Pre North & South America Tour Trip around Memory Lane
Part Three - USA West Coast - November 2017
Steve and Jo in San Francisco
Steve in Muir Woods
The USA West Coast has always held a fascination for me, with its incredible scenery and the sense that all things are possible...
San Francisco is an amazing city with masses of character. I've always loved to board those fun trams to experience the city, passing the old missions, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Then from the Golden Gate Bridge to nearby Muir Woods with those wonderful giant redwoods, there's always so much to experience... It'll be terrific to return and play in nearby Berkeley and then on down to San Luis Obispo, which is a new place for me!
Then on to LA, where I've spent a great deal of time. On tour to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Please Don't Touch we'll be playing a couple of tracks from the album which was largely recorded in LA. I particularly loved Santa Monica Pier and the merry-go-round there which inspired sounds on the record... Jo and I enjoyed a visit there recently with our pal Leigh Harris.
Working on PDT in LA with Richie Havens is one of my most wonderful memories. Such a lovely guy, and his vocal was for me the exceptional Voice of Ages. Nad actually does a brilliant rendition of Icarus Ascending, invoking the spirit of Richie's voice in an extraordinary way.
Once again, I look forward to playing at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in Downtown LA. It has a great atmosphere.
The next day we head on to Phoenix, where I know we'll play at a similar kind of venue. I love that part of Arizona. Jo and I joined our pals Leigh and Franck there just a couple of months back. Amazing from the edge of Phoenix to look out on those extraordinary cacti, sentinels of the desert. An awe-inspiring region, within easy distance of magical Sedona, where I recently played guitar on one of those mystical hilltops...
Steve Hackett plays atop a mountain in Sedona
(Video by Leigh Harris)
So much looking forward to the joy of the sunshine and breathing in that wonderful air again from the ocean to the desert...
See here for Genesis Revisited, Solo Gems & GTR 2018 Tour de Force info...
Steve at the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Steve and Jo on Santa Monica Pier
Steve on merry-go-round, Santa Monica Pier
Steve on the edge of Phoenix
