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Santana, Steve Miller Band, Chicago – 1975.04.11-13 – Beacon Theater, NYC, NY [FM]

Woodstock had morphed into the self-destructive Altamont but worse still was the lethargy  that set in after the Vietnam War ended. A generation that had grown up under the influence of Aquarius had to figure which way to go? Follow in their fathers’ footsteps or carry on and make their own road.

This set of three shows are all taken from three nights at the Beacon Theater in New York City, a three night stand by Santana, Chicago and the Steve Miller Band on April 11-13, 1975, two weeks before the fall of Saigon to North Vietnam’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

This collection of three shows offer a snapshot of just how far the socially relevant roar of late ’60s rock had been transformed. Bands were all at the crossroads undecided which way to go. It wasn’t until Peter Frampton‘s  Frampton Comes Alive released January 6, 1976 that the choice was made.

That album sold millions and convinced the record company guy that he needed to hire rock bands with fresh-faced handsome guitarists with long blonde hair and a Colgate smile. Punk, indie and grunge have never been able to kill this corporate beast. But it looks like MP3s have brought music back to the crossroads again.

Styx – 1978.01.28 – Winterland, San Francisco, CA [SBD]

Styx is an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972 and became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known for melding the style of pop rock and hard rock with the power of a hard-rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theater.  Styx‘s seventh album, The Grand Illusion, was released on July 7, 1977 (7/7/77) and became their breakthrough album, reaching Triple Platinum certification.  This album was the third one since their move to A&M Records from the Wooden Nickle lable, and was the second one to feature Tommy Shaw.  That is where we join Styx, in the middle of the Grand Illusion‘s tour, and giving a very high energy performance.  Styx is still touring and recording at present, so get out there and support this great band…..