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It was 32 years ago, today. 11/9/74. It was a beautiful Saturday night in a beautiful town. My Bro and I, along with our eventual wives, (my 1st, his only), holding the hottest tix in town. The New Riders of the Purple Sage, with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen opening, at the San Diego Civic Theater. Having seen The Riders the previous March at JJ’s Club, I was unsure how the experience would translate in a larger venue show. We settled into our seats and the lights went down.
This was one of those magical nights that I have heard Buddy speak of. The Commander came out and proceeded to blow the roof off the venue. This would then force the Riders (as the headliners) to do the show of a lifetime. On this night, the challenge was met. This was a great show. Skip had really settled in, and on this night NO ONE was asking where Torbert was. As was custom in that era, the band opened with "I Don’t Know You", then slipped into "Sunday Susie". Then as Skip started into "Austin Texas", which I had not heard before, I knew this night would be really something special. Then "Instant Armadillo Blues" and the blur that is the rest of the setlist. The Commander came out and joined the band for a few songs. I have never been able to locate a setlist for this particular show, but the next night (11/10/74) at Sacramento was very close. Except that I remember seeing Skip doing “On the Amazon”.
My trepidation was unfounded. I finally knew for myself that this band was as good in a large venue as in a small club. I later found out that between the shows The Riders had done a thank you concert in Central Park for 50,000. An even larger venue, indeed!
6:00 PM - Nov. 9, 2006 - {0} -
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Hey Guys! Found this video on google video and was again reminded what a truly great drummer Spencer was. Not as flashy as some, but didn't try to overpower the band. With the Airplane, Riders, Dinosaurs, always strong and steady.
RIP Spencer.
8:27 PM - Jul. 28, 2006 - {0} -
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Although not strictly NRPS related, I want to bid farewell to Buck Owens, originator of the Bakersfield sound, the Telecaster driven honky tonk that made Buck, Merle and Dwight Yokum (and others) household names and that country rock owes so much of its success to. At age 76, he still performed almost every Friday and Saturday night at his Crystal Palace club in Bakersfield. I was in attendence 11/05/05 for his show. Played for an hour and a half. Smoking lead, dobro, fiddle, keyboards, plus sang almost every song. Not bad for a 76 year old stroke and cancer survivor. We'll miss you, Buck!!! Friday night 3/24 Buck came to the club, had his favorite dinner (Chicken fried steak), then told the band he didn't fell well, he was going to cancel that nights show. On his way to his car, some fans approched him, told him how much they were looking forward to the show and had driven from OR for the show. He went back inside and did the show just hours before he died. What a trooper!!!!
 Picture from BuckOwens.com
9:24 PM - Mar. 25, 2006 - {1} -
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Thirty two years ago this week, I got to see the Greatest Band ever. Two rainy nights, two of the greatest shows I have seen.
Night of 3/7/74 went to show with then girl friend, 3/8/74 was the night my buddies and I attended. Skip had only been with the band a couple of months, and the band gelled and gave the performance of a life time. (see setlist for 3/8/74 below). We were standing with our feet touching the stage, between Dawson and Battin. This a 6" stage and between songs conversed with them between song. Many years later, our good friend Rob Bleetstein (webmaster NRPS.net) fixed me up with a cd copy of the 3/8/74 show. It is really cool to have a cd of a show you attended.
As an aside, I would have posted this on the 8th, but I had the chance to attend a show with Alison Krause and Union Station, IMO the best bluegrass band in the world. I got home too late to post.
First set: I Dont Know You / Hi, Hello, How Are You / Teardrops In My Eyes / Sunday Susie / Panama Red / Lonesome LA Cowboy / You Should Have Seen Me Runnin / Singing Cowboy / Sweet Lovin' One / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) / Henry / Sutter's Mill / She's No Angel / Linda / Down In The Boondocks / Truck Drivin Man
Second Set: Crooked Judge / One Too Many Stories / Whiskey / Garden Of Eden / LA Lady / Lochinvar / Dead Flowers / Six Days On The Road / Glendale Train / Last Lonely Eagle / Take A Letter Maria / Rainbow / On The Amazon / Encore: Nadine
Finally, I am going live tonight with my new site. It's not anywhere finished, but something I feel is necessary on the web.
Go To: SkipBattin.com
Enjoy!!!
8:16 PM - Mar. 9, 2006 - {0} -
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