PNE brings young Billy Idol super fan to sold-out show
Credit to Author: Nick Eagland| Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2019 00:11:36 +0000
Nico Boffa might be one of Billy Idol’s biggest fans. On Saturday, the 12-year-old will see the punk-rock superstar perform live because the PNE wants him to have the memory of a lifetime. Nico says he is amazed and excited.
The young Vancouver musician first heard the sneering, spiky-haired singer’s music earlier this summer when White Wedding played on the car radio.
“I like his screams, like when he goes ‘Wow!’” Nico said. “And the beat. It’s just really entertaining and fun.”
After hearing Idol, 63, Nico taught himself to play Rebel Yell in just a few days. He has been playing piano for about six years and also studies bass guitar at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
Nico is blessed with the ability to hear a song and play it by ear, which he attributes to autism.
“I am autistic and I’m very proud of it,” he said. “I think if I didn’t have autism, I wouldn’t have perfect pitch. It has a good impact.”
Nico has seen many outdoor shows but on Saturday will finally attend his first big, late-night rock concert.
When the people who run the PNE heard about Nico, they thought he should be in Idol’s audience for the sold-out show, and gave Nico and his mom free tickets for reserved seats.
Nico Boffa, 12, will see the punk-rock superstar perform live because the PNE wants him to have the memory of a lifetime. Photo: Francis Georgian/Postmedia
It is not unusual for the PNE to go out of its way to host guests who have unique connections to the event, said president and CEO Shelley Frost.
“Our mission here at the PNE is to deliver memorable experiences and we love the way that everybody has a story about something special to them that happened at the PNE,” Frost said.
“We were really touched by the story and thought that this was a great way and opportunity to make a difference for this young man, and provide a really memorable experience that he might not have been able to have otherwise.”
Nico expects a “compelling” and “really entertaining” show at the PNE Amphitheatre. He might even sing along a bit.
“Maybe I get to meet him,” he said. “Maybe.”
Nico has long been into ABBA but also counts Def Leppard, Journey, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley among his favourites. When he first heard Idol, he felt an instant appreciation for the music, said his mom, Mary Boffa.
“He said, ‘Oh, this is so much better than Billie Eilish,” Boffa said with a laugh. “He’s always been an old soul when it comes to music. He likes the old stuff.”
Boffa said Nico hears music wherever he goes, whether it is in nature, buildings or crowds.
But the experience Saturday will be unlike anything Nico has heard before.
“I’m so excited for this concert,” Boffa said.
“This is the first concert that he can go to — that he’s old enough to go to — and just a singer he absolutely wants to see. It makes it so special.”