[ d e e p P u r . p l e ) The Highway Star

Universal Amp Show/LA

My wife and I celebrated our 1 year annivesary with DP!!

We're still reelin' from the show!! Whewwww! There was one thing that was so cool about this show was the VIBE!!! Many older "long hairs", of which I belong, know what I'm talking about. Do you remember those days when you went to shows and your "brothers" (and "sisters") all had a reason to be at the show and we'd confirm it with a look and a nod? This show had "that vibe"; I haven't felt that energy in years!! Thank you DT, ELP and DP for bringing back the magic!!

Dream Theater: We've never seen them live and were blown away! We'd heard alot about the band, especially Mike Portnoy. They have that thing for changing up time and making it seem so natural. Mike was sporting a new do; I thought they got a new drummer!!

ELP: What can you say! They came out with "the hits". I saw them a few years ago in LA and the new stuff didn't cut it for me. The classics made the show!! Greg's voice still has that beautiful tone I remember, and Keith is always the "bad boy virtuoso." Carl, you blow me away with your awesome playing and that wild "backwards cross-sticking". Tarkus was the best song of the night, for us.

DP: Opening with "Ted", the crowd was on it's feet. IG's voice was on... I also heard that he was sick during the tour, but he was obviously feeling better. When it's your last U.S. date you pull out all the stops. I saw nothing but smiles from the band!! The U.A. was very close to sold out (no one buys those shitty seats in the back to the side). I think the band had as much fun onstage as we all had off stage. I felt the show was too short as well compared to the HOB/LA show but you had 3 bands! The band was about the best I'd seen them (5 times) and it really seems like the band is free of Ritchie and all that. Steve brings so much to the band and to all those people who have to compare him to RB I say THEY'RE NOT THE SAME GUY!! GET OVER IT!! Oh and thanks for the pick!! It was great to see Paicey get a longer solo as I missed it at HOB. Ian... longer solos!! You've been my inspiration for years. Roger always layin it down with that Chesire smile. Jon lookin' so cool in those shades but always making the song with those beautiful solos.

Thank you guys.

Please come back soon and thank you for making our anniversary!!

Cliff & Melanie Laidlaw


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