The Forum, Inglewood, CA – June 12, 1988

Iron Maiden

The Forum, Inglewood, CA – June 12, 1988

My First BIG Gig! I mean up until then, I only went to The Forum to see bands and get concert tickets just like everybody else did. It always had a big place in my heart. I met the man who would become my hubby at The Forum in 1986 while trying to score some Van Halen tickets. Anyway, I was backstage at this huge coliseum. I was in a daze. I was so amazed that I almost forgot why I was there. Oh yea, I have to shoot Iron Maiden — RIGHT NOW!

As one of the staff yelled for the photographers to get to the photo pit and take their positions, I ran down the stairs to get to the stage area. On my way, I almost took out Ronnie James Dio! Yep, true story. He was coming up the stairs and I just about crashed into him with my big ass camera case that doubled as a platform for me to stand on. He looked stunned but he was nice about it. “That thing is lethal,” he said. I apologized and continued to where I was supposed to be.  They handed me earplugs. Wow, why didn’t I think of that at all the smaller venues? This was some classy shit. Free earplugs. Then I saw the speakers in front of the stage. They seemed a few stories high. It was an “ah-ha” moment.

I was also informed we could only shoot during the first three songs and maybe during the encore. I’m like “Seriously?” I was used to shooting till I ran out of film, but alas, those were the rules. Some of the more seasoned pros I was with that night informed me that’s how it is at all major concerts, so I had to get used to it.

The show was nothing short of “bitchin.” The energy was what I noticed most. I could feel the vibrations coming from behind me as the crowd screamed and sang along. Many of them were slamming themselves against the little gate that separated us from them. It looked flimsy but I remember appreciating that it was there.