All the Concerts Fit to Print

Phil and I went. It was a good time. They were doing Return to paradise, a restaging of The Paradise Theater, but, as a reunion tour, it was pretty much a greatest hits show. Their backdrop was a flat of curtains that changed with every song.

The full band was there, except for the drummer, John Panozzo. He was struggling with illness due to alcohol abuse. He died of alcohol abuse, a couple of months later, in July. Todd Sucherman joined the band as drummer, at the time of this tour.

Kansas opened. They were fine. They mostly played their hits. Original members Steve Walsh (vocals) and Phil Ehardt (drums). Rich Williams (guitar), David Ragsdale (violin), Billy Greer (bass) and Greg Robert (keyboards).

Back of the front center section, on the left aisle. $27.50.

I was a sophomore in high school. My first concert, and I wouldn't see another for two years. Jeff and I were big Styx fans, and he talked his dad into taking us down to Milwaukee. Probably because it was his birthday. I'm not sure how I talked my mom into letting me go. We bought tickets at the door, and were in the twelfth row from the back.

It was an "evening with Styx" - code for "no opening act." They were doing their Kilroy was Here tour. The show opened with a film. The title character was arrested for killing a protester at one of those evil rock and roll concerts. The film was about his escape from prison. As the film ended, the action was taken up onstage. The band members played characters in the play, and at various times, acted out scenes from the opera that made up the album. It was pretty cool to a sixteen-year-old.

They played quite a few songs from their repertoire - all their hits - so it was a great show beyond that. Totally fun. Jeff was walking around humming "Crystal Ball" for several days afterward. I think this show is what made him take up the guitar.