Deep Purple, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Dream Theater
Hartford CT, August 7, 1998
After making our way back from the Holmdel show, my friend Pete and I headed to the Hartford Brewery for the fan gathering. We immediately hooked up with Rich and Julie who we had met on the last tour. We decided to grab a table so other fans could join us as they came in. We made new friends, and greeted people we had met on previous shows like Rikk and Dana. After hanging for a while, we left as we both wanted to catch part of the WHCN show, which was being broadcast from The Meadows.
After catching some of the radio station stuff going on we went in for Dream Theater. These guys are a great opening act! They played the same set as the previous night, as did ELP who were also very good.
And then, once again, Purple were just on fire!! Gillan hadn't lost a thing, and the guys are just playing with so much energy! Set wise, they dropped Seventh Heaven in favor of Any Fule Kno That. I'm still waiting for the show at which they do both! Any Fule sounded great, and kept the crowd at their feet.
After the show, we went to the hotel that we thought the band were staying at. After hanging for a bit, I walked out into the lobby and caught Steve Morse. It was then I heard about his arm, broken ribs and everything. What a guy, you would never know it from his playing. I then spotted Roger, so I went off to chase him! :-)
I asked if I could get his autograph, and he turned around with a big smile, and said, "I don't know, can you?" I rolled with the joke and said I'm ready to get it if he is ready to sign his name, but all this time, I couldn't get the cap off my pen! Roger jokingly said "Are you sure you're ready?!" He was great! We chatted for a bit, here and inside the bar, and we talked about ELP, the tour, and a little bit of everything. Roger is truly a great guy. Thanks Roger!
And that was Hartford, another great night, another great performance. We went home, and it was on to Greatwoods!
[ reviews | the highway star ]