The Ozzman

Ozzy had Danzig and Sepulchura opening for him, and the fans were so impatient for Ozzy to take the stage that Tony Danzig pouted and stomped off the stage.  Ozzy had a montage of famous movie scenes with him digitally inserted into them.  He seemed to be troubled by the audience's characteristic Ottawa reserve, and kept shouting and ranting at us to "go crazy."  He shambled up and down the stage waving his arms a lot.  The audience was getting a bit more rowdy, and eventually Ozzy shouted "The croiziest son of a bitch in 'ere can come bockSTOIGE!" and a riot broke out instantly, out of nowhere.     Chairs were being thrown, people were nervously sidling out of the place with the houselights up, the show stopped after only half of it being performed, and the police came in.  On my way out, I saw troops of policemen running in, while troops of policewomen were running out, calling policemen on their radios as they ran.  Two huge guys were on the floor fighting, and I saw a policemen try to break them up and get punched in the face to huge raucous cheers.  It was scary and exhilarating.

Monsters of Rock

I didn't get to see them when I was in grade 3, when, seeing their record sleeves, I found them scary, fascinated and probably serving Satan, but I got to see them tonight.  They had full makeup, the four original members, 25 foot high inflatables of each band member, a flying, firework spitting guitar, and Gene Simmons flew on wires up onto the top of the lighting rig by the ceiling of the arena, from where he played "God of Thunder."  Bill couldn't find me after he'd been for a smoke, and I had the tickets, so he bought a second ticket, sat elsewhere and I didn't see him until afterward.  Like Meat Loaf, this was a well put together show which rocked out far beyond the merit and abilities of the artists or their music.

Barenaked again

I've seen the Barenaked Ladies pretty much every time they've come to Ottawa.  They keep getting bigger and bigger.  They really do their homework.  They always talk about doing things in the city they're playing.  This time, they had some really convincing and bizarre stories about Tulipfest in Ottawa, and what streets were under construction.

The Rheos

Saw the Rheostatics at Barrymore's tonight.  They were funny, eclectic, eccentric and very Canadian.

B.B. King

I've been trying to see all the classic blues and rock musicians who may not be touring in a while.  Bill and I went to the Ottawa Congress Centre and saw the great B.B. King.  He's getting pretty old, but he still has that tone and that mournful tremelo.  Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo opened for him, and had a totally different sound, which was cool.  He stayed on stage signing people's things for a great deal of time.  I didn't get any pictures.  I couldn't get a camera in, but someone managed to smuggle in an acoustic guitar for the man to sign(!)

Aerosmith Again

Saw Aerosmith at the Ottawa Ex again.  When they're teeny and halfway across a football stadium like that, most of the energy and passion doesn't really come across.  Also, seeing them play "Dude Look Like A Lady" and hearing a saxaphone when there is clearly no saxaphonist on stage really spoils the illusion that the guys you see are producing the sound you are hearing.

Bat Out Of Hull

(yes, I took this)   It was quite something to see Meat Loaf in Hull, Quebec with some friends.  Some had a bit too much to drink, and some didn't want to see Meat Loaf, but I was pretty into it, as I had not previously seen an arena rock show of this kind before.  The show started with a little string quartet playing a melody of Meat Loaf songs, and then the lead guitarist ran out, hair flying and growly riffs pouring out, and the quartet of ladies on their little black dresses pretended to run off stage in fear, but managed to take all their instruments, sheet music and music stands with them quite carefully.     Meat Loaf seemed to have serious trouble with keeping anywhere near on rhythm for the slow songs.  His vibrato was extremely out of control, but on the loud, fast songs he really let go and tore the roof off.  Hearing him cover other people's songs was cool, also.  He liked talking to the audience, and was very funny.  He referred to this venue being the last one he played on his original "Bat Out Of Hell" tour in the 70's, and how he had fallen off the stage drunk, tore ligaments in his knee and had a nervous breakdown.  He hasn't been the same since.  I got a couple of shots, including these ones.