you were there? And youve nailed it yourself. they couldnt play their songs properly because they were so drunk out of their minds. They were absolutely awful right from the off when the opened with Deep in the Motherlode. the band were everywhere. Timing was shocking and they played it too slowly. As for lady lies. OMG that was even worse But you know best. You werent there of course, but you know best. Why do you find it so hard to believe? BTW. The genesis gig in question was broadcast on local radio, so i actually have a copy of the gig.
Yeah, that's an accurate description. It was just weird how wrecked he was, but as soon as he started playing he was 100% on point.
Not personal, but the movie Festival Express, if I recall correctly. There's a scene where Rick Danko tries to teach Ain't No More Cane to Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Janis Joplin. He is horribly messed up. In my lifetime playing music in bars I've never seen anyone in that shape still upright.
That’s terrible. What. Way to treat fans. Imagine this happening in any other job. Probably be fired.
These posts are mostly recountings of sad behavior, but as comedian Doug Stanhope said..."I'm not driving a bus, mother******!".
In the mid-70's my folks went to see The Dubliners at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. However, the band had apparently been on a serious afternoon round of Copenhagen pubs, so at the start of the concert only three of five members appeared on stage - drunk but playing and singing. Sometime during the concert member no. four stumbled on stage - and then proceeded to tumble into the orchestra pit in front of the stage, where he stayed, probably sleeping, for the rest of the show. The fifth Dubliner was never seen, maybe he was still drinking in one of the pubs.
No mate the band played like that throughout. You weren't there. You don't know. In your book I'm a liar I won't enter into any more discussion with such narrow minded, rude, childish, people. Good night boyo
Are you sure that Ray was drunk? He would sometimes PLAY the drunk on stage but would be perfectly fine. Just part of the act.
Amy Winehouse. She could barely stand. Runner-up is Dan Bejar from Destroyer, although he was brilliant anyway.
I saw Bob Dylan at the Gorge in Washington in 1990, and I’m pretty sure he was drunk. He approached the mic several times with his mouth open like he was going to sing, and then backed off because he forgot the words. He made a big deal about getting his harmonica, did a wild solo and then tossed it over his shoulder with a flourish. A couple of minutes later he wanted it back so he started rummaging around by the drum set and backline amps trying to find it while his band cycled through the changes over and over. It seemed like at least five minutes went by. Eventually it was located and he emerged triumphantly and took a brief (IIRC) harmonica solo but then the song ended. Seemed like a waste of time to everyone but Dylan. He seemed much more entertained than anyone else did, which is another reason why I think he was drunk. It was by far the worst Dylan show I’ve seen, although on the plus side he did cover Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay. I think the show circulates out there, though I haven’t wanted to listen to it. That’s the way I remember it though.
I saw John Fahey at a small venue once and he was unable to get on the stage by himself. The stage was about 18 inches off the floor, and there were stairs available. He tried several times until someone from the audience leapt up to give him a steadying hand. But once he sat down and had his guitar in hand he played beautifully.
It is amazing how some performers stagger to the stage obviously drunk/stoned and still play beautifully. John Martyn comes to mind.
That's for sure. I remember seeing Dave Mustaine from Megadeth before an arena show in the 80s. He was so wasted, he was slobbering. Also trying to skateboard. Which could've been dangerous, but he could barely get his feet on the board. When it came to play the set an hour later, no one would've known how wasted he was. I'm sure he had some "help" before going onstage. Same for Lemmy before Motorhead played a club for a skate convention. I talked to Lemmy before the show. He was holding up the wall. And between the booze and his accent, I couldn't understand one word he said. But when it came to play (they went on a little late), they delivered. Big time. Again, I'm sure some "help" was involved.
It's right there on the previous page of this thread. I don't hear anything at all wrong with Motherlode-- It sounds a bit sluggish because as someone else notes, the tape is running slow. (Also, Chester always took things slower and heavier). No wrong notes anywhere. Phi hams up the "Go WEST young man!", but that happened in the best of times.
John Martyn. Went to see him in the 90s in Boston, on my first date with my future wife. Show up at the club and at the door they say they think he's not going to play. I am disbelieving and go in and up to the stage area to confirm whether he's going to play or not. See Martyn by stage side and go over to speak with him. He's totally smashed, incomprehensible speech, no ability to do anything, clearly. I conclude there will be no show after approximately 20 seconds trying to engage him, and leave. We go to another bar and talk all night and the rest is history. I should mention I also saw some great shows with Martyn where he didn't seem drunk at all. One that comes to mind is him playing a set with Danny Thompson at the Cropredy Festival in England, maybe in 1986? Totally mesmerizing, perfect.
dickey betts several different shows, the worst being his own band at the former BB king's in NYC...he was drinking on stage and literally slurring his words and falling down...yet somehow he continued to play the guitar reasonably well
Back in I think 1972 I saw John Martyn open for FREE and TRAFFIC at the Santa Monica Civic here in Southern California. At the time I didn't know who he was. He came out with just his guitar, a chair and an echoplex. He captivated that audience. I became an immediate fan. He passed away 5 years younger than I am now and looked 20 years older. Heartbreaking what alcohol did to him.
