Uriah Heep - Official Web Site

After seeing Heep last month at Synergy in West Chicago it was extremely groovy to not just see them again but at an outdoor event! Along with my wife Julie, we brought along five friends who had never seen them before--Tom, Rene, Jason, Tim and Jim and they all said they were blown away! Brookfest is a four day festival with carnival rides and attractions, food, beer and bands.After rain showers (and a bit of lightning ominously fracturing the night sky in bursts) had delayed the scheduled starting time of 9:00 P.M.,

Heep finally hit the stage at around 9:40 (Rick Derringer had played just prior and was solid even if his set seemed very by the numbers). It was the same set Heep played last time, a nice blend of old and new tunes. The turnout was very impressive and Bernie was easily able to work the crowd into a frenzy with his requests to clap and sing along. I found myself getting quite carried away and jumping up and down like a bit of a maniac--it's easy to get swept away with the impressive interplay and energy of the band!

Of particular note was Trevor Bolder, who seemed totally immersed in a manic performance--head rocking back and forth in time to his inspired bass licks (particularly on Love In Silence). Mick Box was, of course, inspired and spellbinding. My wife and I were able to to get our picture taken with Bernie before the show and got everybody's autograph on our Time Of Revelation box set after the show when the guys proved they are the nicest band in the world, greeting you like you grew up together!

Again at this show we met many great Heep fans (including one extremely inebriated bloke who approached my friend Tom and myself and asked if we were in Uriah Heep! Tom, by the way, was called Frank Zappa by Lee Kerslake after the show because of an undeniably close resemblance! I have to mention the mercho madman Dave Owen as well--we chatted with him throughout the night and it is rare to find someone so pleasant, easygoing and interesting to talk to.

His love of the band in manifested in the passion with which he talks about them. Maybe the more you love and appreciate the band the nicer you become as a result--it's the positive vibes the band exudes which transforms you!!! Anyway if you live in America and haven't yet caught the band make the effort and do it!!!!

Mike Shannon
LaGrange, Illinois

It was a hot & sticky sat night, just got off work . I live in a neighboring town so i shot down to Brookfest and grabbed a beer turned around to see Mick and the boys hit the stage . the sound system was insufficient but got better as gig progressed [good job sound dude way to try to dial it in]!!

Heep needs more volume!!

BY KEITH SHAW

My trip started early on a July morning, blessed by a magnificent sunrise. The weekend was here and I had some sweet freedom from work to see Heep! The flight took off from Philadelphia into the bright blue sky with nary a cloud or even the smallest probability of rain. However, while traveling in time, the two-hour trip seemed an eternity. Finally arriving in Chicago, I picked up a car at the Avis Wizard service, and zipped along at 80mph to the hotel. The landscape
quickly becoming a blur while Heep Live '73 was blasting on the CD player. So far, so good.

Arriving a short time later at the hotel, I pulled into the parking lot. And, there before my eyes, there's a tour bus. Could it be? YESSSS! In the lobby there they were! All five members of Heep and all within arms length. I walked up to Lee Kerslake and introduced myself. Next, I saw Bob Dreher, who had been kind enough to give me info about the show through the Heepnet (a great website and resource - if you haven't checked it out yet go on it and sign up!). After a chat with Bob and his buddy, Fred, I met Bernie and Mick, along with the mercho-man Dave Owen. I spent some time talking with Bernie and he was in great spirits despite being so tired from the combination of jet lag and the bus ride from Sioux City. Bob and Fred, along with Muzzy Fedysky, left to pick up Dave White at the airport. WOW, does it get any better than this? Yes, it does!

We made plans to leave the hotel at 6:30 for the show venue, Brookfest, an outdoor show. While Heep boarded the Tour bus, Lannis and Bobbie, (who have by now set an even higher standard with their 10th show) piled into their new PT cruiser (sporting ?Easy Livin? license plates), while Bob, Muzzy, Dave White, Fred and I jumped unto Bob's car. The tour bus led the caravan with the two cars full of pilgrims close behind. As we drove, the universal wheels were turning
against us and the weather became threatening with, rain, lightning and of course the thunder.

Keep thinking positive thoughts?, became my mantra, as we followed the bus into the backstage parking lot. Once out of the car, we all pitched in to help the boys unload their gear -
I grabbed Lee's bass drum and one of Mick's acoustics and headed to the back of the stage. Dave Owen gave us our Heep V.I.P. pass/laminates - a great souvenir. Lannis and Bobbie set up and readied the Mercho table, while we worked the crowd that was waiting for Rick Derringer to play. We must have given out 500 or so of the new E-Heep signup postcards and talked to the fans about Heep. There were tons of questions about who was in the band now, where and what have they been doing, etc.

Some fans were not even aware than David Byron was no longer of this earth. ALL of the people I spoke with were impressed with the longevity and the number of albums, DVDs and live shows/tours of today's Heep. I urged them all to visit and sign up on the website, 'cause it seems there's some catching up to do. Lightning continued to crackle and light up the skies. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts. Derringer's band finally was able to take the stage and launched into a great set of blues-tinted rock. Rick did his best to keep the storm clouds at bay by leading the expanding crowd in some loud chants! And, it seemed to be working!

The Derringer Band finished up their set with a spirited version of Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo and exited the stage to cheers.

The Heep team went into action to get the stage set for our boys. I saw Trevor and Phil in the backstage area looking awfully relaxed and chatting up a storm (no pun intended). By this time the crowd was growing to around 1,500 or so and the Mercho stand was rockin'. T-shirts, CDs and DVDs were eagerly being purchased, and Heep hadn't even hit the stage yet. After 30 minutes, the instruments were in tune and ready to go. As Heep took the stage, the crowd
erupted into cheers and the band launched into, Return To Fantasy. What a way to open the show! Bernie promised the fans "a bit of the old and a bit of the new", and no one would be let down. And here's a sampling of what they played.

From the old - Gypsy, Bird Of Prey, July Morning, The Wizard and Look At Yourself. The newer, Love In Silence and Universal Wheels (from Sea Of Light). The most recent, I Hear Voices and Between Two Worlds (Sonic Origami?note: for some reason Heartless Land was on the original set list but was replaced?that would have been a great one to see LIVE!). Muzzy came up with a great idea, Heep should start selling SOL and SO at the mercho stand since there is great coverage of the newer material and great reaction from the fans! ? hint to Dave O. The band also rocked on through Stealin? (which Bernie used as a vehicle to finally blow away the rest of the lighting/thunder). Mick got the crowd going with spirited soloing in L.A.Y., Gypsy and Bird. And they were on their feet to the end. The guys finished up with Easy Livin? and promised to be back to sign autographs.

It was an excellent show and the crowd quickly lined up to get "a bit of the old and a bit of the new" signed. A 12 or 13 year boy was the first in line with his newly purchased copy of
?Legends?. Another youngster asked if it was okay to keep a set list. It was great to see the turn out of the younger fans and the enthusiasm at which they were responding to Heep. The band kept their promises and signed old vinyl, new T-shirts and CDs, DVDs and more, until the last fan had departed.

How many bands would do that, HUH? Then it was back to the hotel, with the Tour bus and the Heepsters following behind. After all the excitement it was time for coffee for us, and shower time for the band. Heep came down to chat with us before leaving for the next show in Wisconsin. They were back on the road again at 1:30 AM! Before leaving, it was time for the good byes. Bear Hugs from Mick AND, promises to see each other soon. Lee was sitting outside the front door of the hotel, and was approached by a shy little 8-year-old girl wanting an
autograph, which Lee proudly signed for her with ?Love, Lee Kerslake? and a
smiley face. It certainly made her day!

If you haven?t seen or met Heep, what you read about them is absolutely on the money. They take the time to meet and greet their fans, put on a great show, and stay until all the handshakes, pictures and autographs are signed.

North American Tour Reports