June 20, 2001 - Cleveland, OH - Lynryd Skynryd, Deep Purple, Ted Nugent

Venue: Blossom Music Center

My second concert and another one attended with my friend Bob.  The way i remember it, Bob's dad was going to buy tickets for everyone who wanted them.  My friends Seth and Nick came as well and they drove separately, and I distinctly remember them leaving early during Lynryd Skynurd's set.  They were not digging it.

I wasn't a really big fan of any of the bands that played, and I'm still not, but I was excited just the same.  Nick would always talk up how important Deep Purple was, and I remember buying a 'Best Of Deep Purple' album in preparation, and I had found it slightly underwhelming.

The weather was perfect and we were up on the lawn.  It was bright and sunny, and after a weird blues act played a few songs, Ted Nugent went on.  Ted's voice was really good and Stranglehold lasted so long that I ran to the bathroom during the solo, waited in line, did my business, and made it back before the song was over.

I remember very little about Deep Purple or Lynryd Skynrd.  Freebird went on for a really long time, and it was impressive.  It was all part of Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Back to the Swamp' tour and I was still going to shows with the mindset that I would buy a shirt at every concert.  I bought an ugly XL Deep Purple shirt with a purple car on the front of it.  It was too short after one wash.  I also bought a Skynyrd 'Swamp' shirt with the rebel flag on the back.

I don't remember once wearing either shirt out in public.