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10/11/02 - GORILLA FUND SHOW, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON

Review by Roberta De Silvestre:
Bryan was the main act of a very special concert in aid of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. It was a fantastic show and I really felt lucky for being there.

(Above) Bryan & the band soundchecks 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' with Brian May. This is the first footage ever of the new 5-piece (BA, Keith Scott, Mickey Curry, Gary Breit & Norm Fisher) together onstage. The dudes were briefly a 4-piece throughout Europe in the summer of '02 but the addition of Norm on bass means Bryan can go back to guitar.

The theatre was beautiful. With much surprise, we found ourselves really close to the stage. The background was lit in green and blue and there were jungle sounds in the background. After a video with Leonardo Di Caprio, patron of the fund, several actors read extracts from Dian Fossey's letters. I am close to this cause and some bits were really moving.
Michael Palin was really funny; and Joe Strummer got us all rocking with his band - they even played the Clash classic White Riot.

At the interval, we went upstairs to the Floral Hall to have a drink... we met a few people off the board - cheers! - and also a photographer who seemed really convinced he had to take a pic of us... but he didn't succeed ;).

Second half... after a couple of letters more, it was Bryan's turn, and he was - WOW! He literally rocked the house.

First surprise: he was playing the guitar! And besides Keith, Mickey and Gary there was a new bass player. Behind them, there was a small orchestra directed by Michael Kamen. The whole set reminded of the "Unplugged" show, and indeed most of the songs were beautifully unplugged. The arrangements clearly benefited from the Kamen touch - they were just perfect.

They played:

* Summer of '69
* I'm Ready
* Everything I Do, I Do It For You
* Don't Drop That Bomb Of Me - second BIG surprise! Bryan introduced it by saying... "We're a bit arrogant to play this next song 'cause Keith and I only learnt to play it yesterday... although it is an old one..." It was amazing.
* When You're Gone: Bryan said "I usually get someone on stage to sing this with me..." he jokingly looked around in the darkness as if he was searching for someone "...but I can't even see you tonight... so I'll do it on my own :))"

Then Brian May came on and sang the Queen song Is This The World We Created... at the end, "his brother" (as he called him) Bryan came on stage and joined him to sing one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard...:

* Crying in the Rain (the Everly Brothers song - so moving, and their voices harmonized in such a perfect way, it took my breath away).

* Then a rocking final with Run To You! Brian May, Bryan and Keith on the guitars... can you imagine a better combination??
At this point everyone - and I mean *everyone*!!! - stood up and started dancing and cheering! I was amazed, I didn't expect such a huge reaction from a "Royal Opera" audience! But Bryan really rocked them all... :) Then they bowed and thanked and waved and left... but of course the theatre was on a roll by now and we called them back for an enchore!
* Queen's Crazy Little Thing Called Love - a very rocking version with Bryan on the vocals & Brian harmonizing - BRILLIANT!

(Above) 3 guitar legends onstage... Bryan Adams, Brian May and Keith Scott.

What a show... I don't think I'll ever forget it. My friend - not a BA fan at all - was completely taken away and asked me to meet Bryan 'cause she wanted his autograph :)). Not a big sacrifice for me of course...

So we did meet him, and Keith too. They were as sweet as always. Bryan didn't miss the chance to try his Italian with me once again - not bad at all Bryan, but some practice "on location" would help... ;)

After some chats we all got out from the artists exit and while walking out Bryan turned to the Opera House people who were standing next and told them "Thank you - I know you won't let us do it again, but it was fun!!!" :). It surely was Bryan...

When we got outside, more people got close and literally surrounded him - he was kind enough to stop and chat and sign stuff for everyone.

What a night. I felt overwhelmed by the show and by the whole experience. That place will always be special to me :).

Setlist:
Summer Of '69
I'm Ready
Everything I Do
Don't Drop That Bomb On Me
When You're Gone
Is This The World We Created (Brian May)
Crying In The Rain (with Brian May)
Run To You (BA, Keith & Brian May on guitars!)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Brian May background vocals)

Pictures by Roberta De Silvestre

Bryan and Keith

BA on guitar

Brian May and Michael Kamen

A BA quote from the programme