Former Motley Crue singer, Vince Neil, made a young fan’s (and his father’s) dream come true when he brought him on stage at a recent concert at Empire Square in Belleville, Ontario. Neil and his band were in town performing as part of the Empire Square Rockfest Weekend on Friday, July 22, which featured such diverse acts as Platinum Blonde, Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx and Lou Gramm, the voice of Foreigner. Lance Blake was attending the Friday night concert with his father Tim who is himself a huge heavy metal fan and a drummer. According to the Belleville Intelligencer, Empire Theatre owner Mark Rashotte was impressed with Lance‘s musical knowledge and insights so when Tim asked Rashotte if his son could meet Neil, Rashotte brought the fan into the theatre before show to meet and greet with Vince, the band members (Dana Strum, Zoltan Chaney, and Jeff Bland) and members of the media. Lance was wearing his Motley Crue shirt and according to Rashotte and the Belleville Intelligencer, “Vince took a shine to him … and before the night’s out, he’s up on the stage with them.”
About halfway through the concert, the young Lance was brought on stage as the crowd of 3,000 people cheered. Lance watched from the drum riser as Vince and the band performed the Motley Crue hit “(SOS) Same OldSituation“. After the song, Lance received props from all members of the band. At the end of the song, Vince gave his guitar to Lance and bassist Dana Strum and guitarist Jeff Bland showed him how to place his fingers and strum some notes. The boy was then handed a drumstick and played one of Chaney‘s cymbals. Although Lance was given Vince‘s guitar, the boy plays the drums and sings but does not play guitar.
Lance‘s father Tim was thrilled with his son’s moment in the spotlight, “Words can’t explain how it felt to see my son up there rocking out with Vince … my childhood idol,” he told the Intelligencer. Read the BellevilleIntelligencer article at: He’s with the Band and He’s 12
