Passing of the Torch

Passing of the Torch

22 March 2010




Dean Pedley



I was interested to read my colleague Michael's recent posting concerning the upcoming Scorpions farewell tour. Undoubtedly the chance to share the experience one last time with his long-time friends and gig going companions will be a memory that they will all cherish. I do hope, however, that somewhere in the schedule his friends' son will get the opportunity to see Messrs Schenker, Meine etc before they call it a day.

For me some of my strongest memories of gigs back in the 80's are the ones that my Dad took me to and they will always be just that little bit more special for that very reason. Queen supported by Heart and Joan Jett on a warm English summers evening back in 1982 is still an experience I will never forget. I can still recall the sights, sounds, atmosphere and that shivers down the spine moment as the intro to "Flash" started up after what seemed like an eternity of waiting. A couple of years later, after I had become a Pink Floyd fanatic he took me to see Roger Waters run through the back catalogue and it was a truly stunning experience for a fourteen year old.

As my own two sons have grown older I have offered them the chance to join me at gigs on several occasions, but I have never really felt as if either of them truly wanted to go. Until recently that is when my soon to be twelve year old began listening to Sonic Boom and Klassics on my IPod and asked me if KISS would ever play the UK again. In truth I would likely have skipped the upcoming tour but the chance for him to experience Gene and Paul and the full stage show is too good an opportunity to miss. So when KISS roll into Birmingham in a couple of months time I'll be seeing them for the last time and my son for the first. It won't be Gene and Paul behind the make-up but I'm sure the songs of KISS will still be being played in arenas around the globe twenty years from now and I hope he will be able to recall even some small part of his first KISS show from 2010.





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