The Magic Show

"THE MAGIC SHOW"

Rush: Snakes and Arrows Tour

Concert at the PNC Arts Center in NJ on July 8th 2007

 

How I got to - "THE MAGIC SHOW"

 

Having been a Rush fan, and an exuberant one at that, since the early 80's (around the time of Moving Pictures and Signals), and gaining an even greater appreciation for them after they had come back for the Vapor Trails tour in 2002, I became quite active in catching up on the band and started reading Neil Peart's (the drummer and lyricist from Rush) various books. I was actively devouring "Road Show" when I had heard the news of a new album, Snakes and Arrows, to be released in the Spring 2007. In "Road Show" Neil mentioned that at any given show he and the other guys in the band (Alex Lifeson, on guitar and Geddy Lee, on bass and vocal) can really only see the faces of people in the first 20 or so rows (beyond that, it was just a "sea" of faceless bodies). From that moment on it became my personal mission to be within this narrow band of rows (A-T as U-Z and beyond would simply not do) for their show at my local venue (PNC in Holmdel NJ on July 8th 2007).

 

"...A sprit with a vision, is a dream with a mission..."

Mission

 

I eagerly waited for the tickets for this concert to go on sale (via a presale system) and was somewhat disappointed by my "luck" as I was only able to get within the first 40 or so rows.

 

"...It's not as if this barricade blocks the only road..."

The Pass

 

I did try a couple of different ticket systems (general public sale, etc...), but did not get anything better, so I was content to be part of the faceless mass starting at row 21, but hopeful that something better would come along.

 

"...I'm not giving up on implausible dreams..."

The Enemy Within

 

A couple of days after having purchased this first set of tickets, a local radio station (Q104.3, NY) was running a "Rush Weekend" and were giving away sets of tickets to various shows in the NY/NJ area (PNC included). I tried my luck with this call-in contest (being caller 21 once, though I needed to be caller 25 to get tickets) and after numerous attempts, I was resigned to perhaps using a ticket clearinghouse (with high mark-ups) to get a pair of tickets that would meet me needs (i.e., between row A-T). Late in the evening on Sunday April 1st, however, I was listening to Q104.3 and they had what I think was the final "call-in" for tickets. I feverishly dialed (also having my wife and daughter calling on other phones), and I got through and indeed was caller 25! After giving the DJ my information, I asked if he knew the quality (or rather ROW) of the tickets I had just won. He did not, so even though I had just won a pair of tickets, there was no way of knowing if they were better than the row ~40 that I had already purchased.

 

Winning this set of tickets, however, entitled me to be included in a drawing for a "front row upgrade" (the winner of which would be announced during the following day's Morning Show). Could I actually be so fortunate as to win these front row seats? Only time would tell.

I was just waking up (~7:45 am) on Monday April 2nd when my wife came running into the bed room shouting (and waving her hands at me) "...YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON THE FRONT ROW SEATS!..."

 

Being barely awake this really did not register, and it took a few minutes (and a confirmation e-mail to the radio station) before it really stuck!

 

"...The morning says, the answer is yes..."

Nocturne

 

I had indeed won FRONT ROW TICKETS (row "A") to the July 8th Rush concert at PNC in Holmdel, NJ!

 

After various e-mails and phone calls to the station I arranged to picked up my tickets in New York City (they could have mailed them, but tickets have been "lost" in the past - I did not want to take that chance). I half expected to be getting a pair of tickets on the far right (or left for that matter), as I could not imagine getting anything better than that with a contest such as this. However, when I arrived at the station, and after signing off on the tickets, I cross referenced the section and seat numbers with a seating chart that I had brought along.

 

The seats were FRONT ROW CENTER! What more could one want?!

 

"...Did I have a dream, or did the dream have me..."

Nocturne

 

Mission accomplished! I was going to be sitting right in front of Neil, with Alex to my left and

Geddy to my right.

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Preparing for - "THE MAGIC SHOW"

 

I invited my brother-in-law to accompany me to the show, and although he is not a big Rush fan, he did enjoy Rush's 30th Anniversary show (the tour supporting "Feedback") a few years previous. I then arranged to sell that first set of tickets (at face value, as taking a profit would not have been right) to another dedicated Rush fan who had been "locked out" of the presale system. All was right with the world!

 

While awaiting the show, the album was released and I quickly started assimilating the new list of songs. This album was the first that I had so greatly anticipated (since I had heard of its pending release a few months previous) and it did take a little time to fully wrap myself around the lyrics. At first I was unsure of how I liked the album, as I it took more time than usual for me to unravel at least some of the meanings/connections within and among the songs. Then, all of a sudden they just all "clicked". At least to me, many of the songs from Snakes and Arrows can be directly linked to the ideas contained within the song "Peaceable Kingdom" from the Vapor Trails album. I thought "Brilliant" (though sad if you have an appreciation for what "Peaceable Kingdom" is about). Even though parts of it take a very dark view of the world, Snakes and Arrows is a great album (both musically and lyrically)! Songs like Armor and Sword (which quickly became my favorite) and Far Cry have such power, songs like The Larger Bowl, The Way The Wind Blows and Good News First paint a rather bleak, yet realistic picture of the world, and other songs like Bravest Face and We Hold On provide that glimmer of light for the prospects of making it though "the tough times." It goes without saying that the instrumentals (The Main Monkey Business, Hope and Malignant Narcissism) are incredible!

 

I was psyched!

 

July 8th could not get here soon enough!

 

It then occurred to me that I not only had GREAT tickets to this concert, I had the BEST tickets that anyone could have to this or any other concert! How would I commemorate this event? More importantly, how could I demonstrate to Geddy, Alex and Neil that a true FAN was sitting (though I never sat!) in one of these most cherished of seats (front row center); the members of the band are acutely aware that some seats in the front few rows often go to people with an "in" at the venue or some other type of local connection. I also did not want to simply be another person wearing a generic "RUSH" T-shirt (there's nothing wrong with that, but it would simply convey "generic" appreciation - I needed something better than that! I needed something that would GRAB THEM!). I then remembered a passage from Neil's book "Road Show." In it he mentioned wishing that his GPS system (Dingus) could be programmed to navigate to (or rather, Go To:) the "best" show of a particular concert tour. He called this show a "Magic Show." That was it. I would have a shirt made that read...

 

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On the back it would read "Arrived At: Magic Show!" (in the same lettering). It was perfect. It described what I already felt about the pending show (since I'd be sitting in the front row and that was already "Magical" to me!), it echoed Neil's own "mission" for each concert (i.e., having a perfect performance) and if he actually saw it, Neil would most certainly recall writing these words and maybe, just maybe, it would bring that ever so rare smile to his face! As a bonus, Geddy and Alex might also get a kick out of it!

 

About a week before the concert, my wife and daughter accompanied me to the local mall to get the shirt made. I chose a bright yellow T-shit (but it was not nearly as bright as I had wanted!). They both thought I was crazy and pretended not to know me while I was getting it made. They were also quite embarrassed by my "beaming" (me thinking that I was just so clever) when it was completed.

 

"...Proud swagger out of the school yard, waiting for the world's applause..."

The Pass

 

I was ready for this once in a life time chance to be so close to a band that I had followed for ~20 years!

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The day of - "THE MAGIC SHOW"

 

July 8th was a hot and humid day, and even though I'm certain Neil had a great "ride" if he did indeed "scoot" between the Camden and Holmdel shows, he was probably quite relieved to peel off his exoskeleton of leathers once he arrived at the PNC. While he was finishing up his journey (though he had probably already at the PNC) my brother-in-law and I started out on ours.

"...Off on your way, hit the open road..."

The Spirit if the Radio

 

We met at his house around 5:00 pm and then caught dinner at a restaurant along the way. While eating, I noticed a patron wearing an "R30" shirt. As he passed me, I caught his attention and we chatted for a few minutes. Obviously, he was going to the concert as well and he lamented the fact that he had heard that the set list included a good number of songs from the new album (he was more of an "early days" fan) - personally, I was quite eager to see these new songs performed live!

 

My brother-in-law and I finished our dinners (Sheppard's pie - a dish made from ground-beef, cheese and potatoes; we had had this for dinner before the R30 show, so now it was a tradition) and headed off to the venue. We approached the PNC from the north and got stuck in a fairly long line of traffic (of other fans) slowly making our way into the various parking lots that surrounded the "Mother Ship" that was the PNC Arts Center. I had seem a few of my Rush concerts at this venue. The last was "R30" and the one before that was in support of the "Vapor Trails" album. The seats for the "R30" show were O.K., but I had lawn seats (i.e., general admission) for the "Vapor Trails" show. Those were pretty awful and after having a few drunken guys roll down the hill towards my wife and I, I vowed never to "skimp" with lawn seats again.

 

We parked the car and started on our walk to the main gates. Along the way I noticed a booth being run by Q104.3 (the same station that had awarded me with this incredible set of tickets). I felt obligated to go over and say Hi (even though the person manning the booth had no idea who I was). I introduced myself, showed him the tickets, thanked him and his "people" once again and gave him a firm handshake.

 

"...greet a passing strange, fell the strength in his hand...."

Hand Over Fist

 

Who else could I possibly thank? We entered the main gates, got ourselves "padded down" (so unfortunate that this is a necessity), showed them our tickets and made our way to our seats. We followed a variety of paths and isles (showing our tickets at every step of the way) until we reached the very center isle that would lead to our seats. We showed another guard our tickets, he waved us through and we walked all the way down to the front.

 

There we were met by yet another guard (really a bouncer) who was positioned between the stage and a metal fence that served to separate the fans from the band. He checked our tickets and waved us into the first and second seats on the right side (Geddy's side) of FRONT ROW DEAD CENTER!

 

"...freeze this moment a little bit longer..."

Time Stand Still

 

I was amazed at how close these seats really were. At first, I was almost "taken aback" as there was barely enough room to sit in the seats and have my legs comfortable (without having my feet jammed up against the metal fence). In the end however, that mattered not, as NO ONE sat once Geddy, Alex and Neil took the stage. It was now about 7:00 and we had at least 30 minutes before show time. Even though we were out of the sun (being under the Mother Ship), the heat and humidity were still quite unbearable,...

 

"...It's not the heat, It's the inhumanity..."

Ceiling Unlimited

 

...so we decided to get a couple of $6.00 beers! I had wanted to get a bottle of water as well, but they would not sell me one with the lid still on (so as to prevent me from turning it into some kind of a projectile weapon!), so rather than carrying the open bottles of water and beer back to my seat, I just stuck with the beer!

 

We got back to our seats and sat anxiously (me more than him) awaiting the show to start.

 

"...Needles at your nerve ends, Crawl like spiders on your skin..."

The Enemy Within

 

The stage was a bit smaller than I remember from previous shows (but at those shows I was also not this close! - obviously this is a paradox, as you would think "closer" would equal "bigger"). Neil's drum kit (in the center of the stage, towards the back) was covered with a black sheet. Alex's amps and Geddy's bank of chicken rotisseries were similarly cloaked. In previous shows Geddy had had clothes dryers as well as columnar venting machines "backing him up." These various appliances serve nothing but to "balance" Geddy's side of the stage with Alex's amps and, of course, give everyone a great big chuckle! While sitting there, waiting for the show to start, a variety of stage hands came out on stage and started climbing up ladders to the overhead lighting units (spot lights and all). This had to mean the show was soon to start!  Another stage hand ever so gently removed the black sheets covering the drum kit, amps and "cookers."

 

"...All systems check, T-minus nine..."

Countdown

 

Around that time there was a "controversy" about our seats (a women thought she had tickets to the same seats),...

 

"...Suspicious-looking stranger flashes you a dangerous grim..."

The Enemy Within

 

...but our "bouncer" friend quickly solved that problem (the woman was in the wrong section). Something else that happened around this time was that one of the guards who had been in charge of a few rows behind us brought down 2-3 guys to our "bouncer" and said "...they're ok, right?..." This is, I think, the official "...wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more..." way to permit a few guests to jam into the isle (right up against the metal fence) between the front two rows - however the space could really only accommodate two people. A few minutes after this, a different guard came down and asked everyone in the front row to show him their ticket. Once the ticket was inspected, he promptly wrapped a plastic bracelet around one of our wrists and moved onto the next person in line. This was their way of keep "order" in the front row once the show started. Our three "isle guys" also got banded, so now they were "legit." Now, if others tried to sneak down (and some did!), they would be (and were) quickly escorted OUT!

 

The back projection screens (three of them) then came to life...

 

"...Something breaks the silence..."

High Water

 

...with a short "intro" video (and the crowd went wild) which ended with a funny little clip of "the guys" - no spoiler! Then the stage came alive with Geddy, Alex and Neil running out onto stage and starting the show off with "Limelight." I could not believe how close I was to these guys (the edge of the stage in front of me - where Alex and Geddy often approached - was only about two arm's lengths away)! When my brother-in-law and I had originally approached these seats, I had stepped into the row, thereby allowing him to sit on the end. At first, I did not think anything about this, but as the show started, I realized that at the edge of the stage (between me and Neil) there was a speaker box. Even though this somewhat obstructed my view, my brother-in-law had his own problems. He was constantly battling for "fence" position with not only the 2-3 "isle guys" but also an official photographer who hand planted himself among them. At one point the photographer leaned over as far as the second seat (where I was standing) to try and get a good picture. At that point, regardless of how it would give me a better vantage point, I decided that at the intermission, my brother-in-law and I would "swap seats" - just to share the pain of fighting the good fight!

 

Limelight continued with Geddy, Neil and Alex all putting their hearts into that first song. I could really see in their faces that they were enjoying themselves. Every so often Alex would look down at a bank of "Barbie" dolls that lined the floor in front of his microphone stand and would let out an obvious smile and chuckle. The dolls were holding up yellow post-it notes with what I can only assume were a variety of signs (with silly sayings) that most certainly changed for every show (else Alex would not have laughed so hard). Behind Alex on the amps were a bunch (~15-20) of dinosaurs of various shapes and sizes. I suspect these linked back to the "Rush in Rio" live DVD which featured a fire breathing dragon (but this is pure speculation on my part). Geddy's chickens were spinning in their "cookers" and I wondered if they were real, though they were probably plastic replicas. Neil, seated behind his red drum kit (with a "serpent eating its tail" on the face of the bass drum) planned for this hot evening as he was wearing a pair of shorts. As the evening wore on, I suspect Alex and Geddy had wished they too had had that foresight, as all three of them were dripping with sweat within 10-15 minutes!

 

"...can't you see my temperature rising, I radiate more heat than light..."

Presto

 

The show continued according to the previous released set list (Digital Man, Entre Nous, etc...). I sang along with each and every one of them (so did most of the crowd)! The guy standing to my right, however, only seemed to nod his head once in a while with the music. Either he was showing great restraint or he was one who had had a "connection" to get those tickets (i.e., not a BIG fan). The three "isle guys" however were totally into the concert and, one of them would often try and reach past my shoulder to try and grab Geddy's or Alex's hand as they passed close to the edge of the stage. No harm, no foul (I think one of the "isle guys" got a pick! - Good for him!). However late in the show, some other guests had crowed that isle space and a few were at least 2-3 sheets to the wind (what a shame, to be drunk during a performance like this!) and one would occasionally fall into the "isle guys" as well as my brother-in-law and I. Mr. Bouncer resolved that problem by motioning for them to go back to their seats - who knows if ever they did, but they did stop falling over themselves (and into us).

 

Watching Alex, Geddy and Neil, playing their instruments with what appeared to be every once of their very being (and every ounce of sweat that poured off of them), and seeing how they "clicked" with one another on stage (shooting each other goofy smiles, giggling with stage hands, making silly faces to the crowd), you can really see how it is possible for a band to last more than 30 years! They truly enjoy doing this (even though it most certainly is a difficult life to live)! And the audience truly enjoyed and appreciated their efforts! They played a few more songs (a total of 11 in the first set), intermixed with stunning, and often funny visuals and ~75 minutes after the show started, it was time for intermission. Where did that time go!?

 

"...At the speed of love..."

The Speed Of Love

 

Being in the front row (yes, poor, poor us), it took what seemed to be a month of Sundays (yes, slightly exaggerated) to get up to the concession stands to get some liquid refreshments (only water - it was too darned hot for anything else). I stood in line, while my brother-in-law smoked a cigarette or two. I'm not certain if it was my own impatience, the indifference on the part of the cashier or the lack of consideration of the patrons in front of me (or all three), but this line did not move! People were ordering what appeared to be full meals (french-fries, chicken dinners, etc.) and the cashier seemed to be moving at a snail's pace! All I wanted were a lousy couple of waters so I could get back to my seat before the next set started! At one point (when I was ~4 customers from the counter) the current patron had wanted to pay with a credit card, and this particular cashier either did not have the knowledge or equipment to process his payment. It was not me! People behind me started making their disgust known!

 

The house lights then went dark and audio introducing the next set could be heard echoing throughout the venue! Thankfully, my brother-in-law returned and he took my place in line and I bolted back to my seat! Along the way, "Far Cry" started. CRAP! I finally made my way down the center isle where a guard stopped me once again to check my ticket. He then let me pass. When I got to my seat, I found one of the "isle guys" standing in front of the end seat (where my brother-in-law had been sitting/standing) and the guy who had been sitting in the seat to my right standing in front of mine! I had to physically squeeze myself between them to "reclaim" my fence position.

 

"...between a rock and a hard place..."

Between the Wheels

 

It was then obvious that there was NO WAY my brother-in-law could get back into his seat (or rather, my previous seat, as I was going to be staying on the end). As "Far Cry" continued, I quickly scanned down towards the right to see what could have caused this "shift" towards the isle (resulting in the loss of a seat). It was not obvious to me, so I got the attention of Mr. Bouncer and over the pounding of Neil's drums, the echoing of Geddy's vocals, and the wails of Alex's riffs I said "...I think someone squeezed in down there..." (all the while pointing to the front row down to the right).

 

"...1 0 0 1 0 0 1 S.O.S. 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 in distress..."

The Body Electric

 

Fortunately, the guy standing to my right (who was occupying my seat) gave a gentle "point" to a guy that was 2-3 people down from him (as he knew what I was concerned about). Mr. Bouncer demanded to see the guy's ticket. Mr. Squeezer produced it (pretending as if he belonged there) and ignored Mr. Bouncer's first few "...get out of here..." motions. Mr. Squeezer finally acquiesced and within seconds, everyone in the first row migrated back to their proper seats, and my brother-in-law arrived with our waters. He moved passed me and claimed my previous seat. I was now on the end, right in front of Neil! I could clearly see him, and could only assume that he could clearly see me (and my ever so witty "Go To: Magic Show" shirt)!

 

 

 

How it became - "THE MAGIC SHOW"

 

"Far Cry" then ended and the lights went dark. Up until this point, I had occasionally seen Neil toss a set of used drumsticks to the right (his left) between songs, but this time I could clearly see his darkened shadowy figure hand them to a stagehand behind Geddy's chicken cookers.

 

"...Watch his every move...."

Superconductor

 

I had known from my various readings that Neil would occasionally give a member of the audience sticks during a show, but up until this point, it had never occurred to me that I might be bestowed with such a "gift." My purpose for making the "Go To: Magic Show" shirt was simply my way of saying "Hi" and I quickly dismissed the idea that those sticks were destined for me.

 

"...I know you get crazy, but try not to lose your grip..."

Neurotica

 

The guys started playing "Workin' Them Angels" and that was that! I was again lost in their music.

 

Then it happened (or at least this is how I remember the time-line, but it is all kind of a blur)! "Workin' Them Angels" ended, the lights went dark and out of nowhere a stagehand (from Geddy's side) ran over, knelt on the stage in front of me and reached out his hand (with something in it)!

 

"...Bearing a gift beyond price - Almost free..."

The Sprit of Radio

 

I had no idea what was going on...

 

"...What can this strange device be?..."

2112

 

...until I noticed what he was holding.

 

THE STICKS! I reached up, took them from him (as that is what I THOUGHT he wanted me to do!) and then he was gone!

 

"...holding it reverently in my hand....it was beautiful..."

2112

 

White lights then erupted for "Armor and Sword" and beyond a handful of people in the front row, no one else knew what just had happened!

 

"...This moment may be brief, but it can be so bright..."

Chain Lighting

 

I quickly secured the sticks in a backpack that I had brought along (after first having put them in my back pocket, but then thinking BAD IDEA!), and refocused my attention on the show. The guys were still pounding out "Armor and Sword" (which coincidently had become my favorite song on the album - now forever marked by this event) and, I kid you not, it felt like a spiritual moment! Neil and I had "connected." He had seen my shirt, and had appreciated it so much that he felt compelled to let me know (via having the sticks brought to me). I was just so thrilled (and honored)! I know, it sounds a little creepy, but it was a once in a life time experience!

 

"...Though it's just a memory, Some memories last forever..."

Lakeside Park

 

I tried a few times to catch Neil's eye and mouth "...Thank You..." to him, but I was not sure if he had seen me. Then I decided to do the next best thing. Since I had wanted to see a "Magic Show" (based on my request on the front of my shirt) and since this was now (at least for me) TRULY a "Magic Show", I not so gracefully turned my T-shirt around so Neil could read the back...

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I'll probably never know if he saw this, or if he noticed me saying "Thank You," or if he saw the look on my face when those sticks were in my hand. But I'm certain he would know that a guy wearing a BRIGHT YELLOW T-shirt with such a specific saying on it would indeed appreciate his kind gesture!

 

Other songs continued and the second set ended just as quickly (if not even more so) as the first. Geddy addressed the crowd, thanked us for our attendance and then he, Neil and Alex ran off the stage. After a few minutes of a standing ovation they returned to play a few more songs for the encore (i.e., One Little Victory, A Passage to Bangkok and YYZ). At one point, the stage exploded in a ring of flames around Neil (during One Little Victory) and the heat (in the front row) was immense. Neil himself (who had crouched down into his kit to avoid the full blast) must have felt like one of Geddy's chickens! During the encore I "think" Neil and I make eye contact, and I think he cracked a smile after seeing the "Arrived At: Magic Show!" on my shirt, but that smile could have been for any one of the other 12,000 plus fans in the audience. YYZ ended, Geddy again thanked us our enthusiastic participation in the show and then they were gone.

 

"...Suddenly - You were gone from all the lives you left your mark upon..."

Afterimage

 

 

 

Thanks for - "THE MAGIC SHOW"

 

I'll never know how it was that I got through to be caller 25 on April 1st (no joke!) to win that first set of tickets or how it was that my name was selected (by random?) to be the winner to receive that front row upgrade. I'll also never know how it was that the radio station was able to get such great tickets to give away!

 

"...some reasons will never come clear..."

The Larger Bowl

 

I'll never know if Neil saw my "Go To: Magic Show" shirt as a result of me walking down the center isle after the start of the second set (my delayed return being due to the line at the concession stand) or if he saw the shirt because my brother-in-law and I switched seats. I'll also never know what he said to the stage hand when he leaned over and gave him the sticks ("...hey, bring these to the dork in that bright yellow shirt..."). Finally, I'll never know if he saw me say Thank You or if he saw the "Arrived At: Magic Show!" side of my shirt.

 

But what I do know is that even though Mr. Peart may personally not think that every show is a "Magic Show" and that the band's music drifts off into the ether the moment a concert ends, for me that show at the PNC in Holmdel NJ on July 8th was indeed "Magical" and was absorbed by my very soul, to be released into my memories when ever I see those sticks, the way the smell of my mothers brownies releases memories of my childhood.

 

"...Sweat memories, flashing very quickly by..."

Lessons

 

I cannot thank them directly, but collectively, "Thank you" to all of those who may have had a hand (intentionally or by happenstance) in this once in a life time experience. Perhaps I owe Mr. Credit Card the biggest THANK YOU as if it had not been for him, my bright yellow shirt would not have been moving down that center isle straight towards Neil during the start of "Far Cry" (perhaps that was when he saw it)!

 

"...so many different directions, our separate paths might have turned..."

Ghost of a Chance

 

And of course a "Thank You" to Neil for his generosity.

 

As I walked away from my seat a women behind me asked "What did they give you?" My response (as humbly as I could) was "Some sticks." She responded "WOW, how cool!" Indeed! After that a guy leaned over and said "So, how much for one of the sticks?" As you would expect, my response was "Sorry, I'm never selling these."

 

My brother-in-law and I slowly made our way out from under the Mother Ship of the PNC, all the while I held the backpack as securely as possible (you just never know!).

 

"...We carry a sensitive cargo..."

Lock and Key

 

We got back to our car and after starting our slow migration out of the parking lot, I pulled the sticks out of the bag to give them a good look. These things were a dented mess (COOL!) and one was cracked. Another song or two and it probably would have split in half! They went back into my bag. The night was over. And it was a night to remember!

 

"...some are blessed..."

The Larger Bowl

 

I may be getting to one or two more shows on this Snakes and Arrows tour (just hit Las Vegas, MGM on July 28th and plan to get to NY, MSG in Sept), but nothing could ever compare to this "Magic Show" that I was a part of on July 8th 2007!

 

As for the sticks? They are presently in my wife's china cabinet (much to her chagrin) awaiting a more permanent (and safe) location. As for my "Go To: Magic Show" shirt? That will be worn to the subsequent shows on this tour and perhaps future Rush shows - though I have no expectations that it will garner anything more than a few odd looks from fans who had not read "Road Show," and smiles from those who have (note: at the Las Vegas show, a few people thought I was "staff" and asked me questions about where the exists were and where beer was being sold! I guess the shirt really does STAND OUT in a crowd!).

 

My desire to be within the first 20 rows for a concert on this tour was fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams; and being presented with a set of drum sticks was simply beyond any realistic expectations. I'll enjoy the next shows on this tour among the "sea" of faceless bodies and, as always, I'll anxiously (an optimistically) await a new studio album from RUSH!

 

"...leaving life to go on as it was..."

Natural Science

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[It might not look it, but I am ecstatic inside - just do not smile on cue]

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[Me and my Rush Buddy, heading into our last Rush concert together (R40, MSG, NY.) 

I had to wear the shirt, this last time!  A little older, a little wiser, a little less "intense" and sans the "stache"]