After the show I was hanging out with some of the guys and some friends. I wished to have the chance to see the show in Berlin the next day and Frode had the idea to talk to the truck driver... The trucker who is called Beetle agreed to give me a lift! Talking to John Slater and some of the other band members of Blaze after the show. Joking around with John, coz last year he introduced himself to everybody in German saying "Hi, I'm a lawnmower." I had told that story to Nadja and so she said to him "Hi, I'm a lawnmower made September 9th!" John looked puzzled. I explained that he said that last year. Okay, this joke didn't work... Nadja talked to him for awhile and they started joking around.
I wrote Nadja a list what she should pack for me, coz Frode would be at the next show in Berlin and I planned to stay there over the weekend at a friends home. Looking for Frode we went upstairs and ran into the guys from Vicious Rumors, helped them to get their stuff down to the nightliner. Then I was looking for Beetle and soon we left to Berlin. On the way we stopped at a truck stop to get a coffee and sandwich. A few minutes later Volker who drives the Savatage bus joined us. Then it was time to go on, coz there was a time schedule to keep, but a short break and a nap was possible.
The guys from Vicious Rumors and Jon Oliva were walking around. It was cold and so Jon invited us to stay in the lounge of the Savatage bus, but told us to be quite, coz everybody else was sleeping. While smoking a cigarette or two they discussed the problems VR had on the Blaze bus and that they had to get off the nightliner. Searching a solution. I told them that I was going with a camper on a previous tour and they thought it over. Jon thought it was a good idea and I offered them to help them getting a camper through internet today. Jon assured them that they should accept a helping hand from 'SavaMom'!
Then the locals arrived and we could get in the venue. Checking out the area. The bus drivers had been told how to park, not that easy, but they made it. Beetle had to drove over to the other side of the venue and park at the grass.
While I was checking with a local about catering and about the shower, coz Jon wanted a shower and the one backstage wasn't working. A shower room at a hotel near by should be ready a little later, but first the catering should be set up. So everybody was hanging around until there was coffee and some kind of breakfast. Then Jon could go over with the local to the hotel.
Later Geoff Thorpe, Cornbread and I walked over to the hotel, coz there it should be possible to access the internet. At the hotel I learnt that there is just the possibility to access internet with a laptop at the rooms... But the receptionist said that an internet café ain't that far away. A 5 min. walk and so we walked on. Finally we found the cyber bar and soon we booked a camper for 7 to pick up at Frankfurt on Monday. The guys preferred to take a cab back instead of walking.
At the venue I gave the details to Dirk, the tour manager, to check back and make sure that they get the camper. On the way back we had a discussion about the long distances and that an U.S. American drivers license could be a problem. I offered to help out on the long distances and ended up that I should drive the whole tour. They ask me, if I would do merchandise for them, but I denied. Dirk said he could get someone, but I wanted to try first. Okay, changing plans! I called Nadja and ask her, if she would do merch, she said that she would make it possible. The I called my friend Sinje and told her about the latest development. She agreed to come around for a coffee. I talked to Beetle again and he gave me a lift to Frankfurt and then to Gummersbach, coz he had to go down there to drop equipment at the airport and than back to their headquarters. Blaze and Savatage should fly out to Greece for 2 shows and VR should stay in Offenbach 'til Monday. So, this was arranged.
Sinje came and we had a coffee and talked a little until Jack entered the catering. Jack is signed to Sanctuary Record Group with his band Seven Witches and Sinje worked there in the promotion department. Too soon she had to leave, coz she had to pick up her son. In the venue Cornbread and Ira were putting up the merchandise deco, coz they decided that I should do the merch tonight. I was watching that from the opposite side while I was talking with Taz. I still hadn't my tour pass and Jon was making a joke and I told him to get me my pass, a joke as well, but he turned and told their tour manager about. And so I finally got my pass.
The deco was put up when Chris ask for a VR long sleeve to wear on stage that night. I had to give him one, coz they told he I was responsible... I hate doing merchandise, too boring for me! Outside I met some people I know and talked a little while. Just before doors I entered the venue and the merchandise booth. Soon after the set of Blaze the band and so VR had to leave. I stayed, coz I arranged that a box of VR merchandise could go with the Savatage stuff. Actually Geoff arranged, coz he ask me what to do and I had the idea, but he talked to Johnny about. André, the merchandiser of Savatage, was really nice and we were joking around during the show.
After the show I picked up my back pack at the Sava dressing room where Frode had dropped it. Talking a little with Andreas Schöwe until he was leaving. I entered the truck and read a little while the equipment was loaded and we could leave.
Geoff wanted to call their German management from the production office. We gave them my mobile number in case there are any questions. Nadja later had to do the merchandise deco for her first time. André was so kind to give her advice, coz I got a call from the travel agent which is working for VR's management. I discussed everything with Mondial Reisen and they wanted to call back next morning. Afterwards I informed Jörg of Continental Concerts who was in´ charge for the German shows as a tour manager.
Many fans were waiting outside and it took awhile until everybody was inside the venue. I had no chance to see VR or Blaze, but I wanted to see Savatage! During the first songs I did photos and afterwards I was standing behind the P.A. and watched the show. A decent show, but I saw them much better... Anyway, it was nice to see them on stage again!
After the show I helped Nadja until the fans left and we could pack the merch. André found a cart to transfer the merchandise boxes to the truck. Hanging out in the venue for awhile. Jack was sitting surrounded by female fans until it was time to leave. Chris came over and asked me about the camper, I fill him in with the latest developments. Then André and I continued talking about our friends from Overkill. Then it was time to leave and again we ended up at Chris' house. Thanks again for letting us stay!
We arrived at the Longhorn around 4 p.m. and walked in. At the venue we unloaded the stuff from the cars and dropped it in the Longhorn a little later. Today there was no dressing room for VR and we had to leave our stuff in the huge catering room. Nadja got the merchandise boxes and started to count in the merchandise as well as André did. Meanwhile I talked with Jörg and later with Dirk to let them know about the nightliner we should get tonight. Dirk promised to inform the venues that we need space for 3 nightliners. The reasons why VR needed their own transportation and other things which happened in Scandinavia was something I wasn't informed about. Just heard some pieces here and there. But there were still some problems...
I was talking about some business when Geoff ask me to help Nadja and I had to stop my talk. I helped Nadja to count in. Then Jörg told me that doors will be in 15 min.! We had to hurry! Tonight the merchandise booth was pretty small and VR merch had the worst place. During the shows of the support acts I brought the merchandisers some cold drinks. Just alcohol free, especially for Matt, coz Blaze' merchandiser Matt was the youngster on this tour (age 16).
Tonight VR played a little too long and I got informed by Dirk to take care that this should never happen again. Beside that VR weren't allowed to enter the venue before 3 p.m. which also effects the crew! Nice start for me tonight!
After the Savatage set I was at the merchandise booth when there were some problems and André asked me to get Dirk. Soon this was over and we could pack and load the merchandise.
Hanging out in the catering. Our bus should arrive late that night and so I talked to the head of the local crew to find out how long we could stay. Their answer was welcome, coz we won't have to leave before 5 a.m. in worst case. But a little later Eric of BTS called and ask me for directions to the venue. He would be at the Longhorn around 2 a.m.! Meanwhile Frode and Clay Marshall asked me, if there is a possibility to give them a lift. We had some free bunks and Geoff gave his okay. A little later Caffery's guitar tech Kyle ask, if we would give his girl friend Annette a lift to Pratteln too and so all bunks would be occupied.
When the truck and the busses left when our bus arrived. We already had some of our stuff in front of the venue at that time. I talked to Eric and gave him the most important information. I kinda became VRs road manager... Nadja and I were the first to chose our bunks. Soon everything was loaded and we left to Pratteln. On the motor way I gave a short round up to our bus driver.
I guided Eric to the venue, coz usually he's a sound engineer and just jumped in as a bus driver, coz he has the license. At the venue I introduced Eric to the other bus drivers and took care that Eric gets a tour pass. I also arranged that Eric was allowed to enter the venue earlier, coz he had to sleep during the day to gave us a save trip.
Then Nadja and I left to Weil to do some calls and take care about arrangements for the last days. Unfortu nately we just got the bus until Antwerp. All that took much longer than expected and when we started our way back to Pratteln I got a heavy headache and feared to get a migraine attack. It got worse and at the venue I decided to take medication and stay in my bunk for awhile. Nadja had to take care of the merchandise, coz the doors should be opened about 45 min. later!
Actually that was it for me. I kinda passed out and just remember that at night Eric counted in to see, if everybody is on the bus and that I heard Caffery on our bus..
Blaze were on stage when I entered the catering, actually there wasn't anything left. Jon was there and made some silly looking exercises to warm-up his vocal chords. Jan, Savatage's monitor sound tech, was under tension and Jon recommended him a massage. So Jon ask me to be so kind to give Jan a massage and I did. Afterwards I chat a little with the Mountain King about this vocal chord exercises. Then it was time for him to get ready for the show. I picked up my photo case and entered the photo pit. After the 4th song we had to leave the pit and I decided to join Gary behind his sound board. There was a flight case which I climbed and continued to do photos. So I saw when Chris got hit by the micro stand, but couldn't see exactly what the fan did and which lead into this. Anyway, Chris got hit by the micro just a little below his right eye and was so upset that we all feared that he would leave the stage. But they continued! They are professionals, but Chris' guitar sounded more aggressive than ever...
After the show I was joining Nadja at the merchandise booth and the guys from VR were talking to fans and partly trying to find some chicks. He woke up our driver. We agreed that from the timing it would be the best when I wake him up about an hour before we had to leave. At the merch Jack Frost later joined us, he had a migraine. Nadja gave him a temple massage while I was outside checking, if we could load. I met Damond there who told me about Jack's try to kill the migraine with different kind of pills... I told him that I had a migraine the day before and he ask me to give Jack some of my stuff. I agreed to give him one of me prescription-free pills. Inside Jack thanked me, but didn't want to take it, I convinced him to take it the next morning, if he shouldn't feel better. Then it was time to load the boxes and Cornbread was helped us. Afterwards I informed everybody of VR what time the bus will leave. Back at the booth a drunken fan was talking about the incident, he was the one who was responsible and soon Taz, Gary and some security kinda nailed him. Chris joined and argued with him, little later the security kicked him out of the venue. Time to leave, but some were missing... Nadja and I tried to get all of VR on the bus... It was like being in a kindergarten! Finally everybody was on the bus and we could leave!
Nadja and I tried the dinner someone had saved for us and decided to eat just the cutlet, coz the fries were uneatable! But Eric had dinner in a restaurant and so he offered us his cutlet which was welcome. At the sometime Eric tried to leave town and ended at a small bridge. The bridge didn't look very trustworthy and Eric decided to turn. Not easy in this narrow roads, but he made it and soon we found our way to the highway. I stayed awake most of the trip and talked with Eric about all and everything. Parking in Vienna won't be easy and so we decided to park at the last truck stop before Vienna. We arrived there in the early morning hours and everybody was sleeping. The cars on the parking lot and their drivers / passengers didn't look very trustworthy and for a second we thought about it. Then Eric locked the back door and we left to have a sandwich and a coffee at the filling station. When we returned to the bus the back door was open! We got nearer and Eric was the first who entered the bus through the back door checking, if everything is all right. Nothing unusual and so I entered my bunk to get some sleep. Eric checked the doors again and went to sleep as well.
February, 2nd 2002 - Vienna (A) / Planet Music -
Jeff tried to make a photo of the Stephans Dom, but it wasn't easy to get the whole thing on a photo. We would have needed a fisheye! Damond filmed the scenery. Continuing our walk someone was looking for a exchange-office. Jack entered almost every souvenir shop to find a nice snow ball of Vienna and other stuff. Chris was always a little ahead of us and while Nadja stayed with Frost, I walked over to Chris to make sure that we won't loose him somewhere. Dirk would have killed me, if not everybody returned with us! Even if I knew that Chris would make his way back. Jeff and Damond were always somewhere in the middle of the group. A little later the guys wanted a coffee and entered a coffee bar while I tried to find out how to get to the Hunderwasser Haus. Hunderwasser is a famous painter and architect in Europe, but how explain this to them? Anyway, I got directions and when I returned to the coffee bar they were almost finished and we left. On our way to the metro station we passed Starbucks and Jack was a little unhappy that they had coffee at this coffee bar, coz he loves Starbucks. We were close to the metro station when we passed a few Savatage fans who were filming the scenery and didn't recognized the guys! This time we got tickets and everybody wanted to give Nadja the money for the ticket. Chris and Jack were joking around while we were waiting for the metro. It was easy to get there and the cab drivers had told me that it was just 200 m down the street. But we had to learn that it was about 1 km! We passed a video tape library and entered it, coz they had also some movie related stuff. Damond and Chris were checking which posters they had and soon we were back on our way. Finally we reached the Hunderwasser Haus and the guys were a little disappointed.
The told us that in the States you can find this kind of houses and that this is nothing special. In the store of the Hunderwasser Haus they bought some post cards. On the other side of the street was a kind of gallery with souvenir shops, bars and other stuff. Chris felt a little dizzy today and left. Damond found some books, posters, etc. of his favorite artist Gustav Klimt. Jack found some souvenirs and a shirt for Johnny. Jack bought a roll for the posters, but before that Nadja and Jack fight in the manner of Star Wars with this rolls. It was time to get back. Jeff and Damond were looking for Chris while Nadja and Frost fight. I said that Chris was waiting outside, actually I didn't knew, but was sure he was there. And outside Chris was waiting and so walked to the tram station to get back to the venue. In the tram Damond wanted to watch what he filmed and I had to move a little closer to see it as well. Chris and Jeff were sitting behind us and I guess that had no chance to get a glimpse of it. Jack and Nadja were somewhere in front of us... At the venue it was time for sound check and Nadja & I got the merch boxes out of the bus and started to drape the shirts.Soon the doors were opened and the venue was packed. Again we got dinner after doors open and so I get dinner for Nadja and me and we again were sitting between cardboard boxes and shirts. But today the food was pretty good and we enjoyed it. Afterwards I wanted to take my photo case out of the bus, but met Dirk outside who asked me, if I have some cough drops. I denied, but offered to get some. Dirk gave me some money and I tried to get 2 or 3 packs of cough drops for the Mt. King. Nadja wanted to take photos of the Blaze show and so I stayed at the merchandise booth. Then it was time for Savatage and today for the first time our bus driver wanted to watch the show.
While the crew were packing the equipment I was ordered to watch Gary's radio. After everything was loaded there was a band / crew talk, everybody was a little under tension. But soon the members of VR and Savatage were talking to fans, again Blaze had already left. A fan wanted to get some stuff signed and was looking for the Savatage drummer. He asked someone and mentioned that he's a huge fan of the band, but the one he asked was Jeff Plate! Jeff told him that the drummer left that way and pointed in one direction. Later he told everybody the story and we all had a laugh on it. Actually we had planned to leave as usual around 2 a.m., but the band wanted to stay. Eric agreed and I decided not to look for a bar to hang out and went to bed 'early'.
At a truck stop Eric wanted to have breakfast. Nadja was awake as well and so we enter the restaurant. Soon we continued our journey and I helped Eric to find the venue. I decided to take a nap, coz in Vienna I haven't had much sleep before we left. Nadja was checking out the venue and left with Blaze's John, Steve and Rob for some sightseeing. Some others took a look around in the city as well.
After I woke up I entered the venue and watched the crew putting up the equipment. Blaze' guitarists were changing strings. I stayed inside and read a little. Someone was filming... Later we used the chance to take a shower... Lukewarm, but better than nothing! Today the merchandise booths were split up and so everybody was on his / her own. I helped Nadja with the merchandise and also I found one more poster for our collection!
I saw about 2 songs of VR and then joined Nadja. Today she wanted to get our food and again we were sitting between shirts.
After the show Eric and I asked backstage one of the locals for the drinks for VR and I mentioned several times that it's for one of the supports. Anyway, later we learnt that we got some of the Savatage stuff... A little later we left the 'Orpaneum' just to get over to Hooters. Dirk gave us about 1 ½ hour to watch the Super Bowl!!!! Hurray!!!! When I came in Chris, Damond and Jon had already found a free table and I joined them. Today Chris was in the city and did a prayer in a church there, he told us and that it seemed that it worked out, coz they could watch Super Bowl! Geoff told us that he will pay for Nadja and me and then VR found their place at the counter. Soon I heard the first details about the bets. I wasn't surprised, coz usually Savatage and crew are betting on games. And usually Chris is the one who's taking the bets. After everybody ordered drinks and some also order some food we watched the game. Chris wanted to have one of the Hooters shirts, coz in the States he often is at Hooters, but not many will have a shirt of the Hooters in Graz! It seemed that VR were more interested in the drinks then in the game. Johnny Lee tried to explain the rules to Nadja and Jon thought it was funny to scare me, but didn't succeed. Chris and Damond had a laugh on Jon, guess he looked very puzzled.
Then Dirk came in and told us that it was time to leave. Chris and Jon were the first who left, even if Chris was mumbling something and I know that he was very unhappy about. Me too, coz this was the first Super Bowl I couldn't watch in years! It took a while until everybody was on the bus and we left to Italy. After we passed the Italian border it was time for me to sleep. Everybody expect our driver was already in Morpheus' arms.
Gary was in the lobby for a moment and I ask him about the massage he wanted the night before, he said that he has to do business, but will be back in about 10 min. It took longer and as usual we stuck in the hotel lobby. Nadja wasn't used to it and soon got pissed. I know that it's all about waiting and hurrying up. Anyway, in the early evening almost everybody was in the lobby, even Chris and Jack were back (we walked about 14 km today!). Only Jan and Taz had left to find a Harley-Davidson store.
Blaze were in a different hotel and VR are stayed on the bus, only Brian O'Connor had checked in at a hotel down the street. But he was there when Johnny started to count to find out how many cab's we need. Then we were on our way to the city center. After a little walk and talk we found an Italian restaurant. From Savatage only Jon stayed at the hotel, therefor Kyle, Gary and Brian joined us. It was really funny. Chris made some jokes. But most, even Gary didn't got it, so Damond and some others were more than surprised that I got it. Chris just smiles, guess he expected me to understand this....
Back at the hotel... We were hanging out in the lobby, drinking and talking. Later I went upstairs with Damond to give him a back rub and we talked about different things. Nice conversation. Meanwhile in the lobby Jack had offered Chris some of the salted nuts from the counter. "Chris, do you want some of my nuts?" Frost asked and Chris replied "No, I don't want your salty nuts, Frost!" This was a running gag on the rest of the tour!
A few more drinks and they asked Nadja stuff like "Are you shaved?" Or "Have you ever make it with a woman?" Typical, but new to Nadja. She didn't know how to react. But that's something you have to go through. One by one left and at the end just Nadja, Damond & I were in the lobby. In the early morning Chuckie (Savatage back liner) came in, joined us for awhile, then left to get some sleep. It was almost 5 a.m. when Nadja and I walked back to the nightliner.
We needed lots of coins and after we changed we occupied several washing machines, later several dryers. When we got all the clothes out of the dryers we had them separated in different laundry baskets, but an Italian girl put all our stuff on one pill! Seems that she didn't liked us using several laundry baskets... So we did our best to find identify the clothes of the different guys.
Back at the venue we handed back the clothes, but later learnt that we mixed up some. Sorry! Today there was just one dressing room and so only Savatage had a dressing room and a shower! Anyway, we used the shower there and the band had to keep out!
Killing time we were checking out the rest of the venue. I joined Frost for a chat and Dirk handed a few sheets of paper to Frost. An emailer he had to do after the release of the Seven Witches album. Dirk asked Jack to fill in the answers and he would later type them and send it. It ended that Jack dictates the answers, I was used to it, coz I'm working as a secretary usually. Today we wanted to count in the merchandise again. Took more than an hour and then we found out that Nadja was separated from the other merchs. We couldn't put up the merch booth for Nadja, coz the tables first should be used for dinner. A new experience, today we all had dinner together. And it was good!!!
Not much time was left until the doors should be opened and so we had to hurry. Geoff told me that they want to load there equipment while Blaze is on stage. But it didn't worked out that way. I had no chance to do photos therefor. Then Gary came over while I was talking with André and told me that Jon needs to see me badly. Immediately I checked what's wrong, but Jon just needs cigarettes and so I left the venue to get some for the Mountain King. On my way back I saw that bootleg merchandise was sold opposite to the Tenax. I informed Dirk and we walked over kinda undercover. But nothing we could do about...
The show was great tonight and as usual afterwards we loaded. Damond wanted to do sightseeing in Rome with us and informed Dirk to wake him up. We all got on our busses and soon we were on the way to the Italian capital.
The colloseum wasn't very impressing, small then we expected and because of the high ticket prize we just walked around. Then entered a tourist information and the employee gave us directions. Actually Nadja was listening to her, coz I saw the Dunkin Donuts logo and just wanted to get there!Passing some more old stones and the Piazza Venezia, then the Fontana de Trevi we found Donkin Donuts! There we stopped for a coffee and some donuts. Nadja bought some postcards which we wrote right there. I talked her over to by a mixed dozen for us. Then we made our way back home...
Back to the venue, I mean. Arriving there late, coz the bus driver ignored our wish to leave the bus and dropped us at the next bus stop which was about 5 km from the one where we wanted to leave. At the venue we smuggled our donuts into our nightliner and put them in my bunk. In the venue we had to get some tables for the merch. The tables were dirty and I organized some hot water and a rag and cleaned all the tables for the 3 merchandisers. Then we hurried to display the shirts. Today dinner was at a restaurant which meant that we, the crew, will get some take-out from there.
The shows took place as usual, after Blaze I had to hurry to help loading, coz I wanted to be back in time for Savatage. Something I said from the beginning was that I want to see Savatage, coz that was my intention when I planned my trip. Okay, I made a few changes for VR, but said that they don't need to pay me, but I want to see Savatage each night!
After the show I talked to a couple who came from Egypt to see Savatage! Then it was time for me to wake up our bus driver. In the bus VR already had a party started and so Nadja and I stayed in the venue after we packed and loaded the merchandise.
Finally everybody who didn't belong to our bus was off and we could leave the rainy capital of Italy. We tried the take-out food and trashed it immediately! Luckily we had some donuts and so Nadja & I were in sitting together in my bunk. Silly comments from the band. We were happy to have the donut and kept hiding for awhile. Nadja joint the guys for 30+ min. and I read.
Just before dinner Geoff wanted to talk to me and Nadja. He told us that they have a transportation problem from Antwerp to Paris. The bus would drop us in Antwerp and a new one will pick us up in Paris. There were some points where we didn't agreed about the handling of things and so I should get off the tour in Antwerp. Nadja decided to leave the tour with me.
Geoff left us alone and I had a breakdown. A few years ago my friend was killed in a car crash that day and his father died when the airliner crashed into the Pentagon and with the pictures from Afghanistan / Iraq brought back all this... Nadja talked me over to get dinner, coz I haven't had food for 24 hrs.! Again a huge table for all of us and Neil, Blaze road manager, served everyone pasta. It seemed that he ignored me and Chris made a joke. Bad timing! I knew it was a joke, but was fighting back the tears anyway and so I left. Everybody was I little shocked, I guess. I avoided the presence of people expect for the Savatage show. Today's show was different... It was really cold inside the venue, just 8°C! Everybody was freezing.
After the show I stayed behind the merch, but first brought back my case and saw that someone was at my bunk and left something for me. A nice gesture! Then we brought down the decoration and packed the merch, loaded... Time to leave.
in Hall / Tyrol before we could continue our trip to Antwerp. At the HQ we could have a shower and check our mails. Jörg, the boss of BTS, invited us for lunch to a restaurant near by. Thanks!Afterwards we searched the way to the motor way and headed to Germany. We stopped at a McDonalds somewhere near Stuttgart. I walked over to the truck stop for a coffee and 20 min. later we were back on the road. Everybody been to bed early. I stayed up a little longer and then Eric had to take a break. I had hoped to see Kamelot tonight in Vosselaar, but no chance....
We left downtown, but didn't got what we were looking for. Back at the venue I had some arguing with Geoff. I was pissed and joined Kyle's girl friend Annette to get away from VR for a few moments. I was still upset when I ran into Jon and he saved my day! Thanks to the Mt. King! If they would have free bunks they would have give us a lift!
In the catering we had a coffee and Volker and André joint us. Volker mentioned that Dirk had a rented car which should be returned to Germany. Dirk agreed and so we had transportation back to Düsseldorf!
Nadja decided to do the merch for the last time and because someone from VR helped her, I stayed away. A friend of us arrived and we were pretty happy about it, especially after Nadja talked him over to go to Paris the next day. So, we offered Annette to come with us and to join us the next day. She was happy and so was Kyle.
I met a lot of people at Hof Ter Lo and the girls from the Dutch Savatage fan club showed up. A good show for Blaze and Savatage tonight. After the show we were hanging our backstage. Damond wanted to give us his address and when he started writing down in my organizer he saw the phone no. at the top was astonished! "She has the private no. of Paul O'Neill!" he said to Jon and Jon just smiled. The last time to give them a back rub and than we had to leave the venue. We carried out all our stuff to the car. Outside the venue we said goodbye to almost everybody. When we wanted to leave Neil called me and ask me, if I cold give him a lift to the hotel. I agreed. Then we were on our was back to Germany. Dropping the rented car in the early morning. A few hours sleep ahead of us.
Tonight Nadja should film two songs with Damond video camera. I decided to stay in the audience to do photos. Great show!
After the show chatting a little with Taz and André. Later joking around with Damond. We left a little earlier today, coz a long drive lay ahead of us.
We enjoyed spending time and not having any business to deal with. Meeting people, talking. A relaxing night! Dirk was so kind to arrange that we could photograph the whole show from the pit with flash! Thanks a lot!
Actually Jon had planned to make a joke on Johnny, but couldn't realize it...
After the show the band had a meeting with the Dutch fan club in the small venue which is part of the 013. We wasn't sure, if we could make it the next day and so walked in to say "Bye" to everybody. It was like leaving our family... A sad moment... We will miss you all! Everybody in band & crew! Thanks for the great time we had!
Inside we heard that VR were kicked off the tour. Details we heard later. Due to the change Blaze was done and Savatage was next. I found my place in the audience. After the 4th song Chris told me to stop doing photos. He felt bad and I said 'okay'. But then there was a misunderstanding and I had to stop at all... It's strange to see them and not to do photos, but I enjoyed it. Afterwards we used the chance to talk for the last time to the guys. Then we had to leave... Hope to have you back here soon! Meanwhile we will keep in touch, but that's not the same! Thanks for all!
Nadja(pics)
Up