Photo By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez | A crowd gathers before the stage during a live concert featuring Axe aboard Al Asad...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – After decades of touring with music legends such as Motley Crue, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne, rock band Axe made a trip to perform for service members and civilians aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, March 28.
The concert, which drew a packed audience to the Al Asad theater, featured many of the classics that made Axe a staple of the 1980s rock scene.
On that Saturday night, in a place thousands of miles away from what most service members call home, two brothers-in-law came together for the first time in more than four years.
"Since we've gotten out here, I've gone through the whole spectrum of positive emotions," said Scott Misner, the band's drummer. "But seeing my brother-in-law for the first time in so many years is just an amazing feeling ... it's beyond description."
The two men, so far from their homes in Texas, met on the stage before a crowd of hundreds and embraced in a moment of pure emotion. The crowd erupted into cheers as Misner, whose son is serving aboard a nuclear submarine with the U.S. Navy, gave credit to his brother-in-law Chris Jensen, a civilian employee aboard Al Asad, for Axe's appearance on Al Asad.
It started off simply – a Morale, Welfare and Recreation manager was making conversation about upcoming shows and what options were available when Jensen stepped forward and replied with a set of words that would have far-reaching effects:
"I know a band."
Days later, phone calls were being made and plans were being drawn up to bring American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians in western Iraq a show that many will remember for a long time.
"I stand here tonight, Al Asad, and I'd like to believe I speak for more than just myself and the band, but for America, when I say that America is in awe of you," said Axe's lead singer Bob Harris. "We come out here, and we just can't help but stand in amazement of how much of a difference you're making in the world today."
Quickly following the band's mid-show introduction and thanks, the band returned to jamming out in a way that many aboard Al Asad have probably never seen before. The entire show reached a fever pitch as the band rocked the house with their 1982 smash "Rock 'n' Roll Party in the Streets," during which Harris proceeded to walk off stage into the crowd where service members and civilians got to rock-out with the band as well.
Following an encore performance, the band, looking exhausted, took time to sign autographs and converse with the men and women they said they would gladly come back to play for in a heart beat.
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2009 09:37 |
| Story ID: | 32114 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 215 |
| Downloads: | 154 |
This work, Rock-n-Roll Party in the streets of Al Asad Air Base, by LCpl Jason Hernandez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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