When HTP visit last year was cancelled I felt really sorry, as I didn't know if we would ever get the chance to see those two artists. Thankfully my fears have been proved wrong. The night of the gig the club was almost full, which means that we could still move and breath without problem. Approximately 1.400 people had created a great atmosphere (the funny thing was that you could see almost the same faces as two nights ago in the UFO live – you know: “hey, you again” etc.). I was sure that they would deliver a great show that night, as they did! The gig opened gloriously with “Hold On” and carried on with “You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll”, where we got the chance to admire two great voices - so different to each other - being combined in the best possible way and above all being in perfect shape! Joe prepares us for a trip to the past and as soon as “I Surrender” starts the club is on fire and I experience one of the most glorious moments in my life. I instantly think to call the webmaster (who didn’t come to the show, despite being a huge Turner and Hughes fan) to make him jealous, but then I preferred to enjoy it, rather than call.

Everyone seems to be in great mood and when Glenn screams the whole club is excited and tries to follow him. What can I say now about those two gents? They are parts of the rock history, despite some here in Greece think that Joe was bad for bands like Rainbow or Purple (I cannot understand why especially in the Raibow case, but also for Purple... it wasn’t Joe’s fault that the then line-up was saturated). Anyway, anyone who was in the club that night had the chance to enjoy his great voice. The setlist came out of a dream: “Alone I Breath”, “Losing My Head”, “Going My Way” (HTP), “Street Of Dreams”, “Death Alley Driver” (Rainbow), “Stormbringer”, “Mistreated”, in an exceptional long version, where Glenn made a small demonstration of his vocal capabilities, and the crowd felt shivers! There were two surprises: “Dreamer” a Deep Purple song which was dedicated to Tommy Bolin by Glenn, and “Keep On Movin” from Glenn’s co-operation with Coverdale. Both songs received a great warm welcome.

I know that I must be forgetting some songs. Anyway, the show closed with a devastating encore, which included “Devil's Road”, “Spotlight Kid” and “Burn” (almost literal)!!! It has been a truly magnificent gig, the performance has been top class and just because I am miserable I complain because they only played one hour and 35 minutes. And just because I am even more miserable I would like to listen to a few more HTP songs.... but to be honest I wouldn’t replace one song form what they played that night. I strongly suggest you to not miss their show in case it stops by your town.

Long live Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!!!

by Alex Savatianos