So it's June of 1979. The night before my grade 12 English final exam. We go to Massey Hall in Toronto to see UFO.
The opening act was a band we had never heard of previously.....ACDC.
You got to see them with Bon Scott then, AC/DC. Just Barely. Same with UFO
but to the bad: you just barely missed them with Michael Schenker. Paul Chapman, his replacement, was a competent guitarist though. Moreso on Acoustic and specifically 12 stringed that but he was not a bad replacement on Electric.
Same tour in Long Beach CA (
I was 14yrs old, no way AC/DC opened though, in CA, so you were very lucky) I show up early Night 1 of 2 of UFO, no security on doors 3pm, 3:30 ya walk in pretending to be with Catering pick up whatever carry it in to look like you belong, I approach a Roadie tell him how much I love UFO and my friend (MaryAnn) who also loves UFO has no ticket (true story) so please please one ticket.
Just one ticket. And I'll go away never bug you again UFO is mine and MaryAnn's favorite band ever (true)
even if its not as good without Michael .
Guy just looks at me, dead in the eyes holds the stare for about 40 seconds, could have been as long as a full minute feelt like an eternity feels like 10 minutes my heart is beating out of my chest.
Then he unclips the Plastic Laminated Tour Pass on his belt and gives it to me, says
"Don't Fokkeeeng ABUSE IT."
Totally true story I swear.
I know I lie on here sometimes but only ever just to try to make comedy, never otherwise and when I do lie to try for Humor its obvious lie, this story: completely true. All Access, best Pass, Top of The Line. All Access for both nights, UFO. Even Full Access to All You Can Drink from TrashCans filled with Beer on ice and catering Layout.
UFO eventually takes the stage.
The Roadie who gave me the pass is playing guitar.
He's Paul Chapman. Schenker's replacement.
I'd told him, as part of my pitch to try and get him to give us a ticket, "UFO will still be our favorite even if its less good with
YOU."
basically.
When I remembered that my heart leaped, eyes got even bigger and my jaw dropped as I realized why he stared at me with that semi-hard blank stare for so long.
Met the Bass Player (Pete way) later, same guy Haystacks mentions (serious player indeed, Pete way very respected)....
Nicest. Guy. In. The. World.
I don't tell the story of that part cuz its just too unbelievable. he was dating Lita Ford. She was an Absolute Bitch.
You went to a Concert when you had a GRADUATING YEAR FINAL the very next day Bruins4Life??!!??!!??
wt
F.
Wish my friends had parents like yours.
In hindsight though, one does not miss the show you got to see even of they have TREE FINALS that day after.
Hell to the naw.....
GOING.
