Every tour has its stories.
Long before smartphones and social media, Showco crews were creating memories that became legendary—pranks on the road, backstage antics, bus jokes, practical jokes between departments, unforgettable travel mishaps, and those moments that still make everyone laugh decades later.
Life on the road wasn't always glamorous. It was long hours, impossible schedules, endless miles, and hard work. But it was also friendships, camaraderie, and a unique sense of humor that only touring crews could understand.
This page celebrates the lighter side of Showco. The stories that may never appear in a concert program or history book, but remain some of the most memorable moments shared by the people who lived them.
Whether it was an elaborate prank, a harmless practical joke, an unforgettable backstage moment, or something so unbelievable that it could only happen on tour, these are the stories that helped build the Showco family.
Because sometimes the best memories happened when no one was looking.
Some stories may have become slightly more legendary over the years...
The Surprise Birthday Guest
Dallas, Texas • The Schertz Residence • circa early 1980s
When Showco got together off the road, the celebrations could become just as memorable as life on tour.
These photographs, courtesy of Karen (Schertz) Wilson, were taken at the Schertz family home in North Dallas during a party for Genesis while the band was in town rehearsing. Phil Collins asked if his friend Robert Plant could join them—Plant happened to be in town, and it was his birthday.
The evening quickly turned into the kind of wonderfully chaotic party people still talk about decades later. Karen recalls that a dancer was sent to the house as a birthday surprise, reportedly as a joke from fellow Led Zeppelin bandmate Jimmy Page. The entertainer turned out to be a cross-dressing performer, and judging from the photographs, Robert enjoyed the surprise as much as anyone.
Karen also believes this was the night Robert’s birthday cake caught fire—“BIG TIME”—under the weight of far too many candles. Her husband, Craig Schertz, grabbed a fire extinguisher and successfully put it out, while also sending much of the cake up the dining room walls. With the drinks flowing, apparently no one even flinched.
Sometimes the stories that survive aren’t about the concert—they’re about the people, the parties and the cake on the walls.
Robert Plant celebrates his birthday at the Schertz family home in Dallas while friends and Showco crew look on. Courtesy of Karen (Schertz) Wilson.
The surprise entertainer makes an unforgettable entrance as the room begins to realize the joke.
Robert Plant and the surprise guest share a laugh during one of the evening's most memorable moments.
The birthday toast continues as everyone enjoys the unexpected entertainment.
Robert Plant poses for a Polaroid with Chari Short before the party continued late into the night.
The Night Showco Delivered John Bonham’s Corvette
In March 1975, Showco crewmen Bill “Doc” Gans and Lacey Weathers were given an unusual assignment: transport John Bonham’s newly purchased Corvette from Dallas to Los Angeles. The car was carefully loaded into a Showco truck and carried west—leading to one unforgettable encounter with Bonzo upon delivery.
Hear Doc tell the full story in his own words below, as he remembers it nearly 50 years later.
John Bonham signed letter on Registry Hotel letterhead for delivery of Vette to LA.
I Can Do It!
The Cadillac Lighter Story
As told by Mike Kidson, Friend of Showco and Phil Collins crew
Artist’s reconstruction created with AI based on eyewitness accounts and reference photographs. Not an original historical photograph.
Mike Kidson remembered being picked up at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by Donnie “DK” Kretzschmar in a rented black Cadillac.
After climbing in with the crew, DK lit his cigarette using the Cadillac’s dashboard lighter. Then, in a move straight out of The Blues Brothers, he rolled down the window and casually tossed the lighter out of the car.
Mike was stunned.
DK just grinned and said, “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
A small moment, but exactly the kind of road story that stayed with the people who lived it.
People: Donnie “DK” Kretzschmar, Mike Kidson, Bison
Story courtesy of: Mike Kidson
Pyro
The Wig Incident
As told by Patrick “Catfish” O’Rourke
(Patrick “Catfish” O’Rourke, who shared the now-legendary Showco pyro wig story from the Rufus & Chaka Khan tour.)
During a Rufus & Chaka Khan tour, Patrick “Catfish” O’Rourke found himself assigned to pyrotechnics.
One of Showco’s pyro effects, known as the “burst,” apparently came a little too close for comfort — and the backup singers’ wigs paid the price.
Catfish later realized the wigs had been getting singed by the effect. At the time, he thought the backup singers were simply showing up with a different look each night.
“Heck, I thought they were just wearing a different one every night!”
— Patrick “Catfish” O’Rourke
It was one of those only-on-the-road moments: part production mishap, part misunderstanding, and fully Showco.
Tour/Artist: Rufus & Chaka Khan
Department: Lighting / Pyro
People: Patrick “Catfish” O’Rourke, light crew
Story courtesy of: Patrick “Catfish” O’Rourke
Community Contributions
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