The trip down memory lane continued with “Revelations” and “Hallowed Be
Thy Name”, which proved further that unlike a lot of metal bands that made
their mark in the 80’s, Iron Maiden's songs don’t sound in the least bit
dated. The band had a special treat next for the crowd, a brand new song
from their as yet unreleased album “Dance of Death”. The crowd roared their
approval of “Wildest Dreams” which segued nicely into the big hit from
the band’s last studio album a little ol’ track called “The Wicker Man”;
of course we got the line we’ve been waiting for all night during the song…”SCREAM
FOR ME LONG BEACH, SCREAM FOR ME LONG BEACH….. Your time will come….”
Then it was time to revisit music from
the band’s middle years; “The Clansman” from Virtual XI, “The Clairvoyant”,
from Seventh Son, “Heaven Can Wait” from Somewhere in Time, and “Fear of
the Dark”.
It was clear at this point why this tour had been so successful. It’s not
just the fact that you had three metal legends touring together. That was
enough to get people in the seats but even after all these years all three
bands still have “it”. And most of their nu-metal counterparts don’t. By
“it”, I mean not only the songs, which are great, but also the delivery.
With most of today’s newer bands you can get by with only a CD, since their
concerts don’t really offer much more. But with the bands on this tour
you get far more. It’s not just a rock show but more of an event. Something
you can’t miss and will remember for years to come.
Iron Maiden returned to Long Beach Arena
to rock the faithful in sort of a right of passage and a homecoming since
their “World Slavery Tour” 4 night stop at the venue was immortalized on
“Live After Death”. They more than delivered and they weren’t even done
yet. Next they went all the way back to the beginning and played “Iron
Maiden”, when the opening notes of the song began the noise level from
the already loud crowd jumped in volume.
That excitement only increased for the final two songs, “Two Minutes to
Midnight” and the show closer “Run To The Hills”. As the crowd left the
arena they were buzzing, they had gotten far more than their money's worth.
They had come to rock and Motorhead, Dio and Iron Maiden had done just
that.
*** After the show I went backstage
to hang out for bit. Iron Maiden was doing a meet and greet but I begged
off of that and instead kicked back and talked with some of my friends
who were there. Phil Campbell came by a few times and offered a cigarette
and then went off to mingle. Harry introduced me to a few people including
Motorhead’s manager and Ronnie James Dio’s wife and manager Wendy, who
was really cool. Harry told her about an article I was working about Ronnie
for our Legends series. (at that point it was still in editing phase, I
got a bit carried away and wrote 10,000 words but I managed to cut it down
to around 4,000 before I published it in mid September).
Peter
Green and his friends came by and we chatted for a bit. I talked with Scott
Warren for a few minutes. Then Harry asked me if I wanted to meet Paul
Gargano, the editor of Metal Edge, who was standing a little bit away talking
to some fans. I said thanks but no thanks. I had meet him at a previous
show a couple years ago and I’ll leave it at I didn’t care to speak with
him again. I hung out for about and hour and decided it was time
to head home.
It had been a night of music I will not
soon forget. I have seen all three bands before, Iron Maiden probably a
dozen times but I have to say this was probably the best show I had seen
from any of the groups. I don’t know if it was the fact that they were
touring together and it made for a potent combination. I don’t know if
it was a matter of each group pulling out all the stops since there was
stiff competition from their touring mates to bring the best show possible
to the stage. It really doesn’t matter why, the truth of the matter is
on this one night in Long Beach, all three bands showed us one again why
they are legends and in an age where most bands are forgotten after a couple
of years, they are still kicking ass and taking names.
Posted by The Queen B:
All of these bands kick timeless ass. They never seem to loose anything with age. You're lucky that you had an insider track! I think it's REALLY sad that Peter Greene had to go to rehab in 96 because he almost died and yet he didn't learn from it. Too bad. He is a beautiful man but not worth a f**k if he doesn't care enough about himself to stay straight. Just saw him 6/06...same old story. :(
Posted by hikingartist:
I saw Motorhead with Girlschool & the Scorpions in El Paso TX in 1984....great show! Sorry I missed this last tour.
Posted by Random Hero:
iron maiden, dio, motorhead are fukin metal masters.oh yea die with ur boots on is on piece of mind.
Posted by Jimmy:
Well to add anything here will just mean lighting the candle in a sunny day.....cant write much coz no mjatter what i write it will not be enough to describe what i feel for the Gods of Metal .....Iron maiden are LIKE GODS.....LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN....LONG LIVE ROCK
Posted by aG:
Nope that one was on POM. Lemmy is God! nuff said.
Posted by Crackerjack:
Missed this tour...
Posted by Crackerjack:
Wasn't "Die with your boots on" from Powerslave? So sad I this tour.
Posted by DeadSun:
Jesus H. Tap-Dancing Christ, Keavin! I have seen Motorhead twice, and you are ( as usual ) right on mark in your description of the live Motorhead experience. It really DOUBLES your appreciation of their brand of sleazy, good ol' fashioned, down and dirty Rock N Roll--- and yes : they often close their shows with "Overkill". Maiden still has it... there is no question about it. Steve Harris is a Bass Nazi. I have long wanted to be present for a live performance of Hallowed Be Thy Name--- one of my very favorite Maiden Tunes. Fantastic, Keavin--- ( mumbles under breath ) lucky bastard.
The trip down memory lane continued with “Revelations” and “Hallowed Be
Thy Name”, which proved further that unlike a lot of metal bands that made
their mark in the 80’s, Iron Maiden's songs don’t sound in the least bit
dated. The band had a special treat next for the crowd, a brand new song
from their as yet unreleased album “Dance of Death”. The crowd roared their
approval of “Wildest Dreams” which segued nicely into the big hit from
the band’s last studio album a little ol’ track called “The Wicker Man”;
of course we got the line we’ve been waiting for all night during the song…”SCREAM
FOR ME LONG BEACH, SCREAM FOR ME LONG BEACH….. Your time will come….”
It was clear at this point why this tour had been so successful. It’s not
just the fact that you had three metal legends touring together. That was
enough to get people in the seats but even after all these years all three
bands still have “it”. And most of their nu-metal counterparts don’t. By
“it”, I mean not only the songs, which are great, but also the delivery.
With most of today’s newer bands you can get by with only a CD, since their
concerts don’t really offer much more. But with the bands on this tour
you get far more. It’s not just a rock show but more of an event. Something
you can’t miss and will remember for years to come.
That excitement only increased for the final two songs, “Two Minutes to
Midnight” and the show closer “Run To The Hills”. As the crowd left the
arena they were buzzing, they had gotten far more than their money's worth.
They had come to rock and Motorhead, Dio and Iron Maiden had done just
that.
Peter
Green and his friends came by and we chatted for a bit. I talked with Scott
Warren for a few minutes. Then Harry asked me if I wanted to meet Paul
Gargano, the editor of Metal Edge, who was standing a little bit away talking
to some fans. I said thanks but no thanks. I had meet him at a previous
show a couple years ago and I’ll leave it at I didn’t care to speak with
him again. I hung out for about and hour and decided it was time
to head home.
