August 20, 2008
We always love to hear a great Neil Young concert story.
So here's a story that we recall from years ago that folks who were there say it was a most incredible memory. Last year, Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot wrote about "The concert I won't forget: The night Neil Young rocked like a hurricane":
Fans who attend rock concerts expect the performers to give their all. But they usually don’t expect them to defy death. So when the editors of the Tribune's Sunday magazine asked me to weigh in on my most surprising moment as a concertgoer, there really was only one choice.
On a muggy midsummer day in 1997, Neil Young and Crazy Horse took the stage at what was then known as the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park. They were part of the H.O.R.D.E. festival on what had so far been a pleasant if hardly transcendent day of music. But as the scruffy quartet took the stage, things got ugly.
A storm was blowing in, a nasty one. A roof covered the stage and part of the audience, but it offered little protection. Lightning creased the sky, thunder crashed, wind howled, and rain whipped sideways through the amphitheater, soaking everyone --- including the band. The Jolly Roger flag on Ralph Molina’s drum kit ripped in the wind, conjuring visions of a sinking galleon. Young and the band plowed ahead anyway, but then the lights, public address system and amplifiers gave out. The concrete aisles sloping toward the stage resembled white-water rapids as rainwater gushed through the pavilion. Panic was in the air. You could feel it, and hundreds of people started to sprint toward the parking lot. I was tempted to join them. I’d never really felt fear at a rock concert before --- until that moment.
It was foregone conclusion that the concert was over. It had to be. Any musician with a lick of sense would’ve been in his dressing room by now drinking a beer and toweling off --- a far better option than death by electrocution.
But Young and the band never stopped.
More of Greg Kot's memories of Neil Young in 1997.
I was there as well. Some memories:
ReplyDeleteRemember how Neil runs his own gear off generators, saying how he can hear the difference in power at different venues? That's what saved the night - the roadies turned the band's monitors on the crowd and cranked them. (At least that's my memory of it.)
When the band dove into "Like A Hurricane" for the first time in a long time on the tour ... and when the thunderclap came at the exact perfect time on the first refrain ... the place went nuts. The show from then was just magic. (Have I mentioned I'm still looking for the show on CD to replace my old tapes?)
Yep, the venue flooded just like Greg mentioned. Thanks to the Rust Row I was in the first ten rows, so I was able to just stand on my seat... but the parking lots were flooded after the show as well.
Elliot Roberts was on the side of the stage, trying (and failing) to get Neil off the stage for the last hour of the set. I recall Beck had a great set that night at Tinley Park ... that seemed to push Neil on as well. I think all those factors added up to Neil ignoring common sense (and Elliot). I had been fortunate to see Neil the week before at Deer Creek ... but that set was, to be honest, not that great.
But, again, the night was pure magic and remains the best Neil show I've ever personally seen.
My wife and I were at this concert and we can back up this story. We were sitting in the "Rust Row" a few rows back off center right. The water cascading down the aisle caused ankle deep floods at the bottom of the seats in front of the stage. We stood on our chairs and roared the band on. I don't remember seeing anyone leave from where we were and it was indeed a night we will never forget.
ReplyDeleteI luv readin this stuff!..
ReplyDeleteI remember a green vinyl bootleg album I had "procured" of Neil back in the very early 70's.It also starts to rain and thunder. Neil starts to get the crowd to chant "No Rain" "No Rain" upon which he breaks into "See the sky about to rain"..amazing.. (I used to throw water over my head just to get into the vibe when this song came on!)
It just seems Neil is at his best when battling the elements or defying the authorities. The original "Rebel Yell". Neil Idol
Hey, Joe: FYI, this show is still on the tracker at Dime a Dozen, though there aren't any seeders at the moment (http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=212050) - Babs
ReplyDeleteHey Thrasher, just to let you and everyone know. Tonight on VH1 Classic and Palladia is a special on Hard Rock Calling 2009 at Hyde Park featuring Dave Matthews Band, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young among others. VH1's is only an hour long but if anyone has Palladia there's a two hour version. I know there will be a 17 minute "Down By The River" and "Mother Earth" by Neil.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember right Neil played early with John Popper on a side stage in front of 100 people or so what a day and night
ReplyDeleteI was there, too. Row 8. We all stood on the seats and sang along to help, once the power blew and the band was playing only on monitor speakers. Finally the organizers cancelled it because it was too dangerous: there was a real possibility of us all getting electrocuted. Neil played "Piece of Crap" and it was all over. Unbelievable night.
ReplyDeleteI was there too and can confirm everything above. Always a big Neil fan, but that concert confirmed my belief that the man has immortality in him. Magical night. And exactly 20 years ago!
ReplyDeleteI was there as well and it was everything that was mentioned above. There is a reason I am researching this show 21 years later. Would LOVE to have a CD copy.
ReplyDeleteI was also there! It went down exactly as written above! I still get goosebumps just thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteI was there. 17 and an usher at the world at the time. I have told people this story many times as the greatest concert i have ever been apart of. When he ended up leaving the stage there was only a few handfuls of people staying and watching. Best show I ever witnessed and glad to have been a part of it
ReplyDelete