Newsgroups: alt.music.deep-purple
Subject: CHICAGO
From: Mark Cantin 
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 1996 07:29:09 -0600

The gig was honestly, truthfully KILLER. God they were loud. Man, they were *tight*. No real surprises in the set list. Steve unleashed the Furies of Hell like I've never seen before--but he smiles the whole time, like he even surprises himself. Ian G. was in good form. You don't *hear* Paicey, you *feel* him--the concussion/percussion of his solo made me feel like I did 12 rounds with Mike Tyson (and the incredible thing is he plays a single bass!!). Jon--what can you say?/ The guy is THE Master--he had a really different kb solo in SOTW this time which threw me for a loop. And Roger?? How old is he?? He has more energy the Energizer Bunny on crack!! Man, what enthusiasm!! And you can tell Roger was really having fun again!!

Prior to the gig, a few of us met at a bar--local arrangements provided by Collin O'Brien (good job, Collin, and thanks for picking up the tab!!). I apologize if I don't remember everyone there, but the list included Secil and friend, Ron the Cheeb, Mark and Marina White, and special guest star, back from the hoary netherworld, Jeff Rinscheid. I only wish more of you could have been there. But I guarantee the "Chicago Gang" is better-looking than the "Brixton Clan"!! ;-) Hey--we had CHICKS!!!! And COLD BEER!!!!

Thanks to Roger and Colin Hart, four AMDPers got backstage. (I *profoundly* apologize to those of you I could not secure backstage access for--I owe you!! I feel really, really bad about that) We met with Big Ian, Steve, and Roger. Pictures and autographs for all! Poor Ian was exhausted, but was soo gracious. Steve still had boundless energy, although he brutalized his guitar like a drunken hillbilly wifebeater--glad i'm not his guitar. And Roger--ahhh, Roger--his face just lit up when he saw us--he literally interrupted the autograph he was signing to glad-hand our group!! You could tell he was genuinely pleased to meet with us. It was just too cool for words (remember, i'm from indiana, so I only have a 200 word vocabulary). It was simply Heaven, folks. A religious epiphany. I can't begin to thank Roger, Colin, and the rest of the Purple camp.

But I also want to thank this newsgroup as well. Without you, i wouldn't have known of the concert--or had access (via this group) to Roger and Colin. Hell, i wouldn't have even known about _|_. What can I say?? This whole NG deal has just been one of the greatest delights of my life. My most sincere thanks to all! God, this was the most cool day of my life!!

Mark

[ reviews home ]