The Amazing ZigZag Concert
Encyclopedia
The Amazing Zig Zag Concert was a rock concert held at The Roundhouse
on 28 April 1974 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Zig Zag Magazine
. Described as "one of the gigs of the decade", the concert "has taken on legendary proportions over the years" and featured Michael Nesmith
with Red Rhodes
, John Stewart, Help Yourself
, Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
and Starry Eyed and Laughing
. The concert was recorded, but was not issued until 2010, when it was released as a 5 CD box set.
, founder of Charisma Records
,
who had just taken over Zig Zag Magazine
from its founder Pete Frame
, although Frame remained as a writer. The selected acts were favourites of Frame and the other ZigZag journalists; John Tobler
, Andy Childs and Connor McKnight. Andrew Lauder
arranged and paid for Vic Maile
to record the concert. In addition to the 5 acts featured on the CD, Bristol folksinger Aj Webber, also played, but was not recorded. Originally Chris Darrow and Kilburn and the High Roads
were also billed to appear, but Darrow was abroad, and the Kilburns pulled out due to the time available.
, Phil McMullen
described the recordings as "a vitally important document in the overall scheme of things" and "unashamedly" admitted that the Terrastock
festivals "were directly influenced and inspired by the now legendary Zig Zag Benefit Concert" and concluded "It doesn’t get any better than this”.
In Record Collector
, Kris Needs
said the 5CDs "capture rapturously-received sets" "The sound is immaculate, that amazing atmosphere dripping from every whoop, holler and pin-dropped hush" and gave it a 5 star rating
) edited and remastered them, and they were released on Tobler's label Road Goes on Forever Records. This was released on 11 October 2010 and contained 5 CDs and an information booklet.
, featuring their original drummer, Nick Brown, who left very shortly afterwards. Eight of these songs appeared on their eponymous debut album released in October 1974 with new drummer Mike Wackford. ZigZag's Pete Frame was later to become their manager.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
Personnel
were well known on the London pub-rock circuit, but it is felt that they never captured "the magical ambiance of their best live shows on record". This, their only official live recording, was made shortly before they recorded Bongos Over Balham. Having met the band at this concert, Michael Nesmith produced five tracks at the Bongos recording session, although only two tracks appeared on the final album.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
Personnel
the previous month, although this had yet to be released. Many songs appear on both albums, but with a stripped down sound on this album, as The Phoenix Concerts had a larger band.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
All tracks written by John Stewart
Personnel
had disbanded in August 1973 and reformed just for this concert; Morley, Whaley and Leonard flying in from Switzerland where Man
, who they were all then with, were on tour. Whaley, their original bass player, started off the set, with Burton, who replaced him, playing the later numbers, along with Leonard, who had briefly been a member in 1972.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
Personnel
brought his pedal steel guitarist Red Rhodes
with him and quickly established a rapport with the crowd and played "the storytelling troubadour" with thoughts, asides and introductions. To tempt Nesmith to come to Britain to perform at the concert, Stratton Smith also asked him to produce Bert Jansch
's album L.A. Turnaround
, on which Nesmith and Rhodes also play.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
All tracks are credited to Michael Nesmith on the CD slipcase, although "Wax Minute" was actually written by Richard Stekol
Personnel
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
on 28 April 1974 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Zig Zag Magazine
ZigZag (magazine)
ZigZag was a British rock music magazine. It was started by Pete Frame and the first edition rolled off the printing presses on 16 April 1969...
. Described as "one of the gigs of the decade", the concert "has taken on legendary proportions over the years" and featured Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith
Robert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
with Red Rhodes
Red Rhodes
Rhodes played pedal steel on many country rock, pop and rock albums with The Monkees, James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, The Byrds, The Carpenters and many other groups. He is most often remembered for his work with former Monkee Michael Nesmith on Nesmith's first solo albums in the early 1970s...
, John Stewart, Help Yourself
Help Yourself (band)
Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
, Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers were one of the main British pub rock groups of the early 1970s. Later managed by Jake Riviera, who first worked for the band as a roadie, they reached their peak as part of the "Naughty Rhythms Tour" of 1975, along with other stalwarts of the same scene, Dr...
and Starry Eyed and Laughing
Starry Eyed and Laughing
Starry Eyed and Laughing were a British Rock band of the 1970s. Formed in 1973, they released two albums on CBS, recorded three Peel Sessions and undertook a US tour, before briefly evolving into Starry Eyed, and finally disbanding in 1976.-History:...
. The concert was recorded, but was not issued until 2010, when it was released as a 5 CD box set.
Arrangement
The Concert was underwritten by Tony Stratton-SmithTony Stratton-Smith
Tony Stratton-Smith was an English rock music manager, and entrepreneur. He was best known as founder of London based independent record label Charisma Records which he began in 1969. Groups he managed included The Nice , Bonzo Dog Band and Van der Graaf Generator...
, founder of Charisma Records
Charisma Records
Charisma was a record label founded by former journalist Tony Stratton-Smith in 1969. Manager for The Nice, the Bonzo Dog Band and Van der Graaf Generator at the time, Stratton-Smith was unable to find a record company willing to release an album by one of his favourite groups so he founded his own...
,
who had just taken over Zig Zag Magazine
ZigZag (magazine)
ZigZag was a British rock music magazine. It was started by Pete Frame and the first edition rolled off the printing presses on 16 April 1969...
from its founder Pete Frame
Pete Frame
Peter 'Pete' Frame is a music journalist, who produced outlines of the history of rock bands for various magazines . He founded the English Alternative rock magazine ZigZag in April 1969 and acted as its editor, from its beginning until February 1973, and again from March 1976 until July 1977...
, although Frame remained as a writer. The selected acts were favourites of Frame and the other ZigZag journalists; John Tobler
John Tobler
John Hugen Tobler is a British rock music journalist, writer, occasional broadcaster, and record company executive.With Pete Frame, he was one of the founders of ZigZag magazine in April 1969...
, Andy Childs and Connor McKnight. Andrew Lauder
Andrew Lauder (music executive)
Andrew Lauder is a record company executive and former A&R manager. Initially noted for his adventurous signings of bands as diverse as Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Can, Hawkwind and Brinsley Schwarz to Liberty Records and United Artists Records in the 1960s and 70s, he went on to form numerous...
arranged and paid for Vic Maile
Vic Maile
Vic Maile was a British record producer. After starting his career as sound engineer with Pye mobile studios for The Animals on their song, "We Gotta Get out of This Place", Maile worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The...
to record the concert. In addition to the 5 acts featured on the CD, Bristol folksinger Aj Webber, also played, but was not recorded. Originally Chris Darrow and Kilburn and the High Roads
Kilburn and the High Roads
Kilburn and the High Roads were a British rock and roll band formed by Ian Dury in 1970, and was the first band formed by Dury. The band released two studio albums and had one compilation, and separated in 1977 when Dury left to form the more prominent band The Blockheads.- History :Dury formed...
were also billed to appear, but Darrow was abroad, and the Kilburns pulled out due to the time available.
Reception
In Ptolemaic TerrascopePtolemaic Terrascope
Ptolemaic Terrascope is a magazine covering old and new music, usually of a psychedelic nature. It has been published irregularly since 1989...
, Phil McMullen
Phil McMullen
Phil McMullen lives in the West of England and spends his time between rearing chickens and vegetables writing about psychedelic, improvised and experimental rock & folk music...
described the recordings as "a vitally important document in the overall scheme of things" and "unashamedly" admitted that the Terrastock
Terrastock
Terrastock is a music festival organised periodically by Phil McMullen, formerly editor of the Ptolemaic Terrascope and since 2005 the publisher of the Terrascope Online website. The event typically features independent bands playing psychedelic rock....
festivals "were directly influenced and inspired by the now legendary Zig Zag Benefit Concert" and concluded "It doesn’t get any better than this”.
In Record Collector
Record Collector
Record Collector is the United Kingdom's longest-running monthly music magazine. It distributes both within the UK and worldwide. It started in 1979.-The early years:...
, Kris Needs
Kris Needs
Kris Needs is a British journalist and author, primarily known for his writings on the music scene from the 1970s onwards. He became editor of ZigZag Magazine in August 1977, at the relatively young age of 23, and has written biographies of numerous rock and dance stars including Primal Scream,...
said the 5CDs "capture rapturously-received sets" "The sound is immaculate, that amazing atmosphere dripping from every whoop, holler and pin-dropped hush" and gave it a 5 star rating
CD box set
The tapes remained unreleased until 2010 when Tony Poole (formerly of Starry Eyed and LaughingStarry Eyed and Laughing
Starry Eyed and Laughing were a British Rock band of the 1970s. Formed in 1973, they released two albums on CBS, recorded three Peel Sessions and undertook a US tour, before briefly evolving into Starry Eyed, and finally disbanding in 1976.-History:...
) edited and remastered them, and they were released on Tobler's label Road Goes on Forever Records. This was released on 11 October 2010 and contained 5 CDs and an information booklet.
CD1 - Starry Eyed and Laughing
This is the earliest released recording of Starry Eyed and LaughingStarry Eyed and Laughing
Starry Eyed and Laughing were a British Rock band of the 1970s. Formed in 1973, they released two albums on CBS, recorded three Peel Sessions and undertook a US tour, before briefly evolving into Starry Eyed, and finally disbanding in 1976.-History:...
, featuring their original drummer, Nick Brown, who left very shortly afterwards. Eight of these songs appeared on their eponymous debut album released in October 1974 with new drummer Mike Wackford. ZigZag's Pete Frame was later to become their manager.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
- "Going Down" (McGeeney)
- "Nobody Home" (Poole)
- "Never Say Too Late" (Whitmore)
- "Down the Street" (McGeeney)
- "Money is no Friend of Mine" (Poole)
- "Everybody" (McGeeney)
- "Oh What" (Poole)
- "Chimes of FreedomChimes of Freedom"Chimes of Freedom" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan and featured on his 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan , produced by Tom Wilson. It was written in early 1964 and was influenced by the symbolist poetry of Arthur Rimbaud. The song depicts the feelings and thoughts of the singer...
" (DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
) - "50/50 (Better Stop Now)" (Whitmore)
- "Living in London" (McGeeney/Poole)
Personnel
- Tony Poole - Guitar, Vocals
- Ross McGeeney - Guitar, Vocals
- Iain Whitmore - Bass, Vocals
- Nick Brown - Drums, Vocals
CD2 - Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
Chilli Willi and the Red Hot PeppersChilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers were one of the main British pub rock groups of the early 1970s. Later managed by Jake Riviera, who first worked for the band as a roadie, they reached their peak as part of the "Naughty Rhythms Tour" of 1975, along with other stalwarts of the same scene, Dr...
were well known on the London pub-rock circuit, but it is felt that they never captured "the magical ambiance of their best live shows on record". This, their only official live recording, was made shortly before they recorded Bongos Over Balham. Having met the band at this concert, Michael Nesmith produced five tracks at the Bongos recording session, although only two tracks appeared on the final album.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
- "I'll Be Home" (P Lithman)
- "The Streets of Baltimore" (T Glaser/H Howard)
- "Papa and Mama Had Love" (Doug KershawDoug KershawDoug Kershaw, born January 24, 1936, is an American fiddle player, singer and songwriter from Louisiana. Active since 1949, Kershaw has recorded fifteen albums and charted on the Hot Country Songs charts.- Early life :...
) - "Midnight Bus" (Jesse WinchesterJesse WinchesterJesse Winchester is a musician and songwriter who was born and raised in the southern United States. To avoid the Vietnam War draft he moved to Canada in 1967, which is where and when he began his career as a solo artist. His highest charting recordings were of his own tunes, "Yankee Lady" in 1970...
) - "Older Guys" (G ParsonsGram ParsonsGram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
/ C HillmanChris HillmanChristopher Hillman was one of the original members of The Byrds which in 1965 included Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, and Michael Clarke....
/ B LeadonBernie LeadonBernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
) - "Desert Island Woman" (P Lithman)
- "Friday Song" (P Lithman)
- "Goodbye Nashville, Hello Camden Town" (P Lithman)
- "Walkin' BluesWalkin' Blues"Walkin' Blues" is a song that was written by blues musician Robert Johnson in 1936.It has been later recorded by many artists, including Cee Lo Green, Muddy Waters, Colin James, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Cash, Hot Tuna, The Grateful Dead, Rory Gallagher, R.L. Burnside, Eric Clapton, Hindu Love...
" (Robert JohnsonRobert JohnsonRobert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer and musician. His landmark recordings from 1936–37 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given...
) - "Just Like the Devil" (Trad. Arr M Stone)
- "Boppin' The Blues" (C PerkinsCarl PerkinsCarl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
/ H Griffin) - "Choo Choo Ch'BoogieChoo Choo Ch'Boogie"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" is a popular song first recorded in January 1946 by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five. It topped the R&B charts for 18 weeks from August 1946, a record only equalled by one other hit, "The Honeydripper"...
" (Horton / Darling / GablerMilt GablerMilton Gabler was an American record producer, responsible for many innovations in the recording industry of the 20th century.-Early life:...
) - "Fire on the Mountain" (Trad. Arr. Chilli Willi)
- "Drunken Sunken Redneck Blues"(P Lithman)
- "Six Days on the RoadSix Days on the Road"Six Days on the Road" is an American song written by Muscle Shoals Sound Studio songwriter Carl Montgomery and Earl Green, made originally famous by country music singer Dave Dudley...
" (Green / Montgomery)
Personnel
- Phil "Snakefinger" LithmanSnakefingerPhilip Charles Lithman , who performed under the stage name Snakefinger, was an English musician, singer and songwriter. A multi-instrumentalist, he was best known for his guitar and violin work and his collaborations with The Residents.-History:Lithman was born in Tooting, South London, and came...
- Guitar, Steel Guitar, Vocals - Martin StoneMartin Stone (guitarist)Martin Stone is an English guitarist and book antiquarian. A longtime resident of Fingest in Buckinghamshire, he currently lives in Paris.-Musical career:...
- Guitar, Vocals - Paul "Bassman" RileyPaul Riley (musician)Paul Riley is an English bassist, singer and record producer. He was a member of Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and Roogalator in the 1970s.-Biography:...
- Bass, Vocals - Paul "Dice Man" Bailey - Guitar, Banjo, Sax, Vocals
- Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
- Drums, Percussion - Will Stallibrass - Harmonica
CD3 - John Stewart
John Stewart and his bass player Arnie Moore flew in from the US for the concert, and borrowed Chilli Willi's drummer Pete Thomas. Stewart had recorded The Phoenix ConcertsThe Phoenix Concerts
The Phoenix Concerts is a live album released in 1974, and it is the seventh solo album by folk musician John Stewart, former member of the Kingston Trio. It was recorded live at Phoenix Symphony Hall, Phoenix, Arizona, March 1974, and it was Stewart's first live album release...
the previous month, although this had yet to be released. Many songs appear on both albums, but with a stripped down sound on this album, as The Phoenix Concerts had a larger band.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
All tracks written by John Stewart
- "Wheatfield Lady"
- "Daydream BelieverDaydream Believer"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. The song was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. The single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four...
" - "You Can't Look Back"
- "California Bloodlines"
- "Armstrong"
- "Road Away"
- "Last Campaign Trilogy"
- "July You're a Woman"
- "Runaway Fool of Love"
- "Lady and the Outlaw"
- "Cops"
- "Mother Country"
- "Never Goin' Back (to Nashville Anymore)"
- "Let The Big Horse Run"
Personnel
- John Stewart - Guitar
- Arnie Moore - Bass
- Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
- Drums
CD4 - Help Yourself
Help YourselfHelp Yourself (band)
Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
had disbanded in August 1973 and reformed just for this concert; Morley, Whaley and Leonard flying in from Switzerland where Man
Man (band)
Man are a rock band from South Wales whose style is a mixture of West Coast psychedelia, progressive rock, blues and country-rock. Formed in 1968 as a reincarnation of Welsh rock harmony group ‘’The Bystanders’’, Man are renowned for the extended jams in their live performances, and having had...
, who they were all then with, were on tour. Whaley, their original bass player, started off the set, with Burton, who replaced him, playing the later numbers, along with Leonard, who had briefly been a member in 1972.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
- "Running Down Deep" (Morley)
- "Reaffirmation" (Burton/Treece/Morley)
- "American Mother" (TylaSean TylaSean Tyla is an English rock guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, sometimes known as the “Godfather of Boogie”...
/Morley) - "Blown Away" (Morley)
Personnel
- Malcolm MorleyMalcolm Morley (musician)Malcolm Morley is a British rock singer, guitarist and keyboard player who came to fame in the 1970s. Best known as a founder of Help Yourself and as a member of Man, he continues to perform to this day.-Early career:...
- Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals - Richard Treece - Guitar
- Ken Whaley - Bass (Tracks 1-2)
- David CharlesDave CharlesDave Charles, also known as David Charles is a British drummer, recording engineer & record producer. He often appears under both names on the same album, e.g. Help Yourself's The Return of Ken Whaley, where Dave Charles is credited with drums and vocals and David Charles as producer.Charles'...
- Drums - Paul Burton - Bass (Tracks 3-4)
- Deke LeonardDeke LeonardRoger "Deke" Leonard is a rock musician, "serving a life sentence in the music business." Best known as a member of the progressive rock band Man, which he joined and left several times, and for fronting his own rock and roll band Iceberg, which he formed and disbanded several times, he is also...
- Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals (Tracks 3-4)
CD5 - Michael Nesmith with Red Rhodes
Michael NesmithMichael Nesmith
Robert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
brought his pedal steel guitarist Red Rhodes
Red Rhodes
Rhodes played pedal steel on many country rock, pop and rock albums with The Monkees, James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, The Byrds, The Carpenters and many other groups. He is most often remembered for his work with former Monkee Michael Nesmith on Nesmith's first solo albums in the early 1970s...
with him and quickly established a rapport with the crowd and played "the storytelling troubadour" with thoughts, asides and introductions. To tempt Nesmith to come to Britain to perform at the concert, Stratton Smith also asked him to produce Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
Herbert "Bert" Jansch was a Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle. He was born in Glasgow and came to prominence in London in the 1960s, as an acoustic guitarist, as well as a singer-songwriter...
's album L.A. Turnaround
L.A. Turnaround
L.A. Turnaround is the ninth album by Scottish folk musician Bert Jansch, released in 1974. Two of the songs were recorded in Paris in 1973, and the others were recorded in Los Angeles in 1974. The album was produced by former Monkee and Country rock artist Michael Nesmith, who also played guitar...
, on which Nesmith and Rhodes also play.
Tracklisting Excluding song introductions, which the CD lists as separate tracks
All tracks are credited to Michael Nesmith on the CD slipcase, although "Wax Minute" was actually written by Richard Stekol
- "Joanne"
- "Some of Shelly's Blues"
- "Silver Moon"
- "Different Drum"
- "Propinquity"
- "Grand Ennui"
- "Wax Minute"
- "Tomorrow and Me"
- "Upside of Goodbye"
- "Roll with the Flow"
- "Marie's Theme"
Personnel
- Michael NesmithMichael NesmithRobert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
- Guitar, Vocals - Red RhodesRed RhodesRhodes played pedal steel on many country rock, pop and rock albums with The Monkees, James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, The Byrds, The Carpenters and many other groups. He is most often remembered for his work with former Monkee Michael Nesmith on Nesmith's first solo albums in the early 1970s...
- Pedal Steel Guitar
Credits
- Pete FramePete FramePeter 'Pete' Frame is a music journalist, who produced outlines of the history of rock bands for various magazines . He founded the English Alternative rock magazine ZigZag in April 1969 and acted as its editor, from its beginning until February 1973, and again from March 1976 until July 1977...
and John ToblerJohn ToblerJohn Hugen Tobler is a British rock music journalist, writer, occasional broadcaster, and record company executive.With Pete Frame, he was one of the founders of ZigZag magazine in April 1969...
- Concept - Tony Stratton-SmithTony Stratton-SmithTony Stratton-Smith was an English rock music manager, and entrepreneur. He was best known as founder of London based independent record label Charisma Records which he began in 1969. Groups he managed included The Nice , Bonzo Dog Band and Van der Graaf Generator...
- Promoter - Vic MaileVic MaileVic Maile was a British record producer. After starting his career as sound engineer with Pye mobile studios for The Animals on their song, "We Gotta Get out of This Place", Maile worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The...
- Recording Engineer (1974) - Paul ConroyPaul ConroyPaul Conroy is an English music executive with a long and varied career of managing labels. He went from general manager of pioneering indie Stiff to senior positions with majors like Virgin Records, WEA and EMI.-Career:...
- Organization - Tony Poole - Editing and Mastering (2010)