Auditorium FLO, Florence
Italy March 13. 2004

Photos: Johnny Ringo & Stefano Magni
 

The venue for this concert, FLOG, is one of the top night spots in Florence. Built by the Socialist Party as a part of a complex of recreational activities, this place was built to rock.

I arrived at 8:30 pm only to find the place locked and nobody around. I was informed that  concerts don't usually start until 10:30-11:00 pm. I guess I was a little early. I walked around to a stage entrance door which I found to be open. I
walked in and found that the band had just finished the sound check and were headed out to get something to eat. I chatted briefly with Mike and Rusty. I asked how the other shows in Italy had been going and was informed that the
venues had been small. This night would be different. Suddenly I was alone in this quiet hall with the expectation of what would be happening in just a few hours time.
How would the band be received?
How well had the concert been promoted?
Does Arthur Lee's fame extend this far south in the European market?
These and other questions would all be answered in a very short time.

Constructed of steel with a state of the art sound system, FLOG provides for a theater in the round experience. Several large screen TV monitors provided for images of the 60's on this night while sounds of the times were piped in. The crowd began to gather. Excitement was in the air. The place filled up.

Arthur arrived looking like European Royalty dressed in black. After about twenty minutes the band took the stage. From the opening notes the crowd was rewarded, for now before them was a legendary rock star. It seemed that everyone knew the songs, all the words, and could not get enough. Several times during the show fans would be moved back just a little so the stage monitors could be put back where they were.

This was a truly great show! Forever Changes made up most of the set list with Mike soaring on the horn arrangements. Rusty and Dave Chappel never fail to amaze me and of course the rock, Daddy O. What a band! The crowd was  absolutely delirious! They just could not get enough. Instant Karma, Signed DC. Show stoppers! Arthur voice was exceptional.This crowd loved him and the mojo was flowin'. A double encore provided a fitting crescendo for an
exceptional night of music. This is the line-up that will escort Sir Arthur as he rightly takes his place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Johnny Ringo