Happenings on the Scene - Picking the best in rock

Part 2 of 2

 

Last week I introduced you to Lawrence Nitilet. He had the grand opportunity to work security at many major concerts in Winnipeg from 1984 to 1991.

It was at these shows that he started a collection of guitar picks. Some were even handed to him by the players themselves.

I decided to delve into his story a little deeper and take the opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the "rock concert" life through his eyes. The following is a transcript from the remainder of our recent conversation. You might have even been at one or more of these shows that we're about to highlight. So perhaps you'll be able to relive some "Rockin" memories as well.

 

Frank McGwire: Let's talk some memorable moments. Out of all those 30 shows there must be a few outstanding things that spring to mind.

 

Lawrence Nitilet:

 

* The Cult '87 -- Half-size arena show with the then up-and-coming band Guns and Roses as their opening band.

* Eric Clapton '88 -- Played onstage with Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits). Two of the greatest guitarists of all time on stage together. About a year later * was told that Phil Collins was on drums for that show, although I don't remember that.

* Rod Stewart, '88 -- There was a woman right up front against the fence with her four- or five-year-old son in her arms. The boy was wearing a Scottish kilt and holding a rose. Rod motioned me to lift the child on stage. The partner to my right and I lifted the child on stage and Rod sang "Forever Young" to him. An incredible show of class. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. When he handed the child back to his mother, you could see in her face that she would never forget that moment.

* John Cougar Mellencamp, '88 -- As far as energy goes, anytime you have a big name act playing in town, the show is very high energy. One of the best examples of this was at the Mellencamp concerts (he had two back-to-back sold out that year). The amount of positive energy in the place was through the roof. John actually pulled one or two people on stage with him from the audience (which very few do to start with) but there had to be 20 or more (men and women) up there singing and dancing with him and the band.

 

* Alice Cooper, '88 -- The amount of blood (fake, of course) that was shot out at the crowd was unbelievable and was all taken in good stride by the very willing audience. One of the guys working next to me was drenched! Last year I took my son to Cooper's show and it was heart-breaking to see that there was little to no blood "showered" out. I'm guessing some whiners had complained somewhere down the road and that was the end of that. HELLOO! You're at a COOPER CONCERT! What does one expect? Another great part of this concert was when Coop's guitarist came out on stage with a guitar shaped like a machine gun that shoots rockets.

* David Bowie, '90 -- David throws a hissy fit on stage and shortens the show because his guitarist took too long on one of his guitar solos.

* Fleetwood Mac, '90 -- The last tour with Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks. Unfortunately this show did not include Lindsay Buckingham.

* Paul McCartney, May 21, 1993 -- Although I did not work this concert, I was informed by the boys that black sandbags were used to fill the empty seats of the Winnipeg stadium to give the "appearance" of a sold-out show from a distance.

* Bon Jovi, Oct. '95 -- I was working the sound board toward the back of the arena when a mother asked if I would bring her 15- or 16-year-old daughter closer to the front if even for a few seconds to see Jon up close. I walked her to the front of the stage and let her stand there for an entire song until bringing her back. I could tell that she would remember that forever.

* KISS, '97 -- First tour back with original members, makeup, costumes, effects and pyro galore!

* U2, '97 -- I watched Bono "lose it" on a male audience member after he stole the cowboy hat from a female that Bono purposely threw it to. Eventually the guy did give it back to the gal.

Rolling Stones, the afternoon of the Sept. 30, 1997 show -- I was highly impressed that Mick Jagger spent hours touring all spots of the stadium to ensure optimum sound and visual. Here is a guy who doesn't need to do this and could easily pay someone to. But he has a genuine interest that anyone who pays money to see him will get the best show possible.

 

Wow! Sounds like 1988 was one heck of year for you, Lawrence! Out of all those shows which had the craziest or quietest crowds?

Again, with the big names it's very hard to gauge the level of high energy at a particular one against another. I suppose a few notables would be Aerosmith May 8, '88, both Rolling Stones '94 and '97, Pink Floyd, '94 and as noted earlier, John Mellencamp (x2), '88. As far as quiet, it would be a tie between Supertramp '86 and Fleetwood Mac '90. I suppose because both bands were basically playing to an older crowd. The whole audience was sitting and were pretty much too well behaved to the point where it was almost spooky. It wasn't until the last few songs that the audience was up on their feet.

 

Which band was the loudest?

It was Motley Crue's 1990 show where Motorhead did the warm-up spot. Motorhead was so incredibly loud that I couldn't stand it and actually left the whole show.

 

Nothing like having Lemmy and the boys ringing in your ears -- most likely for a few days afterwards. You ever have any trouble makers during shows?

Not really. You have to remember that most of the guys I worked with looked like grizzly bears and when there are 300 or so, (stadium shows) or even 60 or so (arena shows) of these guys watching every corner of the place, people tend to behave themselves. Besides there was always a large and very visible police presence which helps keep people in check. The only real exception to this was at the Def Leppard show in Minnedosa (I think it was 2000) when one individual was starting fights in the middle of the large crowd of people (thousands). I had to jump the barricade and push my way through the crowd, grab him and push my way back with him to get him out. Most people gladly cleared out of the way to allow me to do my job.

 

Any shows you'd never seen that you wish you had?

Except for the obvious givens and equally obvious "simply couldn't" (Led Zeppelin and the Beatles), I would like to have seen Van Halen (with either singer) or Black Sabbath (remembering, of course, that Sabbath has had 24 members come and go). I would liked to have seen them with Toni Iommi, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler and either Ozzy or Dio singing. Also Meatloaf, Bob Segar, Alan Parsons and yes, I'll admit it -- Abba!

 

Well allow me to turn the table here and give you a quick review of at least a couple of those shows! I had the chance to see Van Halen with Roth in the '84/85 and Hagar the last time they played the Winnipeg arena. In fact the latter show was the final big concert in the arena before the wrecking ball hit it. I'd have to say the Roth show was better even though they sounded like they poured themselves onto the stage. The Sammy-fronted show had the worst live concert sound I've ever heard. (At least from where I was sitting) The guys also just seemed to lack chemistry. It was like Eddie didn't want to have anything to do with Hagar. You could sense the tension between them and it made for a dismal show. Then there was Eddie's guitar solo which was a trainwreck of epic proportions. Alex's drum solo was damn near worth the price of admission, though!

OK, my last question gets us back to the little memorable pieces you took from most of those shows.What do you plan on doing with them all?

I've had them framed professionally (shameless plug -- Lasting Images) and passing them on to my son. It is of my opinion that when my son reaches my age (he is 16 now), most if not all of these bands will either no longer be together or will have passed on. Here is a great record of Rock and Roll in Manitoba's history that hopefully my grandchildren and their grandchildren will be able to hold onto. Side note -- I had a picture of myself and the crew I worked with placed with the picks so that it will be particularly hard if not impossible for any future offspring to sell them for money -- especially if I'm staring at them!

 

The pick collection

 

1. Heart (1986)

2. Supertramp (1986)

3. Def Leppard - June 1987

4. Motley Crue - Oct. 21st 1987

5. Alice Cooper - Feb 14 1988

6. KISS - March 5th 1988

7. Anthrax - March 5th 1988

8. AC/DC - June 7th 1988

9. Eric Clapton - Oct 3rd 1988

10. Rod Stewart - Nov. 21st 1988

11. Robert Plant - Dec. 9th 1988

12. Scorpions - Aug. 1988

13. John Cougar - 1988

14. Aerosmith - May 8th 1988

15. Steve Earle - April 21st - 1989

16. David Bowie - March 10th 1990

17. Fleetwood Mac - Nov. 27th 1990

18. Pink Floyd - July 1st 1994

19. Rolling Stones - Aug 23rd 1994

20. Bon Jovi - Oct 7th 1995

21. KISS - April 29th 1997

22. ZZ Top - June 10th 1997

23. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Aug 2001

 

 

 

 

Extra Happenings:

 

* The Brandon Inn (formerly Sassy's)

 

The first of what will hopefully become the annual Hard Rock Punk and Metal Battle of the Bands!

Friday, Jan. 21 and Saturday Jan. 22

 

Lineup:

 

Jan. 21:

Drowning Out (Wpg)

The Junk (Brandon)

Raised in Chaos (Dauphin)

Ritual Chaos (Souris)

Terrorist (Wpg)

Walking in ashes (The Pas)

Out F'Sync (Brandon)

 

Prizes:

 

- The top three bands will get an episode of Rockers Corner (performance and interview in studio)

- No matter where you place, you can pick an upcoming project mayhem show to be on in order of winning. If you are first, you get first pick, second gets second and so on.

p.s. F*** The Facts, Three Inches Of Blood, Cancer Bats,You Say Party etc. will be stopping in Brandon.

- There will be a monetary prize to be from a percentage of the door courtesy of the Brandon Inn.

- Rockers Corner will also be on location to shoot performance clips and interviews for an upcoming episode.

 

* Lady of the Lake:

Jan. 21 -- Holly Walker pianist from 6-8 p.m., Ingrid Gatin and Twin take over at 9.

Jan. 22 -- Son Latino Band; $5 cover

 

* The 40:

Jan. 21 and 22 -- Ministers Of Cool. Hot Band made up of unbelievable musicians. M.O.C. started in 2000 as the house band for the production of Godspell. If you love Steely Dan music you cannot miss seeing them. Their SD tribute set has been thrilling audiences everywhere they play. They also deliver some of their own funk and dance party music; $7 cover.

 

* 7 Ages presents "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Lorne Watson Hall Jan. 21-22, 8 p.m. (both nights) Tickets available at Pennywise Books and at the door.

 

* The Double Decker presents Jam Night! Tuesday, Jan. 25

 

* Suds will feature Lings of Keon (Kings of Leon cover band), Jan. 21; coffee house on Wednesday, Jan. 26

 

* WMCA: Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Sunday, Jan. 23

 

* Houstons: Back-to-back nights with two parties you don't want to miss!

 

Wednesday Jan. 26 Babes On The Bull

 

- Drink specials all night

- Free mechanical bull riding all night

- A trip for two to the Calgary Stampede

- Babes On The Bull models

- Wet T-shirt contest

 

Thursday Jan. 27 ACCSA Back In The Saddle

- Drink specials all night

- Tons of prizes from ACCSA

- Free ticket to Babes On The Bull with ticket purchase

- More exciting details for the ACCSA social to come this week!

 

$5 gets you into both events; sponsored by Bud Light and Smirnoff

 

Friday, Jan. 28 -- Groove Kitchen. Bring yer dancing shoes there are plenty new groovy selections on the repertoire that will get the dance floor cookin'.

 

 

Frank McGwire is a radio personality and booster of the music scene in Brandon and Westman.

» franko1@mts.net

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 20, 2011 A2