Adventures in ChiTown, Part 2

We planned to have a fancy dinner in downtown Chicago, perhaps at the Weber Grill or another famous hotspot. Then we were strolling past the House of Blues, right along the river, and the marquee said "Dio with Anthrax - Tonight!" I couldn't help myself. I spent the money for the fancy dinner on tickets. I've been waiting for years to see Dio in concert, and since rock stars have a habit of not making it to AARP member age, I've been afraid he might bow out before I had a chance to rock out with him. Whenever he shows up in Minnesota, it's at the Medina Ballroom in Ham Lake, the local venue for washed up rockers. The problem is Ham Lake is way out in the boonies on the opposite side of the cities from my house. I'd almost given up on ever seeing Dio, and then, by a huge stroke of luck, he was there. And with Anthrax! Those guys really rock. Scott Ian, the guitarist, can often be seen hosting specials on VH1. You'll know it if you saw him - he has a bald head and an extra-long multi-colored goatee.





Dio (without his sword)





So we bolted a quick dinner of Thai noodles and got into the admission line outside the House of Blues. The line stretched down the alley and around the block. Everyone was decked out in black T-Shirts and biker jackets. Luckily, although I put on a nice jacket for the planned dinner, I was wearing my 93x T-Shirt under it so I fit right in. Joey wasn't so lucky. He wore a nice button-down shirt and slacks. When we were walking past the line for admission, a huge guy in a biker jacket noticed his outfit and called out to him, "See you in the mosh pit!"



The concert was spectacular. The House of Blues is an intimate setting with bar stools and tables scattered about the dimly lit dance floor. Of course, most of the seating was pushed over by the bar rails for the huge mosh pit that formed during Anthrax. Their set was nice and heavy, and their look was neatly updated to fit in with the current scene.



I'd heard rumors that Dio looked like a troll and that during shows he wore animal skins and brandished a sword like he does in his videos. When the curtains rose, I held my breath in expectation. Dio was dressed in normal black jeans and an open-collar black shirt. But the backdrop behind him was painted with a glowing red monster. All of the members of his band were wearing strange, shiny tight pants. The keyboard player played with one hand, while leaning back and letting a strategically placed portable fan blow his long locks. Joey asked me, "Are these guys from another country? They have a kind of European look."



It was an incredible show that lasted for two hours. Dio's voice sounded perfect, especially on the Man from the Silver Mountain (my personal favorite.) It was great to hear him belt out, "I'm a wheel, I'm a wheel, I can roll, I can feel." This is one of the most memorable rock lines of all time. I'm glad to see he's aging well and I hope I have a chance to see him again, even if I have to make the pilgrimmage to Ham Lake. (It's a little closer than Chicago.)



My adventure in Chicago turned out a little different than I expected, but I never dreamt I'd have a chance to rock out with Dio at the famous House of Blues. Perro can't wait to go back, and I promised him next time he can take a walk along Lakeshore Drive and chase the seagulls. Perhaps we might even make it to the Weber Grill for dinner.