The In The Flesh tour, especially this new leg of the tour, will be the first complete World tour Roger Waters has attended since his days on tour with Pink Floyd. This extensive world tour will span 6 continents circumnavigating a huge percentage of the entire globe, and visiting countries that not even Pink Floyd have ever played in.
The itinerary for the new tour will commence in the Southern Hemisphere in February, March and April 2002, beginning in South Africa, and then across the Atlantic for dates in South America and Mexico. Roger and his entourage will then travel to the orient for dates in Japan and Korea, after which they will travel down-under for dates in Australia, Tailand, India, and then to the U.A.E (United Arab Emirates). In May and June 2002, the tour will continue again in the Northern Hemisphere with dates in Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia culminating with a tour of the UK.
During the Pro's and Cons tour, after playing only 5 European dates, to half filled arena's in 1984, Roger cancelled the rest of the planned European tour. And ventured only to London at the end of the 1985 leg of the tour. Again 3 years later, sometimes playing to less than sold out shows during the Radio KAOS tour, Roger neglected to tour Europe all together. And in 1992, to further Roger's frustration and mortification, after the disappointing sales of Amused To Death, Roger refused to tour at all.
So it is obvious that the fantastic success of the two legs of the In The Flesh tours in the US, has given Roger a boost of much needed confidence and reassurance. Because Roger's popularity is not really known in many of the countries his tour will visit, to embark upon this extensive and expensive venture takes real fortitude. Taking an entire tour to perform around the world in countries that may not have heard the name Roger Waters, is not only a risk for Roger psychologically, but a huge financial risk as well.
Only extremely well known solo artists such as Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Sting, etc. have ever played in countries such as South Africa, South America, and Mexico, let alone in Russia and Eastern Europe. Even Pink Floyd have never played in cities the likes of Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, Warsaw or Budapest.
Having met all of Roger's band members on many occations during the 1999 and 2001 tour, I had been trying to set up an appointment to interview Doyle Bramhall II for over a year and a half. In November, I was at last to interview him, when I called his manager and was informed that Doyle would not be doing the interview as he would not be touring with Roger on his upcoming 2002 tour. So unfortunately Mr. Bramhall won't be a part of the band. That then, lead to the question of just who Roger would get to take his place? Would it be another unknown virtuoso, or will it be a renowned artist such as Herr Beck? I knew we'd all know soon enough.
I was recently contacted by REG sources in the Roger Waters camp, who informed us of changes in the make-up of the new band with which Roger will be touring. The info I was given is below.
"There are some changes in the line up of Roger's band for the 2002 tour which... are as follows:
Roger Waters - vocal, guitar and bass
Andy Fairweather Low - guitar and vocal
Snowy White - guitar
Chester Kamen - guitar and vocal
Harry Waters - keyboards
Andy Wallace - keyboards
Graham Broad - drums
Norbert Stachel - saxophone
Katie Kissoon - vocals
PP Arnold - vocals
Linda Lewis - vocals"
It is sad that both Doyle Bramhall II and Jon Carin will not make the tour. Both are extremely exceptional musicians, and any replacements will be hard pressed to fill their shoes. Doyle Bramhall II is an especially unbelievable guitar virtuoso and if his young career continues as it has, he may be well on his way to becoming one of the greatest and renowned guitarists in the world.
Not much is known with regard to Chester Kamen, Doyle's replacement. However Roger has a reputation for gathering some of the best and most talented musicians in the world for his bands, so Chester must be really hot!! I am presuming that Chester Kamen is son or brother of Orchestra conductor and Arranger, Michael Kamen, who is also a former Bleeding Hearts band member. Michael Kamen was the Pianist, Keyboard player, and Orchestra Conductor and Arranger, for Roger Waters first solo album and tour, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. Michael Kamen also co-produced the album. It is hoped that Chester Kamen is as talented.
As much as Doyle Bramhall II will be missed, the absence of John Carin, musician extraordinaire, may be felt even more. It is hard to picture ANYONE being able to take his place on Keyboards/Synthesizer/Slide Guitar. It's great however that Roger's son, Harry, will be touring with his father. What he may lack in keyboard musicianship or virtuosity, he may add in the ambient aura of family, comradery and fellowship.
Of course with the absense of Doyle, his wife, Suzannah Melvoin will not be apart of the band and is being replaced by singer Linda Lewis. In addition, this band will now have a touring Sax player. Roger's band touring In The Flesh in the US used one of a dozen local area session men. However, on this rather long and lengthy protracted tour around the world, local session musicians of the professional caliber Roger wants may be hard to find. So on this tour a sax man will be an intregal part of the traveling band. Norbret Stachel can be seen playing the Sax in the "In The Flesh" DVD during the 2000 Portland Oragon show.
Touring with this new band, it will be interesting, after the first few concerts of the new tour, noting the similarities and differences that are bound to be obvious between the new tour and the previous US shows. We will see how the press as well as the fans review these new shows and how they measure up and are compared with the previous.
As this will be the first truly International World Tour of Rogers solo career, it will encompass both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres of the world, and will span 6 continents circumnavigating the entire globe.
It is a testament to Roger's new found self assurance and stamina and that he is now willing to risk the unknown and venture into 'uncharted' territory. The success of the In The Flesh tour has left Roger with a warmth in his heart and a desire to continue playing to his adoring an idolizing fans, even to fans in remote regions often ignored by most artists.
It is indeed the need of every living being to know that one is loved and wanted, and now on the heels of two successful US tours, Roger can be certain that he is definitely loved and definitely wanted.
