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Possibly a Diamondhead but a lover of all music good and have just listened to David Wild on the show how interesting I loved it and a whole program on the subject of ND would be fantastic and who better then David. I did travel from the UK to take in 2 shows in New York and boy they were good Neils music is an abbsolute cure for all. Have loved him since 1970.

I am along-time litener to NPR. I dare say I had to stream it to hear the interview with David Wild. I always like hearing what he has to say, especially about an artist, (a REAL musical artist), Neil Diamond. He says the most openly appropriate things that I always wanted to say about this artist, since I was a little child... I know I have only read his article(s) in RS, and the first chapters of his new book, but I know from that he GETS IT about the Genius that is Neil Diamond. I hope you interview him again in the future... dedicate it to the coolness that is Neil Diamond. I did a critical thinking/Logic course thesis on this very subject in university. I find that people are just starting to "get it" now... Neil, after all these years, IS COOL!

I'd argue that being a super-fan is never a good thing at any time. I was, in fact, a super-fan of a few different artists but found the experience of their followers deeply disturbing, the religious fervor of every single new development in their existence a tad overblown, and it always made the music less exciting and less rewarding.

For instance, there's a band I've always enjoyed that put out an album that was a raging clunker. In my less-than-focused mindset I found myself defending a piece of product that didn't deserve it. In hindsight I realized my safety zone of being with like minded people superseded the quality, or lack thereof, of the music itself. It was seriously unhealthy.

Musicians are only human and, when all is said and done, their art is also product as their fans are also consumers. To raise the perception too far beyond that truth is not only a lie to one's self but detrimental to the impression you take away from the music you actually love.

My two cents. Now you owe me three back.
DwD

I was lucky enough to see Gomez in a mini concert at the Acme Recording studio in Mamaroneck. They were really great and I can definitely understand a feeling of superfandom for them.

Zappahead, Mike Keneally nut. Bill Bruford psycho Adrian Belew lover. One can be a superfan of many different musicians known, dead or indie

I remember friends of mine who were Phish Heads were very competitive about their devotion. They had notebooks documenting tour statistics.

Have been a Parrothead since my teens (now in mid-thirties). Buffett's fans are taken away from their often dreary existence to another world by his music - a place with parrots and tequila and waves lapping against the beach. And the concerts allow them to latch onto his wake for a few hours each year. As to religion, there is a schism amongst those who believe the newer, "reformed" lyrics are heretical. See www.cobo.org (Church of Buffett Orthodox).

I guess I have a predisposition towards super-fandom. I've had several phases including going on tour with Phish in the 90s, and then an obsession with Ween.

A super-fandom is like a relationship. You fall in love with band. They mean everything to you, and sometimes define you. But then sometimes you go your separate ways.
Phish are getting back together and I may go see them, but it'll probably be like going on a date with an ex. It'll be fun, nostalgic, but also a little weird and out of place.

I know a number of former Phishheads whoi have converted to super fans of Umphreys McGee. I personally don't like them as much, but my ex-boyfriend travelled across the country on our 10 year anniversary to go see them. Needless to say Umphrees McGee became a religion for him.

I'm a huge fan of Radiohead. I saw them 4 times this summer. I whole heartedly believe they are the best band today; maybe ever. While I am compelled to see them as much as possible when they are on tour, I have to admit, that the shows didn't vary enough to keep my interest. If they changed it up more, I may have quit my job. Maybe jam bands,who vary their set lists, are more condusive to inspiring "touring" fans?

Besides the fantastic music that ropes you in and engages you in a different way every night, the friendships you make along the way always keep you coming back for more. My dad has gone to every single home Syracuse basketball game in the past 25 years (well over 750 games). For him it is his passion. For me, music (Phish) is my passion.

For a while, I was part of a community of diehard fans of the band Cheap Trick -- more beloved as a cult band (i.e., the type of band who is cited as an influence) than as a commercially successful entity. Going to one area show was not enough -- I'd think nothing of embarking upon a series of area tour dates, driving around the tri state area (and beyond) to see my heroes. Sometimes you'd get some nice surprises (a guest musician or an obscure tune finding its way into the setlist, or an exceptionally strong performance), other times, a run of the mill show.

Even so, no other band out there has shown the dedication, the perserverence and the sustainability of the Fab Four from Rockford, IL. Nowadays, I still see the band on occasion, but superfandom has had to take a back seat to other priorities, both familial and financial. Still, I don't regret a moment of being devoted to my band.

a little known band called lungfish from washington d.c. i have seen them as many times as possible and evrytime it's like a religious experience. i would say that has as much to do with the fans as the band.

Well, what can I say, as uncool as it was at the time, I was a super-fan of ABBA from the time when they had their first go round. Subsequently, I now have their pre-ABBA recordings, career recordings (in Swedish, French, German, Spanish as well as the original English) and also the solo post-ABBA recordings and musicals. Who knows how we get hot-wired to like certain things, but their music became one of my addictions! Thank heavens they no longer play together as a band or I would be forced to tour around seeing concerts all over the world...

From June of 1975 thru about March 2003, I attended over 100 concerts by the British rock band The WHO. Distance and cost was never an issue and I would travel anywhere and pay whatever it cost to see a show. When they regrouped with three original members for the 2000 tour, I went to shows in Chicago, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, London and Scotland. I worked two jobs for 2 years and spent over $10,000 for the once in a lifetime opportunity.
I was in my car on the way to the airport to fly to Las Vegas to see John Entwistle when I got the call that he's passed away. With John gone, I do not feel that it is the band that I was so dedicated to for so many years, so even though they are currently in the Metro area, I am not attending any shows - I haven't been to one since 2003.
I mourn the loss as someone would mourn the loss of a long time friend and while the music and the people brought me many moments of happiness, moving on was the difficult choice I felt I had to make. All this time later there is still a feeling of loss that most likely nothing will ever be able to fill.

Since 1992, 172 Phish shows later in 38 states.

Does that qualify me as a super Phan?

Ha, great topic.

I am 34 years old, engaged, professional political lobbyist.

I have sold everything from veggie burritos to beer and grilled cheese to pay my way.

PHISH!!! I spent the better part of ten years on the road following phish, being a part of the circus. They shaped the person that I am, the outlook I have on life and most importantly the way I treat other people.

And now that they're coming back, I can't wait to finally go home.

I was Neil Diamond's touring press agent (through Solters Roskin Friedman) and toured with him through 45 city tours. Even I had "fans" as a result...people who would hold up signs with my name on it (I suspect they were hoping I could get them back stage...which, in some instances, I was.)

Although I am not "one of these people", over the years I have known many who are obsessed with Morrissey and The Cure.

I myself spent some time "on tour," which in counter-cultural Ohio of the early '90s, could only mean following the Dead. For a few years I rarely listened to anything else, and could point out obscure phrasings on obscure recordings from obscure concerts committed to scratchy, low-fi cassette bootlegs. Fandom evolves into religion in some cases. The repertoire becomes sacred text. From all this, the fans derive meaning in their lives, no different from any other religion!