Rotterdam 17 Oct. 1995

Unfortunately I didnt see RB at breakfast. I made it to Rotterdam with Johan from the Belgian DPAS. I hung out with him until the show an dgave him my second backstage pass. I could tell from the night before that Rotterdam was going to be something special with the band. Boy was it!!!!

I can honestly say that Rotterdam was the best show I have ever seen in my life. It was fucking hot!! From the start RB was smoking and playing incredible solos. He was all smiles and having a good time. Front row again, RB started to have a dialog with me and Rainier ( a german guy who also was following RB around). He would come over and beckon to us and act like he was about to hand us the guitar. As we playfully yelled "Ritchie is God" RB became playful back and put his had to his ear as if to say "what?". When we yelled it again he wiggled his hand as if to say "well..maybe"!!!!!!! There were incredible versions of every song. They played longer versions of everything including the beer drinking songs (actually the Falderee, Falderei song is I think a German hiking song-correct me if I am wrong..). They did Rainbow Eyes and Ritchie really hit gold with his long intro to Ariel and moreso with his super long extended out-tro solo to Ariel. During the ooh-ooh-Ariel part at the end, Doogie gets real theatrical and on his knees and starts crawling to Candice. At the end of the solo Doogie usually lets out a Gillan-esque scream. Here RB was wailing so long poor Doogie was just wondering when he could get off his knees. RB took off and started just playing softly like in the old Catch the Rainbow and Mistreated days. It was sheer magic to hear. RB was really on this night.

After Ariel they did Hey Joe (which Doogie sang as Hey OJ- where you going with that gun in your hand) The Hall of the Mountain King was a killer version that even Trond's grandma would have liked. Even Paul's keyboard solo was excellent as he played spooky parts similar to the beginning of Tarot Woman. I guess because he was video-ing himself that night, he wanted to make sure his solo was good.

The encore was Burn ( which I like done this way without JLT singing it and Glenn Hughes to give the sould influence- no slight to either JLT or GH who I both like, but I like this rock version the best). Then shock of the night- During Smoke on the Water, Doogie comes over to me and Rainier and beckons with the mic. Rainier declines but I nod and Doogie hands it to Rainier. We both sing a full verse of Smoke on the Water over the PA!!!!!!!! This is the largest arena I have seen them in and there are me and Rainier and perhaps a few others singing away!!!! I guess they probably turned us way down in the mix but it was incredible to do this!!

Then another shock. RB turns and says something to Doogie. Doogie mouthes back "I don't know- do you think we should?" RB in turn says "let's try it " and then he breaks out into Mistreated. I went beserk, as did Rainier, Wim, Johan, Ad and the other DPAS guys around me. I never thought I would ever hear that song live. RB did 2 full verses and a really nice solo. Doogie handled the vocals masterfully. It was a treasure to hear. I just couldnt believe it. What a show that was. RB finished the set with Black Night and left a stunned and crazy Ahoy arena in Rotterdam.

Armed with my backstage pass I walked on backstage. I talked to the band some more and they all said what a shock Mistreated was. The band had never played it together. Although the band has practised Kill the King and I Surrender for possible inclusion in the set in the future, no one had any idea RB was going to play it. Chuck told me he didn't even know the song- he just watched for the changes from RB. Incredible. Since this was my last show, I am glad it was so good. From what the band were saying, Hamburg the next night was going to be a disaster. RB's ex-wife and son were going to be there as was the ex of one of the other band members. There seemed to be a black cloud over the mere mention of Hamburg. As this was my last stop, the band as they left to go to the hotel ( they had to get up at 6am to go to hamburg), they each personally told me goodbye and thank you for coming over from the US to see them. Doogie even came over and gave me a big manly hug saying "we will meet again my friend". Before they left I asked Doogie if the man was still upstairs. He said yes he thought so. That was what I wanted to hear. My trip was perfect and the Rotterdam gig would have been the perfect ending to a wonderful tour. There is only one thing that would have made it better: to meet the man in black.