MSG - Ventura Theatre
16th November 1996
Originally posted to AOL .. reproduced with permission
Well, it all started out great. Micheal had his signature black and white V's
ready to shread. The new band was sounding good. The bass player is
phenomenal. The drummer is great. The singer does just about everything but
Phil Moog fantasticly (Hey Iron Maiden - you need this guy!). Even though I
had already seen a setlist, the songs that were played just kept getting
better as they went along and I was rockin'. Then, after awhile, Michael
seemed to be having some kind of problem. What I gathered from his gestures
and the roadies reactions, his monitor was up too loud. I could be wrong, but
it seemed that way. After that, it was downhill. He seemed to be getting more
upset and his playing showed it. The vocalist promised us more than two hours
of music. He repeated it again a bit later. Well, after an hour and 38
minutes, the band left the stage. Fully expecting an encore ( Doctor,Doctor
and Rock Bottom were the encores the previous two nights) We pounded the
tables and yelled for more. After 10 minutes, the lights went on and that was
it. Was this another example if Mr. Schenker's moodiness? I would bet my life
on it. Why were we denied at least a half hour of music (he also cut two
acoustic numbers)? Was it because we didn't clap loud enough? Was it because
the venue wasn't full? Was it because his monitor was too loud? Was it
because Michael Schenker is an egotistical ass that could give a shit about
his fans? I think it was the latter. I have looked up to Michael Schenker, as
a guitarists, since early in his UFO carreer. As a person and performer he is
at best a flake, at worst...well, we won't go there. Add to that, his
"companion" and manager Bella ( See liner notes on the boot CD "Mismanaged" )
and what the hell do we have left? Well, on a good night, we still have a
great and inspired performance. On a night like last night, we get a man
going through the motions, doing as little as possible to please his fans and
as much possible to feed his own insecurities. I am going to the Hollywood
show on Monday. Maybe, in a place like that, Michael may play a good show
simply due to the industry related people who may be there. Let's hope
Michael doesn't try to beat up any t-shirt bootleggers like he did the last
time he played that venue. Now that was a performance! Bravo!!! But then,
that's yet another dead horse to beat at a later time. After all is said and
done, I will probably still go to any show in my area that Michael Schenker
is involved in, and buy any piece of work he decides to release ( and those
others decide to release :) ).
His work stands on it's own, I just wish he could.
Darryl
Danman6418@aol.com
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