Greetings once again my friends...
Amidst my busy schedule and attempt to rest I am finding the time to write the story about my press tour of Europe in preparation of the release for my first ever solo CD. I know these usually wind up as diaries...however...my time is limited. So, I am going to reach into my mind, remember as much as I can and write this adventure for you.
On June 30th I was given a ride to the airport by none other than Paul Morris. It is always a good thing to have your friends with you when you leave on important trips. It gives you a good feeling and strong send off. Especially when I have been doing so much of this stuff alone lately.
Once again at the airport I was privileged with the SSSS on my ticket. This means "Fuck with me, I have a suspicious look or flight purchase history". 9-11 has made traveling quite a pain in the ass...The day becomes more tragic as time goes by.
I tried to sleep as much as possible and before I knew it I was in Munich. Munich? I thought you were flying to Athens? Well...I was leaving Europe out of Munich, so I was to have a layover in Germany for the return flight to be booked. I did as everyone does in the morning in Germany and had a beer and awaited my flight to Athens...there were to be many more flights in the days to come!
I boarded my plane and was once again graced with a screaming kid in my vicinity. This has been a pattern as of late. It is worse in the summer when more families fly! I arrived in Athens and was greeted by Elias from Black Lotus. I was surprised to hear that I actually had the night off! I checked back in to Hotel Zapholia and headed right to the pool! There was a semi-final soccer game that night. The underdog Greek national team was to play the Czech Republic.
At the pool I ran into a businessman about my age from New Zealand. He mentioned that he found a cool sports bar and we decided to go watch the game there and be a part of the excitement. Well...Greece won, I was burned by flares during the celebration in the street...I was a part of it alright. Too much of a part of it! I returned back to my hotel really late.
I was supposed to be at Athens Mastering at 10:30 AM to finish my final adjustments. Well, the phone rang at 11:30 and I was still asleep! I hurried out the door and arrived 2 hours late. I believe I was finally starting to become Greek! John and I finished up at about 4PM and I had to leave for the hotel. My interviews were starting at 4:30. I was tired...burned...bruised...but ready to talk!
The entire afternoon was filled with interviews every 30 minutes. Radio...TV...magazines of all kinds. Sakis from Rock On was there with John from the Savatage Legion...everyone really seemed to like the CD. The vocals were surprising them all! By 11PM I was finished...I had no appetite, no energy and no desire to leave the hotel! I immediately went to my room to sleep. I must admit it was not the same in that hotel without Kemp! After a solid 3 hours of sleep I was wide awake. Odd since I did not have to work until 4PM the next day! I rolled around til 7AM and decided to go have breakfast...I returned to my room, fell asleep until 2pm and then headed back to the pool! Next thing I knew it was interview time all over again! I figured a change of scene would be good and did most of my talking by the pool bar! Tasos was once again working. Black Lotus stopped by for a meeting after my interviews were finished.
The day was over at around midnight. I had done about 25 interviews in Greece! I was very happy with the response to the CD!/’s!!! Tasos offered to drive me to Revenge of Rock...there had been a Lemmy sighting there! We arrived and greeted Lemmy and Mikky Dee at the bar. I made it til about 4AM with Lemmy. He was moving on to another bar, I was beat. Tasos was wrecked...I walked back and slept!
The very next morning I was greeted at 11AM by Sakis and John. We left to go have coffee by the sea. It was a great start to my day. This Sunday was July 4th. I was to finally finish my cover art with Seth. I was so excited for this. At 2PM I headed to his studio. I was amazed at his work. We made adjustments for a few hours and I left him to finish alone. I was very happy and confident in his work.
I went with George and Andreas to dinner at a Friday’s restaurant. Fitting for July 4th! We discussed all of the details for my next adventures and I was given a company cell phone for Europe and I was to be on my own for the next 2 weeks! I had a stack of plane tickets, money, a Greek cell phone I could not read, burns...I was ready to go!
That evening the Greek team was to play the final game for the European Championship against host country Portugal. No host country had ever lost a final...until July 4th 2004! I watched the game quietly at the hotel. I was to leave for the airport at 6AM. So...no celebration for me. Greece won...it was amazing to watch Athens explode! I was on the roof of the hotel taking video of the events as they unfolded. Fireworks...people in the streets...cars racing and beeping. I was so happy. I phoned the USA and spoke to some shocked Greek friends in Astoria!
Figuring this was a rare occasion, I did wander towards Ammonia Square to see the celebration and live it live one more time...with way more brain cells! I stopped by Revenge to say goodbye and headed back to the hotel. It was almost impossible to sleep. Car horns were going off all night. I think I slept about 2 hours total. What a way to start a long trip! I packed up, checked out and headed for the airport early. Athens was quiet. but very happy! I was happy that they won while I was there! Good luck it seemed!
Next stop Madrid!!!!
