Newsgroups: alt.music.deep-purple
Subject: Hartford Review
From: taliesyn1@aol.com
Date: 24 Nov 1996 16:56:37 GMT

It happened last night. An event that exceeded all expectations. And believe me expectations were held high by all. A total of 39 people met before the show at the Hartford Brewery. Joining the many locals were aolers, and amdpers from New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, Oakland, Sweden, and the UK. It was to anyone knowledge the biggest gathering of DP internet people ever gathered in one place in person, and in the flesh. After having a tasty, but rather delayed meal, and finally settling the check, we all headed for the show.

The opening band was a Machinery, an area band that one a contest to open the show. They were an average eighties type rock. Then DP took the stage. The howls came from the speakers and they went into Hush. From then on, it was incredible. They were all smiling, and having a good time. And they were tight too. Steve made everyone forget what's his mane that came before him. Steve not only has his own shoes, but they are firmly placed upon the ground, a few sizes bigger than what's his name, and a bit shinier too. We saw the REAL Deep Purple last night. The energy within the band showed through. The are STILL having fun, and they STILL like each other. I think we will have them for a while longer.

I'm sure we will get more reviews of the show so I'll get right to the after show festivities. We managed to get back stage thanks to the efforts of some fine people (thanks Jim), and were placed into a waiting room. Colin Hart came in, and asked to see the AOL people. We all met him, and had a great time. He told us this is a bad night to meet the band. He said they have a lot of family, and friends here, and an other waiting room of 100 people. But he said he would try to get them over to us.

About a half hour later Steve Morse entered the room, and we all gathered around. He was as gracious as always, signing autographs with his own Sharpie magic marker. After about 15 minutes I realized the some people were leaving the room. I poked my head outside, and Jon Cooney alerted me to the presents of Jon Lord. I ran out and looked for the stately gentlemen, but could not see him. Then I looked straight ahead, and there he was no more than 2 feet in front of me. I shook his hand, chatted for a minute, and he too signed my copy of _|_. Meeting Jon, more than made my evening. We waited a bit more in the hallway, then we spotted Roger. He was very welcoming, and the most talkative of the group. Talking to Roger was like talking to history, and the future at the same time. A few minutes later big Ian showed up. We were a bit worried about him. Right after the show he was going to shake some people's hands, and he tripped, and fell off stage. A bunch of hands went towards him to break his fall. Ian was OK. Now we had only meet little Ian to complete the experience. A few minutes later he too has out talking to us. Now I had all five signatures on my copy of _|_.

This is about the 12th time seeing Deep Purple, but the first time actually meeting them. Sometimes you get this fantasy in your head, and when you meet the band they are not as nice, as you had imagined, and thus blowing your perception of the band. This was NOT the case here. They all were great, and seemed to enjoy talking to us, as much as we enjoyed talking to them. Anyway, a great time was had by all.

I'd like to thank Colin for making this all happen. Without his assistance we wouldn't have been able meet the men who have made the music, that has touched us in so many ways. And of course thanks to Deep Purple. Keep the music moving forward.

Rikk Desgres

[ reviews home ]