Styxworld Note From Raleigh

A new note from Tommy Shaw on Styxworld.
http://www.styxworld.com
Hello Friends,
We were proud to return to Raleigh last night, 6 nights after being rained out. The heat and humidity stood no chance of dampening the spirits of the bands, crews and fans as the seats filled and the music began to resonated through the halls and hills.
Wilson Howard told me the venue was open the very next night after the storm which led me (how is in the early stages of home construction) to ask, who is your roofer? Considering the damage done to the roof there last week I was impressed to hear how quickly repairs were made.
Ricky Phillips and I sat out front the other night to catch part of Def Leppard's show and even though I have always loved their music, and have watched from the wings as these new friends performed it flawlessly, to be able to sit in the audience and experience the full effect of this now "Classic" Rock music, their great performances, killer mix, beautiful multi-media wall and phenomenal light show reminded me why I love to experience a great Rock Show live. To see my friends up there playing the music that was a big part of the soundtrack of some of the most fun years of my life, I was completely swept away, hootin'; hollerin' and singing along with the familiar choruses.
Before leaving the building to head to the next city, Todd asked If I had watched from under Rick's drum riser and since I had not, like a couple of kids who'd just discovered a new cave, we headed that way and crouched down as we went behind the black drop cloth and into Rick Allen's World to watch him work from up close. What a great show to see him take care of business. Def Leppard's music is all about those grooves and I'm not sure which was better--watching Rick's smile light up the room from out front as he carries the weight of that rhythm, or watching him put it together from such a close perspective. But that was all broken when Vivian Campbell walked up and spotted me, giving me a knowing grin. Busted! I was trying not to be seen but evidently the guys are used to friends watching from that angle.
It was something I hope to do a few more times before our tour is over.
It's just before sunrise and there is a full lunar eclipse going on as I write, and it's time to get out the door to catch the first plane out to Texas. See you there!
TS
http://www.styxworld.com
Hello Friends,
We were proud to return to Raleigh last night, 6 nights after being rained out. The heat and humidity stood no chance of dampening the spirits of the bands, crews and fans as the seats filled and the music began to resonated through the halls and hills.
Wilson Howard told me the venue was open the very next night after the storm which led me (how is in the early stages of home construction) to ask, who is your roofer? Considering the damage done to the roof there last week I was impressed to hear how quickly repairs were made.
Ricky Phillips and I sat out front the other night to catch part of Def Leppard's show and even though I have always loved their music, and have watched from the wings as these new friends performed it flawlessly, to be able to sit in the audience and experience the full effect of this now "Classic" Rock music, their great performances, killer mix, beautiful multi-media wall and phenomenal light show reminded me why I love to experience a great Rock Show live. To see my friends up there playing the music that was a big part of the soundtrack of some of the most fun years of my life, I was completely swept away, hootin'; hollerin' and singing along with the familiar choruses.
Before leaving the building to head to the next city, Todd asked If I had watched from under Rick's drum riser and since I had not, like a couple of kids who'd just discovered a new cave, we headed that way and crouched down as we went behind the black drop cloth and into Rick Allen's World to watch him work from up close. What a great show to see him take care of business. Def Leppard's music is all about those grooves and I'm not sure which was better--watching Rick's smile light up the room from out front as he carries the weight of that rhythm, or watching him put it together from such a close perspective. But that was all broken when Vivian Campbell walked up and spotted me, giving me a knowing grin. Busted! I was trying not to be seen but evidently the guys are used to friends watching from that angle.
It was something I hope to do a few more times before our tour is over.
It's just before sunrise and there is a full lunar eclipse going on as I write, and it's time to get out the door to catch the first plane out to Texas. See you there!
TS