 |
||
 Best viewed with  |
||
|
| ||||
North American Tour ReportsJune 9th - Sterling Heights, Michigan Freedom Hill
All photos on this page by John White Hello, Ironically I brought with me to
the show an oversized Return to Fantasy button that Also, the Heep was kind enough to
come out and sign things and pose for photos which is
Dear Uriah Heep, Of the three bands playing on the bill (Mark Farner, Edgar Winter and Uriah Heep, I was most excited to see Uriah Heep. The demons & Wizards album came out when I was in high school - my friends and I used to play that album over and over, especially "The Wizard". I am hear to tell you how disappointed I was that you did not perform it. I was very happy to hear two other favorites "Stealin" and "Easy Living". I also must tell you that I was very impressed with the lead singer who sounded to me like the original voice I remembered from high school, but as I learned later from talking with Dave Owens - the original lead singer died in '85. I was sorry to hear that.The band as a whole sounded great and I am so glad that I had the chance to see you perform. I wish you all the best and I do hope that I will soon see the Uriah Heep story on VH1 Behind The Music, so I can learn more about the history of one of my all time favorite bands. Happy Birthday Mick. Best regards, Phillip Govan HELLO HEEP FANS, THE BOYS ROCKED THE SHOW, IT WAS ALL THAT I HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE, LONG TIME FROM THE FIREFLY DAYS FOR THE LAST TIME I SAW HEEP IN THE STATES.. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONLY BAND ON STAGE, OR BEEN ABLE TO PLAY LONGER.. THE PICTURES THAT JOHN WHITE STARTS OUT WITH IS MY SON AND MYSELF (SON IS IN THE RED,WHITE AND BLUE SHRIT) WE EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO TREVOR NOW THAT WAS THE HI LITE OF THE SHOW, SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE CABNENTTS, THE SWR SOUNDED GREAT KEEP ROCKING, SAL
LOSITO
Chuck Preston What a great show, it was well worth the wait of 28 years, I was especially happy to take my dad, who introduced my to UH when I was a baby, and has stuck with me all this time. The show was to short but not because the band didn't want to play, a local city sound ordinance has a curfew of 11pm or so. I sat about 10 rows back on the right side if you were facing the stage. We left after Edgar Winter, and thanks to a couple of beers got to meet the band after coming out of the restroom. I had the pleasure of meeting all 5 guys and getting autographs, and to thank them for all the music I have enjoyed. I look forward to the next time I can see them. Thanx Chuckchuck
From Greg Zoch: Can't believe how awesome Uriah heep was at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights,Mich. When they opened up with Return to Fantasy i thought i was going to shit my pants.They just blew away Edgar Winters and Mark Farner.They should of been the headliners!! But ,what got me the most was that my wife was so impressed we are going to the June 10th date in FLINT where they will play almost a 2 hr. set. After they were done the guys came out and met everybody ,they are all really cool and very nice !!
I got a picture with everyone of
them!! If the June 10th gig is half as good as the 9th! I'll be in Fantasy
Land!!!!! Your fellow HEEPSTER!!! Greg. P.S. Have a JULY MORNING!!!!!
From Lannis Ethridge:
John White was right about the Sterling Heights' gig. Heep was as usual - From John White I left Toledo, Ohio for the Sterling Heights Michigan show yesterday afternoon. After three weeks of rain and clouds, the day was beautiful and full of sun. Perfect for an outside concert! I called Dave Owen on the Heep Hotline to let him know I was on my way and to find out what time Uriah Heep was doing their sound check. After picking up my sister, Carol, Dave called me back. I missed the sound check, damn! (Note to self get an earlier start next time).
Walking into the venue, Dave up caught up with me and we chatted for a while before heading to our seats. Lucky day! I had seats nine rows from the front, left of center. An elderly lady asked if we would mind trading seats with her and her husband, she was afraid
it would be too loud - front row, right in front of Mick. OK! The band came out at 7:30pm and played for around 30 minutes. (see my previous post for the set list). Crowd reaction was very good! Too bad a lot of people didn;t arrive on time and missed the show. Their loss. Mick flipped me a guitar pick, then flicked one to my sister, then one to the guy next to me. Later, I got another one after the encore when he passed out ˝ dozen more. (Now I have two, one to save, and one to jam with)! I wish they had more time to play. I love the classics and they did them perfectly but I wanted to hear something from Sonic Origami also. Hopefully, next week at Deerfield! Hooked up with Dave Owen again after the show. He said the band would come out to meet the fans after Edgar Winter's set. Usually they come out before that, but he mentioned something about them trying to learn the "Mark Farner Shuffle"? I spent a few minutes with Lannis, Bobbie and Mac. Heep fans are the best people in the world!
Right on time, the band came out to meet the fans. How many other bands would do this? Especially on a
regular basis? Heep is the greatest. I got a few pictures of me and the various band members. They were very gracious and helpful Mick telling me to take my time, we have all day, when I was having trouble with my digital camera (I ended up using my 35mm). The band stayed out greeting fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs and looking like they actually enjoyed themselves - for over 30 minutes. A few snippets of conversations; Lee - mentioned that he got his nickname "Bear" by the Americans because he killed a bear while bow hunting. I asked about the man in the bear suit in the Swiss Alps that he tackled. He told me how he took the man's legs clean out from under him. Speaking in accent, he told us the man said "Zis iz NOT funny".
He confirmed that Ozzie Osbourne is crazy. They are very proud of Acoustically Driven. Told me he knocked Gene Simmons out while on the Kiss tour back in 78. Not with his fist nine licks of his tongue! Bernie - Only one Canadian city on the tour not too pleased about that. He kissed my sister - made her day. Someone asked about Praying Mantis, Bernie said he only played on the first record. The guy asked which record is best, which should he buy. Duh? I told him the first one of course! Bernie liked that! New Heep studio album next year? Phil
and Trevor - sad to say I didn't get the chance
to speak with them much. I complimented them on
their great playing. As a bass player, I admire
Trevor. Mick - what can I say bout him. Treats you like a long lost friend. Introduced me to his son (very proud of his old man!). Mick and I talked a bit about guitars. He hugged my sister - made her day, again! This day confirmed what I've heard from many people. Uriah Heep is the greatest band in the world, made up of the most down-to-earth, nicest damn people! I'm very impressed. If you get the chance to see Uriah Heep this tour , DO IT, as many times as you can!
It has |
