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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

I cannot recommend enough the new book by Addie Mahmassani, Air Split Open (2026: U Of Iowa Press). Mahmassani parses the Folk Music "Revival" by looking at how Odetta and Joan Baez used folk music to provide agency for women. They set the table for Bob Dylan. uipress.uiowa.edu/books/air-sp...

Air Split Open, by Addie Mahmassani (2026: U of Iowa Press) looks at how Odetta and Joan Baez used folk music to give women agency. Bob Dylan took the idea of Agency and ran with it.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

As if last night's update wasn't enough, we have a new wave. Wise scholars--one in particular--have contributed numerous dates to the Youngbloods Performance History from 1966 to 1968, and I have updated the post (again). rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...

On Thursday, July 14, 1966 Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods opened the Hullabaloo Scene at Kingsley and 1st Avenues in Asbury Park. Later that night, they played their regular gig at the Cafe Au Go Go in Greenwich Village.

Also on the bill were The Vagrants, from Queens, with guitarist Les Weinstein (you likely know him as Leslie West of Mountain). Plus The Myddle Class, a band of suburban New Jersey teenagers. Among other things, they headlined the first concert the Velvet Underground played, their bass player (Charles Larkey) married Carole King and their singer (David Palmer) was in Steely Dan (he sang "Do It Again".

Jesse Colin Young's Youngbloods were booked at Clevaland's La Cave** (at 10615 Euclid near E 105th) for New Year's Eve 66-67

the two stars (**) were part of the club's name

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Thanks to scholarly reader input, we have discovered numerous new Youngbloods performance dates from the very early 1965-66 period. Folk-rockers played a lot of weird gigs in those days. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...

Jesse Colin Young and the Jerry Corbitt Three (soon to be The Youngbloods), are booked at The Pesky Sarpent coffee house in Springfield, MA, from September 21-26 1965 (from the Springfield American)

A UPI wire service promotional photo of The Youngbloods at Jones Beach on Long Island (from the July 3, 1966 Minneapolis Star Tribune). The caption reads: IT WENT SWIMMINGLY. Doing the "Swim" at Jones Beach, N.Y. were Jesse Colin Young and his folk-rock group, The Youngbloods. Young decided that, since it was so hot, the Youngbloods should go to the beach and play it cool. The group included, from left: Jerry Corbitt, Young, Joe Bauer and Banana. The girls were not identified.

Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods were booked on Friday, October 28, 1966 at the Magnolia Mall at the Garden State Plaza (later the Paramus Mall and now the Westfield Mall). They would play the Cafe Au Go Go later that night. They were playing in support of an outdoor car show called "Heaven On Wheels."

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Youngbloods were unique in that they were East Coast folkies who became West Coast hippies. I look in detail at the band's performing history from 1966 to '68. Their history is very different than other groups of that era. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...

A flyer for The Youngbloods at Eagles Auditorium, Seattle, WA on Friday September 22 and a midnight show on Saturday night (the Youngbloods were opening for Jefferson Airplane elsewhere earlier in the evening)

Once they relocated (in Fall '67), The Youngbloods mostly stuck to the West Coast. They played all sorts of gigs. Here is a flyer for a December 22, 1967 the mostly-forgotten (except by me) Concord Coliseum, a converted supermarket in a suburb on the other side of the hills from Berkeley.

In late 1967, RCA Records had the Younbloods ovedub vocals in Italian on their two modest 1967 hits, "Grizzly Bear" (Qui Con Noi, Tra Di Noi") and "Get Together" (Se Qualcano Mi Dira). These two tracks remained mysterious until re-released on a 2015 Japanese Best Of The Youngbloods collection.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Backup choices for bass and drums are Clark Pierson-drums ex-Linn County (w Miller), Full Tilt Boogie Band (w Janis) Kip Mackerlien-bass Elvin Bishop Group with Miller and Chambers still prefer Larry The Mole and Chambers

Organist Stephen Miller's contract fulfilling album for Mercury in 1970 had one side with his previous band (Linn County), including Clark Pierson on drums, and the other with the Elvin Bishop Group (his current band), with Jo Baker, John Chambers (dr) and Kip Mackerlien (bs)

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I am listening now (thanks for posting). My nominees are Stephen Miller-organ Larry "The Mole" Taylor-bass John Chambers-drums Miller and Chambers were Elvin's guy, The Mole and Harvey, having just left Canned Heat, had joined John Mayall for the USA Union album. (links above)

Harvey Mandel played two nights at The Matrix in San Francisco on August 25 and 26, 1970. This listing is from the SF Chronicle for Tuesday August 25.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The Grateful Dead were huge in New York, and that meant Manhattan. For a few years, however, they did try playing the Outer Boroughs. I look at the Dead's few New York City appearances outside of Manhattan. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-...

An ad for concerts at the Singer Bowl and the New York State Pavilion from the '64 World's Fair in Summer '69. The Singer Bowl and the Pavilion are in the same park (Flushing Meadows). The Grateful Dead played the Pavilion on July 11-12 '69.

The New York State Pavilion, from the 1964 World's Fair, has not been used (for concerts or anything else) since 1969, yet it remains intact in Flushing Meadows in Corona Park. This photo is from 2013.

The Grateful Dead played Gaelic Park in The Bronx on August 26, 1971. Gaelic Park is at W. 240th St in The Bronx. The next summer (Jul 17 '72), the Allman Brothers played Gaelic Park, and Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir showed up to play "Mountain Jam."

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Had to let my pretty girl June go. The first part of her life was no good, but when we got her we tried our best to make the second part shine. Shy and subdued, but always patient and full of love. June (2015-2026): safe travels and endless love.

June (Dec 26 2015-Jul 29 2026) on her favorite bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, calm and pretty forever. Safe travels, much love.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Jefferson Airplane were a foundational rock and roll band, by any accounting. But their live concert history is hard to find. I begin the task with a detailed look at Airplane shows from their start on August 13 '65 to the end of '65. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2026/07/jeff...

The SF Chronicle ad for The Matrix on Sunday, August 29 1965, likely the first ad in which Jefferson Airplane had been promoted. The Matrix, in the Marina District at 3138 Fillmore, was owned by Marty Balin and partners, and had opened on August 13.

The flyer for the first Family Dog dance at Longshoreman's Hall in San Francisco, with Jefferson Airplane and The Charlatans, on October 16 1965

The Daily Californian (UC student paper) ad for Jefferson Airplane at Harmon Gym, October 20, 1965. This was bassist Jack Casady's debut.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Very likely the least-known (and least artistically memorable) Fillmore West flyer ever, for the last-minute Wild West makeup shows on August 22-24 '69. rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2022/04/augu...

The infamous Wild West Festival, planned for Kezar Stadium and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on August 22-24, 1969, had been canceled with much rancor. Many of the bands played three days and nights of gigs at the Family Dog on The Great Highway and Fillmore West to help make up the losses already incurred.

Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver and Country Joe & The Fish played the benefits. Janis Joplin, Sly Stone, Steve Miller and Santana did not. The Grateful Dead were in the Northwest, and played an extra gig there instead of flying back.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

oh yeah. Free Sounds, Free Snacks, Free Sun. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2015/06/july...

Stanford Daily article (July 4) about the Palo Alto Be-In on July 2 1967, with the Grateful Dead and others.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Bob Weir left Kingfish in August '76 because the Grateful Dead returned to touring. But Matt Kelly and Dave Torbert kept the band going, making two albums and touring Europe and the States. I enquire about their tour history from August '76 thru February '79 hooterollin.blogspot.com/2026/06/king...

Kingfish played the tiny Miramar Beach Inn in Half Moon Bay, south of SF, on July 25 1977, to warm up for their European tour.

By strange record company machinations, Kingfish ended up opening for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (with Ronnie James Dio) on their massive Summer '77 European tour. The Munich show was on German TV, and later turned into a Rainbow DVD. Kingfish had been on German TV, too, at least one song, but it is no longer on YouTube.

I don't know if Kingfish made many new fans on the Rainbow tour, but that was the record biz back then.

In 1978, Kingfish released their studio album Trident. It was produced by Johnny Sandlin, who had produced Brothers & SIsters for the Allman Brothers. Their label Jet Records also managed Electric Light Orchestra, so Kingfish played many American dates supporting ELO in Fall '78.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

In the 1970s, the rock concert industry exploded, and they needed new, larger venues. Not all of them worked, however. On July 7, 1974 Richie Havens & Roger McGuinn headlined at tiny Islip Speedway, in Long Island. Things did not go well. I enquire. rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2026/05/july...

An ad from the July 3 1974 Newsday for the "Long Island Summer Festival" at tiny Islip Speedway in W. Islip, NY on July 7 '74. Headliners were Richie Havens and Roger McGuinn.

By calling it a "Festival," the panicked locals insisted on a daytime event, terrified of a Watkins Glen-type blowout.

The tiny Islip Speedway (just 2/10 of a mile) still hosted a Grand National Stock Car event from 1964-71. More famously, however, in the early 60s, the Speedway invented "Demolition Derbies," which have haunted the American Psyche ever since.

On July 8 '74 Robert Christgau of Newsday published an autopsy of the festival. The speedway could have held 30K, but breakeven would have been about 8000. There were perhaps 3000 present, many of them having gotten in on free tickets.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

It appears the Yardbirds played the ballroom, Tuesday August 23 '66. Jimmy Page on bass. Here's an evening: take a cruise from San Pedro to Catalina, see the Yardbirds, home by 2am. 10 dollars.

An ad for the Yardbirds playing at Santa Catalina's Ballroom on Tuesday, August 23, 1966 (Santa Ana Register Aug 15). Leave San Pedro pier at 6:30, back by 2am. $10.

Keith Relf-vocals, Jeff Beck and Chris Dreja on guitars, Jimmy Page on bass, Jim McCarty-drums.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The Crescendo, at 8572 Sunset Blvd, would go on to become The Trip in 1965-66. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-...

The Trip was at 8752 Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. It had been a jazz club called The Crescendo, but Elmer Valentine (of the Whisky A-Go-Go) took it over and made it into a rock club in Fall '65. It was open for less than a year but very influential.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Big Swing Face was the current album by the Buddy Rich Big Band on Pacific Jazz Records in 1967. A terrific record.

Big Swing Face by the Buddy Rich Big Band, released on Pacific Jazz Records in 1967

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

The Grateful Dead are a California band from San Francisco, but there's more than one California. Highway 99 runs up through the fertile center of the state. I look at the Dead's 60s history in the "other" California. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...

The Grateful Dead's first performance in the Central Valley was at the Stockton Ballroom in Stockton, CA, June 7-9, 1966

Governors Hall was the main building at the California State Fairgrounds until 1967. The Grateful Dead played here on December 28, 1966. In 1967, the Fairgrounds moved to its current site at Cal Expo.

On February 17, 1968, Country Joe & The Fish played with the Grateful Dead at the Selland Arena Convention Center in Fresno. This was during the run of shows for Anthem Of The Sun, but the concert was not recorded.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

On April 13 or 14, 1969, Jerry Garcia bought a ZB10 pedal steel guitar at Don Edwards' Guitar City in Lakewood CO (9895 W Colfax, Lakewood). [CO shoutout to @queencityjamz.bsky.social ] lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2017/06/jerr...

9895 W Colfax, Lakewood, CA, the site of Don Edwards' Guitar City. Jerry Garcia bought a ZBD10 pedal steel guitar there on April 13 or 14, 1969

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

The Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood opened in 1964. In early 1966, The Whisky aligned its booking policy with its sister club The Trip. I review the intersection between The Whisky and The Trip between January and May 1966. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-...

A dancer at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, circa 1964 (via Alison Martino's Vintage LA page)

The Trip, at 8572 Sunset, a April 1965. An important but now mostly forgotten club. Note that the marquee says EHT, not THE.

An ad for Elmer Valentine's two clubs, The Whisky A Go Go and The Trip, in UCLA's Daily Bruin. The missing "y" (Whisk A Go Go) was intentional. Note also that the ad says "EHT Trip" just like the marquee.

The Whisky and The Trip were among the first two clubs to routinely book both white rock and black soul acts.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Twiggy, once a model (and a legend, I assure you), started singing in the '70s. Joe's "Here I Go Again" from the 1969 CJF album Here We Are Again was a hit for Twiggy in 1976. Apparently it made the UK Top 20.

Twiggy's single Here I Go Again, written by Joe McDonald (from the Country Joe & The Fish 1969 album Here We Go Again), was a hit for Twiggy in 1976. It would reach the Top 20 in the UK.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

By not continuing to use the name Jethro Toe, the band left money on the table for other bands

Toe Fat debut album, 1970 (UK EMI), with Ken Hensley on guitar

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Andeux, what great ears you have. Not only did Tooloos open for the Sons Of Champlin at Keystone Berkeley on Sunday, Nov 14 '76. They were even in the ad, and we just missed it. I updated the post accordingly. (@bourgwick.bsky.social, check it out)

Keystone Berkeley ad for the SF Chronicle on Sunday, November 14, 1976. Phil Lesh and Tooloos open for the Sons Of Champlin on that night.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Too Loose Ta Truck, w Phil Lesh, Terry Haggerty, John Allair and Steve Mitchell, only played 6 gigs back in 1976. It was Phil's only bar band. Why? I review their history, such as it is, in detail. It seems to have been about making a living. hooterollin.blogspot.com/2026/02/too-...

A flyer for Too Loose Ta Truck (as Touloos Ta Truck), with Phil Lesh, playing Berkeley's Long Branch on Wednesday May 26, 1976

Organist John Allair was the key player in Too Loose Ta Truck. He was a Marin legend, and played regularly with Van Morrison for decades. This photo is probably from the early 1960s.

Van Morrison met organist John Allair and drummer Steve Mitchell when he dropped in on their duo gig at lounge called Shipwreck Pete's. Shipwreck Pete's was at the Sportsman Lodge in Novato (now a Days Inn). It was the only music venue in Novato, and one of the few in Marin County with a full bar. Phil Lesh probably dropped in as well, even if he didn't play.

Shipwreck Pete's was just a few miles from the site of Rancho Olompali, which looms large in Grateful Dead history.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Bob Weir and Kingfish played the Armory in Pendelton, OR on May 13 '75. It wasn't a coincidence. Kingfish road manager Rex Jackson was from Hermiston, OR, just outside of Pendleton. Legendary Dead roadie Larry Shurtleff (Ramrod) was from Pendleton, as was Mike Hagen.

The Pendleton Armory, in Pendleton, OR in Umatilla County in the 1970s It is now the Pendleton Civic Center.

Bob Weir and Kingfish played the Armory on May 13, 1975. Grateful Dead roadies Larry (Ramrod) Shurtleff and Mike Hagen were from Pendleton, and Dead roadie and Kingfish road manager Rex Jackson (for whom the Rex Foundation was named) was from nearby Hermiston, OR.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Sad as it is when people die, new things come to light. I was tipped to an unknown Bob Weir show, with Kingfish at the Pendleton Armory in Oregon on Tuesday, May 13 '75. An eyewitness says about 100 people were there. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2009/10/bob-...

Kingfish, featuring Bob Weir and Dave Torbert (ex-NRPS, spelled "Torbit" in the ad) played the Pendleton Armory on Tuesday May 13 1975. The ad is from the Pendleton Eastern Oregonian newspaper. According to an eyewitness, there was no stage and there were about 100 people there.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

In late 1974, with the rock concert business bigger than ever, Bill Graham tried to re-start the local concert scene that had defined the Fillmore in the day. Three local bands would headline Winterland for $2 on a Tuesday night. It almost worked. rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2026/01/bill...

A San Francisco Examiner ad (from Sep 8 '74) promoting Bill Graham's new Tuesday night series. 3 local bands for $2 at the big Winterland ballroom. The first night (Sep 24 '74) included a guest appearance by the newly-configured Jefferson Starship. Earthquake, Link Wray and The Rubinoos were local nightclub headliners.

One of the most popular local club bands was The Tubes. Years ahead of their time, with clever costumes and effects, each song was a miniature rock video--and rock video was still in the future. "Tubes" alluded to tv tubes, as each performance was a miniature show.

The Tubes headlined Sounds of The City shows twice (Oct 74 and Feb 75), long before their first album. BGP preserved unforgettable video. For the final numbers, lead singer Fee Waybill would dress up as Glitter Rock star Quay Lewd, and the Tubes would inevitably bring down the house with "White Punks On Dope."

Although Bill Graham's series of Sounds Of The City concerts did not take off, there were plenty of great bands. This ad is from the January 5, 1975 Examiner. Upcoming Tuesday nights include Raw Soul on Jan 7 '75 (Raw Soul would become Frankie Beverly and Maze), Kingfish (with Bob Weir and Dave Torbert) on Jan 14 '75 and both Journey and Yesterday & Today on Saturday Jan 18 (both Journey and Y&T had not yet released albums, and were just playing local gigs.

Winterland didn't sell drinks, and not enough people wanted to drive into the city to the seedy Fillmore neighborhood, so the shows didn't get traction. But the music and the bands were there. It was a good experiment that didn't pan out.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

The Grateful Dead played UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre 29 times. Their first performance there was on October 1, 1967. We have just an ad, a concert photo and a brief review. I enquire about what we can know from those. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2025/12/octo...

The Grateful Dead on stage at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre for the first time, October 1, 1967. Mickey Hart had jammed with them the night before (in SF) but was not on stage. Note only six amps on the backline, two PA amps, and Pigpen's Leslie amp.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

The Oceanside Blade-Tribune was on the case. From the July 19 edition, 90 arrested, 100 injured. Good times!

North County Times (Oceanside, CA) Blade-Tribune, July 19, 1976, reporting on the July 18 1976 Yes/Frampton concert

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

#PeterFrampton seems to have first visited Nashville when he headlined at the Fairgrounds Speedway on July 4 1976. He lives in Nashville now, and his plaque is on the Music City Walk Of Fame (121 S 4th st), where it belongs. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2025/11/nash...

Nashville resident Peter Frampton's plaque at the Music City Walk Of Fame, in the Nashville Music Garden at 121 S 4th St (photo: me)

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Rock was as popular in Nashville in the '70s as it was anywhere. Uniquely, the major rock venue then was an auto racing track rather than a basketball arena. I enquire about concerts at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, 1972-77. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2025/11/nash...

Leon Russell headlined the first rock show at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on July 9, 1972. Poco and JJ Cale opened.

In September 1974, there were three rock concerts at the Nashville Fairgounds Speedway: Mac Davis (Sep 14), Black Oak Arkansas (Sep 16) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Sep 21).

Lynyrd Skynyrd returned to headline the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on Jul 30, 1976, bigger than ever. Johnny Winter was sick and the Winter brothers canceled. Ted Nugent opened along with 38 Special.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

The Flying Burrito Brothers were The seminal country rock band in '68, and the New Riders weren't far behind in '70. By 1978, however, both bands' were wobbling. They briefly merged. I review two short, strange tours in Spring 78. rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2025/09/flyi...

The Marin County Line 1977 New Riders came to their end on March 19, 1978, in, of all places, Panama Red's in Champaign, IL. Buddy Cage and Stephen Love left the band

A rare photo of the merged Burrito/NRPS lineup, touring as The New Riders Of The Purple Sage in Spring 1978. (L-R) Bassist Skip Battin, John Dawson, David Nelson, fiddler Gib Gilbeau and Sneaky Pete Kleinow (drummer Pat Shanahan not pictured).

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Undiscovered Garcia country, even now: a reel with two unreleased Peter Rowan tracks with Jerry Garcia has surfaced. Recorded August 21, 1973 at the Record Plant. 4 other tracks were released on Rowan's 1979 Texican Badman album. Updated an old blog. hooterollin.blogspot.com/2011/10/apri...

Jerry Garcia played on two unreleased Peter Rowan demos recorded at the Record Plant in Sausalito on August 21, 1973. The Dead were recording Wake Of The Flood at the time. Warners financed the demo. Bill Kreutzmann, John Kahn and David Grisman played on the demos, and Chris and Lorin Rowan sang. 4 other tracks from the demo were on Rowan's 1979 album Texican Badman, released in Italy.

The reel from the Record Plant demo by Peter Rowan on August 21, 1973 with two tracks featuring Jerry Garcia on electric guitar ("Lazy Bones" and "Dragon On The Moon." I have not heard the tracks.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

By the '90s, the Grateful Dead were hugely popular in New England, playing big shows for the same promoters over and over. Those promoters got established in the mid-70s. I review the Dead live in Boston and New England from 1973-76. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...

A ticket stub for the Grateful Dead at Springfield Civic Center on March 28 1973, promoted by Concept Entertainment, which was likely NY promoter Howard Stein. Stein presented some Dead shows in the '70s, but did not continue with them.

Old and In The Way played the Orpheum Theatre in Boston on June 5 1973. The show was booked by New Jersey's John Scher, instead of Boston's Don Law. Law regularly booked shows at the Orpheum.

An ad for the Grateful Dead at Boston Garden on June 28 '74. Don Law was Boston's leading promoter, and he presented the Dead in association with New Jersey's John Scher. Fans did not care about who presented the show, but the industry would take notice. Law did not typically share promotions, but Scher was an essential part of the Dead's touring from 1974 onwards.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Roosevelt Stadium, a crumbling minor league baseball park built in 1937, played a critical role in rock concert history, not least for the Grateful Dead. By 2012, only the "Stadium Pizza" shop was a hint of what came before. Sic transit gloria psychedelia. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2013/12/roos...

Stadium Pizza, in Jersey City, NJ in 2012. The shopping mall is on the site of Roosevelt Stadium, where Jackie Robinson, Rickey Henderson and the Grateful Dead once played.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

The live rock concert business exploded in the 1970s. Promoters tried to harness the growth in all sorts of ways. One forgotten event was the huge festival at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA on July 8 '72. 200K showed up. It poured with rain. I enquire rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2025/08/july...

The famous 2.5 mile tri-oval speedway at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA did not open until July 1971. However, there had been racing there since the mid-60s. This Modified event on a smaller oval was held July 19, 1970.

Emerson Lake & Palmer had just released their third album, Trilogy, which would reach #5. Everyone has forgotten about how big they were. They came on state at 4am, after a rainstorm. Their entire show at Pocono was released as a box set cd in 2017.

Rod Stewart & The Faces came on at 5am. Stewart was riding high on Every Picture Tells A Story, and the Faces had scored with A Nod Is As Good As Wnk...To A Blind Horse in November '71, with the hit single "Stay With Me."

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Live rock music in Palo Alto had nearly died in the early 70s, but it came back strong after 1974. I look at all the rock concerts in Palo Alto and Stanford U from 1974-77, the high water mark for live rock in the area. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2025/07/palo...

Jerry Garcia and Kingfish played El Camino Park in downtown Palo Alto on June 8 '75. The Dead had played a Be-In there on July 2, 1967. Although a successful show, it was the last live music at El Camino Park.

Stanford University had banned rock concerts in the 10,000+ capacity Frost Amphitheater after a wild July 1971 show featuring Santana. In 1975, the University relented and re-opened Frost to rock music. On June 26, 1976 The Band kicked off their final tour there, supported by the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Frank Zappa headlined Stanford University's Maples Pavilion, the basketball arena, on Saturday November 19, 1977. He had a killer band with Adrian Belew, Terry Bozzio and Ed Mann, and they played much of the Sheik Yerbouti album.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Another possibility is Tret Fure, whose 1973 debut was produced by Niedlinger (Kearney very likely the one, nonetheless)

Tret Fure's debut album on MCA/UNI, produced by bassist Buell Neidlinger

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

By Fall '73, the New Riders of The Purple Sage reached high water. They had a hit album, were drawing bigger crowds and they had cut formal ties to the Dead. I review their performance history for Oct thru Dec '73, until Dave Torbert left the band. hooterollin.blogspot.com/2025/06/new-...

An ad in the Oct 12 UNC Daily Tar Heel for a New Riders show at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 20, 1973

On November 30, 1973, the New Riders played tiny Bethany College, in Bethany, WV (an hour S of Pittsburgh, PA). Pictures of the band were in the 1973-74 Bethany College yearbook.

The Bill Graham Presents ad for concerts in November and December 1973. On December 14-15 '73, the New Riders headlined Winterland over Jesse Colin Young and Linda Ronstadt. On Dec 15, Jerry Garcia and Sandy Rothman dropped in to jam (Jerry played Nelson's spare Fender). It was Dave Torbert's last show with NRPS.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Seeing Albert Lee and his band at El Vaquero Winery in Corralitos CA (Santa Cruz County). His playing, as the saying goes, is clear as country water and wild as Mountain Dew.

Albert Lee at El Vaquero Winery, Corralitos, CA June 15 2025

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

SF's Boarding House, at 960 Bush St in Lower Nob Hill, was an important rock club in the 1970s. I look at all the bookings at the Boarding House from January thru June 1972. Great acts came through, but the club wasn't a big enough room. rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2025/05/960-...

KMPX-fm regularly broadcast live shows from the Boarding House, usually the Wednesday night early show. Almost none of the tapes survive. Since acts were booked Tuesday-Friday, the idea was that fans could hear the music and decided to attend later in the week. This listing from Feb 23 72 features Merry Clayton and Billy Roberts (note the NHL game broadcast on KPFA).

Marin County's unique Sufi Choir played at the Boarding House Sunday afternoon March 5 and March 12, 1972, accompanied by Zakir Hussain

The little 200 seat Boarding House was thriving, but the more elegant upstairs Boarding House Theater had a long run of failed shows and was mostly empty. Proprietor David Allen would book shows in the larger 350-seat Theater (in this case, local star Country Joe McDonald Mar 24-25 '72). By the end of '72, the entire operation moved up there, and the old Boarding House Theater became the Boarding House that everyone remembers.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

David Nelson Band playing right now at Felton Music Hall in the Santa cruz Mountains (Dave seated, drummer Wally Ingram behind). Everyone should drop by (easier said than done I know).

David Nelson Band at Felton Music Hall May 8 2025. Drummer Wally Ingram behind a seated Nelson

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

On Dec 6 '80, the Grateful Dead played an acoustic show in Mill Valley for about 60 young muscular dystrophy patients. This event opened the door to Garcia for playing acoustic benefits. I look into the arcs of Dead and Garcia benefit shows over the decades. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2025/04/mill...

Bill Graham's 3rd Mime Troupe benefit at the Fillmore on January 14, 1966 included the Grateful Dead, which Bill advertised as "Formerly The Warlocks"

On April 25, 1981, Jerry Garcia was joined by Bob Weir, John Kahn, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann at a SEVA Benefit in Berkeley. They headlined the show, playing an acoustic set of mostly Grateful Dead songs. This unique event created the blueprint for a Garcia benefit that was understood not to be a Grateful Dead show.

The Dec 6 '81 SF Chronicle Datebook (The "Pink Section") had a promotional photo for a unique event happening on Dec 12 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. The caption for the picture of Garcia, Joan Baez and her boyfriend (Mickey Hart) said that they would perform at the "Dance For Disarmament" on Saturday night. "Dance" implied electric, but Joan Baez implied acoustic. In fact, there was an acoustic set with Joan and an electric set by the Dead. Fiesta Hall held about 2000.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Berkeley had a growing local rock scene in 1967, but only one club for bands to play. The New Orleans House, on 1505 San Pablo Avenue, had booked rock bands since late '66. I look at all New Orleans House bookings from October through December '67 rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2025/04/1505...

Quicksilver Messenger Service, already a Fillmore headliner, played the tiny 250 seat New Orleans House in Berkeley on Oct 6-7 '67. Apparently in return for the Tues and Wed booking, the club booked numerous other acts from their West-Pole Agency Congress of Wonders, Freedom Highway, Ace Of Cups etc)

In late '67, the New Orleans House in Berkeley was one of the few Bay Area rock clubs booking bands that played original music. The Barb ad for Dec 8 shows Oakland's Loading Zone headlining the wekend, with Marin's Morning Glory (on Fontana Records) the next weekend.

The opener for Dec 15-16 was the T&A Rhythm & Blues Band, a hew SF band that featured bassist John Kahn and guitarist Bob Jones. Jones had been in the We Five, and would go on to play drums for Mike Bloomfield and others. Kahn would end up working with Jerry Garcia for 25 years.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

The Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood had been a center of the rock explosion in the 60s. Even in 1972, it was still an important gig. I look at Whisky performers from June through Sept '72. Oddly, the Whisky was the showcase for progressive rock. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2025/03/whis...

The Los Angeles Free Press ad for the Whisky A-Go-Go from June 30 '72. Uriah Heep was kicking off their tour behind Demons & Wizards. Head Hands & Feet featured guitarist Albert Lee. Hugh Masakela had recorded a live album at the Whisky in '67, and John Mayall would record a live album there shortly.

Atlantic Records ran their own ad in the LA Free Press (on July 19) to promote the band Ramatam at the Whisky. They had also taken out a big ad in Rolling Stone for their debut album.

Ramatam was pushed as a kind of supergroup, with their album produced by no less than Tom Dowd (Aretha, Allmans, Layla, etc). Besides Hendrix's drummer (Mitch Mitchell), and a guitarist from Iron Butterfly (Mike Pinera), Ramatam was fronted by lead guitarist April Lawton. Skinny, long-haired April looked like a typical 70s guitar hero except that April was a girl. Atlantic was sure they were on to something.

You won't believe the rest of the story

The LA Free Press ad for August 25 '72 included Stevie Wonder supported by Little Feat. Wonder had to have been the biggest act ever to play the Whisky at the time he actually played there. Needless to say both shows were sold out every night. And, amazingly, the original quartet Little Feat opened. I'm not clear why Stevie played the Whisky, but some lucky fans got to see him.

Silverhead featured singer Michael Des Barres, who had not yet met his future wife Pamela.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

In 1975, with the Grateful Dead on hiatus from touring, Keith & Donna Godchaux formed a band to promote their new album. I detail all the known performances of the group. Billy K played drums for much of the time. hooterollin.blogspot.com/2025/02/keit...

Donna Godchaux singing in front of the Keith & Donna band, Winterland, October 4, 1975. A video of their entire set can be seen on YouTube.

An ad for The Orphanage, at 807 Montgomery St in San Francisco, between North Beach and the Financial District. The Keith & Donna band was booked for the weekend of August 29-30, 1975. Jerry Garcia, without a group for this month, sat in with Keith & Donna on Saturday (Aug 30), and very likely Friday as well.

In Fall 1975, Kingfish and the Keith & Donna Band toured the East Coast. The Grateful Dead were not touring, and while Bay Area fans took seeing Weir or the Godchauxs at tiny clubs for granted, it was a destination event back East. The tour hit some of the smaller markets where the Dead hadn't or didn't play. The tour played Scranton, PA, on November 22, 1975. The Dead had played Scranton on April 13, 1971, but were too large to ever return.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

In 1972, a lot rock fans had never seen Jefferson Airplane. Their final tour sold tons of tickets, but didn't go that well. No one realized it was the end of the line. I review the Jefferson Airplane's touring in 1972. rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2025/01/jeff...

Jefferson Airplane opened their 1972 tour with a show at a minor league football stadium in Hartford, CT, on August 10. The August 5 Hartford Courant had a (supposed) picture of Grace Slick to promote the show.

Jefferson Airplane headlined a show at the Akron Rubber Bowl football stadium on August 21, 1972. Fans started to fight with the cops, and Grace and Paul joined in. Both got arrested. Ultimately, they were fined $50 and had to promise not to return to Akron for three years (the promise was kept). There were no more rock concerts at the Akron Rubber Bowl for a few decades.

Jefferson Airplane's upcoming show in Detroit was delayed one night (Aug 22 to Aug 23) since Grace and Paul had gotten arrested. The Akron Beacon-Journal wrote it up the next day (Aug 22) as a "Rock Concert Flareup"

The 1972 tour was memorialized by the indifferent 1973 live album Thirty Seconds Over Winterland. The band's final shows were Sep 21-22 Winterland (not counting the 1990 reunion) 4 of the 7 tracks were actually recorded in Chicago, not Winterland.

The flying toaster cover art was later famous as a screen saver.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

The Grateful Dead were popular in Boston, but initially they played there a lot less than you might think. I look at the history of Grateful Dead shows in New England from 1970-72. lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2024/12/grat...

The May 6, 1970 edition of The Tech, MIT's campus paper, listed the schedule for the student mass actions to protest the Kent State killings on May 4. They noted that at 2pm, there would NOT be a free concert by the Grateful Dead.

The Dead played Kresge Plaza at MIT that afternoon. Other bands could have played anywhere in the country, but they didn't.

The Grateful Dead played a concert at the 70,000-capacity Yale Bowl in New Haven on July 31, 1971. 13,000 tickets were sold, and the Dead got paid $37K, their biggest payday so far. At least 2000 more fans showed up, however, expecting to get into the concert for free, and there were riots and 89 arrests.

Yale canceled the two upcoming concerts at the Bowl (The Who and Chicago), and never booked another concert there. So it goes.

Howard Wales and Jerry Garcia played the Boston Symphony Hall on January 26, 1972. It was Garcia's first extra-curricular tour outside of the Bay Area. John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra opened the show. Both Wales and Mahavishnu were on Columbia.

George Harrison attended the show. He had become friendly with Bob Matthews when Bob had recorded Stoneground in London.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

The modern rock concert evolved from SF ballrooms in early '66. It's no surprise that Berkeley attempted to have its own rock concert scene at the same time. I review all the rock concerts in Berkeley in nearby from July '67 through year's end. berkeleyfolk.blogspot.com/2024/12/berk...

A flyer for a concert featuring Country Joe & The Fish and The Youngbloods on July 16 1967. The concert was in the tiny town of Canyon, just over the hill from Berkeley. Most Berkeley residents do not even know that Canyon exists, which its residents prefer.

Free concerts in Berkeley's downtown park (actually Constitution Park, but known as Provo Park) were a popular way to get known. Initial Shock had just moved from Montana, and when they were going to play for free in Provo, they took out an ad in the Berkeley Barb announcing it.

UC Berkeley hosted a lot of rock shows, but the University wasn't really a rock promoter. On October 1, 1967, the Grateful Dead debuted at the Greek Theatre, apparently snuck in as part of a jazz billing.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

The Family Dog on 660 Great Highway in SF folded in Aug '70, but the ballroom was open for 2 more years. I document all the known shows at the Friends & Relations Hall from 1970-72. rockarchaeology101.blogspot.com/2024/11/660-...

An SF examiner listing for Country Joe, the New Riders, Grootna and Stoneground at the Friends & Relations Hall, 660 Great Highway on June 3, 1971

A college production of The Who's "Tommy" moved to the Friends & Relations Hall at 660 Great Highway. The show ran for several weeks and was the most successful production at the venue (from SF Examiner August 3 '71).

A Tom Gray photo of Friends & Relations Theatre at 660 Great Highway in SF, around 1972. It had previously been Topsy's Roost, the Edgewater Ballroom, the Family Dog on The Great Highway and Friends and Relations Hall. It would be torn down in September '72.

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Corry342 @corry342.bsky.social · 17/06/2024

The surf was up on Manresa Beach (near Watsonville CA on the Monterey Bay) on April 27 '24. I think this was a Saturday morning surfing class

Manresa Beach, near Watsonville, April 27 2024

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