When I heard that Kasim was coming to Chicago, I talked to my friend Terry (who’s a Chicago native). She said she’d go with me, since she was feeling homesick and was comfortable driving around Chicago (according to most of my friends, I’m a "grama" driver).
Later, due to financial considerations, Terry had to back out and I had a huge decision to make. Do I travel to Chicago alone, drive around in a huge rental car (I drive a Festiva, which is more like a roller skate with a motor!), and hope nothing goes wrong? Or do I wait and hope that Kasim comes to Kansas City (where my brother lives)?
Obviously I decided to go to Chicago or we wouldn’t be here! I found a great airline deal and booked a Motel 6 a few blocks from the Guitar Center and the countdown was on… With each passing day, my excitement grew.
Finally, Chicago Countdown reached Liftoff! Elaine drove me to the airport at 5:45 Friday morning. A few short hours later, I was in Chicago’s Midway Airport, at the rental car counter signing away my life. The nice man behind the counter walked me to the garage to find my car, and on the way he asked why I was in Chicago. I said I was here to see Kasim Sulton at the Abbey Pub. He asked, "Oh, who’s that?" (I’m used to the question!) I said, "Well, you probably know him best as the bass player and musical director for Meat Loaf. He’s a wonderful musician and this is his solo acoustic tour." He then asked, “Oh, wow. Is he a close personal friend of yours?” I replied, with a wink and a smile, “Not yet!”
I got in the car, and proceeded to drive the wrong way at least 3 times. The last time I got turned around, I got all the way to Algonquin - if I’d realized she was so close, I could have stopped in to say hi to Pebbles!! But it was a beautiful day, a very comfortable car, and I enjoyed the scenery. I had unlimited mileage too, so getting turned around just kept me from sitting in the motel room drumming my fingers on the desk waiting for 2:00.
Finally, I got to Arlington Heights and found the Motel 6 and the Guitar Center. I went to check in, took a short nap and awoke ready to go down the street. I took long enough to freshen up and put on makeup - vanity rules! I gathered together my Meat Loaf and Utopia and Ricky Byrd memorabilia and drove the 3 blocks to the Guitar Center.
When I walked up, I saw the familiar image of Kasim Sulton on the flier announcing his appearance. I began wandering around, marveling at the guitars and keyboards and all the "stuff" that goes with them. I heard a little voice say "Laura?" and I turned around to see this beautiful face smiling at me. It was Sandi, who I’d been emailing for weeks and never met. We hugged and talked, although I am afraid I was not keeping my end of the conversation up well. I was so nervous about meeting Kasim for the first time! Sandi reassured me that Kasim would be so cool and so nice that I shouldn’t have any worries at all. (She was right!)
Sue came in a little while later, and I got to put another face with a name that was so familiar to me after months on the Kasim Yahoo board. She was just as I’d expected - very nice and I love that accent!! We talked about my photo pass, which I would pick up that night, and then all three of us (Sue, Sandi and myself) spent time pacing and wondering what was keeping Kasim. We heard from him shortly after 2:00 - he was stuck in traffic but was on the way. The excitement began to build!
There were all kinds of Utopia fans walking around - I was amazed at how many of them had not heard about the show that night! Some of them stopped and chatted and we really enjoyed sharing memories and favorite Kasim stories. At some point, I felt the "vibe" in the room change - I swear! - and I said “He’s here.” When I turned around, there he was… Kasim Sulton. I had flown in from Omaha just to meet him and I could not think of a THING to say!!
Sandi and I were at the front of the line at the table, and she drifted away so I could be the first to greet Kasim. What a doll! (Both of them, actually!) He walked over to the table and extended his hand, saying "Hi, how are you? What’s your name? I’m Kasim." He looked great in faded jeans and a red crushed velour shirt - what a great color!! And maybe it’s just my personal preference, but I like him even better in the glasses…
My mouth was as dry as the Sahara. Somehow, I managed to say "Hi, I’m Laura." He smiled and then the spell was broken. Sort of. I can’t remember what I said, but Kasim was looking at the Meat Loaf program (Everything Louder tour) and saying "Oh man, I look like something out of the Sears catalog!" (I remember thinking "I’d take that catalog any day!" but I don’t think I said it out loud…) Then we moved on to the RA tour book - which he signed, "Laura - This goes way back! Best! Kasim". I also had him sign my Ricky Byrd “tough world… this room” CD cover, and the promo photo Sue was distributing. Then I moved along and made room for all the other folks behind me.
Kasim was so sweet - he took time to talk to everyone and ask them questions. He signed the guitar Jamie had brought, even making sure it would "be in a special place, how’s that" and wouldn’t rub off. Afterwards, he came around the table and said “Well, does anyone have any questions? I’m real approachable!” We all sat there for a second (well, okay, I was in shock and couldn’t think of a single thing to say) then the questions started. Favorite album (Oblivion, because it has his favorite song "I Will Wait" - I knew that one!)? Future plans with Utopia (Kasim said he’d tell Todd how many people had asked him about it and we’d all see what happened from there)? New CD (Kasim said he hoped it would be done by the end of the year)? At this point I finally found my voice and said "Yeah, Kasim, but you said that LAST year too!" He said, "Well, I know, but what am I gonna do, all these people keep asking me to work with them and I just can’t say no! I’m just that kind of a busy guy!" I even got a few pictures for my "How I Spent My 2001 Tax Refund" scrapbook! (I forgot I had my camera with me until almost the end of the afternoon!!)
All too soon, Kasim had to go back into the city for his sound check. He asked if I was coming to the show that night, and I said, "Yeah, I flew in from Omaha for it!" Then Kasim said, "Oh, I’m playing in Oklahoma tomorrow!" I said (and I still can’t believe this), “Yeah, but that’s a little far, I can’t quite make it there.” Gee, how did I think he was getting there?? Oh well… we can’t all be smooth and on the ball, can we?
That night I drove in on the parking lot known as the Chicago Expressway (?!) and found the Abbey without incident. I got to park about a half-block away and went in to the bar. I got a pop and read my book, waiting for the other side to open up. At 6:59 - I could not stand it any more! - I walked over to the club side. On my way in, who should appear but Kasim himself! He was just wrapping up his sound check and looked great - black t-shirt and jeans, glasses, and huge Kas-smile! He said, "Hey, you made it, sweetheart! How are ya?" I said, "I’m great, how are you, Kasim?" He was good, but wondered "…where the hell am I going?" I said, "I don’t know, Kasim." Eventually, he found the door backstage and said "see ya later!" I went in and found a table - front and center!!
While I was sitting there, having positioned the video camera perfectly using the CD case and book as a substitute tripod, I heard a little voice say “Are you Laura?” I looked over and there were Pebbles and her family. We ended up pulling our tables together and enjoyed dinner and conversation about Kasim, work, and what we liked about Todd/Utopia/music in general. Then Sandi and Rick came in and Sandi had her pictures from the afternoon. What a great photographer! What a great subject!
Sandi and Rick joined us and we waited for Miga to take the stage. He was great! Although I can’t really remember anything specific, just flashes - I was still in a daze that I was here at all - I did buy a copy of his CD and have him sign it. Then we heard the words we’d all longed to hear “KASIM’S UP NEXT!”
The stage lights went out. A shadow walked on stage and I pushed that little red button on the video camera. A few moments later (although it seemed like a year!), the lights came up, Kasim was saying, “Is this on? Thank you.” and then belted out "I gave no promise or guarantee…" and I was BLOWN AWAY. How amazing - from song to song, Kasim kept us all in stitches. For someone who “can’t tell a joke,” he sure has a great sense of humor!
I also got 2 rolls of film filled with the show, and will integrate some of them in this review, as well as build them into my first solo web page some time soon! (I’ve done a web page before but it was for work - not as fun as this!) I’ll let you all know what the link is when it’s ready for viewing…
I won’t try to go song by song, as this is long enough already (!), but here are my favorite moments:
Kasim singing "Afraid Himself to Be" - WOW- I have Jason Faulkner’s CD and I have to agree with Felicia. I like Jason’s version but prefer Kasim’s hands down!
The "short version" of the story about writing a song for Meat Loaf (“Sometimes Love is a Dangerous Thing” with Tommy Hensbridge) - if you haven’t heard it, I won’t spoil it for you!!!! I’m waiting to hear the long version on the NEXT solo acoustic tour!
Kasim’s story about restringing his guitars in the living room the night before he left for the Midwest, and his daughter’s friend asking (after coming in and seeing Kasim with the guitars and strings all about) “So, do you play?”
Hearing about Kasim’s Mom and her "hints" about a career change… Todd’s refusal to speak to Kasim for the first 2 years of his Utopia experience… working on “Kasim” with Roy Thomas Baker…
The Beatles tributes - amazing! … hearing the wonderful phrase from “Eternal Love”… Songs like "Set Me Free" and "This Must Be Love" which don’t sound like they’ll translate to an acoustic setting well, but they sure sounded great to us!
Hearing the story behind "Before She Was Gone"… complete with a history lesson!
Then, all to soon, the show was over and we were all waiting for Kasim to emerge from the dressing room. When he did, he stayed around and talked to everyone and signed everything we put in front of him … When I made it to the front of the line, Kasim said “Hey - Laura, right? How are ya? How’d you like the show?” I was SO impressed he remembered my name after hearing it once… what a guy! We chatted and he signed my Oblivion, POV and Some Trivia (CD’s and cover art) and my ticket stub. I also got another picture for the scrapbook.
Now I can’t wait for the next Meat Loaf tour (they’ve been to Omaha before, after all! This time I’ll know who to look for at the softball game… can’t believe that I missed my chance to meet Kasim back at the last tour… I was too interested in Mark Alexander’s hair at the time… who knew??). And then, after that, the 2002 Solo Acoustic Tour!!
I just got an upgrade at work. After paying for grad school, can you guess what I’ll be doing with the raise? Yep, that would be beginning of the Kasim Tour Fund 2002.
Thanks, Sandi, Sue, Pebbles, and everyone else who made me feel welcome & at home. Thanks, Kasim, for the wonderful music and memories! See you all next time!!
Laura
Kasim Sulton Solo Acoustic Tour 2001
