THE SWEDISH ROCK FESTIVAL

SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL 2002.

Snapshots from John Kay & Steppenwolf's appearence at the festival.

I was at my first Steppenwolf concert ever at Friday 7:th 2002.

They appeared at the Sweden Rock Festival. The festival was located between the cities of Karlshamn and Sölvesborg in the county of Blekinge in the south of Sweden. Right at coast of the Baltic sea.

I have been a Wolf fan since 1968 so this was a big moment for me. I had some fantasies that I should be able to meet the boys in the band especially John, before or after the show. But I didn't get any answer to my plea from the management of the festival... So I had no hope that this should take place. The concert itself was enough for me! The Wolf should perform on the main festival stage and I arrived there about 1 hour before the concert. Walking towards the stage I was passing the backstage area and I could peep through the net that was surrounding the area. Suddenly John Kay came walking over the lawn with a soda in his hand! Only that was a great moment for me to see a hero of mine in the flesh for the first time! Well, I kept on moving towards the stage and when I stood in front of it there were nobody there. Other bands were playing on other smaller stages on the festival area. When I stood there looking at the stage I saw a familiarly person came walking. It was Michael Wilk! I have had some correspondence with him over some years now and he have always answered very politely my E-mails. I swallowed and then I spoked to him when he was closer.

"Michael Wilk! Hi. How are you?. My name is Krister Persson" I said to him. "Oh yeah, Hi! How are you?" he answered. He seemed to remember my name! He was extremely nice and took his time to chat with me at least 10 minutes. Even though he must have been in a little hurry he took the time to speak with me! And he took some pictures of me in front of the stage. And another Gentleman took some pictures of me and Michael together. Michael! If you read this you should know I appriciated that VERY much! Thank you! Eventually he was forced to leave and I thought that was it. I was so happy only to have met him. Suddenly another wellknown face showed up! It was Charlie Wolf and the President in the Scandinavian fan-club, Flemming Pedersen! Michael had the grace to tell him, without my knowing, that I was standing outside. He gave me a back stage pass and invited me to meet John kay! We all three walked towards the back stage area were the Wolf had it's residence. John came out and we chatted for about 5 minutes. He was really nice and some photos were taken. John was a little bit more time-pressured. He should perform a last soundcheck before the show. But the fact that he took the time at all to talk to me should render him BIG credit! That is what separate a real concerned human being from diva artists!

All this plus Steppenwolfs fabulous website must make them to be one of the most fan-concerned band in the world, in my opinion! There is so much that you want to ask and talk about when you finally meet a person like John. He is the kind of person you want to spend the evening with over a bottle of wine and discuss different things with. That should certainly broaded your mind! But one must understand that he just can't give that time to everybody that want's to talk to him. I was so thrilled and content to meet Michael and John. A memory for the rest of my life!

Thank you again guys! I sure hope you read this! And the show?? SUPER! I don't have to say more..... Krister Persson, Sweden.

Here below are some photos that was taken by me. (Except two that was taken by Michael Wilk, the keybaordplayer in the band. Thank you, Michael!)

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The quality is not at the top because system cams were forbidden on the festival area so I was stuck with my small compact cam.