The Gorge
          13-Aug-96


          "Whoa! Hi, everyone. Tommy here. I have to tell you, we just played the most 
   incredible place I have EVER had the pleasure play. About 3 hours east of Seattle, 
   near Quincy, is The Gorge. Before we got there, by car, we were treated to some 
   of the most awe inspiring mountain views in the history of our travels. Around every 
   bend Todd, who rode with Jeanne, Keith and me (and Bubba, of course) would pull 
   out the video camera, but it was no use. The pictures were too big to fit into ANY 
   camera. Ironically, the camera that Jeanne had used to take the pictures of us with
   Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Angie Dickenson, Red Buttons and other veteran actors at a 
   recent benefit in NYC, ran out of film! When we had gone the correct distance you 
   could feel the anticipation as we all looked around the deserted panoramic landscape 
   for this place we'd heard so much about. Then around the next turn we could see cars
   parked on a distant hillside but could still not see the gig. Finally the road signs led 
   us to the dirt road and the uniformed guard who called the escort, who mounted his 
   dirt bike and led us around the hill. There it was. The Columbia River and the deep 
   gorge spread out for miles behind the amphitheatre. It was spectacular. We have played
   a lot of shows this summer, and some of the venues start to blend into one another 
   after a while, but THIS... We played in mostly daylight. Between you and me, our little light 
   show PALED in comparison to the natural splendor that filled the horizon behind us, like 
   a neon light in front of the Aurora Borealis. At one point, during "Suite Madame Blue", 
   when JY stood atop the upstage ramp, his silhouette was projected onto the butte a 
   couple of thousand yards away and those who saw it were dumbfounded. Moments 
   earlier, as Dennis held out the last note of "Heaven's door..." the sun dipped below the
   horizon over his shoulder. Can I get a witness??? So, my friends, I guess what I am saying 
   is, you shoulda been there. If you ever get the chance to see a show there or just see the 
   general area, do it. Next stop LA..."

                                -- Tommy Shaw, as taken from The Official Styx Web Site &
                                         the "Notes From The Band" page.

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