DP in Toronto, Aug. 19
I flew to Toronto to see Deep Purple play on Gillan's birthday, and to visit friends. David, Lisa, Paul, Mark, Tony, and this other guy and I had seats in rows J and K in the middle. We were treated to awesome performances by the opening bands, but WE CAME FOR PURPLE!
Deep Purple were amazing! As good as if not better than when I saw them in Wilkes-Barre! They were so tight that I could hardly breathe! ;^)
DP played with as much subtlety as fury, and after ELP left the stage, we all went down to the aisle behind row D to stand (like the bad kids we are). I squeezed off two rolls of film without being caught, although there were more cameras there than security guards.
The setlist remained similar to the last time I had seen them, but now they're playing "Ted" again! Great move!! I thought they'd do something special for I.G., but he must not have wanted them to. However, Steve ended one of his solos with the notes to "Happy Birthday To You" just as Ian and the rest of the guys were returning to the stage. Ian smiled. Some fans in the back were holding up a "Happy Birthday Ian" sheet as well.
Back at Harvey's Lake, Ian was so impressed with the crowd's reaction that he said he wished he could pack us all up and take us on the bus with him. He repeated this same statement TWICE in Toronto, as well as saying that there was a really nice feeling coming from the audience onto the stage!
Roger and Ian G. took notice to me in the audience, which made me feel really good to be recognized again!
I didn't have a backstage pass to this one, and then I saw a guy SELLING them for around $20 or $30! I fished around in my pocket and found that I had enough money, but I didn't want to keep my friends waiting outside indefinitely, so I passed on it. The thought of being left behind in a foreign country overrode my desire to meet DP again! (at least for NOW...)
As we were leaving, we almost left Tony in the parking lot--we didn't do a head count and he was still back at the concession stands!
SUPERB concert--just SUPERB!! Well worth the trip and the money!
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