Fans still head to concerts by Janet Jackson, Backstreet and Others

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Sep 26, 2001 Source: USA Today Submitted By: Gina Cates Fans worry briefly, but the shows go on By Kevin V. Johnson and David Kirkpatrick, USA TODAY While some fans were jittery, they didn't let lingering fears from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks stop them from seeing their favorite performers at large venues Saturday night. At a Backstreet Boys concert at the Tweeter Center near Chicago, about 20,000 fans screamed deafening appreciation for the boy band. But the tragedies were acknowledged with a moment of silence and the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner. One fan was troubled by the moral appropriateness of attending the show. Sandy Aguilar, 27, of Chicago, a commercial loan underwriter, loves the Boys, but didn't buy her ticket until Wednesday, three days before the event. "It didn't seem right to enjoy myself in light of what happened," Aguilar said. "I'm still feeling guilty. Normally, I'd be really excited." For the first time at the theater, backpacks and large bags were banned, and police presence was increased. Such measures reassured Madeline Morgenroth, 44, of Batavia, Ill., an art instructor, that authorities were on heightened alert. Morgenroth chauffeured her daughters Isabella, 16, and Hannah, 14, to the concert. "Part of it is I don't want to live in fear for the rest of my life," she said. And part of it, she joked, is "my daughters would have killed me if I hadn't let them go." At the Janet Jackson show in Dallas, some fans had second thoughts about attending but decided terrorists wouldn't keep them away. "There's no way I can stop any disaster from happening, so I can't just live my life in my apartment," said Nikki Hill of Plano, Texas. "If I've got to go, this would be a good way to go, I guess." Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: johnansaz http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Comment on this item. Next Item: 'What's Going On' Proceeds To Share With Terror-Relief Fund Prev Item: 'Bless'-ing a fallen friend