Review:
The first show I saw at college. It’s sure easy to go see a band when they’re playing in your gym.
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The Smithereens:
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Rush with Mr. Big at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA, USA
Review:
I was living at college nearby in Ashland, so Richmond made more sense than Landover. I know Bert (fraternity brother and friend) went. Mr. Big was my favorite band that opened for Rush (they didn’t have openers after the 1994 tour).
According to Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth, Playboy bunnies served refreshments during the show (The Presto album and tour featured rabbits).
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Mr. Big:
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The Who at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, DC
Review:
I bought 2 tickets, but no one was interested. Eventually I took Joppa’s (a fraternity brother) girlfriend (Molly?). We were way up in RFK, but The Who played Tommy and all their hits, so I was happy.
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Rush with McAuley-Schenker Group at Capital Centre, Landover, MD, USA
Review:
I could drive by this point, and I think this was the show I remember standing in line at Hecht’s to buy tickets from the Ticket Center there. Not good seats, unimpressive opener.
According to Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth, Geddy had been suffering from laryngitis and they’d canceled a show two days earlier.
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McAuley-Schenker Group:
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Rush at Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD, USA
Review:
My friend Tamer returned the favor, driving to Baltimore in a white van with a busted speedometer. I remember having to piss in an alley after we parked more than I remember the show.
According to Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth, Marillion was supposed to open but canceled.
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Rush with Steve Morse Band at Capital Centre, Landover, MD, USA
Review:
The third and last show my dad attended (well, except for Beach Boys shows much later). I’d talked up his ticket getting power, but now he wasn’t first in line and buying more tickets, so we were not in the third row. Besides me and my dad, the only friend and classmate I remember going with us was Tamer (later drummer in emmet swimming). I was unfamiliar with the Steve Morse Band, but impressed, especially with Rod.
According to Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth, Geddy & Alex “hooked arms and swung each other around in circles.”
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Kenny Loggins at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD, USA
Review:
I don’t remember too much about this show. I know my dad took me, and I think we were on the lawn. All I know is I loved “Footloose” to death (my cassette of the soundtrack had one of the spools get out of place) and I was so happy when he played it (I had written out the lyrics so I could sing along).
Kenny Loggins:
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Rush with Helix at Capital Centre, Landover, MD, USA
Review:
My first real concert, and still one of my favorites. My dad worked in Crystal City, and when tickets went on sale, went down to the Ticket Center in the Crystal City Underground and was first in line, and got tickets in the 3rd row. The only thing I remember about Helix is the lead singer would jump on a small trampoline while running around the stage. The Rush show was great, but my memory of it was soon colored by a VHS copy of the Grace Under Pressure Tour.
According to Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth, Geddy had been suffering from the flu previously in the week. In the show, Alex broke a string during “Red Barchetta”.
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Helix:
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