An enthusiastic, filled-to-the-rafters crowd in Seattle's Key Arena loved both Clay and Ruben and were gracious to the other performers as well. Seattleites, who originated the "wave" years ago in Husky Stadium, delighted in giving the performers, at their request, a giant "wave" that circled the arena and then bounced back again. Crowd favorite Clay was incandescent while performing his #1 hit single, "This is the Night." He simply sparkled and glowed, basking in the fan adoration and reflecting it back. Vocally, Clay was superb on this challenging song, not hampered at all by his severe allergic reaction (to an almond) earlier that day. Clay also delivered a standout rendition of Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." His performance, both vocally and physically, was very understated--just perfect. At the end of the song, before singing the last word, Clay paused for perhaps 20 seconds while the screams and claps of the audience thundered through the arena, and then gave the crowd what they wanted, that last note. The latter part of the show saw Clay develop a serious limp, due to a shot of steroids in the thigh to control the allergic reaction. He was unable to dance in several of the group numbers--hobbling through them instead--or put much weight at all on his right foot. For his late in the show performance of his new song "Invisible", though, he summoned his strength and pulled it off flawlessly, no limp at all, complete with several of his trademark shirt tugs.

Set: This is the Night, The Girl is Mine, To Love Somebody, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Invisible

last updated 9/08/03