANTERNS
Encore:
SCATTERED
PROSTHETIC HEAD
WHEN I COME AROUND
GOOD RIDDANCE (TIME OF YOUR LIFE) (BJ solo)
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