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26/02/98 - GM PLACE, VANCOUVER (Above)
BA gives Keith a high five as the guys finish the show with a rousing 'Summer
Of '69'. It's the end of an era as it's Tommy Mandel's (keyboards) and Dave Taylor's
(bass) last show as part of the band. Review
by Bryan King:
Big
night at GM Place as it's BA's homecoming concert and his first here since he
opened up the same arena in September of 1995. We all get to the show well in
advance of the start time. We're told 8pm is when he'll hit the stage, but it's
been 7:45pm the past two shows, so who knows what to expect.
We have seats in row 8 which is as far back as we've been. We've been so spoiled
with our seat location the past two shows that if we don't get up front, it's
not going to be as good. Oh well, nice problem to have when you consider that
14, 000 fans are further back.
We "jockey"
for position before lights go out so some of us have moved up into closer rows
where seats have not been filled yet. We sweat it out for about 15 minutes as
it's approaching 8pm and the lights still haven't gone down yet.
Finally, the lights go down and I grab my wife's hand (who just came to the Vancouver
show) and we head up front. After security blocks our way to the stage to protect
the photographers, they let us go. The bridge magically appears behind the black
curtain and out come the models strutting their stuff during the opening number.
We're not right at the stage, but very close
and the ladies grab Keith's leg when he comes up the the front of the stage.
Typical show is performed, but it's a better stage, better lights, better atmosphere.
It's a good night to be in Vancouver. Bryan acknoledges the group of us with a
big smile and nod. Mickey points a stick at me between beats to say "hi".
My wife is now starting to really believe the stories I've been telling her.
So, here comes the best part of my week... As most of us know, there comes a point
in the show when Bryan pulls people out of the crowd to play the band's instruments.
On this night, BA pulls up a guitarist. He pulls up a piano player. He pulls up
a few tambourine players. I catch Mickey's eye and say give him the 'I wanna play'
look. He points to BA to say that it's up to him.
He then asks for a drummer.... I put up my hands, but he's looking the other way.
SHIT!!! Look over here, Bryan. My wife and Colleen are in front of me, but they
move aside and start pointing at me implying that I'm the right choice. BA's looking
at the other side of the audience, so my hopes are fading. Then BA looks over
and catches my eye. Nobody else's, but mine. I'm looking at him with my wife jumping
up and down like a mad-woman pointing at me. I give Bryan the 'c'mon, man, pick
me' look and he says "we found ourselves a drummer".... I'M IN!!!!
I jump on stage, walk over to Bryan and he doesn't ever ask my name (as I found
out later, it's because he knew it already - pretty cool). He asks me where I'm
from and I shout out "VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA".... the crowd cheers
loudly. BA points back to the drums where I head and Mickey gives me two sticks
and says "have fun", pats me on the back and walks off-stage.
I pose for some photos from friends I had both behind and in front of the stage.
Photographic proof is a key thing when telling a great story like this.
(Above)
Bryan King in his element in Vancouver on drums... and who can blame him! He
pulls some guy up from the stage to sing. I can't hear much in the monitors, but
I'm pretty confident that '69 will be the song of choice. I'm loosening up my
hands and trying to soak up what kind of awesome situation I'm in. Hard to beat
this. Then, I hear Keith play the opening chords of
"One Night Love Affair". I join in quickly and Bryan gives me a sign
of approval when it nail the first drum roll of the song. He's sitting in front
of me on the drum riser sipping tea. Tommy's playing to my right on the keyboards
and Keith's shouting "good job" to my left as he plays the chords. From
what I've heard, the guitarist and bassist didn't have a clue what to do so I'm
feeling good that I do. |  |
(Above)
Longtime BA fan Bryan King on drums at the GM Place... while BA sits and has a
cuppa!
The song goes into the second verse,
second chorus and slowly but surely dies as the vocalist doesn't know anymore
of the song. BA then heads back to the lead mic, holds up his arms and counts
the final four beats of the song. I'm loving it. I'm on stage in BA's hometown,
playing drums to his music and he's counting us down. Awesome!
Mickey comes back from side-stage gives me a big hug and says "tell me you're
not a happy guy"?!? "I'm a very happy guy", I respond. He tells
me to keep the sticks. The band The band (aptly named "You're Shit")
takes a bow and we're told to exit stage-right.
Although backstage passes is what I was hoping for, we didn't get any. It was
up to find our way back to our seats. I get pats on the back from about 100 people
I passed when stumbling through the crowd back to the other side of the stage
up front.
Like all shows, Bryan ends with '69. Instead of clapping, I'm using my stick.
Bryan smiles at me while rocking-out. (see picture below)
Music ends, lights come up. No special encores for the final night. Bryan's voice
has had it we understand so the basic set is what we get. The show, lasts about
2 hours and fifteen minutes since Bryan did more talking with the audience then
he did in Kamloops.
After the show we head out
and I'm getting all these looks from the people leaving the show giving me a thumbs
up for my five minutes of fame.
All of us head
out back behind the arena to get one last shot at getting a ticket stub or cd
booklet signed by BA or any of the band members. We're told that BA left right
after the show as most of the band did as well since they have a late flight to
Italy. Mickey comes running out and jumps in the van that takes him and Danny
away.
We wait about an hour and then finally
learn that BA will be coming out and judging on how many fans are out back, he
will sign some autographs.
Like a gentleman,
he gets in the front passenger seat of the van, and gets the driver to drive up
to the small gathering of fans to sign some more autographs. I brought along my
Reckless CD so that's now signed. My wife had her ticket signed.
So, in four days my souvenirs are: three signed ticket stubs, two CD books signed,
one of Bryan's guitar picks, one of Keith's guitar picks, a bunch of photos and
memories of one of the best weeks in my life.
All in all, the four days spent travelling around BC, we're some of the best days
that any BA fan could have imagined. All of us involved felt like we got more
than we could have dreamed of. Meeting them, photos, signatures, time to chat
and a spot on stage.
Thanks to the group of
us who made the trip. Next tour, we'll do it all again...
(Above)
A FINAL FAREWELL: (the last known photo!)
The band line-up that stayed
together for so long takes a final bow. It's the last time that longtime stalwarts
and crowd favourites Tommy Mandel (keyboards) and Dave Taylor (bass) would play
live at a BA show. As you can see for this 'Plugged In Tour' of Canada, Irish
whistle player Davy Spillane was also used for new tracks off the 'Unplugged'
album such as 'When You Love Someone'. For this 2 week period, this made the band
a 7 piece! The biggest band Bryan has ever used on tour! Of course Danny Cummings'
services on percussion were carried on from the '18 Til I Die Tour' the previous
year. Danny wouldn't play with the band again until he guested once again on percussion
at the Abbey Road show
in September '04, as Bryan promoted the 'Room Service' album.
Full line-up
from left to right: Davy Spillane (Irish Whistle), Tommy Mandel (keyboards), Dave
Taylor (bass), Bryan Adams (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Mickey Curry (drums),
Keith Scott (lead guitar) and Danny Cummings (percussion). Setlist:
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Do To You
Lets Make A Night
To Remember
18 Til I Die
Back To You
When You Love Someone
I'm
Ready
I Think About You
This Time
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
It's Only Love
Everything I Do
Touch The Hand
Kids Wanna Rock
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?
Cuts Like A Knife
Hey Elvis
Run
To You
One Night Love Affair
Somebody
Fits Ya Good
Heaven
Summer Of '69 | 
