Taylor Swift’s bass player calls Eras Tour ‘the ride of a lifetime’
By Ellie Iorizzo, PA Los Angeles Correspondent
Taylor Swift’s bass player said he has “emerged changed” after the end of the Eras Tour, which required “the very best I am capable of”.
Amos Heller, who has played with Swift for more than 15 years, reflected on the record-breaking tour which engulfed popular culture and dominated news coverage during its 21-month run.
“It’s done. No more walking into a ringing stadium feeling like a gladiator,” the guitarist wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram.
A post shared by Amos Heller (@amosjheller)
“No more being called upon to dig the deepest I can, requiring the very best I am capable of.
“This is the best I can do now. It’s a completed work. We watched it go from What If to How Will It Be to Here We Are to Almost Done to Done.
“The record books are closed with fresh ink on a lot of pages. I’ve emerged changed. As a player, performer, person, partner.”
Heller said he fell to his knees after the final show in Vancouver on Sunday, likening the moment to a graduation day.
“I feel so much love and gratitude to be a part of this community, which I’ve been privileged to watch grow into so much more than a collective of people who like the same songs,” he continued.
“And @taylorswift. You command so much respect and admiration from everyone who’s fortunate enough to add their effort to yours.
“Your blend of focus, heart, stamina and joy calls forth the best of everyone around you.
“Thank you for trusting me with my part of your vision.
“It was the ride of a lifetime.”
Heller also offered a behind-the-scenes insight into the Eras Tour.
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)
“No more slipping into new languages, cultures, cuisines, accented 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.”
Swift made history as the first solo artist to perform at London’s Wembley Stadium eight times on a single tour.
Last week, she was named Spotify’s most-played artist of the year with more than 26.6 billion streams.
She also won seven awards at the MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for six Grammy Awards.