Entertainment & Culture
Author: anonymDate: 2024-12-11 12:03:50
Swift's longtime bassist pens heartfelt reflection on grueling Eras Tour: 'Transformed by the experience'
Amos Heller offered rare insight into life behind the scenes, including getting tattoos in Ireland and visiting a watch factory in Switzerland
Taylor Swift's veteran bassist recounts an 'unforgettable journey' as he bids farewell to the Eras Tour.
Amos Heller, Swift's musical companion for over 15 years, shared a moving Instagram post chronicling his time touring with the pop icon, concluding in Vancouver on Sunday, December 8th after traversing five continents, countless cities and 152 performances.
Heller, 47, offered a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of history's highest-grossing concert tour. He also included various photos of himself performing, including one with Swift, 34, resting on his shoulder during the Fearless segment.
“It's finished. No more early morning calls. No more airports. No more hauling luggage up escalators, navigating crowds, and exiting baggage claim. No more warm-ups, no more cool-downs,” he wrote. “No more perpetually checking my watch. No more farewells to my family, no more counting down the days. No more jet lag. It's over.”
Related: Taylor Swift Is 'Exhausted but So Grateful' as Eras Tour Concludes, Anticipates Holiday Festivities with Travis Kelce (Exclusive)
The bassist then reminisced about specific memories from various locations, including exploring bass shops in Australia, acquiring tattoos in Ireland and visiting a watch manufactory in Switzerland.
"No more immersion in new languages, cultures, cuisines, and pleasantries," he wrote. "No more snow in Tokyo, watch factories in Switzerland, museums in Sweden, bass shops in Australia, steaks in Rio, tattoos in Ireland, runs in Germany, flowers in Amsterdam."
He described entering the “resonating stadium” each night as feeling “like a warrior,” and relished “belting out lyrics with complete strangers who become instant friends.”
“This is my finest achievement. It's a finished product. We witnessed its evolution from 'What If' to 'How Will It Be' to 'Here We Are' to 'Almost Done' to 'Done,'” he wrote. “The chronicles are complete, richly documented. I've undergone a transformation. As a musician, performer, individual, partner. Post-finale, I knelt for a moment, then rested on the floor, sharing reflections with [dancer Tori Evans]. Exhausted. We lived an entire lifetime. If you felt it was like graduation, you're right.”
Related: Taylor Swift Honors Travis Kelce with a Final 'Chiefs Guy' Shout-out and Signature Move at Eras Tour Finale
Heller expressed profound “love and appreciation” for being part of the Swiftie community and extended a special message to the headliner.
“You inspire such respect and admiration from everyone fortunate enough to contribute to your success,” he wrote to Swift. “Your blend of concentration, passion, endurance and exuberance elevates everyone around you. Thank you for entrusting me with my role in your vision. It was the experience of a lifetime. I love you.”
He concluded his post with “Long live,” referencing Swift’s beloved song from her 2010 album Speak Now.
Among the many who commented on Heller's post was Kam Saunders, an Eras Tour dancer whose brother Khalen famously played for the Kansas City Chiefs alongside Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce.
“You're a true GEM! I'll miss your musical magic as I exit from YNTCD!” Saunders wrote. “I had the best time with you on this! Your humor. Your wit. Your kindness to my mother!!!! Thank you for EVERYTHING.”
PEOPLE exclusively revealed that Swift distributed $197 million in bonuses to all tour personnel over her nearly two-year road trip, including truck drivers, caterers, technicians, merchandise staff, lighting and sound crews, production personnel, assistants, carpenters, dancers, security, choreographers, pyrotechnicians, riggers, hair and makeup artists, wardrobe, physical therapists, and videographers.
The Eras Tour generated over $2 billion in ticket sales, which according to The New York Times is “double the gross ticket revenue of any other concert tour in history.” The tour also inspired Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book, which reportedly sold 814,000 copies in its first two days, making it the year's most successful book launch.
Next, Swift — who a source recently told PEOPLE is “exhausted, but incredibly grateful” for the tour's success — will contend for six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
Read the original article on People