Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dream Theater
Canandagiua, NY August 14, 1998
After the Camden cancellation, my friend Mary and I made our way up to Canandagiua. As we started out, we still didn't know for sure the show was on. I called Thames Talent as we hit the Mass Pike, and the voice at the other end of the phone confirmed "The show's on!" Off we went!
We arrived in Canandagiua just before Dream Theater took the stage, it had been a six hour drive. We picked up our passes (thanks, Colin!) and made our way to our second row seats. Dream Theater were great as usual. I enjoyed ELP, though Greg seemed to have a bit of an attitude tonight. He kept looking up at the lights(?).
And onto Purple. I warned some fans behind us that Ian would be rough, so lets be sure to get up and show our support. They agreed. They came out with Hush, and Ian was a little horse, but he still sounded GREAT and was in an excellent mood. The band were on fire tonight, and seemed anxious to get out and play after a cancellation and a day off. Our friends behind us asked me what the hell I was talking about, Ian sounded great!
Highpoints? There were a lot. Ian invited one fan who had been dancing up on stage to play the tambourine during Lazy. The guy spanned the whole stage, dancing and playing, and Ian loved it. Speed King was hilarious. As Steve used his wammy bar to copy Ian's crazy sounds. Ian implied it wasn't fair, and played an imaginary wammy bar himself! During Highway Star, the crowd rushed the stage, and really go into it. It had been a great show, Purple were back in action!
We had been given passes and made our way backstage. Roger was the first to come out, and happily talked with everyone. Steve followed soon after. As we stood in line for a photo with Roger, Ian Gillan arrived. I was impressed that he came out to chat when he was horse and had a cold. He sounded especially horse while talking with him.
Ian said he hadn't been drinking at all on stage on this tour, but had some whisky tonight. He joked that there was only one thing to do. :-) He also explained his theory on radio-get rid of the program directors! Ian said have some good DJ personalities who wouldn't be afraid to play stuff outside of the format and play new stuff too. Ian happily posed for pictures and made sure he didn't leave anything unsigned. Hello to Lisa who we met backstage! Thanks to Purple for a great night!
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