#belleville

Michael Melham on Facebook:

Backstage with My Chemical Romance – (Post 1 of X; backstage prior to the show) This past Saturday afternoon, before My Chemical Romance took the stage at MetLife Stadium, I had the privilege of meeting the band members during a stage walkthrough rehearsal (of the Key presentation) and a private meet-and-greet in the green room. They weren’t yet in costume or in character — which made it the perfect time to share something personal. I showed them the large, ceremonial Key to the City that would later be presented on stage that evening, and they couldn’t get enough of it! Gerard and Mikey even picked it up and started playing it like an air guitar. Frank — the only band member born and raised in Belleville (Gerard and Mikey were raised here) — was elated about receiving the key. He was so happy! Interestingly, Gerard and Mikey both attended School 3, and Mikey and I even spent time reminiscing about some of our former teachers. And, just for fun, I joked with Ray that since he’s from Kearny, I’d need to put an asterisk on his Key! I then surprised each member with their very own personal Key to the City of Belleville, NJ. Each one carried an inscription on the back “In recognition of your musical legacy and your place as a Favorite Son of Belleville, NJ — your worldwide impact has inspired a generation, and you continue to make your hometown proud.” I also presented them with custom-made My Chemical Romance / Belleville street signs — a piece of home they could take with them anywhere. What struck me most was how tremendously honored they were. I kept thanking them for taking the time to meet with me, and they kept thanking me for the honor I was giving them. They could not have been more gracious or genuine. Gerard and I spent considerable time discussing how the on-stage presentation would happen later during Welcome to the Black Parade. See the back and forth photos of us discussing. He’s clearly the creative leader and had been thinking about it for days, determined to weave it into the show’s storyline. Ever the gentleman, he wanted to make sure I understood the band would remain in character — and that if I was bestowing an honor from my "land," they would reciprocate with an honor (or two) from their land. He teased that it would involve “a sickle and an animal.” We laughed about what that animal might be… there’s actually a very funny story here (I may do a livestream to tell it in full). In the end, it turned out to be a bundle of wheat (from their land) and a fish — freshly “caught” from the moat in their fictitious land of Draag. I’ve been under a media blackout for my personal photos until today — and now I can finally share a few moments from this surreal afternoon. Next post, photos from the presentation and more of my thoughts...

Paris 20, mai 2025

Bonjour, bonne journée ☕️ 💼

Sortie de l'école à Belleville🗼Paris 1964