![[hand]](/hs-pics/portraits/hands/gillan4.jpg)
![[face]](/hs-pics/portraits/faces/paice.jpg)
We ended up at the grand old theatre
Ventura: This was a show that had originally been scheduled at the Hudson Theatre in San Bernardino, which is 100 miles east of Ventura. The Ventura Theatre is old and grand, much like its headliner.
A very steamy hot night greeted the band as they ripped into the opening four-song burst and Ian was in fantastic voice and spirits.
We noticed things might get surprising when “Woman From Tokayo” was replaced by a spirited “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”, then Michael Bradford pounced on stage for some rip snortin’ lead guitar on “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water.”
To cap off the evening, a a nasty verison of “Speed King,” complete with Paicey’s solo, replaced “The Battle Rages On” as encore #1. Too bad, I wanted to hear that one live. C’est la vie!
“Speed King” included several Buddy Holly verse snippets and other 50s nuggets courtesy of a wringing-wet Big Ian. “Hush” really delivered as the closer, the Ventura audience on its feet and chanting the lyrics to the delight of the band.
Good show!
David Linck
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing