RushCon 2012!!! AND Some Concert Related Stories!

[CougarXR7]

I have been a fan of Rush since I was 13 back in 1983. My parents listened to country music back then which never did much for me. It's no wonder I was a late bloomer when it came to music. Summer of 1983, I attend church camp. Late one night all the guys get together to tell stories and listen to music. One of the guys brought Rush - Exit Stage Left. After listening to just a few tracks, I was hooked. My birthday was in August so a buddy of mine bought me that cassette for my birthday. I wore out two of them over time. It would be another 4 years before I was allowed to go to a concert. I did save all of my stubs and bought programs from each concet as well. Here are some notables.

1st concert - Iron Maiden/Waysted

1st Rush concert - 1987's Hold Your Fire at the Coliseum in Richfield which has since been torn down.

Monsters of Rock - Kingdom Come, Dokken, Metallica, Scorpions and Van Halen. I was fortunate enough to meet Jason Newsted of Metallica backstage. He autographed my ticket stub for me. Also met two of the guys from Kingdom Come.

Best Rush concert - Time Machine Tour. Rush played Moving pictures in its entirety as well as others. Moving pictures is arguably one of the greatest albums of all time. I also scored the best seat I've ever had for Rush - 4th row center. Totally changed my perspective on the whole concert experience.

Glad I saw them before it was too late - I was fortunate to have seen Black Sabbath/Heaven & Hell with Ronnie James Dio on vocals twice before he passed away. A great concert with great friends! Thanks John, Connie and Ian.

Other memorable concerts - Metallica's And Justice For All tour, Megadeth's United Abominations tour and Pink Floyd in 1988.

I will be attending the Rush Clockwork Angels tour which stops in Cleveland in two weeks on the 28th. I again scored great seats.

Regards, Roy

Me at a past Nationals wearing my Rush garb about to liberate a yellow Vicky. Good times! Nitrojohnny was behind the camera. Note the Nitro angle.