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 Rock's In My Head July 2-4 NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL-JULY 1971: Arriving in Newport well after midnight we found no hotel or motel rooms available so we camped out in a supermarket parking lot with hundreds of others, some who were having races and bumper car tournaments, rolling passenger filled shopping carts down an incline. It was loud, raunchy and laughable. Sunrise was met with a huge police presence and an evacuation of the lot. We found a “paid” parking lot a few minutes later and set up “camp” not far from some older guys from our town. It was the last we saw of them. After breakfast ( coffee and cigarettes) we found the box office and got tickets for the evening performances of The Dave Pike Set, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, and Roberta Flack.The music was great and so was my “air” drumming with BUDDY RICH. The highlight was ROBERTA FLACK finishing her set with DUKE ELLINGTON (solo) on piano doing FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE. It was heavenly. However,earlier in the evening there was a large, nasty crowd outside the fences tying to gain free entrance. When the fences came down, they rushed the area hurting some folks seated on the grass. One “freebie” was on the top of the fence attempting to get over when the fence came down. The metal barbed fence top ripped his groin area, supposedly cutting his balls. Blood was everywhere. The police and ambulance arrived in short order curtailing some of the musical acts. Needless to say with all the freebies now the place became dangerously packed . The next day at the box office trying we were told the shows might be cancelled due to the crowds. So we decided to be homeward bound and it proved to be a great idea as the “riots” of that afternoon forced the evening shows to be cancelled thereby ending the peaceful run of NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL in Newport Rhode Island. NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL May 02, 2018
 Rock's In My Head END OF AN ERA: The Fillmore East was closing it’s doors for good on Sunday, June 27, audience by invitation only. I felt I needed to be there on Saturday, June 26 for the late show. A few weeks prior to this date, I was speaking with a young lady who worked the box office. Somehow, we two had become friendly over the last few months. She was about 25 or so, nice woman, pretty, and soft spoken with a hard edge if you can imagine that. She got me a ticket for Saturday, one in the middle section of the front balcony. Cool. JUNE 25: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, J. GEILS BAND, and ALBERT KING at Fillmore East, the show to end all shows. Jim and I took off early in the afternoon as I would attempt to score a ticket for him. Plan B was to sell mine if Plan A was not successful. I wasn’t on Second Avenue more than 15 minutes before I had an Orchestra seat for my buddy. We went for dinner then took our place on the line forming for the late show while listening intently to the ABB first show, through the walls. In the hall at midnight, we saw the most incredible set by Albert King, followed by The J. Geils Band. Then, The ALLMAN BROTHERS took the stage, introduced so eloquently by Bill Graham, and the band played what is rumored to be their finest set ever. The sun was up as we headed toward the subway, meeting up with some of our high school buddies who also attended the show. We arrived home at 8AM, picked up by Jim’s brother Rich who took us to the diner for breakfast. FILLMORE EAST: This little venue at 205 Second Avenue off of Sixth Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan was my home away from home from my first night there in 1969 until it’s closing weekend June of 1971. During that period I saw almost every type of music imaginable. Live music was a real education for me and here at Fillmore East it was at the Ph.D level of instruction. Jazz, folk, rock, experimental, comedic,whatever, the eclectic bill of artists usually performed with a light show in the background. The seating of about 2700 was theatre style, no ballroom here. Programs were distributed at the door and you were escorted to your reserved seating by real ushers wearing their official garb of Fillmore East yellow and green football jerseys. Snacks, no alcohol, were available on the second floor, and all seats were a gem as the sight lines were amazing and the sound system the best in the land (at that time). Most nights two shows were offered(separate admissions), one at 8 PM and the second scheduled for 11:30PM, Friday and Saturday evenings. The proprietor Bill Graham ran this place as if it was on Broadway. Bands were expected to be ready at show time AND conform to their given time slots. Mr. Graham would introduce the bands (when he was in town) or one of the Fillmore managers. Intros were usually pretty classic for the “head” billed act. Intermissions were entertaining also, as cartoons, or short films would be shown. A crowd favorite was THE SUNSHINE MAKERS, a black and white cartoon from 1935. Obvious a fan favorite because of the way it displayed: Sunshine as a liquid when it hit its victim, well that grouch turned happy ala Orange barrel sunshine of the LSD variety.The crowd roared and remained seated very time it was played. Prior to Jefferson Airplane shows there would be shorts whose theme revolved around airplanes as in King Kong. Allman Brothers Band / Albert King / The J. Geils Band May 02, 2018
 Rock's In My Head June 25: THE FILLMORE EAST closes with the longest and best set (to date) given by the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND,with J. Geils Band and Albert King Allman Brothers Band / Albert King / The J. Geils Band May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head June 11: Long John Baldry /Illusion/Grease Band@ Rock Pile formerly The Action House I went with the couple from the night before. The Grease Band without Joe is, well, not good. The ILLUSION was some local cats who could rock, and LONG JOHN BALDRY was forgettable. Long John Baldry / The Grease Band / Illusion May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head Tonight,inside Carnegie Hall , ELTON did an acoustic set first, just he and a piano. After a short intermission which I spent at the bar, and away we were treated to an incredible electric set. Incredible it truly was. Elton John May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head FRANK ZAPPA and THE MOTHERS It must have been that GARRICK THEATRE poster that I saw while walking around Greenwich Village especially the one which lasted for years outside the movie theatre on 8th Street that piqued my interest in this strange looking ensemble known as THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION. Strange name also. Who or what are they? It’s Spring of 1967, me a fifteen year old who most every Saturday when the weather was good was checking out the street art shows in and around THE VILLAGE with my art teacher, a Franciscan Nun. She was hip to what was happening, and years later left the order for a commune or something. Anyway back to the poster. We get off the subway and there it is. A few steps later there is another and another, and another. So on down the street. THE MOTHERS (written in bold) of Invention (not so bold) at THE GARRICK THEATRE Tuesday thru Sunday ,each poster with a photo of a man with a pronounced almost comical mustache and the heads of some other guys under his photo. A few months later Back at school (September) a guy in one of my art classes brings in two albums: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION- Freak Out and ABSOLUTELY FREE. Hey, that’s the poster, I thought. Who are these guys? I must admit my naive ears where not accepting what I was hearing. This isn’t rock music. WTF. I gave up early. 1969: I got an 8 track copy of CRUSIN’ WITH RUBIN AND THE JETS (released 1968) which never left my player for the longest time. It was a blast. This lead me to buy the album WE’RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY (released before R&TJ). October finds the HOT RATS album in the racks of the local record store and I’m sold on FRANK ZAPPA.A few months later CHUNGA’S REVENGE (1970) is joining my ever growing collection of vinyl. I need to see this band and soon.Until then I added many MOTHERS records to my pile. Now, I have two tickets for the late show June 1971.It’s never been the same as that night along with other nights changed my perception of live music. Even thought I left early AND missed John and Yoko with the MOTHERS, it WAS never the same. They were funny and musically sound. WOW Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head MAY 29: LEE MICHAELS, HUMBLE PIE, FANNY at Fillmore East, late show. Fanny, an all girl group, opened and rocked the house. I don’t know if it was the music or the girls performing it that made the hall so responsive, I think it might be both, they were that good. HUMBLE PIE was next and ROCKIN’ THE FILLMORE was recorded then, a classic recording. LEE MICHAELS knew it was over before he hit the stage, he didn’t have a chance. I left early to catch the 3AM train. I walked home from the station. Lee Michaels / Fanny / Humble Pie May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head APRIL 27:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ THE ACTION HOUSE, Island Park,NY A week night no less but to see the Allman Brothers Band at THE ACTION HOUSE, a small club would be a joy. A very late night, indeed, but worth it and not too crowded. Allman Brothers Band / Melting Pot May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head April 24: Procol Harum/Winter Consort/ Teegarden and VanWinkle@ FILLMORE EAST Seeing PROCOL HARUM (with ROBIN TROWER) for the second time in two weeks was a treat. They were okay at STONY BROOK but tonight the band was amazing. MEMORIAL DRIVE, WHISKEY TRAIN, SIMPLE SISTER, STILL THERE’LL BE MORE, CRUCIFICATION LANE (love it),SHINE ON BRIGHTLY,SALTY DOG,LUSKUS DELPH, JUICY JOHN PINK,POWER FAILURE (Drum solo by B.J. Wilson incredible)WHALING STORIES and a few other tunes but to the dismay of some including my date no Whiter Shade of Pale. WINTER CONSORT was a strange yet good strange kind of performance. Later on in another incarnation PAUL WINTER did songs based on the sounds of humpback whales. TEEGARDEN and VANWINKLE had a hit which had minor play in NY: EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT. Procol Harum / Winter Consort / Teegarden and Van Winkle May 01, 2018
 Rock's In My Head APRIL 15: MOUNTAIN/ MYLON/T.REX This was a last minute idea by my brother and his friend. They wanted to see MOUNTAIN, me T.REX. Got tickets at the door and watched as Marc Bolan attempted to impress and then possibly alienate the NY audience. He bumped, grinded his amplifier with his guitar which produced rude noises, and was met with BOOs from the crowd, all this while performing an extended solo, that is before he even brought out the band. It was a short night for T.REX but I loved it. MOUNTAIN, the obvious crowd favorite was met with overwhelming love from the crowd, but Mountain / Mylon / T.Rex May 01, 2018
 Danielleharber did not enjoy. left early. Modest Mouse / Mass Gothic Apr 30, 2018
 Rock's In My Head April 6: EDGAR WINTER’S WHITE TRASH/ HUMBLE PIE/ CACTUS/ TIN HOUSE @ FILLMORE EAST funny how things work out for some bands. I have tickets to see Jethro Tull and Edgar Winter’s White Trash at Fillmore East. I hadn't seen Edgar with this newer incarnation of his band White Trash but I did see part of White Trash at the Fillmore auction a few months ago. White Trash is pretty happening in that their leader, Edgar Winter,was a sight to be hold playing saxophone, keyboards, drums, all with an incredible enthusiasm and screamingly loud vocal ability. Jethro Tull canceled at the last minute and HUMBLE PIE (new house band) and CACTUS(also a semi regular house band) were added as replacements. Tin House also appeared. Cactus / Humble Pie / Edgar Winter / Tin House Apr 30, 2018
 Rock's In My Head APRIL: JETHRO TULL @ SUNY NEW PALTZ I’m not sure of the exact date, this point in the spring of 1971 I did attend a Jethro Tull show at SUNY at New Paltz. I was invited to attend this show by a girl who went to school there. It was a fabulous spring weekend and the band put on a great performance in the gymnasium. I do remember there was a lot of people crowded in the small area, mostly seated on the floor, while we had the better view seated in the bleachers to the right of the stage. During the performance, I noticed a guy standing up in the middle of the gym floor, he appeared to be screaming and attempting to run toward the stage, arms flaying about in the air, stepping over everyone in his path. Lo and behold, some people moved away afraid when suddenly he falls and disappears in the crowd on the floor. I didn’t think anything of it until later that evening we discovered that the guy was a local from my hometown who was also visiting that campus for their Spring concert series. He had taken an incredible amount of acid and was /is still convinced that Tull’s amplifiers where emitting sound waves to his brain. Funny how things worked out because this guy was a regular in my car ride to college. Tuesday and Thursday’s he would bum a ride from me in the mornings. One morn after the incident he described his experience in rich detail. Jethro Tull / Brethren Apr 30, 2018
 Rock's In My Head The Concert Committee was in full force. We got POCO signed up 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. The Kinks Apr 30, 2018
 Rock's In My Head MARCH 20: CACTUS, HUMBLE PIE, DADA@ FILLMORE EAST DADA, an English jazz/rock ensemble which was forgotten from the moment they hit the stage. This large band has some future stars hidden in their midst, one in particular was their lead singer ROBERT PALMER What a waste of performance at FILLMORE EAST. I felt bad for these talented musicians. Their songs were boring, and quite confusing to tap your foot to. Humble Pie however was the eternal rockers, almost a house band at FILLMORE EAST and they provided another great time. Cactus, well I was losing interest in them. HUMBLE PIE was the winner of the evening for me. Cactus / Humble Pie / Dada Apr 30, 2018
 Rock's In My Head MARCH 13: The Show To End All Shows A complete chapter could be written about my musical fascination with this one band that became my obsession:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. A buddy from college, a radio station partner to whom I gave my first row ticket for Leon Russell at The Capitol to so that he could take out a girl, felt he owed me something and invited me to join him to see Johnny Winter at Fillmore East, but I had to pay for the ticket. No problem. We were to met at the corner of 6th Street and Second Ave at 7:30 to get a bite to eat. Our show was the 11:30 set. By 8:45 the guy was a no show, and I was freezing cold standing around waiting. Magically, some guy walks up to me, hands me a free ticket for the 8PM show, which had already started. Not knowing whether my buddy would ever show up I thanked the dude for the freebie and entered the sacred hall. ELVIN BISHOP was “Partying Til The Cows Come Home” as I found my upper balcony seat. After a short intermission when I grabbed a cup of coffee and a cigarette in the lobby I sat down to hear the introduction that changed everything: “THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND”. My mouth was opened, my eyes wide, and a smile from ear to ear was across my face. Never before had I ever seen or heard anything like this. Two Les Pauls exchanging leads, two drummers, a bass player who had a bottom sound like no other and a Hammond B-3 player who when he sang was angelic, Ray Charles like. Upon completion of their set the crowd was roaring for MORE, MORE. After an encore, and it was over. The crowd was still buzzing about The ALLMANS when JOHNNY WINTER AND (THE McCOYS) took the stage. The early show crowd was let out and still raving about The Allman Brothers. Forget Johnny Winter. I checked the corner of 6th and Second and found my buddy who was a bit perturbed that I showed up at 11 PM. I explained that I was there earlier and he was nowhere to be found, it was cold and a free ticket was offered so in I went. I found out that my buddy an anti-everything (drugs) dude dropped double barrel orange sunshine LSD about 6PM, not knowing when it would hit, and got lost on his short journey to Fillmore East. Anyway, he had my ticket for the late show and I was excited at the chance to see The Allman Brothers Band again that night. After grabbing a slice of pizza we headed back to the hall at about midnight. Elvin Bishop was tearing it up, had the crowd in his favor when we were met with the houselights rising and being instructed that we needed to evacuate the hall in a peaceful manner. Seems a bomb threat had been called in. As it was freezing outside we were promised we would be let back in as soon as it was possible. It seemed like an eternity outside but finally, back in, the house light dim and “Ladies and gentleman, Johnny Winter And”…. what? What about The Allmans??? I thought, geez. Johnny did a short 35 minute set, and as he exited the stage an announcement was made, The Allmans would be up next. Thank goodness. When The Allmans hit the stage an announcement was made that the band would be recording live. They played for hours, hours, yet it was not nearly long enough for me. The sun was rising as we headed for the door. It was an amazing set, as can be witnessed on the album, LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST. Saying goodbye to my stoned out buddy who headed across Second Avenue, I proceeded down 6th street where I found a small crowd standing around a huge semi-truck. Music was coming from the side entrance to the truck. I stood there listening to what sounded like a recording of tonight’s set. I lit a smoke and a guy with long blond hair asked if he could bum a cigarette. He took my smoke to light his and said thanks. I was really paying attention to the music not the guy who took my smokes. He then said ,“get closer, give it a listen” as he entered the truck. That guy was Duane Allman. I listened for a few minutes, bid my farewell heading down the street. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND would become my obsession. Arriving home after 8AM I headed directly to bed. Johnny Winter And / Elvin Bishop Group / Allman Brothers Band Apr 26, 2018
 Rock's In My Head FEBRUARY 20: BLACK SABBATH/ J. GEILS BAND/ SIR LORD BALTIMORE Three nights after THE FACES I am back in FILLMORE EAST in orchestra seats toward the back of the hall to see a show with an acquaintance of mine, not necessarily a friend, but a nice guy nonetheless who had a ticket for me, a late show, scheduled for 11:30PM. The first act was SIR LORD BALTIMORE, a trio out of Brooklyn who had a drummer who was also their lead vocalist. Rumor has it that Bill Graham, after seeing this band perform that weekend decided that he had had enough. These guys were the pits. J. GEILS BAND out of Boston was next. I wanted to see them after hearing their record played many times by Bobby “Wizard” Wayne, the DJ on WCBS-FM. The WIZARD played their stuff as often as he could. Then, BLACK SABBATH. Whew, while Geils was good, I still to this day did not know what to make of Sabbath. They were unique with a grinding, slow, and very loud set. After arriving home with the sunrise I went to bed but not to sleep as the music was still ringing in my ears. Black Sabbath / The J. Geils Band / Sir Lord Baltimore Apr 26, 2018
 Rock's In My Head FEBRUARY 17: FACES (listed as SMALL FACES) /SAVOY BROWN/ THE GREASE BAND. The Grease Band was a disaster without Joe Cocker, Savoy Brown, the same without Chris Youlden and the gang which will soon be FOGHAT, so we had only one hope left , THE FACES. And, THE FACES did not disappoint, as a matter of fact they were one of the best, most fun, bands I had ever seen. Ronnie Wood kicked it off on pedal steel with SWEET LADY MARY, the band cranked it up with I DON’T WANT TO DISCUSS IT, Rod Stewart out did Paul McCartney on Paul’s new tune, MAYBE I’M AMAZED, followed by Ian McLagen, Ronnie Lane, and Kenny Jones playing their roles in AN OLD RAINCOAT NEVER LET’S YOU DOWN, GASOLINE ALLEY, THREE BUTTON HAND ME DOWN and an encore of Elton John’s COUNTRY COMFORT. All while we were seated in the second row center. Rod Stewart / Small Faces / The Grease Band / Savoy Brown Apr 26, 2018
 Rock's In My Head JAN 25: JAMES TAYLOR/ VICTORIA @ FILLMORE EAST My birthday show with JAMES TAYLOR and opening act VICTORIA @ FILLMORE EAST/ Benefit for Native Americans (recording available) ( a benefit show) James Taylor was amazing, entertaining, and a pleasure to hear. I recorded the show on my trusty tape machine. James Taylor / Victoria Apr 26, 2018
 Rock's In My Head DEC 23: LAURA NYRO/ JACKSON BROWNE @ FILLMORE EAST for one of my favorite shows of all times as it was a Christmas present for my brother. A youngster who was wooing NYC and The Warhol gang at that time, with his charm, one Jackson Browne opened up on acoustic guitar for Laura Nyro. Jackson Browne’s guitar playing was good and his voice angelic with lyrics that belied his youth to say the least. Then, Ms.Nyro appeared on stage, a stage adorned with just a Steinway piano and two white lighted Christmas trees, one left, one right. Breath taking, and a great night to be with my brother.Her tunes, hits by everyone, were played in her style. She was truly an artist unlike others. laura nyro / Jackson browne Apr 26, 2018