The most amazing thing about life I think is that just when you think that things are becoming normal or predictable, you get hit with something you never saw coming and everything changes. This month was no exception; my daughter was starting College, which I am very happy about, however somehow even though I was well aware of all this and the preparation leading up to it, somehow it never sank in. It was only yesterday in my mind that I was taking her to the zoo and playground to play and buying her Snow White costume for Halloween. I think the troubling thing about getting old is how fast everything now seems to move. When I was a teenager a year was a long time, as a kid it was a lifetime. If you’re interested as to how Maria looks you can see her as the figure in the new URIAH HEEP release LIVE IN BRISBANE AUSTRALIA 2019.

Incidentally on that album the band thanks Charlotte their longtime soundboard engineer for a great 20-year ride. I had met her several times she was an amazing lady, and a big supporter of my work, I will really truly miss her and hope she gets a gig real soon, as she is very talented.

Anyways back to life’s surprises, so as I was preparing for my daughters entrance to college, reports started coming in of a possible hurricane coming by us, hurricane IRENE. As the week progressed reports became more grave, Connecticut, NY, New Jersey had not been hit for at least twenty-five years and mildly at that. This monster was coming head on and was a category three, which is very serious.

I had never seen parts of NY evacuated or Connecticut for that matter; also since I lived on the coast near the beach, things were serious indeed. My sister left NY the night before and caught one of the last trains out of the city. It was really amazing what beautiful summer day Friday was, the day before the storm and impossible to imagine what was coming.

On Saturday I worked at my office as the skies started to darken and the wind picked up. I locked up and headed home just as the rain started. By the time I walked in through the front door it was coming down in buckets. In a few hours the wind started to howl and the trees were bending and twisting. I had the TV on watching the reports; the storm surge was eight feet high, and the waves coming in about fifty yards inland. I could see through our windows the storm surge and the beating that the homes right on the beach were taking, I went to bed and woke up around 5:00 am. The worst part was suppose to hit between 7-11 am and hit it did, thankfully it was downgraded to a tropical storm as it entered Connecticut with winds of 80 miles an hour, as Long Island and NY took a lot out of it, As the day wore on the rain stopped and only strong gusts of wind remained, My neighborhood looked like a war zone, broken trees, flooding, the beaches were trashed, as were the gardens, smashed cars, all kinds of flotsam and jetsam on the streets, and very hard to get around because of downed power lines and trees. We were out of power and stayed like that for close to five days, no phones, no Internet, no TV. My offices did not sustain any damage but had no power or phones either worse our cell phone service was spotty also.

I must tell you have no idea how much you miss the conveniences of life until they are gone. The first three days driving around dark streets without power, through the wreckage was down right depressing and a sense of helplessness would come over you. Luckily we were blessed with beautiful daytime weather bright, blue and very comfortable temperatures, so that really helped, Power returned after five days, stuff got cleaned life returned to normal although a bit unnerved knowing how quickly mother nature can wake you up from complacency.

I am working feverously trying to finish the artwork for Denny Somach’s GET THE LED OUT the definitive LED ZEPPELIN book, the artwork is due by month’s end, it’s a combination of digital/regular painting and I have included images for all you fans.

more will be revealed as the project nears completion. I am also on the tail end of completing my rock record covers with Martin Popoff of Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles magazine and website. I will let you more on that as things progress.

I had the pleasure of doing a great interview with ROCKPAGES GR. In my home country of Greece. A big thank you to George the editor, it’s posted on my news section and Facebook page.

Speaking of Facebook thank you to all for joining, our contest is a success; to be eligible please join and you could win one of my limited edition prints.

Last Friday night I headed down to Broadway at the heart of YALE University in New Haven Connecticut, my old hometown after Athens. Jim Matheos, John Arch, Frank Aresti along with the rest of the Fates Warning band were there in the old Gothic Church to do a video for the ARCH/MATHEOS project. It was great to see everyone after all these years especially Arch, We had briefly chatted at a recent Uriah Heep concert, so we now had time to catch up, we went across the street and got a shot and reminiscent about old times. Of course Jim and me have kept in contact and worked together, I had a chance to discuss ideas and creative approaches to the next FW project that is starting to come together in the next few months. I am hopping to go up to New Hampshire in late October, November and start work on this at Jim’s studio. Things are always very fluid with Jim and we have a lot of respect for each other, if things come together then we may come out with something great, if not then we move in other directions, no hard feelings.

I just received copies of live in Brisbane Australia from URIAH HEEP and was very pleased with the result, I was very worried that the set would look off especially the spines; to my relief everything came out fine. It’s late and I desperately need to get some shuteye, until next time, stay safe and keep the emails and suggestions coming.

Cheers

Ioannis

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Speaking of Mick and the Heep last month the band arrived in the US for the first leg of their US tour and I joined them on a number of East coast dates.

The first was BB KINGS in New York city, it was a Wednesday night and a very hot night at that/ Daniel from QUEDG phoned me up and asked me if I can bring down some prints that we can sell (WTS, CELEBRATION) which I did, it was sunny but just as I was about a minute from pulling up to the venue a torrential storm hit with the rain coming down so hard that you could not see a foot away from your face. Poor Daniel ran up to my car and quickly grabbed the case as he blurted out “ pleased to meet you” even though we have been working together for almost two years we had never met face to face. I parked the car in a nearby garage and headed for the venue the rain had stopped and now it felt like a sauna. I was met by Daniel at the door where also my friend Monte Connor head of Artist Development for Roadrunner records was waiting for me.

It was great to see Monte himself a fanatic URIAH HEEP fan, I have known him for well over twenty years and we worked together on SEPULTURA CHAOS AD album.

We went backstage, and were met by the bands manager Martin Darvil, I gave Martin a big Greek hug and he yelled for security! LOL. We had a few laughs, as we went into the bands dressing room and I got to greet the boys. After we exchanged hellos I showed them the Vinyl layouts to LIVE IN ARMENIA and everyone was very pleased, I signed the art proofs and gave them as a gift to Daniel. The band hit the stage on time and delivered an amazing set, which had the packed house on its feet. After a 90 minute blistering set the boys went backstage to greet fans and various VIP’s including the president of the band’s US label Derek Shulman who started his career as the lead singer of prog giants GENTLE GIANT, now that was cool! I chatted with Derek over the sorry state of the music industry and asked when would the next GENTLE GIANT re union occur which had him laughing. Anyways he had a great evening after saying goodnight

I headed back to my car leaving NY around midnight and got back home to CT.  around 2:00 am.

The following day I was back at the office organizing things and checking to see if the prints were ready for INTO THE WILD. Friday morning I headed out for the next date which was Foxborough Massachusetts the band was playing in the entertainment complex which is the stadium home of the New England Patriots one of the premier football teams in the US, (American football that is) which is a bit similar to Rugby.

On my CD player I picked the music for the trip, I was in an electronic mood (I am a big fan of electronic music) TANGERINE DREAM Rubycon and the soundtrack to the Sorcerer, JEAN MICHAEL JARRE Oxygene, FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON best of collection, THE ORB with DAVID GILMORE, VANGELIS Bladerunner special edition soundtrack, and finally AIR walkie talkie.  It was a very misty surreal evening

I arrived at the venue and set up next to the merch booth after I went backstage to greet the boys and get them to sign some prints. I was very surprised and humbled when the fans started to arrive as a number of them surrounded the table excited to meet me, they had their picture taken with me for their facebook pages, asked me questions about my work and my experiences about working with HEEP. I signed a lot of items, as they would request once they bought all types of merchandise which had my work, t-shirts, mouse pads, CDs, etc. a lot of them had brought stuff from home for me to sign of other bands covers I had done. One fan in particular had brought several items including covers of mine I had not seen in years.  When the band hit the stage things settled down and I was able to get away for a while and catch the band’s set, they had pulled in a very good crowd and they were really enjoying it. Once the concert was over we were again swarmed with fans I received great compliments on the new prints and sold several sets. Once the fans were gone I headed backstage and sat with the boys, they once again signed more prints and we drank and chatted, I especially had a great conversation with Trevor about his days with BOWIE and his friendship with Bill Nelson of BE BOP DELUXE fame as I am a big fan of both the band and his later work. Trevor had some great tales, which I enjoyed very much. Around 12:30 am I headed back to my car for the two-hour ride home, I had debated about staying at a hotel for the night and would have if the band did also. However the band was in for a four hour ride to Pennsylvania and would sleep on the bus,” ah life on the road!”  I got home about 3:00 am and crashed in my bed, content but exhausted.

Saturday the band was playing in Connecticut where I live, they were performing at the Ridgefield Playhouse, which is a wonderful theater, holds around 700 people; the previous summer I was Martin’s guest there for ASIA, among many other great bands that I have seen through the years.

I arrived at the venue a few hours early and set up then went backstage to talk with Scampi the band’s road manager and the boys, we had a great time as there was an opening act, we ate dinner and traded stories particularly of DEEP PURPLE as Scampi had worked with Ritchie Blackmore. I made it to the merch booth as the opening act finished, once again loads of fans and onlookers, lots of photos, signed loads of stuff and some great conversations, with fans about the band’s artwork. One fan in particular was all the way from the Ukraine and he was so excited to meet Mick Box he was shaking! He and his wife bought a WAKE THE SLEEPER print and he proclaimed to me that he would never sell it and take it to his grave! Now there is an “Ioannis” art fan!

The band once again performed a great show and had the audience on its feet asking for more. Later backstage we had a few VIP’s and had a terrific time that lasted well past midnight, the band was staying at a nearby hotel so they were not rushed, we signed more prints had a few beers. and then finally called it a night. My home is on the shore of Connecticut and only 45 minutes away after the marathon drives of the previous nights this was a breeze. Happy and content my head hit the pillow somewhere around 2:00 am.

Sunday was a day off for all and believe me we all needed it, I was thinking of maybe having lunch with the boys, Mick said he would call me if they were up for it although playing golf, lounging by the pool and doing laundry might have taken priority, which it did.

Monday I headed into the office and got caught up on work. Daniel sent me an email that LIVE IN ARMENIA had been pushed up for delivery, as was the LIVE IN BRISBANE AUSTRALIA for the bootleg series. In order to make the Frontiers deadline I realized that going to New Hampshire for the final date was not going to work, which was disappointing. My good friend and lead guitar player Jim Matheos from FATES WARNING himself a huge URIAH HEEP fan was looking forward to meeting me there as he lives in the NH. I asked Scampi to get Jim on the guest list and emailed him the bad news, being in the industry himself he understood.

That evening I headed to Norfolk in northern Connecticut for my final date, I also brought with me my brother and his family and my wife and sister in law, on the way we stopped at a great restaurant and had dinner then on to the venue. The theater once again was a beautiful place with a fine restaurant and bar in the building. Once inside I was disappointed to find that not only there was no place for me to set up next to the merch booth but that the credit card machine of the merchandiser was not working. Since the prints are a major buy the cheapest going for $190.00 your doomed without one as people don’t carry that much cash on them and if they do they are not going to blow it on one purchase.

I set up near the bar as best as I could and once again the usual collection of fans and onlookers, however to my surprise I got a visit from Mike Vescera lead singer of Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen, and MVP among other acts. I had not seen Mike for a number of years since he moved to Nashville to set up his studio, I have known him since the mid 80’s when I did the cover for his band Obsession. We had a great conversation, and could possibly be working together again on a new project in Japan. Just as Mike left I got another visit this time from John Arch, John was the original lead singer of FATES WARNING and the last time I had seen him was a year after he left the band, which was almost 24 years ago.  In a few minutes it was like old times, man what an evening this was turning out to be.

I headed upstairs to the venue and caught the band’s last four songs, once again it was a good turn out for a Monday night and the band had the audience on their feet. After signing some autographs and packing up I headed backstage Mick offered me some wine and pizza, however being on a diet I opted for an apple, which believe me, was not easy. The backstage area was really small, so we opted to wait until the hall was emptied and then go upstairs to meet with everyone and the VIPS.

Once upstairs I introduced the band to my family and had some great laughs and conversations with Bernie and Mick. Finally the band headed out to the tour buss for the long ride to New Hampshire and I headed home with some wonderful memories having toured with one of the greatest Classic Rock British bands.

We had discussed the possibility of doing West Coast dates this month, but with the deadlines I am facing in both the LED ZEPPELIN book plus a major media corporate project I have taken on (for now its top secret) I had to bitterly decline. However there is a good possibility I may be doing the whole UK Tour, which would be a blast, so many fans to meet there and friends, we shall see.  So until my next installment, which I promise, will not take as long for me to post, take care and be happy.

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Cheers

Ioannis

Ioannis will also be appearing on selected dates on the first leg of the U.S tour with URIAH HEEP to show his work and sign art for the fans. The dates are:  6/23 FOXBOROUGH MA.  6/24 PENNS PEAK PA.  6/25 RIDGEFIELD CT.  6/27 INFINITY HALL CT.  6/28 LONDONBURRY NH.

Well finally I was able to sit down and start writing my blog, and on my birthday no less hopefully a weekly affair. I was not sure how to go about it, an online diary? A peek into my creative process? Scoops on projects to launch and tawdry tales of rock stars, or just the ramblings of a middle aged Greek artist who always dreamed of working with his music idols. Then I decided as is my true Gemini nature what the hell why not everything!

This week work wise I finished the URIAH HEEP live CD/DVD LIVE IN ARMENIA Its coming out on Frontiers later this summer as the band heads back to Europe after a US tour. I am coming off totally exhausted from LIVE IN KAWASAKI JAPAN and then the studio album INTO THE WILD where I had to work late into the night for several weekends, and a score of concepts until we settled on the final cover, I was by then mentally and physically exhausted. I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do for the project but could not make it all come together on my digital canvas, I also was instructed that it had to be nothing like INTO THE WILD, and have similarities to CELEBRATION as it was about that tour.

Finally I started to make sense of it all, and am very pleased with the look as it has a strong Byzantine style to it harkening back to the Middle Ages and the rich history of the area, yet with a modern twist. As I write this I got an email about the next in the bootleg series that follows LIVE IN KAWASAKI, I think it may be Australia although I am not sure. I will know soon enough, I also am close to doing a deal with management to produce signed prints for INTO THE WILD for the band to sell on tour.

This week I also started on my illustrations for LED ZEPPELIN it is for the ultimate book and it will be out early next year, I will get more into detail about that in later blogs as the project starts coming together. I am doing the cover, centerfold and around fifteen illustrations. Hopefully it will work out as I anticipated. In the heals of that I was invited to exhibit at what was to be LED ZEP FEST 2011 in Washington DC, Over this Memorial Day weekend (a holiday for you non US fans) and a lovely way to spend my birthday. Well all systems were go, I was to be joined by rock historian and friend Denny Somach and even guests like the YARDBIRDS were going to stop by,14 thousand fans, a dozen bands, a real party! then the word got out last Monday that the whole festival 8 months in the making was cancelled, possible fraud suspected, as no one had gotten their deposits or had been paid, yikes!

Over the weekend  as always I  get out as long as the weather allows and explore the New England countryside, Saturday I had spent it with my wife and daughter we had a lovely dinner in the town of Milford, so Sunday while they went shopping and such  I drove off. Now I am a major foodie and try to find unusual and interesting places to go to and check out. On my CD player I picked the music for the trip, Steve Hackett  “Voyage of the Acolyte” Anthony Philips “ The Geese and the Ghost” Genesis “ Wind and Wuthering” and “ Then there were Three” Chris Squire “ Fish out of Water” and finally Vangelis “ Opera Savauge.” I quickly left the coast of where I live, and within twenty minutes I was lost in the green fields and valleys of north west Connecticut, fields of stone fences, sheep, cows, and farms, gorgeous waterfalls, lakes and forests, they don’t call it New England for nothing. Its has a number of small quaint little towns that you breeze through, Cornwall, Sharon, Northfolk, Kent and so on.

I came upon an authentic English pub in Marbledale called the White Horse. Now we have our share of both English and Irish pubs but this place was amazing. The owner is originally from England and has spared no expense to making this as authentic as possible from the décor complete with a signed guitar from the Rolling Stones, to the actual artifacts from the original pub brought over from the homeland. The food was incredible, I had bangers and mash as the main course  beef Wellington, and a few pints of course, I sat outside on the patio which is next to a running brook looking like a scene from the Shire in Lord of the Rings, how cool is that? In a small amount a time all my worries seem to have floated away, I took out my dairy (yes I keep one, that is how I stay sane) and wrote down, ideas, plans for future projects, did a quick sketch and the weeks thoughts and introspections. As the sun started to set I started the journey home.

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A lot happening this week so I will be checking  back soonk with all the latest, until then stay happy.  Cheers   Ioannis

Ioannis checks in from his studio “I just completed URIAH HEEP LIVE IN ARMENIA their new CD/DVD to be released on Frontiers later on this summer, it comes on the heels of the new studio album package I just did, INTO THE WILD which I was pleased to see that it was well received. I just launched a new FACE BOOK page so please join it as I will debuting the artwork there, and I am also looking forward to talking to all of you.”  Ioannis work for URIAH HEEP is the most involved collaboration he has had with  any band and there are no signs of it slowing down. Which is a major feat as he had lengthy relationships with FATES WARNING, BLUE OYSTER CULT, DEEP PURPLE,  LYNYRD SKYNYRD and so on. So we have launched a URIAH HEEP Gallery in the gallery section to keep track of it all plus we will be adding  never before seen art. We are also adding to the ARCHIVES section and in the next few months. Ioannis is also working on a new series of paintings and is planning anw set of prints plus merchandise items so please check back often.

Finally Ioannis just debuted his BLOG on the website so click the button above and enjoy, comments are most welcome as long as they are constructive. cheers until next time!

Read it here

‘Heavier Than Metal’ was produced by Alex Gerst, and the campaign is being quarterbacked by Chip Ruggieri for Chipster PR & Consulting, Inc.

Free Reign also hired classic rock artist Ioannis of dangerousage.com (Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Biohazard, Sepultura, Fates Warning ,Yngwie Malmsteen, Lynyrd Skynyrd etc..) to create the new logo, cover artwork, merchandise and website for the bands new release.