Classic Rock (Phil Collins lives, run for the hills)

[Protein Junkie]

Leaving in about an hour or so for the trek from Hertfordshire to the O2 London.
Looking at the set lists I prefer the Evanescence line up to that of Within Temptation.
I hope the former are on first as the train times back are a nightmare.
Support band is Veridia - not that I’ve heard of them.

 

[stan bowles]

I've met Geoff Barton a few times; definitley not the full of himself kind. Don't remembering him accusing Leps of selling out and would be surprised given how much of a Kiss fan he is.

He did this article but sadly it costs to read it and check what he said:

Def Leppard: Def or Glory?

Interview by Geoff Barton, Sounds, 1 March 1980

THE LEPPARDS CAUGHT IN AN A'N'R INDUSTRY STRANGLEHOLD. WILL THEY BE THROTTLED? ASKS GEOFF BARTON ...

It was a long time ago admittedly and I used to read Sounds every week. There was definitely some kind of backlash against Def Leppard in that paper - which was basically the go to weekly music journal for all hard rock and metal fans - after their initial run of success. They did spend a lot of time touring in America whilst Iron Maiden and Saxon jumped ahead of them in the UK and their sound was definitely more hard rock than metal. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now anyway.

 

[blueparrot]

It was a long time ago admittedly and I used to read Sounds every week. There was definitely some kind of backlash against Def Leppard in that paper - which was basically the go to weekly music journal for all hard rock and metal fans - after their initial run of success. They did spend a lot of time touring in America whilst Iron Maiden and Saxon jumped ahead of them in the UK and their sound was definitely more hard rock than metal. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now anyway.

There was a backlash in Sounds, think the headline was something about a Leppard changing its spots if my vague memory is correct, and that created a backlash when Leppard played Reading again from memory that lasted until High and Dry at least. I don’t remember if Geoff Barton wrote that, however it could be my memory playing tricks but I’m sure I also rember Barton writing he regreeted some of what he wrote at that time.

 

[OB1]

There was a backlash in Sounds, think the headline was something about a Leppard changing its spots if my vague memory is correct, and that created a backlash when Leppard played Reading again from memory that lasted until High and Dry at least. I don’t remember if Geoff Barton wrote that, however it could be my memory playing tricks but I’m sure I also rember Barton writing he regreeted some of what he wrote at that time.

I seem to recall that headline.

I do remember thinking around that time that you could certainly tell the Leps had employed AC/DC's producer and that intially may have worked against them over here; although it was ultimately proved to ne a masterstroke. Their sound did change and was more suited to the American market.

Whatever Geoff said at the time, he was a big fan of American bands so it would be odd for him to have not liked Leps' sound.

I've no doubt mentioned this before but Barton wrote the lyrics for a song by my best friends' (plural not typo) band - the classic "Flashbomb Fever" with the immortal "More bombs than Dresden" line in it. We once blew a hole in the ceiling of a club the band were doing a gig at during that song: we used to set-off a large maroon towards the end of the song.

 

[Protein Junkie]

I mentioned in the Gigs thread about finally getting to see Evanescence and Within Temptation on Monday. Also support band Veridia from the US.
WT and Ev alternate who goes on last so it was the formers turn to kick off.
Their light and sound was superb and the set list was an even spread across their albums. I was disappointed they didn’t play “The Howling”, “ Heart of Everything” and “ Edge of the World” but they cant do everything. Sharon Den Adels voice is simply incredible.
Evanescence output is half that of WT. half the set came from The Bitter Truth but it was the tracks from the self titled and Fallen albums I enjoyed most. Not quite as dynamic as WT but it wasn’t a competition.
Just so thrilled to see two of my favourites in one hit.

 

[chesterbells]

Incredible. The most exciting guitar player I’ve ever seen play live.
Whenever he played the atmosphere was electric in every sense. The riffs and the solos were amazing.
Remember seeing Purple in the 80s at the NEC and the crowd in the front blocks rushed to the stage, but all to the right hand side; Lord, Glover, to the left, and Gillan in the middle giving it his best, all completely ignored! Never seen that at any other gig.

 

[Protein Junkie]

Nice to see this thread back alive and kicking

 

[OB1]

Incredible. The most exciting guitar player I’ve ever seen play live.
Whenever he played the atmosphere was electric in every sense. The riffs and the solos were amazing.
Remember seeing Purple in the 80s at the NEC and the crowd in the front blocks rushed to the stage, but all to the right hand side; Lord, Glover, to the left, and Gillan in the middle giving it his best, all completely ignored! Never seen that at any other gig.

Well, you know I am going to agree with you.

A truly great guitarist and a magnetic presence on stage. A moddy bastard by his own addmission. You never knew quite what he would do at any live gig. I once saw five Rainbow gigs (1980) on the same UK tour plus the first Monsters of Rock @ Donny and every night was different.

 

[GornikDaze]

Incredible. The most exciting guitar player I’ve ever seen play live.
Whenever he played the atmosphere was electric in every sense. The riffs and the solos were amazing.
Remember seeing Purple in the 80s at the NEC and the crowd in the front blocks rushed to the stage, but all to the right hand side; Lord, Glover, to the left, and Gillan in the middle giving it his best, all completely ignored! Never seen that at any other gig.

I saw Purple at the NEC but not sure exactly when. I remember a film cameraman getting too close and he took a great swing with his foot which failed to connect. I think he then went off in a huff for a bit. As has been said many times… great great player but moody as fuck!!

 

[OB1]

I saw Purple at the NEC but not sure exactly when. I remember a film cameraman getting too close and he took a great swing with his foot which failed to connect. I think he then went off in a huff for a bit. As has been said many times… great great player but moody as fuck!!

I went to that gig. Blackmore wouldn't come out at the start ecause he didn't want to be filmed and then chased a cameraman off when he did turn up (half way through Highway star - this note is on etlist.fm
Note: 25th Anniversary tour. MKII reunited. Last night. Recorded for DVD and CD release as "Come Hell or High Water". Blackmore with injured ankle. The first two verses of opener Highway Star played with no gtr - Blackmore miffed at cameras being on stage.)


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