Friday Night in Birmingham!
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 22:02:39 -0400 (EDT)
Hi Bob,
I hope Ken will comment regarding his recall, but here is something from my older web page that is now under reconstruction.
NOTE: Some question exists as to where the recording sources were captured for the Live 1973 album. The recordings were made using the 16-track Pye mobile recording studio which, so it was said, was used by the Rolling Stones! The band was quite excited at the prospect of being evenly remotely associated with the Stones! The band was now being taken seriously in their own country!
Although David chants "Friday night in Birmingham" in the opening moments of the album, in fact the Bron Artistes office itineraries dated 3 January 1973, 9 January 1973, and 16 January 1973 do not show any scheduled live recording for the Friday, January 26 performance at the Town Hall on Paradise Road in Birmingham.
Likewise, my journal has no mention, although several previous live recording dates scheduled on the itinerary are also not noted in my journal. This was probably due to a lack of sufficient time for me to enter the notations. It is quite probable that in editing earlier performance recordings caused Peter Bower and Gerry Bron to play safe and record one extra performance. It is my contention that the Live '73 album is mixed from takes of the various nights listed below- Todd Fischer November 1996
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1973
Venue: Rainbow (Theater), Finsbury Park, N.4 (London)
Comments:Live recording date!
The itinerary notation reads: On stage times depend on the live recording during (?). My journal indicates that I spent the majority of the day repairing equipment prior to the performance.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1973
Venue: Free Trade Hall, Manchester
Comments:Live recording date!
My journal entry for this date indicates that we picked up Bas Marshall (one of our roadies) in Chelsea on the way to this venue.
DATE: Friday, January 19, 1973
Venue: Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Comments: Live recording date!
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1973
Venue: De Montfort Hall, Leicester
Comments:Live recording date!
My journal entry shows that Del and I were joined by Paul Weiss from White Indigo, Florida, one of our U.S. tour stage lighting providers. We successfully lobbied the band and Gerry Bron to bring Paul over to handle lighting for the British and European tour.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1973
Venue: Towne Hall, Birmingham
Comments: Unscheduled live recording date!
My journal entry reads: Mains fair- 3 phase 60 amp 240 volt (fair electrical connections); side stage (loading); small stage- semi-circular. This venue was marginal in that it barely met, or compromised requirements of our performance contract rider which spelled out all conditions to be met by the venue and promoter.