Houston, USA August 3, 2008 10:30 am
Just up and rushing to airport to catch the flight to New York and gushing with the response to last night's show in Houston. Packed, fully sold out stadium, right to the top of the last 4th tier and the corporate boxes too and the screams and the roar of the crowds, just unimaginable. We were told Houston would be a little staid and conservative in appreciation, but last night was something else. The front rows were up on their feet dancing and shouting. What a site and what incentive for all of us to get up there and give it our all. Fans, organisers, security, production all overflowing with compliments. This is the best we have ever seen. And the promoter took the cake. 'This is the biggest and the best that I have ever done, what will I do next'.
But let me compliment Houston for giving us the most electric and moving moment last night.
It happened when I was on stage. In the middle of 'Rang Barse', the power to the sound went. No mike, no electronics from the keyboard, nothing. A nightmare situation for any performer and any concert. In a flash realizing the situation, the percussions and the drums who need no power, kept the beat going and every one from backstage ran on to the stage - Abhishek, Ritesh, Vishal, Shekhar, the dancers everyone and just kept clapping to the beat and dancing. And then..
The audience realizing that the power had gone and that we were keeping the action going on stage, stood up.. all of them.. and joined in to the clapping and dancing. It was electric. I had goose bumps. What a crowd. What an audience ! They had realized our predicament, but keeping with the spirit just overlooked it and joined in in a great gesture of togetherness in keeping the show going. The sound and power came back pretty rapidly and we were back to normal, but that moment for me was the moment of the night ! And the audience did it !! Thank you Houston. It is these qualities that brings you so much closer to us. It was sportsmanship during show time. Rare and so endearing. You won our hearts Houston. I shall never forget this moment.
Will come in with more on reaching NYC - and hopefully with more photos of the Houston show !!
Love you,
Amitabh Bachchan
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