In a short period of time, our world, at least my world, my musical world, has changed substantially. While their recorded music remains some of my favorite artists have “left the arena” causing me difficulties, especially in reference to those whom I had the pleasure of seeing/hearing “live”, the way music should be heard.
I’m still reeling from the death of my all time favorite guitarist, one who we saw “live” only a few weeks before, JEFF BECK, when we hear the news that DAVID CROSBY passed away.To be brutally honest, DAVID CROSBY was a unbelievable singer, one who offered angelic harmonies but I could do without his pre-song rants. Over the years I had the opportunity to see him four times, in1969 &1970 @ FILLMORE EAST with CSN&Y, then in 2022: FREEDOM OF SPEECH REUNION TOUR again with CSNY and most recently December of 2013 @ CITY WINERY,NYC as a solo artist. The boy could sing.
JEFF BECK on the other hand avoided the microphone at all costs, he let his guitar “sing” for him. We were fortunate enough to have seen BECK in nine variations of his band(s).“It’s so difficult because I didn’t sing. Eric [Clapton] said, and it was words of great wisdom, ‘Get used to the fact that you hate your voice, because I did.’ And I went, ‘But you sound good, I sound unbearably bad. I loathe it. I would never enjoy it even if we had another single like [Hi Ho] Silver Lining, I just couldn’t bear it,’” said Beck.
But only just a few weeks ago we had the passings of:
FRED WHITE (drummer EARTH,WIND & FIRE), he a fabulous time keeper.
ANITA POINTER (singer) Way back in 1971, sitting for two shows at FILLMORE EAST the ELVIS BISHOP GROUP rocks the house. He had not one but 4 female singers on the stage with him, The four were 3 POINTER SISTERS (yes, those POINTER SISTERS) and JO BAKER lead singer. They were magical, upbeat, and F-U-N.
DINO DANELLI: One of my all time favorite drummers (1968 THE RASCALS @ SINGER BOWL, then The “Once Upon A Time” tour, December 13 and 15 ,2012 The Capitol Theater- Port Chester and again April 27,2013 @ The Richard Rogers Theater on Broadway).
KIM SIMMONDS: Guitarist/Founder of SAVOY BROWN; numerous time with an ever changing cast of players but my favorite times (twice) with CHRIS YOULDEN on vocals, Roger Earl on the kit, Tone Stevens-bass, and Lonesome Dave- guitar/vocals.
CHRISTINE McVIE: She was the one and only, the true soul of FLEETWOOD MAC. After PETER GREEN left there was a huge void in what was FLEETWOOD MAC. Christine filled that void as best she could AND kept the band moving on.Her songwriting, playing, and singing was extraordinary.August 1970@ Fillmore East.
GARY BROOKER: PROCOL HARUM; an original founding member of the band, keyboardist and vocalist. I saw/heard the band live with MATTHEW FISHER (twice) and ROBIN TROWER (5 times) but only once after their departures.
Also 2022: In alphabetical order:
THOM BELL: The TRUE SOUl of PHILADELPHIA SOUL
LAMONT DOZIER of Motown’s famed songwriting partnership HOLLAND,DOZIER, and HOLLAND.
OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN: Singer, actress
NAOMI JUDD: The Judds
SAM LAY: drummer
JERRY LEE LEWIS: rock innovator
RAMSEY LEWIS: jazz pianist “The In-Crowd”
LORETTA LYNN: Country music icon
IAN MCDONALD:multi-instrumentalist(Mellotron) King Crimson
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: March Madness with THE ALLMAN BROTHERS FAMILY and FRIENDS
A complete book could be written about my musical fascination with one band that became my obsession, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. It started in March of 71 when I saw them live for the very first time. I was speechless. They were that good and then some. Over the years I have been to hundreds of concerts seeing various bands of all genres, 50 plus shows (to date) have been ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND related. Not just the ABB per-say but ABB extended family and friends. I have numbered the show (I’m sure I missed one or several) and with the help of my handwritten notes, SETLIST.COM, some newspaper clipping I saved, and my trusty mayonnaise jar(s) filled with “tickets torn in half” I offer the following.
(Shows #1 and # 2)March 13,1971
My intro to the Allman Brothers was having their first album, sitting in the “A” pile of my record collection. I listened to it maybe twice by this time.Then, my college radio buddy was paying back a favor whereby I gave up my first row ticket for a Leon Russell show at The Capitol so that he could take a girl. He felt he owed me something in return so he invited me to join him to see Johnny Winter at Fillmore East. Our show was the 11:30 set. Dinner was planned for 7PM. By 8:45PM “my buddy” was a no show, and I was freezing just standing around in the cold waiting. Magically, some guy walks up to me handing me a free ticket for the 8PM show. Not knowing whether my buddy would ever show up I thanked the guy for the freebie, finished my cigarette and entered the sacred hall. ELVIN BISHOP was already “Partying Til The Cows Come Home” as I found my upper balcony seat. At the short intermission I grabbed a cup of coffee and a cigarette in the lobby then I sat down to hear the introduction that changed everything: “THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND”. In moments my eyes were wide, and a smile from ear to ear appeared across my face. Never before had I seen or heard anything like this band. Yes, I saw Fleetwood Mac with two guitarists exchanging leads, two drummers in THE DEAD, a bass player who had a bottom sound, yet here was a Hammond B-3 player who when he sang was angelic, Ray Charles like. After their set the crowd was roaring for “MORE, MORE”. One long encore, and it was over. After an equipment change the crowd was still buzzing about The ALLMANS. JOHNNY WINTER AND (THE McCOYS) took the stage but all I could think about was THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND.
The early show crowd was let out and I could still hear the raves outside about The Allman Brothers. Forget Johnny Winter, as I was excited at a chance to see The Allman Brothers Band again that night.I met my buddy with the ticket and told him of the band’s sound and the amazing guitar workings. After grabbing something to eat we headed back to the hall at about midnight. Elvin Bishop was tearing it up, had the crowd in his favor when we were met with the houselights rising and being instructed that we needed to evacuate the hall in a peaceful manner. Seems a bomb threat had been called in. As it was freezing outside we were promised we would be let back in as soon as it was possible. It seemed like an eternity outside but finally, back in, freezing, the house light dim and “Ladies and gentleman, Johnny Winter And”…. what? What about The Allmans??? I thought, geez. Johnny did a short 35 minute set, and as he exited the stage manager stated “The Allman BROTHERS BAND” would be up next. Thank goodness.
When The Allmans hit the stage an announcement was made that the band would be recording live. They played for hours, hours, yet it was not nearly long enough for me. The sun was rising as we headed for the door. It was an amazing set, as can be witnessed on the album, LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST. Note: a few guys I know went to the next night (Sunday) gig at Suffolk Community College.
(3) APRIL 27,1971:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ THE ACTION HOUSE, (aka Rock Pile) Island Park,NY A week night no less but to see the Allman Brothers Band at THE ACTION HOUSE, a small club would be a joy. A very late night, indeed, but worth it and not too crowded.(5 bucks)
(4) MAY 2,1971: ALLMAN BROTHERS @ Hofstra University. It was a Sunday night performance so school on Monday morn would be a drag and (Accounting 2 and Business Law) finals are beginning NOW.
(5) June 25,1971: THE FILLMORE EAST closes with the longest and best set (to date) given by the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ J. Geils Band and Albert King
END OF AN ERA:
The Fillmore East was closing it’s doors for good on Sunday, June 27, audience by invitation only. I felt I needed to be there on Saturday, June 26 for the late show. A few weeks prior to this date, I was speaking with a young lady who worked the box office. Somehow, we two had become friendly over the last few months. She got me a ticket for Saturday, in the middle section of the front balcony. Cool.
JUNE 25: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, J. GEILS BAND, and ALBERT KING at Fillmore East, called “the ALLMAN BROTHERS show to end all shows”. In the hall after midnight, we saw the most incredible set by Albert King, followed by The J. Geils Band. Then, The ALLMAN BROTHERS took the stage, introduced so eloquently by Bill Graham, and the band played what is rumored to be their finest set ever. The sun was up, 7AM, as we headed toward the subway on Second Avenue.
July 7, 1971: The release of AT FILLMORE EAST
(6) July 21,1971: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ COWBOY @ shows at Central Park were an experience. In the park the sun was shining brightly as the ABB hits the stage and they finished hours later in the calm of an early evening. Duane was in his element. I took photos galore. With two shows that night,we had the early one. STATESBORO TROUBLE NO MORE DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING DONE SOMEBODY WRONG ONE WAY OUT MIDNIGHT RIDER IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED YOU DON’T LOVE ME REVIVAL
(7)August 15,1971: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND show moved to Academy Of Music from Manhattan Center. This was a Sunday night spectacular with Dr. John opening. The ABB were becoming HUGE at this very moment due to the release of the FILLMORE EAST album. It was amazing to see this band and the effect their music had on the crowd. It was like a brotherhood.
Statesboro
Trouble No More
Don’t Keep Me Wondering
Done Somebody Wrong
One Way Out
In Memory of Eliz Reed
Blue Sky (debut for me)
Midnight Rider
Hot ‘Lanta
Soul Serenade ( In Memory of King Curtis)
You Don’t Love Me
Revival
A few nights later (August 26th,1971) WPLJ-FM did a live from the A&R Recording Studio radio broadcast of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. I taped it.
STATESBORO
TROUBLE NO MORE
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERIN
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
ONE WAY OUT
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
STORMY MONDAY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
(SOUL SERANADE INTERLUDE)
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
HOT ‘LANTA
BAND INTROS
I wore my tape out listening to it over and over again, and again. It was so great.
OCTOBER 1971:Suddenly very wealthy and very successful some of the band and crew took a break to rehab from a heroin addiction. Duane, Berry, and roadies Robert Payne and Red Dog Campbell checked into LINWOOD-BRYANT HOSPITAL.
OCTOBER 29, 1971: DUANE ALLMAN DIES in a motorcycle accident. The album EAT A PEACH is incomplete.
FEBRUARY 12, 1972: EAT A PEACH is released and becomes an instant success.
(8) July 13, 1972: The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ Gaelic Park, BRONX, NY /Captain Beyond opened. This was a strange show DUANE was gone and you could feel the loss in the music.I had to meander through the crowd having gotten there late due to the horrendous traffic in the Bronx and when I finally got entrance I couldn’t find my group of friends. Show ended early due to local curfew, in The Bronx?
STATESBORO
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE (debut for me)
ONE WAY OUT
STORMY MONDAY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM (W/ GARCIA and WEIR)
Strange on this night listening to Gregg cry out during AIN’T WASTING TIME (first time I heard it) as it pertains to death, not only of the author GREGG ALLMAN’S brother’s death (Duane) but also about soldiers returning from VIETNAM.
NOVEMBER 11, 1972 The Death of Berry Oakley. On November 11th, Berry Oakley was taking a ride on his ’67 Triumph motorcycle along with friend Kim Payne, when he crashed into a bus on Inverness Avenue, only three blocks from Duane Allman’s fatal crash site a year earlier.
(9) May 1, 1973: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ MARSHALL TUCKER BAND @ Nassau Coliseum I had to go, I was curious. The ABB opened with “Wasted Words”.Duane’s gone and so is Berry. Lamar Williams (bass) and Chuck Levell (piano)join the ranks,these are RAMBLIN’ MAN days as DICKEY BETTS takes over. The addition of Chuck is a stroke of genius. He mesmerizes the crowd. Years later I bought the cd recorded this very evening.
WASTED WORDS
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
STATESBORO
ONE WAY OUT
STORMY MONDAY
MIDNIGHT RIDER
JESSICA
COME AND GO BLUES
RAMBLIN MAN
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
TROUBLE NO MORE
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
(10) July 21, 1973 ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ MSG The ABB even after the death of Duane and Berry were becoming a huge attraction on the circuit. This two night stand at MSG followed two sell outs with the Grateful Dead at RFK stadium , 80,000 seats each night.
WASTED WORDS
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
SOUTHBOUND- (CHUCK LEVELL IS AMAZING)
STORMY MONDAY
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
COME AND GO BLUES
TROUBLE NO MORE
RAMBLIN’ MAN
STATESBORO
ONE WAY OUT
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
(11)July 14,1974 ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ GRINDERSWITCH @ Nassau COLISEUM- In my opinion not really a good time musically for the ABB but they are huge and the crowd roars acknowledging each song which was a total misrepresentation of what was being played up on the stage. The music to me was disjointed to say the least. I was heart-broken. (except for Chuck during JESSICA). My note: It will be awhile before I see them again, if I ever do.
WASTED WORDS
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
ONE WAY OUT
STORMY MONDAY
MIDNIGHT RIDER
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
STATESBORO
BLUE SKY
COME AND GO BLUES
TROUBLE NO MORE
JESSICA
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
RAMBLIN’ MAN
WHIPPING POST
1989: DREAMS: The Box Set is released.
(12) March 18, 1992: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ BEACON THEATRE . Its has been quite some time (18 years) since I witnessed an ABB show. Not due to something with me but rather them as a band. They broke up a few times due to drugs, ego, etc, etc,and at some point I lost interest in their shenanigans, but I still loved their music. I was offered a ticket to celebrate my 40th birthday from one of my former students who thought it would be a blast to take me and 8 others to see this monster of a band I raved about for years. So with a free ticket, a seat in the upper balcony left side of stage, safely placed in my pocket the question is: why not venture out the night AFTER St. Patrick’s Day to see if the band (and me) still got it. Jaimoe, Dickey, Gregg, Butch are the heart of the band and now they added Marc Quinones (percussionist), Warren Haynes on guitar and Woody Allen on bass. The house lights dim a few minutes after 8PM and with “1,2,3”…Statesboro Blues is played with THOM DOUCETTE on harp. From my seat in the balcony I was immediately thrown back 21 years in time to FILLMORE EAST, March of 71, with a true twin guitar approach, Gregg in good vocal form and 3 drummers pounding out the beat. WOW.And they offer a few acoustic numbers making their set mesmerizing. Got home about 3AM and went to work a few hours later. I will be back.Note:This night was the very first time I heard the ABB play “Dreams”.
(13) Aug 9, 1995: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@Jones Beach. They opened with Statesboro, and later Chris Robinson from BLACK CROWES joins in for SOUTHBOUND. Funny, I waited a few tours from the 92 show before I jumped back in, I was afraid of being disappointed. Tonight was the same line up as my last viewing (92) but the outdoor thing loses me a bit.
STATESBORO
MIDNIGHT RIDER
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
BLUE SKY
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
THE SAME THING
DREAMS
SOUTHBOUND
END OF THE LINE
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
HOOTCHIE COOCHIE MAN
NO ONE TO RUN WITH ANYMORE
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT
RAMBLIN MAN
1996 THE ABB SELL OUT 13 BEACON THEATRE shows.
(14) March 9,1996: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@The Beacon. The 7th show of the 13 night run and according to the press Gregg has been erratic in his performance. The first few night he bowed out for a few songs and even missed the entire second set one night. Tonight he was strong in voice and on stage for the entire show. It was pretty good.This line up is great as Warren and Woody do command some attention. And we heard some new tunes.
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
GOOD CLEAN FUN
RAMBLIN’ MAN
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
TOMBSTONE EYES
MIDNIGHT RIDER
STAND BACK
END OF THE LINE
CHANGE MY WAY OF LIVING
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
ITS NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
HOOTCHIE COOCHIE MAN
BLUE SKY
I KNOW I OUGHTA LEAVE
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
ONE WAY OUT
WHIPPING POST
(15)July 21, 1996 THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ GOD STREET WINE @ Jones Beach. They open w/ Statesboro and for me it’s always STATESBORO that grabs me. Sitting at the top of the expanded amphitheater with a guy I finally convinced to attend a show with me, we are seated amongst college kids, drunk guys who conned their drunk girls to go topless. And it rained.
STATESBORO
MIDNIGHT RIDER
BLUE SKY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
WHAT’S DONE IS DONE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
CHANGE MY WAS OF LIVING
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED DREAMS
HOOTCHIE COOCHIE MAN
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
ONE WAY OUT
6.
1997: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND SELL OUT A DOZEN SHOWS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH @ THE BEACON
(16) March 16,1997:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon-A SUNDAY NIGHT-THE FIFTH SHOW OF 12 NIGHTS and they open with HOT ‘LANTA. James Montgomery joins ONE WAY OUT, Duane Betts. Warren and Woody still there and smokin’.
HOT ‘LANTA
STATESBORO (DICKEY ON SLIDE)
SAILIN’ CROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
MIDNIGHT RIDER
BLUE SKY
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
WHAT’S DONE IS DONE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
THE SAME THING
DREAMS
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
SOULSHINE(debut for me-amazing)
CHANGE MY WAY OF LIVING
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
HIGH FALLS
ONE WAY OUT w/ James Montgomery, Duane Betts
1998: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS SELL OUT 15 SHOWS @ THE BEACON. This round odf shows the band has a different line up as WARREN HAYNES and WOODY ALLEN are out concentrating on GOV’T MULE while also avoiding the craziness known as DICKEY BETTS.
(17)March 7, 1998: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS@ THE BEACON The 4th of 15 dates:Jack Pearson (guitar) and Oteil Burbridge(bass) join Gregg,Dickie, Butch,Jaimoe and Marc. An Acoustic set is a nice change of pace.Note:Gregg appears to be in “la-la land”.
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
CHANGE MY WAY OF LIVING DIMPLES
STORMY MONDAY
GOOD CLEAN FUN
HIGH FALLS
(ACOUSTIC SET)
PONY BOY
EVERYDAY
MIDNIGHT BLUES
COME ON IN MY KITCHEN (OUTSTANDING VERSION)
MELISSA
MIDNIGHT RIDER
(ELECTRIC)
NOBODY KNOWS
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
encore
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
(18) Oct 31,1998: GREGG ALLMAN @ Westbury Halloween night and what better way to have some fun then see THE GREGG ALLMAN BAND perform. I must say it was quite different from THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, yet still tasty.
1999: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND sell out 18 shows at THE BEACON.
(Taken from a clipping I saved) “Through that second set, the trademark twin-guitar attack of Betts and new guy Jack Pearson (who replaced Warren Haynes last year) soared as they first would cut heads trying to outdo each other, and then ultimately would play in well-rehearsed, parallel harmonies”.
Note:At the end of this run JACK PEARSON leaves the band.
(19)March 6,1999: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon, these run of shows in March are now known as THE RITE OF SPRING/ MARCH MADNESS and of the 18 sold out shows I have two sets of tickets, one set for MARCH 6 (orchestra left side) and another for the second night MARCH 19, front row center.And a new buddy joins in my madness for the first night.
March 6,1999 has an Amazing opening; the two tunes which open the debut album, the SPENCER DAVIS tune “Don’t Want You No More” and the band runs straight into “It’s Not My Cross To Bear”. WOW.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
STAND BACK
GOOD TIMES (DON’T FADE AWAY)
PLEASE CALL HOME
I’M NOT CRYING
ONE WAY OUT
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
J.J.’S ALLEY
SEVEN TURNS (ACOUSTIC)
MELISSA (ACOUSTIC)
SAILING’ CROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
BLUE SKY
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
STORMY MONDAY
LES BRES IN A MINOR
REVIVAL
SOUTHBOUND
WHIPPING POST
(20)March 19,1999: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon : My second show of this run (first row center) and I couldn’t find ANYONE available to go. Then finally at a St. Paddy’s Day get together I offered the ticket (free) to a friend, and after speaking to his wife he finally agreed. To this day he states it was the “best show” he ever attended. I must admit it was pretty good.Note: Similar setlist from the other night.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
GOOD TIMES (DON’T FADE)
PLEASE CALL HOME
I’M NOT CRYING
STATESBORO
SOUTHBOUND
J.J.’S ALLEY
SEVEN TURNS (acoustic)
MELISSA(acoustic)
SAILIN’ ACROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
BLUE SKY
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
REVIVAL
RAMBLIN’ MAN
WHIPPING POST
(21) March 10: 2000: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon This year is DICKEY BETTS’ last run. Last year
Jack Pearson left the band due to “tinnitus” and blamed Dickey being way too loud, Jack preferred the acoustic sets which in years past were amazing. A new kid DEREK TRUCKS is in on guitar and he is a show unto himself. Dickey is fired a few months later.THE RITE OF SPRING/ MARCH MADNESS continues with 13 sold out dates and all recorded for the collection PEAKIN’ AT THE BEACON.These tapes when played back found DICKEY to be out of tune, lost in songs, and WAY TOO LOUD. These recordings sealed his fate. My mother was in the hospital in a coma since mid February. I had my tickets and was going to pass on this year until Pop told me, take a night off from visiting the hospital, go to the show, a Friday night and my first time in the loge seats. Mom died 5 days later.
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
STAND BACK
SEVEN TURNS
DREAMS **** (yeah)
GOOD CLEAN FUN
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
AIN’T WASTING TIME
BLUE SKY
RAVE ON
FEEL SO BAD
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
NOBODY KNOWS
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
(22) March 24,2001: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ Beacon – Nine sold out shows. WARREN HAYNES (guitar and vocals) is slowly taking command with Derek Trucks as the set list changes every night and special guests are added. Chuck Leavell (guest) does an amazing JESSICA.My crew is now a quartet and we are seated in the second row loge. Wonderful seats and a fabulous setlist.
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
STAND BACK
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
FEEL SO BAD / w Larry McCray,Ronnie Burrage
ROCKING HORSE
ALL NIGHT TRAIN(w/ Chuck Leavell)
DESDEMONA (oh my, this was so good)w/ Chuck
JESSICA w/ Chuck (the best ever)
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
SOULSHINE(Warren shines)
WHO TO BELIEVE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
DREAMS
THE SAME THING w/ John Popper,Jeff Potts
HIGH FALLS w/ Chuck
encore
SOUTHBOUND w/ Leavell, Popper,McCray, John Manning
(23) July 3, 2001: DICKEY BETTS BAND @ BB KINGS About 8 of us decide to go see what Mr. BETTS is up to. He is playing two shows at the much smaller than the BEACON, B.B. KING’s club on 42nd Street. Nice dinner at Conally’s, a short walk to BB’s. An after a few drinks at the club, DICKEY BETTS takes the stage. “ Sad” is all I wrote in my notebook.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11,2001: Our world changes.
(24)Nov 24, 2001: Derek Trucks Band @ IMAC, Huntington, NY This was one cool band, and a great night was had by the usual crew of 4.
(25) March 23,2002: 9 sold out shows THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon. We 4 headed over to the WHITE HORSE TAVERN for our pre-show dinner. So sad as we stood in the middle of Hudson Street staring at the downtown skyline and NOT seeing the TWIN TOWERS. We hugged, a group hug, shed a tear or two. Dinner and a quick cab ride uptown.
MIDNIGHT RIDER
TROUBLE NO MORE
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
WOMAN ACROSS THE RIVER
HEART OF STONE ( a highlight)
GOOD CLEAN FUN
OLD BEFORE MY TIME
ROCKING HORSE
SOUTHBOUND (W/ Bobby Allende for Jaimoe)
STAND BACK
COME AND GO BLUES
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
FIRING LINE
JUST BEFORE THE BULLETS FLY
INSTRUMENTAL (untitled)
DESDEMONA
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
(26) MAY 9, 2002: Dickey Betts GREAT SOUTHERN @ Mulcahy’s One might ask, Why would you go to see Dickey again if he was so bad last outing? The answer is simple: We got 10 complementary passes and it was local bar. Dinner at the WANTAGH INN, a short walk to the bar (it is a pretty large room but not as big as BB King’s) and DICKEY’S band wasn’t half bad, and Dickey was in good voice, too.Not too bad.
(27) Aug 13, 2002: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Jones Beach. Dinner at Wantagh Inn, tailgating at The Beach.
AIN’T WASTING TIME
STATESBORO
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
COME AND GO BLUES
WHO TO BELIEVE
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
WOMAN ACROSS THE RIVER
DREAMS
FIRING LINE
THE SAME THING W/ Danny Louis (Gov’t Mule) on keys
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
ROCKING HORSE
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
INSTRUMENTAL
WHIPPING POST
1.
(28) Oct 31, 2002: GREGG ALLMAN BAND @ Westbury our second time seeing GA on Halloween. Geez, The man can sing. And his band is pretty funky. Jay Collins on sax.
(29) March 22, 2003: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon-Unprecedented, the ABB sell out 13 shows. March Madness continues as we get the same 4 seats we had last year, in the second row loge. We have the 8th show of the run.
STATESBORO
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
ALL NIGHT TRAIN
BANKS OF THE DEEP END (Rob Barraco(piano) Thom Doucette (harp)
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
PLEASE CALL HOME (horn section)
MAYDELL
ROCKING HORSE
THE HIGH COST OF LOW LIVING
I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG (amazing Warren) w/horns
END OF THE LINE
MELISSA
COME AND GO BLUES
THE SAME THING w/ horns
TROUBLE NO MORE
CHANGE IS GONNA COME w/ horns
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT w/ Thom, Seth Trucks (drums),Richard Bolger (trumpet) Jay Collins (sax), Christopher Karlic (baritone sax).
(30) March 20, 2004: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The third night of 9 sold out shows. Same seats as last year.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL w/ Thom
WASTED WORDS w/ Thom
STATESBORO w/ Thom
ROCKING HORSE
NO ONE LEFT TO RUN WITH
KEY TO THE HIGHWAY w/ Thom
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
THE SAME THING
NEED YOUR LOVE SO BAD
CAN’T LOSE WHAT YOU NEVER HAD
DON’T THINK TWICE (Susan Tedeschi- guitar/vocals)
DREAMS
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT w/ Thom
(31) Aug 24, 2004: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Jones Beach, Wantagh aka THE NO FUN ZONE. This is a Tuesday night gig. We have 12 seats and a tailgate party pre show. THIS WAS AN AMAZING SHOW for many reasons, the first being the opening number, Dr. John’s “Walk On Guilded Splinters” and the encore “Layla”, both are first listens for me in an ABB concert setting. Derek did reprise his role as slide expert similar to when he played with Clapton so needless to say he nailed this one, as did Warren on guitar, and both GREGG and Warren on vocals was a treat. Even though we don’t like the Beach scene this was a great night with friends and family enjoying the ABB under the stars.
I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
TROUBLE NO MORE
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
WOMAN ACROSS THE RIVER
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
MIDNIGHT RIDER
STAND BACK
DREAMS TO REMEMBER
WHO TO BELIEVE
STATESBORO
MELISSA
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
MOUNTAIN JAM
AFRO BLUE
MOUNTAIN JAM-REPRISE
WHIPPING POST
LAYLA
1.
(32)March 12, 2005: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The third night of 10 sold out shows and overall another amazing night. Warren is in complete control of the set list and invited guests. And the acoustic set is back featuring Derek and Warren (guitar duo), Gregg on a grand piano, and special added attraction-HUBERT SUMLIN. Wow.
REVIVAL
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOMW
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
HOT ‘LANTA
JUST AIN’T EASY
END OF THE LINE
FORTY-FOUR BLUES (Hubert Sumlin)
SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING (Hubert Sumlin)
INSTRUMENTAL ILLNESS
acoustic set
ONCOMING TRAFFIC- Gregg solo on grand piano
PLEASE CALL HOME _Gregg solo on grand piano
THESE DAYS- Gregg and Warren guitars
DEATH LETTER -Derek and Warren guitars
electric set
SOULSHINE
DREAMS w/ Jay Collins (sax)
ROCKING HORSE
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
ONE WAY OUT
(33) March 11, 2006:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The third show of a 14 night run of sold out performances, and ours was a goodie. Glenn joined us full time in our foursome and we have the same seats as in years past, second row in the loge. Glenn is a huge Skynard fan so one surprise guest made his night.Tonight was “The 35th Anniversary of the Live at Fillmore East Performances”.We also had PETER FRAMPTON as a guest guitarist in set 2 and the legendary ROY HAYNES on the skins.Too cool.Note: Over the many years and numerous ABB shows I saw ROY HAYNES with the BROTHERS 3 times.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
WHO’S BEEN TALKING
MIDNIGHT RIDER ( Devon Allman-guitar)
GOOD CLEAN FUN
INSTRUMENTAL ILLNESS
I WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS
SIMPLE MAN (w/ Gary Rossington)
BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN (w/ Peter Frampton)
LES BRES IN A MINOR
MELISSA
KEY TO THE HIGHWAY
AFRO BLUE (w/ Roy Haynes(drums), Wil Calhoun(Living Colour-drums),Jay Collins (sax))
DREAMS
ONE WAY OUT
SOUTHBOUND( w/ Frampton, Collins,Calhoun)
(34)Dec 31, 2006: GREGG ALLMAN & FRIENDS @ Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, New York It’s NEW YEARS EVE and 3 couples have seats to see GREGG in a semi-round arena. Nice room, good seats, good friends, and great music. The horn section knocks me out and Gregg was in good voice. Highlight was THESE DAYS and MELISSA.
(35) March 24,2007:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The 4th night of a nine sold out show run. Same seats as always, lucky us.But the noise in the crowd was Gregg was erratic and appears ill, again. Oh boy, this could get ugly fast. Warren to the rescue.
STATESBORO
REVIVAL
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
ROCKING HORSE
SOULSHINE W/ Ron Holloway- sax
THE HIGH COST OF LOW LIVING
ONE WAY OUT
COME ON IN MY KITCHEN-W/ Luther Dickinson-guitar
DREAMS w/ Ron Holloway
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED- Oteil and Derek- bass duo, Kofi Burbridge-flute, Ron Holloway- sax
MOUNTAIN JAM
DAZED AND CONFUSED(yes, that song_-Warren amazing)
MOUNTAIN JAM -reprise
WHIPPING POST
(36) May19,2007: DICKEY BETTS/ GREAT SOUTHERN @ Westhampton Beach, NY- Why oh why did we go and paid a pretty penny for the right to see a legend in a sharp decline. Its been 7 years since DICKEY BETTS was fired from the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND and tonight I was so glad he hasn’t reappeared with them. He was drunk with slurred speech, could hardly stand, forgot words and stood idly by as his son took over when Dickey lost the lead on numerous songs. This was an embarrassment beyond belief. Now I know why they fired his fucking arrogant ass.
2008: The year of NO ALLMAN BROTHERS SHOWS at the Beacon. Gregg was ill and the band postponed their annual fest at The Beacon.
(37)March 21, 2009:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon
Its been two years and we were eagerly awaiting the announcement that the ABB would return to the stage of the Beacon. That announcement came the first week of January and as always I prepared for the resale, hoping for the same tickets, the same seats, as in years past.Bingo, this year the band scheduled 15 shows at the legendary venue and all 15 sold out immediately as this year marked the 50th anniversary of the birth of the band. The first few shows had many guests: BUDDY GUY, LOS LOBOS, JOHNNY WINTER, TAJ MAHAL, LEVON HELM, TREY ANASTASIO, BRUCE WILLIS (?), BOZ SCAGGS, STANLEY CLARKE, and SHERYL CROW. The special guest for Thursday and Friday nights performances (we had Saturday) was none other than ERIC CLAPTON, so it was anticipated that he / or someone of his stature would reappear for Saturday night. But alas, it was not to happen. Our guest(s) was the horn section from The ASBURY DUKES with BRUCE HORNSBY and SUSAN TEDESCHI. Overall, it was a blast but not a true ABB performance. Gregg was up front for the first few songs and disappeared for quite some time.
LITTLE MARTHA(tease)/ INSTRUMENTAL
ONE WAY OUT
STATESBORO
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
THE SAME THING (w/Jukes)
SOULSHINE (w/ Jukes)
LITTLE BY LITTLE (w/Jukes, Southside Johnny-harp,Susan Tedeschi-guitar/vocals, James van de Bogert-drums
DON’T THINK TWICE- Tedeschi- guitar/vocals
LOST LOVER BLUES- Tedeschi-guitar/vocals
STAND BACK-w/ Jukes/Tedeschi
GRANDMA’S HANDS (a Bill Withers tune) w/Hornsby-piano, Jukes, Tedeschi-vocals
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED W/ Hornsby-keys
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN w/Jukes, Hornsby
JESSICA w/Hornsby
SOUTHBOUND
with The Asbury Jukes Horns; Bruce Hornsby, keyboards; Susan Tedeschi, guitar & vocals
(38) March 13, 2010:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ UNITED PALACE,NYC
WTF. The Dolan’s, owners of THE BEACON (and other places) scheduled the ABB each year boxing out most of the month for rehearsals and gigs. I guess after last year they were not to sure of the status of the band so the master of scheduling rented out the space for the entire month to CIRQUE DE SOLEIL. The ABB found solace in the UNITED PALACE, a theatre/church(huge) on 175th Street in WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, as we say in NY, “way the fuck up there”. Not really sure what was taking place, we entered the pool for the sale of tickets hoping for the best. Eight shows over two weeks was the announcement. We got the third show, the first Saturday in the run. Seats way up top.
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
AIN’T WASTIN’ TIME NO MORE
STAND BACK
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
HEART OF STONE (UNBELIEVABLY GOOD)
NEW INSTRUMENTAL
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL
WHIPPING POST
LITTLE MARTHA>
BLUE SKY>
LITTLE MARTHA
DREAMS
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
THE SKY IS CRYING
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED (W/ BRUCE KATZ)
ONE WAY OUT
(39) August 3,2010: GOV’T MULE@ House of Blues, Myrtle Beach,SC
It was pretty late but I finally convinced the bride to go to the show.We got there as JACKIE GREENE was finishing up. She agreed to stay for one set of MULE,even knowing that GM can play for hours. We stayed for two sets and all the encores. They were that good.
(40) March 12,2011:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND back where they belong@ Beacon 13 sold out shows with a host of special guests each night. Tonight we had DAVID HIDALGO joining the band.AND Tonight was the 40th ANNIVERSARY of the recording of AT FILLMORE EAST. So what better way to enjoy the night by the band playing the entire album in sequential order for the first set.
STATESBORO
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
STORMY MONDAY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
HOT ‘LANTA
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
TROUBLE NO MORE
THE SKY IS CRYING
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING(W/HILDALGO)
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOL GIRL (W/ HILDAGO)
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
MOUNTAIN JAM (REPRISE)
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
(41) March 10, 2012:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon with 10 sold out shows. Ours was the second night and featured an acoustic set then RANDY BRECKER joined the band. It was delightful.(Note: Last show of this run was without Gregg Allman)
STATESBORO
COME AND GO BLUES
DOWN ALONG THE COVE
STAND BACK
SAILIN’ CROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
BLING WILLIE MCTELL
BAG END
ONE WAY OUT-w/AJ Ghent lap steel
Second Set
(Acoustic)OLD FRIEND-(WARREN/DEREK ONLY)
DARK END OF THE STREET (Gregg, Oteil, Warren, Derek,Marc)
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG-Gregg,Warren, Oteil,Marc,Derek)
(Electric)
REVIVAL
HOT ‘LANTA>
ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER>
HOT ‘LANTA w/ Randy Brecker-trumpet
DREAMS w/ Randy Brecker(amazing)
MOUNTAIN JAM W/ BRECKER & James van der Bogert-drums
SOUTHBOUND W/ Brecker,Duane Trucks-drums, AJ Ghent
(42) September 22, 2012: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND @ Beacon This is my first time enjoying the husband wife collaboration known as TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND and what better place to see them then a loge seat at THE BEACON. I saw Susan with her solo outfit a few years back when she opened for BUDDY GUY. I also saw the DEREK TRUCKS BAND a few times and of course as part of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND .
LOVE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY
ISN’T IT A PITY (Geo Harrison tune)
EVERYBODY’S TALKIN (Fred Neil cover)
I KNOW (Trucks Band cover)
THE SKY IS CRYING (Elmore James)
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN (The Band)
MAHJOUN( Derek Trucks cover) w/ Marc Quinones
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM
ROLLIN’ AND TUMBLIN’ (Hambone Willie Newbern cover)
SHELTER
ANYDAY/BLUE SKY(Derek&Dominos/Allman Bros)
THAT DID IT (Bobby Blue Bland)
OLD TIME LOVIN’ (Al Green cover wband intros)
UP TIGHT (Stevie Wonder)-truly spectacular
BOUND FOR GLORY
ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY(John Prine)
SIMPLE THINGS
GET WHAT YOU DESERVE(Derek Trucks cover)
GIVE IT UP OR LET ME GO (Bonnie Raitt) w/Eric Krasno
(43)March 9, 2013:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon Sold out 11 shows, ours was #6 in the run and were at our usual seats in the loge.
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
MIDNIGHT RIDER
END OF THE LINE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
DUSK TILL DAWN (Bill Evans-sax)
JESSICA
STATESBORO(Davis Stoltz-bass)
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
ROCKING HORSE
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
STAND BACK
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED>
DRUMS>
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
SOUTHBOUND(w/Vaylor Trucks-guitar, John Ray-bass)
In January as THE BEACON run is announced, with it came the notification that DEREK TRUCKS and WARREN HAYNES will be leaving the band at years end.
Following the announcement three weeks ago that two key members of the Allman Brothers Band — guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks — would be leaving the group at the end of the year, frontman Gregg Allman has more bad news for the group’s loyal fans: It will stop touring altogether at the end of 2014.
In a new interview with Relix, Allman stated that he’s ready to move on. “This is it — this is the end of it,” he said. “Forty-five years is enough, and I want to do something else anyway. Everyone has their own real good perspective bands.”
(44)March 14, 2014:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon- Something is amiss as we keep wondering, “Is this really the last year? The last time?” We sensed the end is near and knew the announcement. However, the boys sell out 10 night, ours is the fifth show and a Friday night which is unusual as we traditionally get tickets for Saturday. But here we are in the loge again, just down to three of us, but we took Glenn’s ashes with us. (NOTE: Gregg Allman misses the last two shows in this run).
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
COME AND GO BLUES
WASTED WORDS
DUSK TILL DAWN
I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS (amazing)
GAMBLER’S ROLL
TRUE GRAVITY
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
MELISSA
BLUE SKY w/James vander Bogert-drums
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
SEVEN TURNS
ROCKING HORSE
GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT w/Duane Trucks-drums
Six OCTOBER shows-THE FINAL RUN- were announced for The BEACON. My desire was to obtain one ticket for the very last night. Prices for a regular ticket for the first five nights was extremely high and the last show was mortgage size, ridiculous. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as the shows sold out in a matter of minutes and I was for once “out in the cold”.
From ROLLING STONE:
The only note of sentiment during the Allman Brothers Band‘s October 28th concert at New York’s Beacon Theatre – their last at that venue and anywhere else, at least for the foreseeable future – came after more than four hours of music: three sets and an inevitable encore, “Whipping Post.” The seven members of the group – the surviving trio of founders, singer-organist Gregg Allman and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe; the long-serving guitar team of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks; and often overlooked veterans Oteil Burbridge on bass and percussionist Marc Quinones – lined up onstage and took a bow: a first at any Allmans-Beacon show I’d ever attended.
(Con’t)
That work, it seems, will stay undone. During the intermissions, a curious message appeared on the large video screen behind the band: “The road indeed goes on forever. So stay calm, eat a peach and carry on . . .” The individual members of the Allmans will certainly continue to play in some form and combinations. There may even be reunions. As for the guitarists, Derek’s R&B juggernaut with his wife Susan Tedeschi, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, recently played a transcendant Beacon run in September, and Haynes’ group Gov’t Mule will make their traditional holiday stop at that stage on December 30th and 31st. I went to the former; I don’t want to miss the latter.
(con’t)
But it will take more than a peach to get me through next March. It was never spring, I always said, until I saw the Allmans peakin’ at the Beacon. Tonight was a generous, continually thrilling farewell. It will make the leaving that much harder to bear. (My sentiments exactly)
(45) December 30, 2014: Gov’t Mule @ Beacon I already miss the ABB and The night before New Year’s Eve in Manhattan is not a great idea but I had to see Gov’t Mule at The Beacon-loge seats of course and I was rewarded with a great show. I was with one of my ABB buddies who informed me on the way home that next year I was on my own for MULE in December.We got home after 3 AM. Okay, you win.
WORLD BOSS
WHISPER IN YOUR SOUL
STOOP SO LOW
FORSAKEN SAVIOR
STRATUS(Billy Cobham cover)-amazing
THE JOKER/GET UP STAND UP(Steve Miler/Bob Marley)
BIRD ON THE WIRE(Leonard Cohen)w/Better Half Singers
THE LETTER (BoxTops)w/Better Half Singers
DONE GOT WISE
BROKE DOWN IN BRAZOS
TRIBUTARY JAM
MR.BIG (Free cover) w/ Simon Kirke-drums (unbelievable)
THE HUNTER >(Albert King/Free-cover)w/ Simon Kirke
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL >w/Simon Kirke
THE HUNTER (Reprise) w/ Simon Kirke
GAME FACE>BIRDLAND>MOUNTAIN JAM
THORAZINE SHUFFLE
FUNNY LITTLE TRAGEDY>MESSAGE IN THE BOTTLE>
FUNNY LITTLE TRAGEDY(Reprise)
HOT LEGS- (Rod Stewart cover)w/ Carmine Appice-drums
STAY WITH ME(Faces cover) w/Carmine Appice-drums
(46)October 3, 2015: Tedeschi Trucks Band@ Beacon I missed the run of TTB for the last two years. I needed to go for this one. And here I am in the lower balcony first row, not a bad seat with my bride for her first TTB show, which she loved. Tonight’s bill is two sets, no opening act.
ALL THAT I NEED
MADE UP MIND
IT’S SO HEAVY
GET WHAT YOU DESERVE (Trucks Band cover)
MAHJOUN (Trucks Band cover)
COMIN’ HOME (Delaney/Bonnie cover)- great idea
SOMETHING (Beatles cover)
IDLE WIND
THE LETTER (Box Tops cover)
KEEP YOUR LAMPS TRIMMED AND BURNING
LAUGH ABOUT IT
ANYHOW
LET’S GO GET STONED (The Coasters cover)
STICKS AND STONES (Titus Turner cover)
BIRD ON A WIRE (Leonard Cohen cover)
CRYING OVER YOU
THE SKY IS CRYING (Elmore James cover)
FIRE AND RAIN (James Taylor cover)
Instrumental Jam
THE STORM
I WANT MORE
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM
I GOT A FEELING (Beatles cover)
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS (Beatles cover)
(47)Oct 7 2015: WARREN HAYNES – Ashes and Dust Tour/w/ JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE@ The Space, Westbury, NY Strange set up in a small venue. We took the very last row in the seated area, near a beer only bar. Not too bad. Warren is playing with a few guys from CHESSBOXER and a drummer JEFF SIPE.
Guitarist Warren Haynes returned to the stage with his Ashes & Dust Band featuring members of ChessBoxer and drummer Jeff Sipe last night at the Granada Theatre in Dallas, Texas. The Winter Tour opener featured a mix of material from Warren’s Ashes & Dust LP as well as choice covers and other favorites from Haynes’ solo repertoire.
Warren Haynes and the Ashes & Dust Band kicked off the show with a double dose of Ashes & Dust in the form of “Beat Down The Dust” and “Is It Me Or You.” The evening’s first cover was a take on Neil Young’s “Revolution Blues” which was followed by Warren’s ode to Jerry Garcia, “Patchwork Quilt.” It was then time for a trio of covers as “Instrumental Illness” from Haynes’ time in The Allman Brothers Band led into Little Feat’s “Skin It Back” and the Allmans’ “Blue Sky.” After a run of originals the ensemble ended the main set with one more Allman Brothers classic – “Jessica.” Warren and the band said farewell with a “Two Of A Kind Blues” encore.
SPOTS OF TIME
REVOLUTION BLUES (Neil Young)/JERUSALEM RIDGE
PATCHWORK QUILT (Phil Lesh and Friends cover)
BLUE SKY (Allman cover)>
INSTRUMENTAL ILLNESS (Allman cover)
LAY OF THE SUNFLOWER (Gov’t Mule)
BLUE MAIDEN’S TALE
COMPANY MAN
DUSK TILL DAWN (Allman cover)
HATTIESBURG HUSTLE>
DRUMS.>
HATTIESBURG HUSTLE (REPRISE)
STRANDED IN SELF PITY/HOTTENTOT
IS IT ME OR YOU
SKIN IT BACK (Little Feat cover)
JESSICA (Allman cover)
I BEEN TO GEORGIA ON A FAST TRAIN (Billy Joe Shaver cover) w/ Justin Townes Earle
(48)DECEMBER 30,2015: Gov’t Mule @BEACON Took a buddy of mine and he was amazed at the performance. So was I.
BLIND MAN IN THE DARK
MR.MAN
ANY OPEN WINDOW
FAR AWAY
ROCKIN’ HORSE>THELONIUS BECK
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN
DOLPHINEUS
PAINTED SILVER LIGHT/HERE COMES THE SUN-tease
SOULSHINE/VOODOO CHILD
UNRING THE BELL/LES BRES IN A MINOR
ENDLESS PARADE
BAD LITTLE DOGGIE
I’LL BE THE ONE/BLUE SKY
SUGAREE w/Jack Pearson,Jimmy Vivino,Steve Kimock
I SHALL BE RELEASED w/ Kimock,Pierson and Chuck Leavell
DREAMS w/ Leavell,Pierson, Vivino
(49) Sept 9 2016: GOV’T MULE/ZZ TOP @ Jones Beach Probably the shortest set ever and a bit disappointed and then ZZ TOP did an uninspired set of hits. Nah, on ZZ TOP.
BAD LITTLE DOGGIE
STEPPING’ LIGHTLY
MR. HIGH AND MIGHTY
INSIDE OUTSIDE WOMAN BLUES #3
BANKS OF THE DEEP END
KIND OF BIRD (Allmans cover)
THORAZINE SHUFFLE
(50) October 8, 2016: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND @ Beacon The buzz was that Warren was there the night before. Oh my. Tonight No Warren but I had my bride with me again. She really likes this band.
ANYDAY (Derek Dominoes cover)
LAUGH ABOUT IT
IT’S SO HEAVY
DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
LEAVING TRUNK (Sleepy John Estes cover)
VOLUNTEERED SLAVERY (Rahsaan Roland Kirk cover)
I PITY THE FOOL (Bobby Blue Bland cover)
I WANT MORE
LES BRES IN A MINOR (Allmans cover)
IDLE WIND
CALLING OUT TO YOU
JUST AS STRANGE
WAH WAH (Geo Harrison cover)
LET ME GET BY
I GOT A FEELIN (Beatles cover)
ELENOR RIGBY (Beatles cover)
CRYING OVER YOU
HONEST I DO (Jimmy Reed cover) w/ Doyle Bramlett II
I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD BE TO BE FREE (Billy Taylor cover)
SING A SIMPLE SONG (Sly/Family Stone cover) w/ Doyle Bramlett II
I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER (Sly cover) w/ Bramlett
ANYHOW
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
(51)October 14,2017: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND @ Beacon w/ my Beacon buddy and his bride
KEEP ON GROWING (Derek/Dominos cover)
MADE UP MIND
UNTIL YOU REMEMBER
SAILING ON (Toots/Maytals cover)
PART OF ME
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM
DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
HOW BLUE CAN YOU GET (3 Blazers cover)
THE STORM
DON’T LET ME SLIDE
DO I LOOK WORRIED
CHEVROLET (Lonnie Young Jr cover)
ISN’T IT A PITY (Geo Harrison cover)
THE LETTER (BoxTops cover)
I WANT MORE
I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD FEEL TO BE FREE (Billy Taylor cover) amazing
DELTA LADY (Leon Russell cover) w/Trey Anastasio
MOUNTAIN JAM (Allmans cover) w/ Anastasio
A SONG FOR YOU (Leon Russell cover)
BOUND FOR GLORY
(52) TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND (4th time) at BEACON October 5, 2018 with my bride and another couple we get the same exact seats as the previous year. When the band opens with a Jimmy Cliff tune, one which I love…oh my…
SITTING IN LIMBO (Jimmy Cliff tune)
DO I LOOK WORRIED
PART OF ME
IT’S SO HEAVY
ANYHOW
HIGH & MIGHTY
LEAVING TRUNK (John Estes tune)
VOLUNTEERED SLAVERY ( Rashaan Roland Kirk tune)
IDLE WIND
TELL THE TRUTH (Derek/Dominos)
DON’T DRIFT AWAY
LET ME GET BY
SWEET AND LOW
DON’T MISS ME (Derek Trucks Band cover)
MADE UP MIND
I PITY THE FOOL(Bobby Blue Bland tune) amazing Susan
BLUE SKY (Allmans cover) w/ Jimmy Herring
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED w/ Jimmy Herring
GOING,GOING,GONE (amazing Dylan tune) w/Doyle Bramlett II
GET WHAT YOU DESERVE (Derek Trucks cover) w/ Doyle Bramlett II
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: February 18,1972- Billy Joel with Beefheart
What a strange year 1971 was with the MANSON trial and conviction, Lt. CALLEY found guilty and THE TROUBLES in IRELAND even more intense that before with THE BRITISH adding internment without trial to captured IRA members. Television had a new hit with ALL IN THE FAMILY while the MARLBORO MAN and cigarette ads in general were banned. The Allman Brothers record the LIVE album and a few months later help close out FILLMORE EAST for good. The STONES relocate to France to avoid taxes, while George Harrison is bringing attention to BANGLADESH when it declared its independence from Pakistan.
Just when I thought that 71 was as crazy as it could get along come BLOODY SUNDAY in Northern Ireland, Israeli athletes murdered in the summer Olympics, NIXON is re-elected in a landslide over George McGovern, and someone comes up with the idea which later becomes known as WATERGATE, all while AMERICAN PIE is played endlessly on the radio.
With FILLMORE EAST closed most mid range (those avoiding or not as popular to play at MSG) entertained the Rock N Roll crowds at the ACADEMY of MUSIC on 14th Street or at THE CAPITOL in Port Chester, NY.
On February 18, 1972 ,a Saturday night when it snowed like crazy but I drove my trusty VW to NYC to see the J. Geils Band/Capt. Beefheart/Billy Joel @ Academy of Music, the Late show. I took a friend of mine who to this day states, “BEEFHEART stole the show”. The J.GEILS BAND was the rising stars at this moment. The opening act, Billy Joel, did an imitation of one, JOE COCKER, as well as bad mouthing his own current album “Cold Spring Harbor”, stating it was mixed at “Mickey Mouse speed” or something to the effect. In 1972 Billy Joel was virtually a newcomer to the NY stages.Granted we had seen him many times as the organist of the Long Island band THE HASSELS, as well as he being a member of the ill fated ATTILA, a two piece heavy metal-ish organ drum outfit, which was horrible.Tonight at The Academy was different. According to my journal which I usually wrote in after a show, BILLY JOEL played piano, did a song or two from “CSH”, another song about playing piano in a bar in Los Angeles, a song about getting high, and finished with THE STONES “Honky Tonk Woman”. My BEEFHEART notes were far more extensive so I guess one can determine which band I was there to see.
Anyway, back to the good ole days…I liked the HASSLES as a local live band (66-67@ Hullabaloo) and I especially enjoyed their HAMMOND B-3 (Rascals like)sound. So when opportunity knocked while in the record department of TSS I grabbed their first album on UNITED ARTISTS RECORDS, along with their 45 RPM cover of SAM and DAVE’s “You Got Me Hummin” which is labeled incorrectly as “You’ve Got Me Hummin” (jive ass white suburban kids). The album includes “Every Step I Take (Every Move I Make)” a tune written by Billy Joel ( with a great drum part which I practiced routinely)and the band’s cover of TRAFFIC’s “Coloured Rain”, a so-so rendition Also, this being the fifteen minutes of fame for another Long Island phenomena VANILLA FUDGE, The HASSLES did “A Taste of Honey” ala The FUDGE but worse, as a matter of fact it is laugh out loud funny bad.
Their second LP “Hour Of The Wolf” was released in January of 69 but I passed on it as did most of the record buying public.The band subsequently breaks up and Billy Joel has a short career as the duo ATTILA with Jon Small, drummer from The Hassles. They regularly played the “family” owned ACTION HOUSE which is another story unto itself. Billy then disappears to Los Angeles as a lounge singer, Bill Martin, before returning in 1971 with “Cold Spring Harbor” his first solo endeavor on Family Production Records.
While this collection of tunes was making little or no noise on the charts, BILLY JOEL starts to hit the clubs where his live act gains the notice of Columbia records which after intense negotiations buys out his previous contract. Billy Joel prepares to record “Piano Man”, his major breakout. November 9, 1973 it is released.
So my story is: from February 18, 1972 until November 18, 1973 I saw Billy Joel only once and that being the opening act for J.Geils Band/Captain Beefheart. To present, since the release of “Piano Man” he has a shitload of album releases, singles on the charts,multiple marriages and divorces, made millions of dollars,and has a “residency” at Madison Square Garden which sells out the minute a new date is announced, and he is a local guy to boot…yet I only saw him once.And most of my friends love to see him…regularly.
PS: I still have “Cold Spring Harbor” and the only other album is “Piano Man”.I sold the single at a nice profit.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1974 with THE LIPSTICK KILLERS
Who are the mystery girls? Androgynous,what the hell is that? Are they boys?Girls?Neither? Both? See through silk blouses, high heels, strange hats, a bass player about nine feet tall wearing a New York Rangers jersey with tights and red knee high boots.Teased hair, pink drums, whew, this band will be a treat.
All this leads up to an event on February 15, 1974 known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre held at the notorious Academy of Music. New York City at that time was a dirt hole, a freakin’ sewer. Subway cars smelled of urine,their walls, doors, and windows covered with graffiti, all this decoration/distraction making for a great ride at 3 o’clock in the morning. The streets surrounding 14the Street, the demarcation between the hip south siders and the snobby uptowners, were filled with bums, drunks, hookers, and drug addicts. Nobody was using cocaine as their drug of choice, it was too expensive and passe, here it was heroin. This descent into hell started ages before but culminated musically, socially, when five guys put together a band known asTHE NEW YORK DOLLS. David, Johnny, Billy, Arthur,and Sylvain, collectively these five guys could be found playing everywhere in Manhatten. Every Thursday morning searching the Village Voice one could immediately find an ad for that band and plan a night out, all for about five bucks.
At that time 1971/72 there were not many places that allowed an original band to perform “their” music. In the Village you could find the jazz clubs, a folk club, and some small venues that would employ “recording artists”. The Fillmore East closed so the bigger acts, those that refused to play Madison Square Garden needed to find another venue.That’s when THE ACADEMY booked bands on a regular basis.
Some bands had a history with small New York City theaters. In the mid/late sixties THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION played every Wednesday at the Garrick Theater on Bleecker St. The FUGS played seven nights a week at the Players Theater on MacDougal Street and by 71 THE VELVET UNDERGROUND played twice a night, five days a week at Max’s Kansas City.
Things changed around the time THE COCKETTES/ SYLVESTER and HIS HOT BAND were booked for a five week gig Halloween of 1971 at the old Anderson Theatre on Second Avenue. To the uninitiated this was a big event in the art/ theater environment known as New York City, a must see show for the A-listers.The COCKETTES were a San Francisco drag-queen troupe of aging LSD hippies. NYC was a buzz, tickets sold out in hours, and a few lucky college radio folks like me grabbed some complimentary tixs. One just needs to check out Sylvester and His Hot Band and/or The Cockettes on youtube.com to see how the hippie world of the Woodstock generation was dying off. It was a “new dawn”
(Wiki)“News of the 47 Cockettes boarding the flight was covered by local television and the group took over the plane in full drag. Once in New York they were housed in a dingy hotel where heroin was easily scored but spent most of their time as celebrated guests at dozens of parties where they could eat and drink for free, running a tab at a local diner and getting free taxicab rides”.The Cockettes were still transitioning from being “a happening” to actually doing structured performances.The group had one week to prepare but they had few resources and little energy after all the parties. They were however the talk of town and their show was the hot ticket”. The Anderson Theater in New York City had no sound or lighting systems and needed a curtain. The stage was also twice the size of the Cockettess’ usual one so all the sets had to be rebuilt from scratch in six days.They opened with “Tinsel Tarts In a Hot Coma”, a send-up of films about Broadway in the 1930s.What had seemed so fabulous in San Francisco did not translate well in New York City. For most New Yorkers, it was “You’ve got to be kidding!,” and the celebrities the Cockettes had so wanted to impress were not impressed.Later, the Cockettes tried to explain their New York failure by commenting “the New York audiences did not understand us,” (although it appeared perhaps New York had understood them). After a week of disastrous “Tinsel Tarts…” playing to empty houses, they performed their original musical “Pearls Over Shanghai” for the remaining 2 weeks of their contract, and the Village Voice gave it a rave. But it was too little too late.Sylvester and his band was the lone exception but he disassociated himself after several nights on advice from his business friends.
So here we are at the precipice of change, the “new dawn”,moving from the long-haired, tie-dye T-shirt, patch jeans, and work boots of the LSD 60s, to the tight jeans , satin shirts, platform shoes teased hair of the heroin 70s.
THE NEW YORK DOLLS opened for Long John Baldry (June 72) at My Father’s Place in Roslyn, to less than favorable reviews from my friends who attended. “They suck”…but they also mentioned laughingly that I might like them, as I am the “musical snob who hates MOUNTAIN”. So this outing will be a test. It’s Tuesday night in August 1972, hotter than hell in NYC,smoking a Marlboro Red while standing in the crowd outside the Mercer Arts Center, just north of Bleecker Street at the end of Washington Square. All are anticipating what can only be best described as a true NY happening.The “I’ll see you next week” crowd is there, dressed as provocatively as one might expect of the band.The New York Dolls had a standing Tuesday night gig in the Oscar Wilde Room of the said Mercer Arts Center. This engagement started in early June and had been regularly reported in the local newspapers, television, and a few magazines. The only problem for a local tunnel boy like me would be that the show starts at 10 PM and one had endure two bands before “THE DOLLS” came on. I had work at 7AM Wednesday morning.
One could find THE DOLLS everywhere in NYC. They would be at The Palm Room of The Hotel Diplomat, then doing five nights at Max’s Kansas City, Tuesday’s back at Mercer Arts Center, mostly with The Magic Tramps in tow.
THE NEW YORK DOLLS were everything one could imagine, and to some, nothing. They were five guys who hit the stage, entertaining a crowd which adored them or hated them. They were offensive, brash, bold, and wonderful. You either walked out or you begged for more. Some night they were the best band in the world and other nights the worst (Voted BEST and WORST BAND by the readers of Creem Magazine 1973)
September 72, the band agrees to open for LOU REED, five nights in England. However, after their first sound check, for whatever reason, either being too good or too bad, Lou declines to allow them to play. Stuck in England,they soldiered on, even recorded a few tunes as demos. Then, the premier gig, they opened up for THE FACES at an outdoor festival.Some say they stole the show. A few days later Billy Murcia, the drummer, dies. New York City’s most popular unsigned rock’n roll band is without their drummer.
Returning back to New York the band calls on Jerry Nolan,a known entity, pink drums and all. The second incarnation of The New York Dolls plays on December 22 at the old Fillmore East in a series known as “Bands of the 1970’s” with The Magic Tramps and Teenage Lust. New Year’s Eve they are back to the Mercer Arts Center with The Magic Tramps (another unsung band of NY music), Queen Elizabeth(w/Wayne County), The Modern Lovers, Ruby and The Rednecks, in what is to be called “the endless party of 1973” a show starting at 11 PM and ending when the sun came up, maybe.
The Dolls played in various clubs; Kenny’s Castaway up on 84th St. Street and Third, opened up for Captain Beefheart at Town Hall (February 24) and then on St. Patrick’s Day of 1973, they perform on a bill with Larry Coryell, along with The Mahavishnu Orchestra at the State University of New York in New Paltz. My brother, Kevin Patrick, a student there, called me the next day, he being a huge fan of The Mahavishnu Orchestra, stated… “who the fuck were those guys, how could you possibly like them”. Two days later the New York Dolls sign a two album record contract with Mercury Records for $25,000. July 27th 1973 THE NEW YORK DOLLS (debut) is released.
THE DOLLS were now all over New York. They played the Gaslight Au Go Go, Coventry in Queens, Memorial Day weekend at The (formerly Electric) Circus with Barnaby Bye. August 3 while opening for MOTT THE HOOPLE at The FELT FORUM of Madison Square Garden, the Mercer Arts Center collapses to the ground.Its been reported that the unauthorized renovations of 1969 took out some weight bearing walls. Many in THE DOLLS camp looked at this as a bad omen,losing your home base. For the rest of August The Dolls head over to Max’s Kansas City for a residency. In late September they leave on the West Coast tour where they performed on TV show “The Midnight Special.” It would back with Mott The Hoople traveling through Canada for most of October and returning home for the notorious “Homecoming Halloween Bash” at the Waldorf Astoria’s ballroom. The press coverage alone for this event was unbelievable, decadence to be sure, and tickets for fans virtually impossible to obtain.
It’s a “Costume Party” at $7.50 a ticket featuring THE NEW YORK DOLLS. Over 2000 nut jobs arrive early. First problem is the venue as opulent as it is ,with all its prestige, only holds about 1000,legally. And some/most of that 1000 would be A-listers. The band is scheduled to perform after the “costume contest”, a contest of costumes one can only imagine.Doors were to open at 11PM but don’t until 1AM.The band is drunk/high/in poor spirits/hate each other/whatever.
“Oh my God, the Waldorf-Astoria regrets that gig! Hundreds of FREAKS strolling around the entire lobby area, blowing minds. The Dolls made us wait like an extra 90 minutes and then were hilariously drunk. They were totally awful, but, looked great. It made sense somehow.” stated Blinky Phillips, guitarist for THE PLANETS.
To promote the album they embark on an ill fated European Fall Tour. There the press straight out hated them, labeling the band as “mock rock” and a poor imitation of the ROLLING STONES.
With their tails between their legs they are back home to the safe environment know as NEW YORK CITY, February 15, 1974, on a show advertised as “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”, at the Academy of Music with Elliott Murphy, tickets sell out in minutes. The stage is readied for THE DOLLS, the lights dim, and a newsreel montage of Hitler invading France is played.WTF? Next a film “The Lipstick Killers” is shown, hey, that’s THE DOLLS…
Film ends…”Puss N Boots” kicks it off. THE DOLLS are on, not just on… but ON. “Bad Girl”,”Looking For A Kiss”, “Who Are The Mystery Girls?”, “Trash”, “Stranded In The Jungle” “Great Big Kiss”, “Chatterbox”, “Personality Crisis”, “Babylon” “It’s Too Late”, “Pills”, and “Human Being”…applause… “you want more?… “Jet Boy”, “I’m Your Hootchie Coochie Man”, “Back In The USA”.The universe is back in balance. The guys can do it, they can be stars.
Two months later, April 14,1974 the band performs at My Father’s Place in Roslyn, with The Miamis opening. “Babylon”, “Puss n Boots”,“Looking For A Kiss”,“Trash”, Stranded In The Jungle”, “Personality Crisis”, “Bad Girl”, “Pills”, “Hoochie Koochie Dolls”, “It’s Too Late”, “Chatterbox”, and the show closer “Human Being” all broadcast by WBAB-FM.
May 10,1974 “IN TOO MUCH TOO SOON” is released. It bombs and Mercury drops them almost immediately. THE NEW YORK DOLLS virtually disappear.
The band tours for a few months with Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan in a true heroin dependency while Arthur “Killer” Kane is an out and out drunk.
I didn’t see much in the press or hear much of The Dolls after their release, I do know they played the “Little Hippodrome” the small place between Second and Third Avenue, dressed in red leather. My friend said it was terrible. The band was falling apart, the spirit and the camaraderie that once existed between the performers and the audience was gone.Now, you didn’t know if Arthur was going to show up sober, didn’t know if Jerry was going to stand up,or if Johnny was going to throw up. David and Syl we are trying to keep the band together. However, in that short period of time THE NEW YORK DOLLS go from the sweethearts of New York City, to playing on a bill with THE FACES in Europe, on tour with MOTT THE HOOPLE, now relegated to playing shitty little holes with nobody, I mean nobody, nobody there.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: The KinKs (1969-1995)/ Ray Davies (1995-2010)
The KinKs
October 18, 1969 Fillmore East
February 21,1970 Fillmore East (cancelled)
March 26, 1971 SUNY@ Farmingdale
November 21,1971 Carnegie Hall
March 3,1972 Carnegie Hall
November 16,1972 Felt Forum
March 31,1973 St.John’s
April 6,1974 Felt Forum
November 28,1975 The Beacon
February 1, 1977 Palladium
August 1,1995 Westbury Music Fair
RAY DAVIES
October 19,1995 Academy on 43rd
February 17,1996 WestBeth Theatre
November 8,1996 WestBeth Theatre
October 20,1997 Westbury Music Fair
February 27,2010 Westbury Music Fair
THE KINKS:
October 18, 1969 Fillmore East
The KinKs was one of my favorite bands from the early British Invasion days. They had not played live in the USA in quite some time so this show scheduled for October 18 at FILLMORE EAST was a “must see” for me. From the very first time I heard YOU REALLY GOT ME on my small transistor radio I knew these guys were different. So when the opportunity to see The KinKs live became a reality I jumped at the chance. Four, balcony seats left side of stage, not too shabby a view and with a great sound system.
The Bonzo Dog Band opened the show. While the crowd waited for their “hit” URBAN SPACEMAN, we were treated to some of the best comedy, music, and visuals I had ever seen (in my limited experience). Just sheer joy, I laughed hysterically throughout their entire set. The singer pretending he was urinating on the light show, the silly hats they wore, the large eyeglasses, and hundreds of props. They were GREAT. Needless to say I purchased two Bonzo albums the next week.Then the amazing KinKs were introduced. Even though it was a short set and one without their pianist who as Ray Davies said, “cracked his skull” so Ray played piano for a few tunes. Overall, it was a fabulous set. Upon leaving the show I remember thinking, ahhh The KinKs and The Who, two of my favorite bands, all I need is The Stones and The Beatles. BTW SPIRIT, the headliners, hit the stage after The Kinks and were decent but Randy California is NOT Raymond Douglas Davies by any stretch of the imagination. So tonight it was The KinKs.
February 21,1970 Fillmore East (cancelled)
February in New York is always cold and this night February 21,1970 was extremely, extra cold, temperature wise and personally. Tickets were purchased for Savoy Brown, The KinKs, Renaissance, The Voices of East Harlem all at FILLMORE EAST. At the Fillmore The KinKs cancelled out at the last minute making my already sour mood worse.
March 26, 1971 SUNY@ Farmingdale
Back in college The Concert Committee was in full force. We got POCO signed up for SPRING BREAK and I petitioned as hard as I could to follow that success up with The KinKs. Finally, the contract was signed and the committee discussed who would announce the band to the audience. My name was offered and I was excited but the name I put out, Ronny, another Kinks fan, was the guy chosen. WOW, we had the KinKs coming to my school and when it was all said and done that show was an experience like no other. I got to greet the band upon arrival and showed the dressing (locker) room to them. They were drinking bottles of gin as part of their pre show preparation. By the time the band hit the show they were intoxicated and intoxicating, amazingly good. I hid a tape recorder in the speaker pod and pressed “record” just as the band hit the stage. After the show I helped to put Ray Davies into a car while his brother already in that car argued that he would not ride in the same car as Ray, so Dave had to be escorted to the second car while the piano player had to be moved to Ray’s car. Ray was now out of his car stumbling around the parking lot. Finally, safely in their cars, away they went. I headed to the bar around the corner with some other Committee members to celebrate our success.
Opened with “Till The End of The Day”, “Mr. Wonderful”,”Sunny Afternoon” “All Day and All of the Night”,”You Really Got Me”, Brainwashed”. A few nights later, the fiasco of The KinKs at Philharmonic Hall occurred.
November 21,1971 Carnegie Hall
November 21: KinKs@ Carnegie Hall w/ Lindisfarne, a show of shows. I took my new partner to meet all the boys and girls from Brooklyn seated in the three “dress” tiers boxes for which we had tickets.A few cocktails at the bar, a few more at our seats, and we were ready to go.”Top Of The Pops” opens the show, “Brainwashed”,Waterloo Sunset” Victoria” “Acute Schizophrenia…””Big Sky” and the obligatory “YRGM” and “ADAAOTN”.
March 3,1972 Carnegie Hall
March 3:The KinKs at Carnegie Hall-We couldn’t get enough at the November show so here we go again (about 20 of us) seated once again in the dress circle box. Drinks at the bar, drinks at the seats…”opened with the same song as November “Top Of The Pops”, “You’re Looking Fine” Muswell Hillbillies””Apeman” “2oth Century Man””Skin and Bones”…and all recorded for the “Everbody’s In Show Biz” release. This was a rabid fan base, with paper plates(song requests), a beer duel with Ray during “Alcohol”, and just a supreme appreciation for the artistry known as The KinKs.
November 16,1972 Felt Forum
Nov 16 The KinKs w/Mom’s Apple Pie @ FELT FORUM The KinKs open with VICTORIA and are still with THE MIKE COTTON SOUND for a few numbers. There is a decent live bootleg (not mine) of this night as the show was recorded for official release.
March 31,1973 St.John’s
March 31: KinKs/ Argent @ St. John’s Univ.ARGENT “Hold your head up WOMAN” as Rod Argent recently instructed us as to the proper words to his song were amazing as an opening act should be and then The KinKs complete with paper plates a flying. Got some great shots that night also.
April 6,1974 Felt Forum
Apr6: KinKs @ FELT FORUM This was THE PRESERVATION ACT 1&2 Tour with Mike Cotton Sound, Miss Pamela, etc. As much as I love the KinKs this is my least favorite time seeing them in concert and on record. Boring.
November 28,1975
NOV 28: KinKs @ BEACON This was one of those SCHOOL BOYS IN DISGRACE shows that I hated. YUCK.The Cockney Rebels opened. Double yuck.
February 1, 1977 Palladium
FEBRUARY 1: THE KINKS (8th time)/ SUTHERLAND BROS & QUIVER @ Palladium . The KinKs are still one of my favs even after the SCHOOLBOYS, the 1 and 2, etc so I needed to see The SLEEPWALKER Tour .The boys opened with ONE OF THE SURVIVORS and closed with VICTORIA, yeah, my Kinda KinKs.
August 1,1995 Westbury Music Fair It’s been 18 years since my last KinKs outing…
Aug 1: THE KinKs @ Westbury
The Kinks Return–All Day and All of The Night
Thousands Rock at Music Fair
By Anthony Bosco
An eclectic group of more than 2,000 came out Monday night to see the Kinks perform the first of two shows at the Westbury Music fair. The band added another performance following a quick sellout of their opening night in the metropolitan area.The band, led by brother Ray and Dave Davies in full force, reunited with former keyboardist Ian Gibbons for a quick tour of the eastern United States that stopped at Long Island this week. It was the first time in two years that the band from England has visited the New York City area.
“The Kinks have just arrived,” said band leader and songwriter Ray, 51, after playing several solo acoustic numbers to kick off the show. “A Well Respected Man,” “Dedicated Follower of Fashion,” and “Stop Your Sobbing” were among the acoustic tunes Davies played before the other four band members joined him on stage. The house lights dimmed and the Kinks ripped through a raucous version of “Do It Again” from the band’s 1984 album Word of Mouth. Several hard rocking Kinks singles followed, including “Low Budget,” “A Gallon of Gas” and “Sleepwalker.” But this was not a night of hard rock. At their most poignant, the Kinks easily slipped in and out of some of their most touching tunes.Reading an impromptu set list from paper plates that littered the stage, Davies led the Kinks in moving versions of “Dead End Street,” “Rock-N-Roll Fantasy” and “Waterloo Sunset.”
With fans ranging in age from pre-teen to post-middle age, Davies and his cohorts reached all with their trademark hits, including “Come Dancing,” “You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All of the Night” and “Lola.”Dressed in a Union Jack suit, Davies said, “Who knows, this might be the last time?” before leading the band in the English anthem “Victoria.” The set was short, lasting no more than an hour and 45 minutes, but the Kinks, as always, didn’t let their core group of fans down, nearly spanning a career of more than 30 years in just one night.
The Kinks, formed in 1964 by the brothers Davies, were part of the first British invasion of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Dave Clark Five. A series of commercial failures and disappointing record sales has not forced the band into retirement but into another phase of its musical history.A new acoustic CD called To the Bone has already been released in Europe and is slated for release here in the states in December or January. Davies has also recently released his first book, an autobiographical yarn called X-Ray, available in Europe and slated to be released on this side of the Atlantic in the fall.
The Kinks are scheduled to be back in New York City next month for a one-night show in Manhattan.
RAY DAVIES(Storyteller-Solo-The 88)
October 19,1995 Academy on 43rd
Oct 19: RAY DAVIES Storyteller #1 The Academy on 43rd
RAY DAVIES NYC ? Unplugged?(author unknown)
There was much to enthuse over. Davies ran through most of the Kinks’ hits in unplugged mode; himself on acoustic guitar with one guitarist accompanying him. This nudged the audience into realising what fine, durable songs they are: 30 years on, not one sounds dated or immature. We have long known that Waterloo Sunset, Days and Lola are classics; this treatment conferred equal status on minor hits such as Autumn Almanac and Dead End Street. Between classics , Davies read excerpts from his autobiographical X-Ray and told anecdotes: upstaging the Beatles on a package tour, growing up in Muswell Hill with younger brother Dave and older sisters. Mum frowned on the girls playing Billy Eckstine’s That Old Black Magic: the words were too sexy. Davies then sang it, a cappella, with a cheeky smile. “Mum was right,” he said finally: If you could bottle his charm you’d be rich
February 17,1996:Ray Davies: Storyteller@ WestBeth Theatre
Feb 17: RAY DAVIES @ Westbeth Theatre(program) NYC
POP REVIEW;The Life of Ray Davies Through Word and Song
By NEIL STRAUSS FEB. 16, 1996
In “20th-Century Man: An Evening With Ray Davies,” on Wednesday night at a Westbeth Theater Center decorated to look like an English pub, Mr. Davies of the Kinks chronicled his life in song and spoken word. His account, based on his recent autobiography, “X-Ray” (Overlook Press), took him from normal child to misfit teen-ager to upstart musician to exploited songwriter to wistful old-timer. There was one stage, however, missing from this chronology: the glory years of a star. For Mr. Davies, a life in the limelight was derailed in the late 60’s when he was temporarily banned from touring America and embroiled in a series of lawsuits over music publishing.
Despite a career spent in the shadows of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Who, Mr. Davies developed into one of pop’s greatest songwriters. This he demonstrated by performing acoustic versions of “Waterloo Sunset,” “A Well-Respected Man,” “Victoria,” “Dedicated Follower of Fashion,” “Lola” and “The Village Green Preservation Society,” occasionally updating a lyric or two.
For a songwriter of Mr. Davies’s stature, Wednesday’s show (with Pete Mathison accompanying him on guitar) was surprisingly intimate, honest and well-staged. Sometimes his stories put the audience into a bygone era, as when he played his first hit, “You Really Got Me,” once after conjuring up the song’s recording session and a second time after speaking about its stressful but successful performance when the band was an opening act for a show by a cocky Beatles.
At other times, Mr. Davies offered new ways of listening to his songs, as when he interpreted “Two Sisters,” about the tension between a sibling who has settled into domesticity and another who lives a luxurious single life, as an analogy for his own jealousy of the freedom of his brother and band mate, Dave.
When old songs didn’t fit into Mr. Davies’s narration, he played new ones. Though these numbers depicted specific life experiences — a crush on an art-school student, a kinship with a neighborhood hunchback — Mr. Davies always stepped back in the choruses to make a larger point about pretension (in the first song) or how there is more to a person than can be seen by the eye or an X-ray (in the second). These songs, written in his late-60’s style, showed that Mr. Davies’s powers as a lyricist have hardly waned and that his voice was still capable of hitting the sweet high notes that can turn detailed observation into perfect pop.
The performance continues through March 3 at the Westbeth Theater, 151 Bank Street, in the West Village.
November 8,1996 Ray Davies: Storyteller@WestBeth Theatre (see above- second time)
October 20,1997:Ray Davies@ Westbury Music Fair(no notes) w/ Joe Bonamassa
February 27,2010: Ray Davies and The 88@Westbury Music Fair
The 88 open the show, Ray does his acoustic thing and then rewards the crowd with a stunning, KinKs hits filled electric set with THE 88 backing. Wow, what a way to head out of the place.
Over the last few years I saw DAVE DAVIES twice in small clubs with pick up bands. Not as exciting as a Ray show and not nearly enough to be called a KinKs show, even though he did some KinKs hits. The shows coincided with the release of his autobiography KINK and his album “Bug”.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF:(THE REAL and FAKE) FLEETWOOD MAC-Various Nights in Various Places with Various People
(1968) I’m a sixteen year old, living across the street from a nineteen year old college student, a bohemian kinda guy who enjoyed music as much as I did. When he had time to be seen with a young punk we would (occasionally) engage in a conversation about the bands he saw. He told me about The LOVING SPOONFUL early on in their career, a little later THE AIRPLANE, and once he mentioned seeing FLEETWOOD MAC(December of 1968 @ Steve Paul’s THE SCENE ). This guy raved about the group, especially their singer/ guitarist. I jotted the name of the band in my trusty notebook thinking this is a band to be on the look out for. Then,I heard nothing about them for quite some time and no matter where I searched I could not find any of their recordings. A few months passed (early 69) when I found A Hard Road (February 1967 release date), the third John Mayall album (and the first to feature Peter Green who I still did not know was the singer/guitarist in question). “A Hard Road” was amazing, especially “The Stumble” which I thought would make the perfect “break song” for my band, “Another Kinda Love”, and …”The Supernatural”. Who is this guitarist?Peter Green? Who?
My kid brother was a THREE DOG NIGHT fan and a budding concert goer. Pop always said it was the double breasted suits, Beatle boots, and music which led him astray from the priesthood. So, with a few friends he attended a July 1969 show at THE (NYS) PAVILION in Queens, NY. On the bill was FLEETWOOD MAC.While my brother raved about how fantastic THREE DOG NIGHT’s performance was, he said little about FLEETWOOD MAC except to say I would like them. A few nights later my buddies (sans me) saw Ten Years After @ WOLLMAN RINK in Manhattan and lo and behold FLEETWOOD MAC opened. The guys loved both bands. For me it was another missed opportunity. But alas, a few weeks later I found “Then Play On” in the record store, also “Fleetwood Mac”, the one with the garbage can on the cover. I was mesmerized by the music, and now realized Peter Green from Mayall’s “A Hard Road” was the guitarist/singer in question.
Then, it was my turn,November 22,1969@Fillmore East, JOE COCKER and THE GREASE BAND headlining with FLEETWOOD MAC and KING CRIMSON as support bands; I saw Cocker in August, Crimson was unheard of (another story)…It was a Fleetwood Mac night to remember, at least for me. PETER GREEN was phenomenal as was the rest of the band. So,so good they were.My girlfriend thought they were not even close to Cocker’s Grease Band. What?I need to rethink girlfriends.
Two months later, Friday night, January 23, 1970 FLEETWOOD MAC is headlining locally (Island Park) at The Action House with Frost opening. Knowing I had QUICKSILVER tickets for the next night I only stayed for one, long fabulous set by THE MAC. Again, they did not disappoint and Peter Green was brilliant…”Black Magic Woman”,”The Supernatural”, “Albatross”,“The Green Manalishi”, “Rattlesnake Shake” (which went on for about 15 minutes),”Jumping at Shadows”,and “Shake Your Moneymaker”.Whew.
A few years ago I was discussing the merits of DUANE ALLMAN with a like minded spirit when the guy told me his remembrance of the JANIS JOPLIN/ GRATEFUL DEAD show at FILLMORE EAST February 11, 1970. JOPLIN was debuting her new band@ Fillmore East. At the late show the DEAD were doing their thing when they invited Duane Allman (Allman Bros. opened the show) AND Peter Green up to the stage for a jam.Peter was in town as Fleetwood Mac was opening for SLY and The FAMILY STONE at Madison Square Garden.Recently I listened to a decent recording of this event and, well, mind-blowing is all I can say.
After these performances (late 69 early 1970), I hear no more about FLEETWOOD MAC shows or recordings, which is strange as the summer schedule (Central Park,etc) was released and I expected their name to pop up. It appears the band had a few difficulties, one being the leader, PETER GREEN walked away (May 28,1970) leaving Fleetwood Mac (version #4) as Jeremy, Danny, John, and Mick. A #5 version appears (August 70-Feb 71) by adding CHRISTINE PERFECT (from CHICKEN SHACK) aka Christine McVie.
Late Summer, the FILLMORE EAST lineup is finally announced and there they are August 28-29, 1970 SAVOY BROWN/FLEETWOOD MAC/FAIRPORT CONVENTION. I send in my SASE for tickets
for what later would be one of my favorite shows of that summer despite some personnel changes and relationship problems in the bands and for me. I had two FAIRPORT CONVENTION albums and knew seeing them live would be unique. Unfortunately Sandy Denny (vocalist) had left the band but I became a huge fan of Richard Thompson (guitar/vocals) that night. Next up, Fleetwood Mac was missing Peter Green which was a huge disappointment for me, they/he were/was the reason I was there. But this newer FLEETWOOD MAC (version #5) now had Christine Perfect on keys /vocals and they introduced KILN HOUSE stuff which rocked. Quite a huge departure from the Peter Green stuff. Finally, Savoy Brown had no Chris Youlden on vocals. Lonesome Dave did the voice, and shades of FOGHAT were born. Despite the fact that all three bands were missing a key component, all were oh so good.
It appears (May 1970) Green left the band, suffering the early onset of mental illness thought to be the result of an unsolicited LSD experience in Munich, Germany.
FLEETWOOD MAC (#6) occurs February 15,1971 when Jeremy Spencer disappears the day the band hits Los Angeles, joining a cult known as THE CHILDREN of GOD, thereby denouncing his career, his band, his wife and two children.
“…given the news of Spencer’s action, the group called on Peter Green in London to rejoin them for the duration of the tour. After an hour on the phone, Green agreed – but only to finish out the tour, which ends in Long Island March 27th. Green, whose departure was partly attributable to his own devotion to Christianity, flew in on Friday, the 19th, to join the band in San Bernardino, California. He refused to talk about the Spencer case and emphasized only that the reunion with Fleetwood Mac is temporary.(Rolling Stone:March 18,1971)
Correction: His devotion was not to Christianity as Peter Green is actually Peter Greenbaum, of Jewish decent. Green did not like the music business, actually gave away all his money at one point.
I tired having worked a KinKs concert (March 26)getting to my room about 5AM but knew I had to solder on as PETER GREEN was in town playing with FLEETWOOD MAC/ EDGAR WINTER’s WHITE TRASH/TIN HOUSE March 26/27,1971@ Rockpile aka The Action House. Again, he did not disappoint,taking the band back to their roots of blues, beautifully played blues. And then he was gone, again
FLEETWOOD MAC(version 7) is now young DANNY KIRWAN (another soon to be rock n roll tragedy) and CHRISTINE McVIE’s band. “Future Games” (71) was Danny’s shining moment as lead guitarist with BOB WELCH added to the line up on rhythm. The blues were dropped from their repertoire. “Bare Trees” (72) is considered the lp which erases everything in the past, a true Kirwan masterpiece, to some. During the promotional tour Danny Kirwan was fired from Fleetwood Mac in the (fall of 1972). His alcoholism and increasing mental instability had made him a difficult bandmate and collaborator. Version 8 is Bob and Christine’s show and so on…they were a mess financially,had troubles with internal relationships and external relationships. They added members, dropped folks, changed management ,moved to LA, back to England,etc
January 26,1974, Academy of Music- FLEETWOOD MAC/KISS/SILVERHEAD. I’m there for FLEETWOOD MAC (not knowing who was still in the band). SILVERHEAD, well I had no idea who they were, still don’t. KISS was on a return performance from their debut at the same venue on New Years Eve. Their set was cut short as Gene Simmons set his hair on fire.(I saw Kiss twice at THE DAISY in Amityville the summer before but then KISS was not like this. Tonight, KISS set the entire venue of 3000 on fire. A great show, lights, fire breathing,fully costumed and ear drum shattering loud. Then, FLEETWOOD MAC appears. I notice MICK FLEETWOOD is not on the kit, No John McVie, No Christine…strange looks around the crowd, “who are these guys” playing instrumentals and no noticeable MAC tunes. Boos start, getting louder by the moment. An announcement is made that refund vouchers are available at the box office, to which I took my two. This was a bogus FM, a band put together by the owner (a past manager) of the “brand name” FLEETWOOD MAC, which hit the road while the true members were sorting out problems with alcohol, drugs, relationships, etc.Immediately after this, the true band grab the reins and hire Buckingham and Nicks, the rest is history.
To me,of all the guitar giants to emerge from the British blues boom Peter Green was perhaps the most naturally gifted. B.B.King famously said this about him: “He has the sweetest tone I ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats.” That’s really is all you need to know about the man. Duane Allman acknowledged Green’s influence on him and the twin guitar approach of the Allman Brothers Band, And PETER GREEN penned “Black Magic Woman”.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF:ZAPPA’s HALLOWEEN in New York.
First, there was a residency at the Garrick Theatre in 1967. I was a youngster but do remember the poster of their shows gracing many walls and telephone poles throughout lower Manhattan.(see attached). Then there were the “Mother’s Day” shows at Fillmore East, and finally the HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA’s. What a glorious time it was. Here’s what I wrote in my “music journal”, by date, not years, so pay attention.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: FRANK ZAPPA-OCTOBER 28,1978 at THE PALLADIUM in New York. This is my fifth Zappa show and second for HALLOWEEN @The Palladium. It’s a tradition for ZAPPA, one which I needed to see again and my wife arranges a babysitter so she can come. It’s another fantastic ZAPPA extravaganza, long and of course with the mandatory audience participation. The HALLOWEEN dvd was recorded the night we were there. The only problem with sitting in the orchestra is that the tall ass mother…who sat in front of me had on a huge, round bunny head with large floppy ears costume, making my vision to the stage blocked quite a bit.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF:FRANK ZAPPA- October 29,1977:My fourth Zappa show and first HALLOWEEN experience@ The Palladium.This was an amazing spectacular performance. The band was tight, the audience loose and me mellow as can be. What a great night it was. We need to do this again,soon. Prior to the show while waiting on line to get in, I’m having a smoke and four drunken teens walk by. One said loudly “ Hey man, ain’t you the new teacher?” I looked him directly in the eye and said What?”, to which he restated the question. I said, “I’m not a teacher, man”. They left. The next Monday in school I saw the kid sitting on the radiator outside my class. I walked over and asked, “How was Zappa?”. He jumped up and said, “I knew it was you.”
TICKETS TORN IN HALF:October 31, 1980_FRANK ZAPPA@The Palladium This is my sixth Zappa show and third Halloween Palladium event. I did not write much in my journal after this but did note” CHUNGA’s REVENGE but no PEACHES. Another great ZAPPA show”.
(background)It must have been that GARRICK THEATRE poster that I saw while walking around Greenwich Village especially the one which lasted for years outside the movie theatre on 8th Street that piqued my interest in this strange looking ensemble known as THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION. Strange name also. Who or what are they?
It’s Spring of 1967, me a fifteen year old who most every Saturday when the weather was good was checking out the street art shows in and around THE VILLAGE with my art teacher, a Franciscan Nun. She was hip to what was happening, and years later left the order for a commune or something. Anyway back to the poster. We get off the subway and there it is. A few steps later there is another and another, and another. So on down the street. THE MOTHERS (written in bold) of Invention (not so bold) at THE GARRICK THEATRE Tuesday thru Sunday ,each poster with a photo of a man with a pronounced almost comical mustache and the heads of some other guys under his photo.
A few months later Back at school (September) a guy in one of my art classes brings in two albums: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION- Freak Out and ABSOLUTELY FREE. Hey, that’s the poster, I thought. Who are these guys? I must admit my naive ears where not accepting what I was hearing. This isn’t rock music. WTF. I gave up early.
1969: I got an 8 track copy of CRUSIN’ WITH RUBIN AND THE JETS (released 1968) which never left my player for the longest time. It was a blast. This lead me to buy the album WE’RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY (released before R&TJ). October finds the HOT RATS album in the racks of the local record store and I’m sold on FRANK ZAPPA.A few months later CHUNGA’S REVENGE (1970) is joining my ever growing collection of vinyl. I need to see this band and soon.Until then add as many MOTHERS records to the pile.
I had every intention of seeing THE MOTHERS at their FILLMORE EAST performance November 13, 1970 but as I had tickets for TYA at MSG I missed it. It’s a long story.Geez, it would have been nice in more ways than one to see ZAPPA that night.
Now, I have two tickets for the late show June 1971.It’s never been the same as that night along with other nights changed my perception of live music. Even thought I left early AND missed John and Yoko with the MOTHERS, it WAS never the same. They were funny and musically sound. WOW
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: October 21,1980-JEFF BECK@The PALLADIUM,NYC There is nothing better then seeing an ace guitar player work his craft, and this guy is the real deal. This outing finds Mr. Beck with a three piece ensemble,playing mostly all new stuff with a few gems thrown in.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF:October 16,1976-JEFF BECK with JAN HAMMER and REO SPEEDWAGON at the PALLADIUM. Only one night after seeing Jackson Browne(how varied is my musical taste?) in the same venue I am back to see JEFF BECK morph from his rock mode into the jazz rock stratosphere. REO, yuck but BECK. Who needs a lead singer when you can make your six string sing? Jan Hammer’s band opens up and 3 tunes in Jeff Beck joins them. GOODBYE PORKPIE HAT, SHE’S A WOMAN and LED BOOTS, and THE TRAIN KEPT A ROLLING, oh my.
intuneandintime 