Ottawa, Canada - November 17th, 2006

The night for me began at 4:00 pm.  I was one of the hardcores who showed up early to wait outside to ensure that I got a killer spot right in the front row.  The doors opened at about 7:45ish, and sure enough, I got exactly where I wanted to be - right in the front.  The opening acts weren't too bad - the first band was alright, and the Suicide Girls (as corney as their show was) I found entertaining and I like the way it was something different - and a great compliment to a rock show with some "T &A"!!  Sebastien came on and he did really well.  The crowd was really feeling him and let me tell you; things were really rough up front when he was on stage!!  He got the crowd warmed up and mid way through the set - he brought out the Trailer Park Boys.  Bubbs played "Closer to the Heart" by Rush as Sebastien sang along - great Canadian edge to the show!!  He then sang a song entitled "Liqour and Whores" that some people in the crowd knew…  He ended his show at around 10:50 -11 o'clock…  Coming to the show I had the impression that between Bach and GNR's set we would be waiting for hours upon end - but honestly, by the time the stage was set up - it was 11:45 anyways, so I don't see how people think that they were waiting for Axl to come on when they were just setting up the stage and preparing for the show.  So that being said - they came on at around 11:55 pm…….

So - this was the moment I had been waiting for since 2002 - when I saw them in T.O. - Friday night Axl looked in better shape, in a better mood and his voice was much more powerful!!!  The set list was pretty much the same as the other shows, the new songs included:  IRS, Better, Madagascar and the Blues.  I knew all the words to those songs and me and Tommy had a great sing slong to Madagascar - which was awesome!!  The solos I enoyed very much.. Robin had a kick ass blues solo which impressed me and just solidified the fact that all the doubters of the guy can go fuck themselves!!  Dizzy pulled out a Sens jersey, which rocked - and steller piano playing for sure!  Before Richard's solo Axl got us to all sing along "Happy Birthday" to him!!  The rendition of "Beautiful" was very impressive and the people in the crowd enjoyed it.. I heard some drunk guy behind me yell out - "I LOVE YOU ALL- YOU'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL BITCHES!!!"  Ron's solo was excellent - he played "Oh Canada" and then the "Don't Cry" sing along!!  Before the encore the Trailer Park Boys came back out and got the crowd going again!!  Axl then goes "Ladies and gentlemen, the Trailer Park Boys"… then he said in a joking fashion, "What a great National representation of your country.." and the crowd loved it and burst out laughing!!

I must say that right now GN'R is back and ready to take back the rock world by storm.  Throughout all those years where I kept the faith and hung on with the hope that one day they will be back.  I know in 2002 - it was a bad phaze and the wrong time to do so - but I brought all my friends to show them - and they are all converted GN'R fans now and they all see now what I had been ranting and raving about for all these years!!  Two and a half hours of solid rock!!  I read both reviews in the papers - and they got 4.5 and 5 out of 5 and everything I've heard post-concert is nothing but good things!!  Axl seems at peace with everything now and it is just so good to see this side of him - rather than the volatile, contraversial figure from the early 90's…  He was smiling a lot, really into the songs and just a "Legend" all around!!  What a great night - and the best part was that I was leaving the same day to go see them in Quebec City!!

LAYO