Dream Theater dedicates TSCO to Costa Concordia hero

[wasteland]

It happend not yet two hours ago. At the beginning of The Spirit Carries On, here in Milan, James came to the front of the stage as he usually does after the mindblowing solo by JP. This time, however, was different.

He briefly recalled the terrific incindent of the Costa Concordia, the italian cruiser ship which got stranded last January killing many. He said that thankfully the vast majority of the crew and passengers survived the shipwreck, but then he introduced us the sad story of Giuseppe Girolamo, drummer of the ship and affectionate Dream Theater fan. Giuseppe, whose deeds were accounted quite well by the local media, gave up his set in the lifeboat he had boarded in favour of a kid who could not find a place aboard to escape the capsizing ship. He then, according to eye witnesses, went again into the ship to look for other people who might not have yet reached the surface. He was never seen again and his body has not been found. He's among those few crew men who gave up his life to try and save others', and whose sacrifice is now well remembered, but will inevitably fade with time together with our memories. More then a month has passed, and this is already happening. Not tonight, though.

This is what James said to the almost 10 thousand people gathered in the arena. He then asked the crowd to sing along the song as loud as we could, wishing that this tribute to Giuseppe would reach his spirit up above. I don't know if there exists an afterlife, but I know that his spirit really carried on tonight with all of us.

It was the most deeply involving moment of the night, and as for myself, an incredibly touching memory I will carry with myself for a ling time. The crowd was really into the show all along the night, screaming, chanting and singing along so loud to impress all the band (who remarked this). Nevertheless, the level of emotional involvement during TSCO managed to top even that. Try to catch a video of this on youtube in the next days, or wait for my audio bootleg to come out (will be linked here) to experience a tiny bit of that beautiful moment, if you wish to.   

I have only one thing left to say tonight (it's 1.39 am and I have a plane tomorrow to take me back home!): I am honored, once again, to be a fan of this band of masterful musicians, but most importantly of good men, and true. So, thank you guys. Once again.   

[SeRoX]

Such a class act by Dream Theater. 

[keys76]

I was there as well and it was such an emotional moment. Tears started rolling and I wasn't the only one. Thanks DT for doing this.

Jeroen

[Zydar]

That's really nice of them.

[Cyclopssss]

Wow, what a great gesture!

[2Timer]

They never cease to amaze me. Thanks for sharing the story, it was great.

[Dreamer81]

very classy, and I saw a few people crying

[tristl]

I am so happy to be a fan of DT.
I was at the M&G two weeks ago in Germany,
they are so nice and down to earth.
Just another great gesture .

[gborland]

Video is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUPmj3YJlRw

[Awake77]

I was there too, it was a very emotional moment, very touching. Needless to say, the song that followed was a great moment, with all the people really partecipating in the song. I think in general yesterday evening there was a lot of emotion ongoing, also in the acoustic interlude. This particular moment and in general the whole show once again proved wrong the cliche idea of a band with crazy technical ability but with no soul, now more than ever. There was a great balance of energy, technicality, and emotion, and this is what makes this band great.

[Mladen]

What a speech... So touching.

[lonestar]

Class moment from a class act of a band. 

[Scrub206]

very moving...

[YtseCullen]

Wow, totally got chills from that, mustve been quite something to be part of that at the show. What a moving speech from James.v

[Madman Shepherd]

Wow, totally got chills from that, mustve been quite something to be part of that at the show. What a moving speech from James.v

Wow, just wow.  I never particularly liked that song, but this whole video gave me chills.  Now when it comes on my ipod, I'm going to think of this every time.

[IdoSC]

I am incredibly proud to be a fan of this band right now.

[Shadow2222]

That definitely elicited some tears from me. 

Good job DT.

[wolfking]

Amazing!!  James is a class act.

[Aythesryche]

Video is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUPmj3YJlRw

Very nicely done DT!

However...

If anyone, ANYONE clicks dislike on this video, I will make it a personal mission to find them. When I do find them I will tag them in their sleep, shave one side of their head, intimidate them by tearing a telephone book in half if they wake up and then as a final gesture of defiance, I will headbutt a hole in their favorite wall.

[tofee35]

Really Classy! This band really amazes me 

[SystematicThought]

Absolutely touching. Class acts. I literally have chills from how damn touching it was. The song is truly a great fit to the situation. Brave guy too

And not to get off topic.... but JP needs a solo on the next album similar to that intro solo

[chknptpie]

Amazing 

[Ben_Jamin]

Jlb felt that emotion, sounds like he was gonna year up at the middle section. And great he did the harmonizing at the end.

[cramx3]

Thats pretty cool of them and I had not heard this story throughout the coverage so it was refreshing to hear. 

I thought for a second that DT dedicated the song to the captain which was  making me