I have to admit that I got a photo pass for this gig purely by chance. Basically I had just completed my senior exams in press photography in early May 1994 and had booked some time off to unwind.

I had a ticket to see David Lee Roth, the former singer with rock titans Van Halen, at the Newcastle City Hall that month so I chanced my arm and asked for a press pass. This would be the closest I would get to seeing Van Halen and events, such as the death of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, would mean the band would never reform.

Having said that the tour manager was quite generous and I was given access with my camera. I always liked the above photo, and it was in my portfolio for a few years, but I am not sure why he is looking through his curled finger and thumb.

Support for the night was the band Motherland and I have always said it is always worth getting a few shots of the other acts as they always have the potential to go on to greater things. Having said that, after a quick internet search, I am not entirely sure that was their fate (please correct me if I am wrong).

I was allowed the usual first three songs, no flash, and as I recall the film was rated at 1600 ISO to cope with the low light of a gig situation. I had recently bought a Nikon F4 camera, which one of my friends described as a “piece of shit”, but having said that I was quite pleased with the results. I have to admit that the Canon EOS system did produce better results at the time. But things have moved on in leaps and bounds and the modern Sony Alpha system AF is unbelievable.

I quite enjoyed the gig as I was a fan of his solo work, but I was disappointed that I did not get the chance to see the guitar shredder god who was Steve Vai who had long since left the band, but I felt it was a good show. Having said that there were hecklers in the audience who were not too complimentary.