Doppler, A Roadies View

The rush I get and Rush the band

I guess it's been a few weeks since I posted here. Holidays will do that to you.

So two weeks into 2006 and still no tours on my schedule. I did get a call about tour managing a pop duo. Needless to say it didn't pan out. Tomorrow is Monday and I will get up and go to the other job I have been doing for the last few months.

I never thought I would say I miss the road but I really do, especially those nice big pay checks. Sure the road gets to you at times and you say "I really wish I was home". After all these years and especially the last 5 months that I have been off the road I realize just how much I love touring. It's all I've really ever wanted to do.

I remember going to concerts as a teenager, like most people my age having fun and enjoying the show. The thing was I was also always fascinated with the production aspect, especially the lighting. I would walk into the show and study the gear. What were they using, how many lights, where were they placed,etc. Back then of course there were no moving lights yet. It was all par cans for the most part. Yet I was still fascinated.

One of the first bands I saw was Rush. Loved the music and I remember seeing them that first time. They had video which to me was so cool. It added so much to the show and their music. These guys were and still are one of the best live bands you will ever see. Yes they still have amazing productions, but these guys are also amazing musicians.

I haven't seen them in concert since the early 80's. Sure I've seen the videos of some of the later tours. I kind of stopped listening to them during the mid 80's when they started using so many synthizers.

Why I mention Rush in this post was the VH1 Classic show I saw the other day. They showed parts of their most recent live DVD release R30. Visually amazing as always with the lighting design by Howard Ungerlinger. The band musically are just as tight as ever. It took me back to 1979 remembering that feeling, that rush, pun intended, I get these days when I'm at the lighting desk.

posted by Doppler at 1:40 PM