Here are a few images from our recent tour of the US and Canada.

There were three bands on the bill and we all got along famously, a great deal of mutual respect around. Thin Lizzy were true professionals, always giving 100%. Joe Satriani needs little introduction from me, his stage presence is riveting and the members of his band great musicians all. We all used to hang out and watch each other’s sets.

Each band had its own bus. Steve, who formerly was a drummer for the band 38 Special back in the days when they toured with Rainbow sometime in the early 80’s, was our driver. We sat and reminisced a few times as the road rolled beneath our feet on an over-night drive.

One of the sights that always caught my imagination was the line of trucks waiting backstage for their respective cargoes, engines throbbing – Industrial Strength Rock.

We hooked up with quite a few friends along the way, among them Glenn Hughes, Michael Bradford, Mike Ager (my previous tech), Harvey Shield (Episode Six drummer), Ronnie James Dio, Simon, his drummer, Bobby Rondinelli and Blue Oyster Cult and many other fans/friends.

The Platinum Ticket thing went well and all seemed to enjoy the experience. This did not preclude us from seeing some our ‘regulars’.

The last night we played with Joe, my friend Rich, who is a police officer, knocked on Joe’s dressing room door, asked Mr. Satriani to ‘please step outside, sir’, whereupon he proceeded to attempt to arrest Joe for ‘playing an excessive number of notes’. Luckily, I was there with a camera.

All in all, a great tour; one of most friendly experiences and one that I’m sure we’ll all remember with affection.

Thanks to all who took part, either on stage or off.

RG, 2004