the sound system was advertised would sterilize a chicken within 100 miles. over 500,000 music fans started pouring into nelson's ledges for the event, a dozen or so bands over two days, it was ohio's version of woodstock. after listening to several groups the steve miller band, the j giles band, and several others as the night fell a large hot air balloon was filled and rose up over the crowd as electric light orchestra took the stage. this is the band we had come to see and they did not disappoint. the light show was incredible they bounced a laser off of a disco ball they had hanging from the hot air balloon, light bouncing off the ball fanned out over the countryside creating a wave like effect that looked like it was not from this world, 500,000 fans went WOW at the same time as the light danced to the sounds that were just as incredible coming from the stage it seemed to go on forever. i was in heaven. after the show on the drive home, dancing cello's along with the sweet sounds of elo filled my head. the next day the papers read hundreds of farmers called and reported they were under attack by aliens and ufo's.

i had seen elo a couple of years earlier they were the opening act for genesis back when peter gabriel was still with the band at a small venue in columbus. it was this show that left us wanting more. this show is the reason we fought a crowd of 500,000.

when i checked to see when they were touring i was surprised to find out that because of the failed 2001 tour jeff lynne will never tour again. the tour was canceled due to low ticket sales, 20 shows were canceled in the united states. shame on you elo, shame on you for turning your backs on those fans. i watched the pbs 2001 concert and they were better then ever. shame on you elo. you can't tour the united states once every 20 years and expect 500,000 fans to come and do a better job of promoting i never heard a word about the 2001 tour or i would have had tickets.

i hope that mr lynne changes his mind. i hope that i get the chance to take my children and grand children to see elo. i still think they are one of the best live bands. i would have loved seeing them again in a small venue. that same year we had tickets to see roy buchanan. when i got to the small club in nowhere ohio there were 20 other fans there. roy took the small stage around 8 pm as we sat on the dance floor in front of him. he played until 4 am that night. for 20 fans he played his ass off. if i had purchased a ticket to a show that was canceled i would have never listened to elo again. take a lesson from roy and remember your fans.