Luis Miguel in Vegas 1997

We arrive in Vegas, one by one, like pilgrims, we come to see him. We wear his face proudly on our chest and back, a sign to other fans. Chance meetings with complete strangers, that don’t even speak the same language, become homecomings, with the main words, "LUIS MIGUEL," understood by all. Finally, the opening night arrives. We nervously dress, thinking, "What will it be like, will it be worth it, will he be as good in person as I have dreamed?"

In Caesar’s Palace, we find our seats, the music starts, and the magic begins. We are shown pictures from his childhood and up, ending with his Romances picture, which brings a roar of approval and anticipation from all. We see figures on panels of fabric, that are quickly snatched away. And then it happens - the music crescendos, the spotlights demand our attention, as all eyes are riveted on his lone figure, high on a ramp. He stands like an icon, totally emblazed in white light. I hold my breath, then scream, then laugh wildly as I repeat over and over "I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it!"

Luis opens with his first 5 songs, and then talks to the crowd. First, in Spanish, then in English he says, "Welcome, thank you very much for being here tonight. I’m sorry, but the whole concert is in Spanish! I haven’t bought "Follow Me" yet!" - which is a course in learning English! We all roar with laughter. Of course, his English is very good. With him, we sing each old favorite from memory, whether we know Spanish or not!

But, there is a nervous excitement, an undercurrent. You see, this is the very first concert in the tour, and no one knows which songs from the new album he will sift into the much demanded list of old favorites. After singing "Tu y Yo," he leaves the stage and when he returns, he has changed from his black suit into a handsome tux. At this time in the concert, we finally discover which songs are chosen to be sung from the Romances album. The first notes of "Voy a Apagar La Luz/Contigo Aprendi" are played, as the audience screams it’s approval. Followed by "La Gloria Eres Tu," "Encadenados," "El Reloj," and "De Quererte Asi."

While he sings "El Reloj," I hold up a sign that says "LUIS LIVES, I’M HAPPY!!!" The room seems to convert to slow motion as he walks toward the sign and begins to read it. I wonder how hard it must be to sing one language while reading another! I can see he is thinking, then a huge smile breaks out on his face, and I all but die.

He then sings "Somos Novios," and we think, perhaps, that will be all of the new songs. We are still yearning and praying for more, each song is so treasured. Luis hears our prayers, and delivers "Sabor a Mi," "Uno," "Por Debajo de la Mesa," and brings the house down with "Besame Mucho!" Some people who know this last song from before, don’t like the new version. But, judging by all the girls jumping stage trying to besa a Luis mucho (and the whiteness of my own knuckles as I clench my chair in a death grip), I have to say, this version is dynamite!

He disappears for just moments and returns wearing his long sleeve black shirt and black pants with silver belt buckle, ready for his mariachi numbers. He sang more mariachi numbers in Vegas then at any other concert. Starting with his previously recorded "La Media Vuelta," followed by "Y... ," "Que Seas Feliz," "Echame a mi la Culpa," "Mi Ciudad" and "La Bikina". His excellent mariachi back up singers shown most brilliantly during "Mi Ciudad," and filled us all with the "Sabor de Mexico!"

Now our pains are eased, from the loss of last tour’s "Nada es Igual" concert appearances. The ethereal chants, of what sounds like heaven’s choir, build into the opening of "Sueña." A hush falls on the audience as we watch, in awe, while he interprets the song, and finally, whispers the last word, "Sueña," as we burst into joyous clapping, screaming and whistling. As we recognize the beginning of "Dame," the crowd whips into a feverish pitch. The man in front of me springs to his feet, lifts both arms and gives Luis the "thumbs up" sign, as others scream, "Yes!" or "Eso!" Luis then sings "Suave," and he teases us, as he says "Gracias, Buenos Noches" and disappears. We stab our fists in the air and scream, "OTRA, OTRA!" My voice cracks, but I continue - I’ve waited a lifetime to do this!

Wearing his brightly colored end of show shirt, he comes sliding down the ramp on his behind (!), and when he hits center stage, all HECK breaks loose! We, finally, see him sing "Cómo es Possible Que a Mi Lado." We dance, and in unison, all cross our arms in front of us, as seen in the video, when the words, "NO, NO, NO" are sung. He ends the celebration with "Sera Que No Me Amas" and "Cuando Caliente el Sol."

I began to realize that we were not the audience watching the performer, but in fact, HE was the maestro and we were the instruments - bending, swaying, to his direction, as he dictated the tempo and the mood with which we played. A soft look from him brought forth our tears and sighs. One majestic raise of his hand and we clamored at the tops of our voices, not missing a beat. With total mastery, he led us through the entire night of songs, never losing control of the power he held over us. For that magical evening we were transformed. The old and young, alike - sang, danced, jumped and cried, forgetting everything else, and losing ourselves in his music. Whatever age we were when we entered that room, once he came on stage - we were all 20 and feeling up to it!

It was totally wild - I loved it - and this man who could provoke such a response from us all!

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