SPRING '77

Those Winterland shows were numbers 9, 10, and 11 for me and changed my life forever.

Are you both aware of each other's political views? 

"Any chance you saw any of those?"

Saw the first three nights at the Tower in June (and listened to the fourth night on the WMMR broadcast), the second day of the Day on the Green with the Who in October 10/10/76, first CA show) and NYE at the Cow Palace.

What was interesting during that time frame was how the band just kept getting tighter each time I saw them, by spring tour they were like a Swiss watch.

The sight of Thom and his cashmere sweater vest surrounded by a sea of mid-70's hippies must have been something to behold.

Pre-sweater days in 1976.

I actually drove past Roosevelt Stadium the day of the show, but I was visiting my girlfriend who lived in Jersey City and didn't go to the show.  Hard to believe all these years later.  But like not wearing sweater vests, I hadn't gotten my priorities right yet. 

At the time I thought that the June '76 stuff was too slow and not energetic, which all changed as we got into spring '77.  I've come to really appreciate their uniqeness now, but I was a little disappointed at the time.

Baltimore was the only show I saw on the east coast this tour, I was back from SF visiting family and a friend and I drove down the day of the show and got tickets at the box office.  It and Hartford were late additions to the tour so tickets were there for the taking.  Show started ten minutes early, place was over half empty, only time in 22 years I ever saw that happen.  Very underrated show with a high energy first set, a smoking Music to open and my favorite Sugaree next up and one of my favorite NFA's in the second set.  Fun show.

Ritchie Latvala's first show.  Dick took him of course, he must have been one or two.

6/9/77 is in my top five of shows attended.  I had a religious experience there that will stay with me forever.

Love that NFA from 7/9/77.  He should have held on to that one.