The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1974 with THE LIPSTICK KILLERS

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: Delaney, Bonnie and Friends with Eric Clapton- February 7,1970

TICKETS TORN IN HALF: Delaney, Bonnie and Friends with Eric Clapton- February 7,1970

With a bottle of red wine and two tickets to see Delaney Bonnie Friends with Eric Clapton we head out into a bitter cold night Saturday night, February 7 of 1970. ERIC CLAPTON was now touring as a member of DB&F. This was a dream come true show with Clapton away from that Blind Faith shit and having Rita Coolidge also on the stage, this would make the night complete. We met some older (by one or two years) town folks on the train ride in who also happened to be heading to the show. Live music became the topic for our small group. And we spoke, and spoke. Too cool, I held my own in discussing our musical tastes. Years later I continued to see these same guys going to the same shows as I was. Always had a fun train ride with them.

Eric Clapton was the man that night and the Fillmore East acoustics made him sound amazing. This was so much better than The Garden sound system when he played with Blind Faith.Tonight at FILLMORE EAST Seals and Crofts opened as did Wilbert Harrison. Both acts paled in comparison to the guitarist revered as GOD.

Eric Clapton – Guitar / Vocals
Delaney Bramlett – Guitar / Vocals
Bonnie Bramlett – Vocals
Rita Coolidge – Vocals
Bobby Whitlock – Keyboards / Vocals
Carl Radle – Bass
Jim Gordon – Drums
Tex Johnson – Percussion
Jim Price – Trumpet
Bobby Keys – Saxophone

The DB & F LIVE album came out a month after the show, so our expectations for the FILLMORE EAST show were high, our anxiety even higher. What would they play? Having seen the band (DB&F) opening for BLIND FAITH and throughly enjoying them, we had some ideas but with the addition of CLAPTON…all bets were off.

Partial set list:Things Get Better/Poor Elijah/I Don’t Know Why/That’s What My Man is For/Where There’s a Will There’s a Way/Crossroads/Coming Home/Little Richard Medley/

ON THE TURNTABLE:and the year was-1970

ON THE TURNTABLE: And the year was…1970
Every few weeks I post a review of the albums I listened to in a particular year. So today is one of those postings…AND THE YEAR WAS:1970

Strange freaking year for me.January of 1970 I just turned eighteen years old, awaiting graduation from high school, applying to colleges and possible facing the military draft. No matter what transpired the night before or what each morning brought upon us, we partied on.My job at the cassette factory recently closed so I had to find gainful employment to keep my obsession of attending live shows and buying recorded music. I found not one job but two; One working in a boat yard part time after school and full time on the weekends, as well as working evenings as a substitute cleaner/custodian in the local schools when called upon, which was regularly.That custodian gig paid off big time years later, but that’s another story altogether.I graduated high school in June, worked the summer, and headed off to college in September. There I immediately landed on the college radio station doing Friday night 11PM to Saturday 7 AM as well as an occasional afternoon show.

1970 Music: in no particular order or favor:

To me NEIL YOUNG’s third album “After The Gold Rush” (August 70)was better than CSNY’s (March 70)“Deja Vu” but not nearly as exciting as Neil’s “Everybody Knows…”. It’s 1970, so “…Gold Rush” is the perfect collection for the 8-track tape players we all installed in our cars. One copy of “Gold Rush” moved from one friend’s cars to other friends cars. Perfect “pot smoking music” was how it was once described.

After I and II the new LED ZEPPELIN album had to entitled “ III”.They are original…or maybe not, anyway “Immigrant Song” kicks it off, on from there it was electric, acoustic,electric back to acoustic. Cool stuff. The tune“Since I’ve Been Loving You” was copped directly from the obscure “Grape Jam”. Robert Plant was good friends with BOB MOSLEY of MOBY GRAPE so Zep stole from every one, being unscrupulous,unmerciful, but good.

VAN MORRISON’s “Moon Dance” was another staple on the ole turntable, as well as the new turntable/stereo which I had updated at this time. I now had an actual stereo system with true speaker separation… And loud,too.

THE WHO- “Live at Leeds” I bought this (vinyl), threw it on, cranked up the stereo and almost blew out the windows to my room.Simply said, it’s “DA ‘HO”…played it a 1000 times.

THE BEATLES “Let It Be” well… everyone bought this. No biggie here for me, I did buy it but hardly ever played it. I did buy the “Naked” version years later and must say I like the Naked better.

TRAFFIC: “John Barleycorn Must Die”-Summer of ’70, six songs, thirty five minutes, bravo. I was so glad BLIND FAITH was over and TRAFFIC together for another go round. This was a quite different TRAFFIC sound and another great tape to bring out with the boys on the corner.

Two from ELTON JOHN, “Elton John” and “Tumbleweed Connection”- After seeing ELTON JOHN (the trio) open for LEON RUSSELL @ Fillmore East, I was sold, this guy would be huge, but how huge I did not know.

BAND OF GYPSYS “Band of Gypsy’s”-I appreciated his uniqueness, his innovative approach but still was not a huge fan as were most of my friends. Don’t get me wrong, his first album was a gem, and “Electric Ladyland”, wow. Then I wanted to go to this FILLMORE EAST show, New Years Day 1970, even had tickets but that’s another story. After I got this album, I really regretted not going and had a higher appreciation of the artistry known as HENDRIX.

THE DOORS- “Morrison’s Hotel”, this is their fifth album. Their fourth sucked, horns and all. This was a “return to the blues” so said one reviewer. Which blues, I’ll never know. Better than “Soft Parade”, I’ll give you that.

CSNY “Deja Vu” Funny how I liked most of the tunes, except the Graham Nash ones. To this day, I still laugh at the words to “Our House”.With “Two cats in the yard”…”flowers in the vase”…yuck, this is rock and roll, Graham.

T.REX- “T.Rex”(1970 release) After reading about T. Rex and DAVID BOWIE in MELODY MAKER I contacted the record company and received a copy of the album for the radio station in January 1971. I took it home on the winter break and never brought it back.

DEREK and THE DOMINOS-“Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” I saw the band at FILLMORE EAST in October before the album was released. November ,we get it at the radio station, and I throw it on in the lounge. “Little Wing” grabbed my attention, then that “Layla” tune was kinda special. We saw the band again in December at Suffolk Community College (another story), they never played “Layla” but we did on the station, constantly. During one of my overnighters I played the entire album along with the original version of some of the blues numbers.

THE GRATEFUL DEAD- “Workingman’s Dead” and “American Beauty” both were heavy rotation on my show and in my room.

MILES DAVIS: “Bitches Brew”- “Miles Runs The Voodoo Down” followed by DR JOHN’S “ Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya” can get one in a bit of controversy with the radio staff, especially when you are the new guy (me) and the offended party is the outgoing “thinks he is a big shot Assistant Program Director”, a guy who regularly plays a “Melanie Half Hour”. I still swear he removed “Bitches Brew” from the record library. Smart me, I’ll bring my own and play it again, just for fun.

Speaking of fun…THE STOOGES “Fun House” was not welcomed at my parent’s home nor at the radio station…no fun zone, I guess. Nor was the VELVET UNDERGROUND’s “Loaded” welcomed but I played “Sweet Jane”, “Who Loves The Sun” and “Rock & Roll” to no end. Throw in the MC5 “Back In The USA” and one can see why I was hosting a very late night radio show. rather than “the Breakfast Hour”.

And then there was THE KINKS “Lola Versus Powerman and The Money Go Round”, JETHRO TULL’S“Benefit”, VAN MORRISON’s “His Band and Street Choir” wonderful follow up to “Moon Dance”,
WOODSTOCK “TheSound Track, JOE COCKER’s“Mad Dogs and Englishmen”, ROD STEWART’s “Gasoline Alley,THE BEACH BOYS “Sunflower” and of course SPIRIT “Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus”.

Funny, by Spring of 71 I was in charge of the record library at the station, a true benefit for any record collector, AND was doing Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with a weekend show… 16 hours total air time…AND NO HOLDS BARRED.

TICKETS TORN IN HALF: The KinKs (1969-1995)/ Ray Davies (1995-2010)

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”.

ON THE TURNTABLE: The KinKs- “Then,Now and InBetween”

ON THE TURNTABLE: The KinKs- “Then,Now and InBetween”

The other day someone posted a piece on their blog about a few clunkers that The KinKs put out as albums, specifically during this “Preservation: Act 1 and 2” “School Boys In Disgrace” and “Soap Opera” days. I agreed wholeheartedly that these albums basically stunk, except for one or two songs taken out of context so to speak. However, from the moment I heard “You Really Got Me” on WMCA-AM 570 radio in New York I knew this was a band that would be ingrained in my brain. What great riffs, words, energy. After the union band was lifted (1969)and The KinKs were allowed to return to the United States I had the pleasure of seeing them at the Fillmore East opening for SPIRIT. It was a night to remember, even though the reviews were dismal, I was astounded, and over the subsequent years I’ve seen the band 10 times and RAY DAVIES (solo) 5 times. Each show was unique and truly an adventure. Even during the “clunker” years aka their “theatrical period” a live KinKs show was fantastic. While the “theatrical period” records were difficult to enjoy, I take you back to the “classic” years as they are called now.(I hate that phrase)

1964: WMCA-AM (New York’s Top 40 radio) plays “You Really Got Me” by The KinKs- September 0f 1964 to be exact.Two weeks later I bought the single along with THE ZOMBIES ‘She’s Not There” at the local W.T. Grants. A few weeks later I had The KinKs “All Day and All of the Night” with the incredible b-side “I Gotta Move” and THE ZOMBIES “Tell Her No”.

Spring of 65:
The Kinks – first lp was released in 64 but I was a singles man at that time. By 65 I was into the harder stuff…albums. I bought the second (US) album “KinKs Size” first which had “Tired of Waiting/ All Day and All of the Night/Gotta Move” Then,having throughly enjoyed the second I bought the first US “You Really Got Me” album. On that collection I played “Stop Your Sobbing” over and over.“Kinda KinKs” was their next US release but I held off. But at Christmas i received “KinKs Kingdom” with its “Well Respected Man” and “See My Friends”.

In 66/67 I picked up “Face To Face” which featured “Dandy/You’re Looking Fine/Sunny Afternoon”. Then ,“Something Else By The KinKs” (1967) where virtually every track is a winner to KinKs fans…David Watts/ Death of A Clown/Love Me To The Sun Shines/Waterloo Sunset

But the “game changer” is/was “The KinKs Are The Village Green Preservation Society “ of January 1969. This was a masterpiece in my mind. (Note:just bought the 50th Anniversary Edition- all formats and it is still as fresh as it was then.)

About this time the band is working out their problems with the unions (American Federation o fMusicians) having received a ban in 1965 blackballing them from performing in the States.Years later,Ray Davies mused, “In many respects, that ridiculous ban took away the best years of the Kinks’ career when the original band was performing at its peak.”

1969: IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE KINKS WILL RETURN TO THE USA…but by this time it is five long years even THE DAVE CLARK FIVE, THE HOLLIES and HERMIT’S HERMITS had more Top Ten hits in the US than The KinKs. To most in The States, THE KINKS were forgotten, it being WOODSTOCK and all.The KinKs were now a “cult band”, a cult to which I was happily a card carrying member. An ad in the VILLAGE VOICE (August 69) encouraged the record buying public to send in $2.00 to REPRISE RECORDS to fund a campaign entitled GOD SAVE THE KINKS. My two bucks went in. A few weeks later I receive a box set complete with (fake) grass from The Village Green, a puzzle, a sticker, a GOD SAVE THE KINKS badge (which I still have) and included in the box was what is now, one of my most prized records “Then, Now and InBetween” . The ‘campaign” was done to help rejuvenate their careers in America . A few weeks later “Arthur” is released with the gems “Brainwashed” and “Victoria”.

The KinKs tour the US with a stop at Fillmore East October 18,1969.I am there, OH ,YES. Then,1970: Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround,Part one: and everything changes…LOLA…L…o…l…a…LOLA.

Next Time: TICKETS TORN IN HALF: The KinKs

From the campaign.

Found on the wall behind a music hall in Boston.

TICKETS TORN IN HALF:Bob Dylan and The Band@ Madison Square Garden- January 31, 1974

TICKETS TORN IN HALF: BOB DYLAN AND THE BAND@ MADISON SQUARE GARDEN- JANUARY 31, 1974(If you like what you are reading please hit the button to “subscribe”. Thanks.)

I don’t know why any suburban concert goer circa 1972-1978 would ever want to attend a show at NASSAU COLISEUM… drug busts, arrest, the other night 10 arrest at the BOB DYLAN and THE BAND show. Geez…I refused to buy a ticket knowing the life style of a young man would be in jeopardy when confronted by the tactics of the Nassau County PD and the county’s notorious DA. So when the call came that my bride’s co-worker had two tickets for the same show but housed in the safety and security of New York City’s MADISON SQUARE GARDEN I was on the train in a flash.Being a Thursday night I had to call in “sick” for work. Of course my boss questioned my sudden illness so I nicely told him I’m going to see Bob Dylan so “freak you” but only in stronger words.He listed it as a “personal” day.

DYLAN hadn’t toured in almost 8 years, 1966 that is and I was 14 at that time. To boot, DYLAN hadn’t released an album in almost four years so this was going to be a “must” see event. Tickets were sold out in a matter of minutes in our area. Four nights, two at the Nassau piss hole and 2 night with 3 shows ( one matinee-4PM) at MSG.DYLAN had just released “Planet Waves” a few days before our show, an album made with THE BAND onboard.

So away I go, train ride in with a bottle of wine and my usual Marlboro Reds, getting primed before meeting up with my wife and another couple. A quick bite to eat, payment for the tickets, and into the show. Pretty good seats to the left of the stage, two levels up but close enough for my zoom lens to work.(Notes from my journal-“Dylan opens with MOST LIKELY YOU GO YOUR WAY and a few tunes before THE BAND does STAGE FRIGHT, Bob joins in, then acoustic BOB, then THE BAND, then BOB and THE Band closing with MOST LIKELY YOU GO YOUR WAY. Neat. I took a photo of YOKO, Albert Grossman and DICK CAVETT chatting during intermission”.

Setlist: 


1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)
2.Lay Lady Lay
3.Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
4.Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
5.It Ain’t Me, Babe
6.Ballad Of A Thin Man
7.All Along The Watchtower
8.Ballad Of Hollis Brown
9.Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
10.The Times They Are A-Changin’
11.Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
12.Gates Of Eden
13.Just Like A Woman
14.It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
15.Forever Young
16.Something There Is About You
17.Like A Rolling Stone
—
18.Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)
19.Blowin’ In The Wind

Village Voice Review
Madison Square Garden with the Band | January 31, 1974
Aside from some guest appearances (a Woody Guthrie Tribute; the Concert for Bangladesh; a Band show at the Academy of Music) Dylan was off the road for seven-and-a-half years and didn’t play a full concert in New York City for a very long time. That was a lifetime, an entire career in rock and roll back then. A lot would happen in between: military actions, protest movements, motorcycle accidents, Woodstock. But then he came back with one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll alliances on one of the most amazing tours ever. The ‘74 tour with the Band featured Dylan at the height of his Seventies powers, alongside Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm very close to the apex of theirs. This show at the Garden would amply showcase all of the above, and an audience at the height of Watergate roars like a jet engine as Dylan sings the “But even the President of the United States/Has to stand naked” line during “It’s All Right Ma, I’m Only Bleeding.”

TICKETS TORN IN HALF:(THE REAL and FAKE) FLEETWOOD MAC-Various Nights in Various Places with Various People

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: James Taylor @ FILLMORE EAST-January 25,1971

The album “Sweet Baby James” was a game changer, not only for JAMES TAYLOR but also for a host of singer-songwriters who followed. His second album, first for Warner Bros Records, hit the airways in 1970 and slowly made its way up the charts. The single “Fire and Rain”, when released, was a top Ten Billboard hit.

January 25, 1971:FILLMORE EAST 8th row right side with a new girl at my side. Opening act was a 23 year old out of San Francisco who goes by one name, VICTORIA.

Mike Jahn’s review of VICTORIA from the NY TIMES that week describes her as “a frail‐looking folk singer from San Francisco,(who) is proving very impressive during her engagement at the Gaslight Cafe,The 23‐year‐old angular faced, thin‐armed performer plays electric guitar and piano, and sings in a highly distinctive voice, shifting from high‐ cutting moments unlike most other female folk singers, to soft breathy moments”. Which she was, all of that, but forgotten by me after she finished her set.

After a short intermission the crowd was reminded that James Taylor was performing a benefit for Native Americans. Out he strolls to applause and a few “We love you James”. His banter with the crowd was entertaining and his comment about having PAUL McCARTNEY in the house had almost everyone, myself included, looking for the former Beatle. Hence, James Taylor opens with an acoustic version of WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS.

    With A Little Help From My Friends 03:45
    2 Long Ago & Far Away 03:45
    3 Something In The Way She Moves 03:54
    4 Blossom 02:33
    5 (Snuff Commercial) 02:17
    6 Greensleeves 01:55
    7 Sunny Skies 03:57
    8 Diamond Joe 03:07
    9 Things Go Better With Coke 01:36
    10 Carolina In My Mind 04:19
    11 Riding On A Railroad 02:44
    12 Fire And Rain 04:46
    13 Highway Song 05:39
    14 Lo And Behold 04:05
    15 Machine Gun Kelly 02:52
    16 Hey Mister, That's Me Up On the Jukebox 04:13
    17 Steamroller Blues 04:25
    18 Night Owl 03:51
    19 You Can Close Your Eyes 02:38
    20 Sweet Baby James 03:16

James Taylor was entertaining, and a pleasure to hear. I made a tape of the performance with my portable and trusty cassette player.

TICKETS TORN IN HALF-The Doors/Staple Singers@Madison Square Garden, January 24,1969

What a way to celebrate my 17th birthday with two tickets to see THE DOORS on January 24, 1969 at Madison Square Garden. New brown corduroy slacks, brown boots, a new overcoat, with a few extra bucks in my pocket from my folks as a birthday gift and away I go. A new pack of Marlboro Reds, train fare, money for the food after the show at the diner, I was psyched to go to another live show. But on the train ride in, the “problem” soon reared its ugly head as I had a girlfriend who was more excited about seeing Jim Morrison and chatting about Jim Morrison with her friends who also would be attending the show, both on the ride in and then again on the way home, Jim, Jim, Jim. Geez, selfish me, taking her to celebrate my birthday, which she basically forgot.

In THE GARDEN the stage was set in the middle of the arena and as the lights dimmed, The Staple Singers appeared first. Beautiful mood and music is the best way to describe what The Staples did. Even with a poor sound system their set was fascinatingly simple, elegant and spiritual. I was awestruck. After a rather extensive intermission, THE DOORS with a bass player (Harvey Brooks) appeared on stage, and adding a small horn section for a few tunes this being their “Soft Parade” days. According to The Doors faithful this show, one of the band’s first attempts at an arena rock show, was one of their finest. That night included songs from The Soft Parade, as well as Tell All The People, Love Me Two Times, Spanish Caravan,Back Door Man, Light My Fire, Five To One and When The Music’s Over

The Doors were, to my limited live experienced ears, musically okay, but not what I had anticipated. I expected a great rock band. Jim Morrison was an idiot, or was it just me? Nah, he was an idiot, hindering an otherwise good band with his “poetry” and rants. One interlude by Mr. Morrrison was something about him sitting on a fence, “and boy, do my balls hurt”. Musically my night was made by really digging The Staple Singers and developing a true appreciation for what they did. They were one cool group with a smooth, unique sound. Needless to say the Staples did not fit into the conversation on the return trip home. And neither did my birthday which seemed to have been overlooked. So as the song goes, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS…

January 30, 1969- The Village Voice- Riffs-“Jiiimmieeeee!”
“Jim Morrison carefully wrapped his black leather jacket into the shape suitable for air travel, then heaved it far into this $6.50 seats. It was early on in the proceedings Friday night at Madison Square Garden and if there was any question earlier whether the Doors concert was going to be anything but predictable, it was answered then.”
“…. The instrumentalists in the group play their axes, Morrison plays the audience.
“… well, the teenies got their show and the Doors and their promoters got lots of money, and money is really all that these monster events, indoors and out, are all about. The music? Who knows? The sound system in The Garden is abominable, but it mattered a lot more during The Staple Singers very professional set then when The Doors came on. The Doors originally sounded like one of the freshest, most promising things happening. Now they have released the same album under three different titles and encourage an audience that would be satisfied if they played bubblegum music as long as up front there was their Jiiimmmmiiiieeee.”

TICKETS TORN IN HALF:THE DOORS/ LONNIE MACK- JANUARY 18,1970@ FELT FORUM

TICKETS TORN IN HALF:THE DOORS/ LONNIE MACK- JANUARY 18,1970@ FELT FORUM

A few days shy of my 18th birthday and I’m feeling like a veteran rock n roller having attended a shit load of concerts.Yet,I was still a bit naive. The entire crew at work, even us part timers got a nice Christmas bonus which I spent on new slacks, cut perfectly for my skinny body, a nice pullover, a new jacket with almost matching boots, and two tickets to see one of my girlfriend’s favorite band THE DOORS, Sunday, January 18,1970 at The FELT FORUM, my second shot at seeing this legendary band.If I could have I would have begged off but didn’t. Again,as last year, the rants and poems by Morrison while the group played a pedestrian beat in the background made me think…ah, he (Morrison) is not that good.Yet the women in the crowd loved him, they actually roared with delight at his antics and his profanity. Lonnie Mack opened the show and was as good as last time I saw him. John Sebastian joined the Doors on harmonica for the opening tune ROADHOUSE BLUES. And my stroll around The Forum almost got me arrested. Good thing I am fast and the security guard fell on the stairs when he grabbed me.

It was a long night, with a late start to the show, and a missed train for a ride home, I was getting nervous knowing that I had classes in the morning, midterm exams.The sun was about to rise as our train pulled into town, arriving home a few minutes before my folks woke up for work. I went upstairs and set my alarm hoping against hope for some shuteye, but alas, no. Pop called up to me, “Time to get up, Mary”, his pet name for me because of my hair. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, got a cup of coffee and lit a smoke. As I exhaled I wondered ,“What the hell am I doing? That show was not worth it.” I took a shower, dressed and heading off to high school.

THE DOORS were a staple in my listening pleasure over the years.After hearing about this band from my older music loving neighbors I bought the “Light My Fire” single and the first album on their recommendation. Good stuff, I thought. To my surprise the second album “Strange Days” was purchased for me by my Dad after he saw an ad for its release in a record store window in Greenwich Village. Why he bought it for me I’ll never know but I liked that he did and I enjoyed the record.
While I was working as an intern in NYC (Summer 1968)I bought “Waiting For The Sun” which I thought was the start of the end, a downward spiral, for the group. Then, “The Soft Parade” which compared to the releases of the same period (a few weeks before Woodstock Festival) shows that THE DOORS were reaching for straws here…horns, etc …pop music, yuck.
So this is my introduction to THE DOORS, four albums worth of tunes before I see them live for the first time, January of 1969. While that show is their first attempt at arena rock it is considered to be one of their “shining moments” by their legions of die hards. I was just okay with it. Now, it’s my second shot and we find a drunken, bearded, and “slightly” overweight Morrison. Well,anyway, the musicians were great. The entire show has been released live, check it out…it will prove my point.

from pitchfork review.
The rest of the band is here to support the star, and it never lets him down: The Doors were a loose, groovy, and ferocious combo, here playing a setlist that sticks to rock and blues and skips all the winsome and folky stuff that cluttered up Waiting for the Sun and The Soft Parade. Organist Ray Manzarek played the hooks that turned songs like “Hello, I Love You” into pop hits, but here he’s focused on driving the rhythm section. Even his legendary solo on “Light My Fire” changes in concert from a melodic improvisation to a jam that climaxes in frustration, as you can hear him stabbing the keys with all ten fingers and wishing he had another ten besides. On the other hand, guitarist Robby Krieger is ferocious right from the riff of “Roadhouse Blues”, and he makes their cover of Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love” one of the best recordings the Doors ever made.

Twenty one dates after this night…july 3, 1971 and Mr.Mojo Risen is dead.