Meiningen
* NOTE: This is an exclusive to The Official Bonnie Tyler Homepage. Permission
must be obtained from the author for use of the contents. Thanks - pg
Meiningen concert Review
By Christoph Krug
As always i wrote this exclusively for Paul Gunsaulies the owner of the
official Bonnie Tyler Homepage.
Some weeks ago i read that Bonnie gives a concert in Meiningen which is
a place in the middle of nowhere in East Germany.
After two and a half hours of driving through the dark forests and over
the hills of East Germany i finally reached this place to see my 8 th
Bonnie concert after the first concert at the 26th of April 1992. It was
at this time a concert on her “ Bitterblue ³ tour.
I met Conny, Irene, Regina and Martin who are all members of Bonnies
Internet Fan community ( Mailing List ). Sudeenly i saw Bonnies Tour
Manager Matt Davis and some others who made the soundcheck and some
other preparations. A few hours later the Band arrived and i spoke a
little bit with Ed Poole ( who offered me his beer and a cigarrette ).
He told me that Bonnie was in Prague the day before for a recording
session for the new album with the Prague Philharmonic Ochestra. I saw
some changes in the Band. Matt Prior was replacing Alan Darby on lead
Guitar. Later Bonnie told me that Mr. Darby was involved in the 50th
anniversary celebration for Queen Elisabeth. A very new face on Drums:
Grahame Rolfe replaced Tom Lang on Drums. It was his third gig with
Bonnie. I talked a little bit with him. A very nice guy. Ed Poole was
there on Bass guitar and John Young on keyboards. Keith Attack didn`t
appear. I don`t know why.
A short moment later Bonnie and Robert arrived. ( They arrived in
Frankfurt / Rhein Main Airport and had the same way that i had. Poor
Bonnie ). I don`t have to tell you that both were very nice and
friendly. Bonnie signed my “ Hide your heart ³ Tour Book and opened some
fan gifts.
Then the soundcheck began. She sang only parts of some of some songs on
the large stage until she was satisfied with the sound. After 20 minutes
she left the stage and again we made some photos. After that Bonnie and
Robert left the venue and they drove to the Hotel.
The show began at 23.15 H ( very late ). Another Open Air concert.
Approximately 1.200 people wanted to see our Bonnie. Unfortunately for
the very first time we had some problems with the security staff ( very
unfriendly persons ). It was nearly not possible to make some photos
from the viewers area. But believe it or not: I had the enormous
privilege to stand on stage with Bonnie ( beside the stage of course
where i didn`t disturb anybody ). From this point i had the opportunity
to have a very rare and unusual view on a concert and behind the scenes.
The disatvantage: I could make photos only from one perspective.
Bonnie performed in a lilac dress and she looked FANTASTIC. She
performed:
Have you ever seen the rain, What you got
Lost in France, It`s a heartache
Total eclipse of the Heart, Bitterblue
Against the wind, Save up all your tears
Faster than the speed of night, Turtle Blues
Holding out for a Hero, Straight from the Heart
The Best, Hide your Heart
Notes from America, To love somebody and a fantastic John Young keyboard
solo
After one and a half hours and a great light show she and the band left
the stage and she left a very delighted crowd who didn`t stop screaming
Encore, encore, encore.
After the show Bonnie was so friendly to make a little After show Party
with some of us. We were sitting and talking together. An unforgettable
moment. She told us that the release date of her new album is the 2nd of
October 2002!!!!!!! supported by TV spots in whole Scandinavia and maybe
Germany as well.
I had to leave a moment earlier and Bonnie said: Thank you for coming
and we shook hands.
Thank you Bonnie for this great night. It was a great day in the life of
a fool. I hope you don`t mind that i put down in words how wonderful
life is while you`re in the world. See you a hundred times. You know
we`ll never go as long as we know it`s coming straight from your heart.
You never walk alone.
Thanks to Robert, Matt and every single member of the Band. A very
special thanks to Martin for his perfect description of the way to
Meiningen. Thanks to Conny for just being there and thanks to Mrs. And
Mr. Hartung for your kind support and for the backstage pass.
Christoph Krug