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Rockin’ Hard at the Hard 2 – The Sequel
Deep Purple live at Hard Rock Live (Hollywood, USA 2014-08-31)
Now it was onward to Hollywood after a tremendous show in Orlando. Hoping this show would match the intensity of the night before. Well, the band was great. Gillan did crack a couple of times but overall the music was again wonderful. But we left with that feeling that something was missing. we discussed and came up with the answer. The crowd. The crowd up front was not as into it as the night before. Being part of the pre-sale I was hoping for seats up close. They just weren’t available at all. Don’t know who got them, but clearly not fanatic purple fans. There were a few, but most everybody else was more concerned with taking photos or video than actually listening to the music and paying attention to the people on stage. I think the band noticed too. I was 7 rows back and all you could see was arms up in the air holding their phones up. Still the band played great. I sure hope they go ahead and make that new CD and start a tour right back here in the states. I can’t wait to see them again. They truly are one of the greatest rock bands ever. Thanks again to Deep Purple for 2 shows that were quite memorable.
Del Ferguson,
Holiday, Fl.
review by Del Ferguson
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
In Oregon I thought the same about the crowd, but they were won over without a problem, it was the seating that accounted for the distance, not to mention them playing this state for the first time since way back in 1985. Perhaps they didn’t know what to think until Highway Star was over, but by then they were buzzing. Monumental US tour in many ways. It was a lot of fun, joined down south by friends and family(including buddy Dale Heard) for a special time we won’t forget. Great moods from all in the band prior to the show, relaxed conversation with them and some family and crew members. Only two others shooting in the pit was the cake icing.
September 4th, 2014 at 22:23Awesome
September 5th, 2014 at 00:39Thanks for your reviews, Del – very nice. Older crowds tend to be more timid – sure ain’t Winterland in 1972, that’s for sure!
September 5th, 2014 at 04:29“Gillan did crack a couple of times…” Did he heat it up right there on stage? 😉
September 5th, 2014 at 11:12I was at the show at the Hard Rock in Hollywood,Fla. & it far exceeded my expectations ! from the opening of Highway Star the volume was cranked up loud & clear as a bell ! We knew we were gonna see a great show ! The crowd was on their feet & boisterous the whole concert. Ian Gillan even remarked at one point thanking the crowd for the positive vibes being sent to the band. I was a little disapointed that the show was only about 1 hour & 45 minutes. Since it was the last night of the tour, we thought maybe the band would play a little longer but it was not to be. Also, it was the 3rd consecutive night in a row that the band had played so maybe that had something to do with it. None the less another memorable concert by the legendary DEEP PURPLE ! there is only one DEEP PURPLE, accept no substitute !!!
September 5th, 2014 at 17:29Monumental US tour? I agree, I have seen this deep purple line up more than 10 times, some good shows, some great shows but the Ventura Ca. and Costa Mesa Ca.in particular were just amazing the band was on a high those two shows and we the crowd witnessed something special
September 5th, 2014 at 19:24Most always Del, the first two or there rows of any gig are filled with “Industry” people. Generally speaking not fans, rather have free tickets and there was nothing on TV anyway….It was also very noticeable at DP Brisbane, Australia show a couple of years ago. I swear I saw a Zimmer frame! They were so old I though they might need oxygen at one point. But the band played on……
September 5th, 2014 at 21:23When I saw DP in Sydney a couple years back, I was 7nth row from front aisle seat. I asked security prior to the show if I could stand up the front of the stage and they said ‘Ian Gillan specifically advised venue security that we’re not to stop anyone standing up the front and he wants them there.’ But when I got to front of stage few ppl sitting front row got upset with me, so I stood front stage towards the aisle to try not block their view. But a bit lame that they would come stand up the front with me… They were only young ppl too! Gillan and Steve and Roger all made a point of coming over to us the whole night so it was awesome anyways 🙂 🙂
September 7th, 2014 at 02:54