Keith is just an amazing guy -- he actually won the U.K. version of American Idol, but downplays it saying that those types of shows don't really mean as much over there as they do over here. Still, he's a very multi-talented guy who took some time to bust out some Dream Theater riffs on his drum set for me. I believe when he records, he handles all the instruments. Just amazing! But he's so freaking down to earth and easy to talk to for a guy that will be soon departing to do another arena tour overseas. And we both had extremely compatible senses of humor and cracked each other up constantly.
Soon after I arrived, I noticed a Richie Sambora Signature Strat perched in the corner of a room, and asked if they minded if I played it. I was actually playing "You Give Love A Bad Name" on it, and then Keith told me the next day that the guitar was not only a R.S. Strat, but one OF Richie's 3 Strats he used on the Crossroads tour! Value was about $6,000! KILLER! So unknowingly, my fingers had actually traced the same fret steps once made by Richie himself! We got several pictures with the guitar, and I'll post some later. It was simply the nicest feeling Strat I'd ever had my hands on, and Keith also mentioned he only uses it for recording for fear of damaging it during a show.
We had to depart soon after the JttC show ended to catch the end of a 7th Heaven show which was kinda special in that it was the last show their drummer of the last 10 years was performing with. Last two songs were a SMOKING rendition of Rob Zombie's "Dragula", followed by Bryan Adams' "Heaven" which the drummer dedicated to his wife. Very emotional... I'd inquired earlier about the possibility of jamming a song with them, and Keith had gotten me set up to sing Styx's "Come Sail Away" with them, but we arrived just too late to make it happen. There will be another time, though, for sure, and I'll be ready!
More to come, including some photos and the funniest tale of all -- the Rhi-billie Wake-Up Call !!!!!
