Pre-Images and Words Shows

Pre-Images and Words Shows was concerts by progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater in the period following When Dream and Day Unite while auditioning for a new vocalist.

After Charlie Dominici's departure, the band search for a new singer, and auditioned over 200 people. On June 9, 1990, at a gig in Bay Shore, New York, Dream Theater introduced Steve Stone as their new singer. They had successfully recorded demos with him. Steve only performed one live show with Dream Theater, which ended disastrously, and Steve was fired immediately. The band says he had been moving around the stage in a rather odd manner. Also, he had infamously shouted "Scream for me Long Beach!" several times throughout the show, although they were actually performing in Bay Shore.^[1] On November 17, 1990, Dream Theater played another show, which all-instrumental (under the name YtseJam).^[2]

In January 1991, Kevin James LaBrie, of glam metal band Winter Rose, was flown from Canada to New York for an audition. He jammed on three songs with the band, and was immediately hired to fill the vocalist position. Once recruited, James Labrie decided to drop his first name to avoid confusion with the other Kevin in the band.

In the middle of 1992, Iron Maiden had asked Dream Theater to open for them, but having not played live since James Labrie had joined the band, they wanted to do several warm-up shows beforehand. This was done to ensure they wouldn't have problems as they did at the last show in 1990. As it was, Images and Words had been recorded but not released yet. On June 2, 1992, the band returned to playing live shows. The three shows were the warm-up gigs. On June 8, 1992, the band opened for Iron Maiden tour at Ritz Club, New York City. This was the band's biggest show up to this point.^[3]

Tour dates

Personnel

Dream Theater

• James LaBrie – lead vocals
• John Petrucci – guitar, backing vocals
• Kevin Moore – keyboards
• Mike Portnoy – drums, backing vocals
• John Myung – bass guitar

References