DIARY OF A JANIAC

"SCREAM FOR ME BANGALORE", says the Master and the crowd like kindergarten students listening to their teacher do just that, SCREAM! Such was the excitement at Palace Grounds on 15 February 2009.

At an age when most people would sit on armchairs sipping lemonade, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, Adrian Smith, Steve Smith, Janick Gers and Dave Murray beg to differ. With the sole intention of rocking the world, these 6 guys tour non-stop and do they kick ass or what! 15 February 2009 was a day when the rock fraternity of Bangalore bore witness to a show that I'm sure has left each one of their minds conquered.

For me, a fifteen year old, who has only heard Maiden play from his computer and I-pod, this gig was nothing short of a dream come true. From the beginning, Iron Maiden ensured that Bangalore was theirs. Bangalore, for those few hours, was the best democracy in the world because it belonged to a bunch of guys and these were the bunch of guys that Bangalore wished for. They were called IRON MAIDEN! (Nice line, huh? :P)


These 6 guys are nothing short of the very pioneers of rock and they prove, from time to time, that they are the ones to beat. From the moment they played Aces High, everything was a blur. For me to express the emotions that were going through my head is nothing short of a herculean task. But let me tell you this, that night was the night of my life. Out of my 11 Gods, I had seen 6 of them and I will never forget the sight of Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers pointing their guitars at the very same spot where I was standing.


Before I get carried away by the emotional aspects behind that show, let me move on with the playlist and my opinion on the songs wont really change much. Each on of them were so damn brilliant. Aces High was followed by a perfect rendition of 2 Minutes to Midnight. By the time this song was done, Iron Maiden had made one thing clear, they is no other band that can exude the energy that they do! ALL HAIL MAIDEN! And before I forget, I must mention the background changed for every song that they did and it resembled the album that they were playing the song from.


Soon, Palace Grounds were treated to beautiful tracks like Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Phantom of the Opera, Children of the Damned, Fear of the Dark, Evil that Men Do, Wasted Years, Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Sanctuary. The perfect end to the show was when they performed the song Iron Maiden. Somewhere in the middle giant eddy made its entry and the crowd was treated to a few minutes of fun.

Maiden, you guys are the shit! No matter what, you are the real GODS OF METAL, come what may! UP THE IRONS!

p.s. For the sake of those reading this blog, I have not commented on the opening bands. Most of them failed to impress me and I as I sit her typing this, I really dont remember any single one of the opening acts. I guess that shows their class. Sad, huh?

pictures courtesy MY BANGALORE

The above scene is something that I will remember for a very long time, if not forever. One of the musicians, that I respect the most with not just one but two Oscar awards. Yea, pessimists may go on and on about Slumdog Millionaire not being his best music and that he didn't deserve the Oscars for this soundtrack but who cares about what they have to say, right? The fact of the matter is that AR Rahman has captured an award that had eluded him for quite sometime and his happiness shows! He has been running helter-skelter to do shows for his eager American fans and has featured on quite a few TV shows too(A.J. Rahman - Kudos to American ignorance. Check out the Jay Leno show that he played on if you don't get head or tail of that).

The man who has produced innumerable soulful songs for Bollywood and Tollywood (or is it Kollywood? I'm talking about the Tamil Cinema Industry). Its really hard for an Indian to live without his music now. He is part of everyones playlist. Even those who ain't really great fans of music can't stop themselves from getting addicted to him.

Everyones heard his tracks from the movie "Gentleman" but not many know that he is a true gentleman on his own. A very down-to-earth man and one of those people who would rather shower his friends with love than indulge himself in fame. I was at awe of his love and affection for his mother when he said "Mere paas Ma hain" when he held the golden lady high! Such is the man that represents India at the highest level! Can anyone project the large-heartedness of the Indians better than Rahman can? Can anyone project the essence of Indian culture better than Rahman can? Can anyone project the love of Indians, for our nation, our Bharat, better than Rahman can? Can anyone project the very soul of our nation better than he can? As Marc Anthony said, "Where comes such another?"

Rahman, though you may never see this message, I shall still say this. You shall linger in my heart forever because you have shown me the light through the saddest of times and the best of times. You were the one that showed me that if a person wishes to achieve something, then he can achieve it, no matter what! You were the one that has shown me that love and affection surpasses all other things that this world offers. Rahman, I bow down to you. Rahman, I bow down to the GOD OF MUSIC!