Universal Amphitheater

	Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA August 2, 1998
	The Universal Amphitheater show was one of those shows that will go down in my history book as one of the most impressive shows that I have seen in a long time. From the opening act Tribe of Gypsies to Dio's intense performance to Iron Maiden's closing performance.
DIO FANS FROM ALL OVER! At the Universal show I was supposed to meet up with Ken and AnnMarie Boyd who had driven from Arizona. As I was waiting for them, two other huge Dio fans that I know from the Fresno area, Roy and Dan Dressel, found me and we talked for a bit. Then Ken and AnnMarie arrived and we all talked some more. Then a person that Ken and AnnMarie know found them and we had ourselves a nice sized group of Dio fanatics.

The first group to hit the stage was a group called Tribe of Gypsies. The group had sort of a Santana sound with a harder edge to it. This was one of the best bands that I have seen open for Dio in a long time. They played about 5 songs and then it was time for Dio!

As the countdown began for Dio to begin, a LOT more people began to head to their seats. You could tell that this was Dio's territory! This was the largest crowd I have seen Dio perform in front of since I saw Dio in 1986. Dio used the huge Angry Machines backdrop behind their stage set and it looked spectacular (though you couldn't tell from this poor picture I took).

The crowd at this show was very enthusiastic for Dio. Everyone in the audience was into the show and there was a sense that this was really home for Dio.

Here is the set list as best as I can remember.

Evilution

Straight Through the Heart

Don't Talk to Strangers

Holy Diver/Instrumental/

Heaven and Hell

Children of the Sea

Stand up and Shout

Last in Line

Encore:

Rainbow in the Dark

I want to give a special thank you to AnnMarie Boyd. Because of her I was able to go backstage with Ken.