So, it looks like next year’s Japan trip is set, but I got a head start with Jeff Beck’s Loud Hailer Tour in Cologne. Man, it was awesome! The venue was a small hall that couldn’t fit a thousand people, and since it was standing room only, I lined up two hours early (there were hardly any people) and snagged a spot right in the center of the front row. Just five meters away, the Beck I’ve admired since high school was playing “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” right in front of me. I felt like the President of the USA, seriously. No words can describe it.
Of course, most of the songs were from his new stuff, but they were super cool! Can you believe he’s 72? It’s insane! How does he shred on an electric guitar with just his thumb? He’s been a lone guitar hero for almost 50 years for a reason. The Strat is practically part of his body, and he plays so freely with perfect rhythm and style.
As you can see from the queue photo, the crowd was mostly older dudes, probably averaging around 60. Even when the vocalist Rosie was shaking her hips provocatively or Carmen Vandenberg was nailing her solos, everyone was just clapping along like they were watching their daughter’s school play. But Carmen is stunning, and she was smiling the whole time, which was nice. Plus, Rosie came down from the stage with that loudspeaker and leaned over the barrier right in front of me – I could feel my hands brush against her body! When I leaned back, her cleavage was like 50 cm away, and I was kinda struggling there. I mean, I was just trying to check out her in-ear monitors and stuff.
With all that excitement, I’m totally pumped to go buy a left-handed Strat neck tomorrow and swap it out on my white Fernandes! Honestly, I used to think reverse headstocks ruin the coolness of a Strat, but now I’m all about it. I’m just so satisfied right now!
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