VVI - Phantasy Theatre - Lakewood, Ohio 07/16/1988

[Shaft]

OK, it took about forever but I finally located the photos I took from the VVI show at the Phantasy Theatre in Lakewood (a suburb of Cleveland). These are all of the better pics I took that day.

Some random thoughts looking back on that day for your reading pleasure:

- It was STOOPID hot that day and twice as hot inside the venue which was never known for their stellar air conditioning.
- Mark & Dana spent a LOT of time in the parking lot before the show with all of the fans hoping to meet them and they were as nice and as accommodating (more of that shortly) as you would expect.
- The video for "That Time of Year" world premiered on "Headbanger's Ball" that night.
- Vinnie (to the best of my knowledge) stayed in the bus before the show but signed autographs from the bus after the show (wish I would have known this beforehand as we hauled ass back home to catch the premiere of "That Time of Year").
- When asked why L.A. Guns weren't opening the show nobody really said much or gave a reason.
- Local Cleveland metal legends, Breaker, opened the show and this was their first show in a long time after reuniting with original singer Jim Hamar (this will mean absolutely nothing to anybody outside of Cleveland or people in Germany where they are still very popular).
- Before soundcheck, I snuck into the venue and hung with Mark, Dana & Bobby. I had identified myself as a member of the fan club and they took GREAT care of me with Bobby giving me one of his drumsticks, a lot of guitar picks, took time to answer all of the dumb questions I had, pose with photos with me, the works and I got to spend quite a bit of time with them. Vinnie then made his way into the venue with guitar in hand and when I asked for an autograph he said he had to soundcheck but gave me one of his picks. Their tour manager then approached me and thanked me for being such a loyal fan but asked me to head back out the the parking lot as it was a closed soundcheck. He was just as cool as Mark, Dana & Bobby.
- While the band was soundchecking we got a kick out of hearing them test the sampled backing vocals.
- Somebody outside the venue recorded the soundcheck and I was supposed to get a copy of it but it never happened...
- The show was great and all of us maniacs in the front row rocked even harder than the band that night!
- Vinnie's guitar and microphone stand was covered in picks and he had no problem with all of us grabbing then off of the stand (there was no crash barricade set up in front of the stage).
- When the band came out for the encore the crowd was chanting "VIN-E, VIN-E, VIN-E" and he took the microphone from off the stand and handed it to the audience so all of us idiots could yell into the mike.
- During "Lick It Up" Mark handed me the mike to sing the chorus of the song with the band (it certainly paid to be a fan club member back then!)

OK, enough of my rambling. Hope you found it entertaining. Now, onto the pics!

[vvjunkie]

Cool pic thanks for sharing Vinnie looks hot in those pictures

[poserboy71]

YES !!!!

[doublev2]

great stuff shaft. Rare pic of the silver jackson on the ASG tour.
What was the date as I thought 'that time of year' debuted the night VV and Mark hosted the show. Obviously it could well have been taped before that gig.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THESE!!!

[doublev2]

surprised VV brought no banner or any kind of set. I am guessing that they were loosing a lot of money on the tour.

[shramiac]

Top stuff!

[Genebaby]

Thank you!!

[Shaft]

It was my pleasure. Looking at these photos for the first time in a long time brought back some GREAT memories and I'm more than happy to share them with all of you! Cheers!

[PinkWiz]

Thanx, great pics! I moved from NC to Lakewood, OH back in 2001 and lived about a mile down the road from The Phantasy on Detroit Ave... went there alot! Cold weather was too much, moved back to NC two years later.

[doublev2]

Shaft did it seem like vv was not hanging with the other band members ?

[reneroxx]

NHNHNHNHNHNNHNHNHNHNHGGGGGG Omg thanks !! Markiee......
Vinnie!! Dana and Bobby awww <3

[Shaft]

Shaft did it seem like vv was not hanging with the other band members ?

From what I could recall, yes. If I remember correctly, Vinnie stayed in the bus until it was time for soundcheck. Now, it's possible he stayed on because of how hot it was outside and in the venue. More than likely he headed straight to the bus after the show as well just to cool off. Tough to say.

[doublev2]

thanks. great post.

[reneroxx]

This is a great memory Thanks for share

[PelagicJoe]

Cool pics!

[Portillo]

Vinnie could have been one of the greats. COULD HAVE BEEN.

[Warrior]

Thanks Shaft , loved your experience and pictures. Another true fan.

[Billy]

Is the Phantasy still open? What was the setlist? Great pictures! \m/

[PinkWiz]

I believe the Phantasy is still open... it caught fire a couple years ago but don't believe there was much damage.

[poserboy71]

The last time I was there was in 2005 if I remember correctly.
They re-opened it and I went to see a reformed Stryper there.

[doublev2]

Stryper born again tour?

[poserboy71]

I don't know what the tour was called but that sounds correct .

[doublev2]

I just made that up. Hehe