Dixie Dregs - Don Kirshner's Rock Concert 1979

Punk Sandwich 00:20
Gina Lola Breakdown 03:27
Cruise Control/Drum Solo 06:50
Steve Morse - Guitar
Andy West - Bass
Allen Sloan - Violin
Rod Morgenstein - Drums
T Lavitz - Keys

[@sixslinger9951]

Steve Morse , one of the best to ever strap on a guitar.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

The Dregs, led by compositional Genius Steve Morse, The Guitarist in the Band) played at an Exalted Level. Their music ALWAYS had a Happy and Fun Vibe.. You can tell that all of them really enjoyed playing this music. It was a challenge - but one that they enjoyed. As Violinist Allen Sloan once said "This is an Insanity Test!" Some people think that it is unaccessible - but like things that are somewhat complex - it just takes a few listens. Then you get complete hooked once you are familiarized. Been listening to them avidly since 1978!

[@peglegjim57]

SAME!

[@hwmbo727]

Steve Morse was and is a briliant composer, aside from his amazing guitar chops and always being a good human.

[@frankrichards3089]

Yes! Great man.

[@RustyKnorr]

This broadcast changed my life. I thought RUSH was the only band doing progressive music until DD blew my mind wide open. Then it was all UK, Genesis, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Yes, Tull, and all of the jazz fusion greats. Thanks for showing me the way, guys. ❤️

[@roderickgful]

My 1st time seeing Golden Earring was on this! Went next day and got the Moontan EP, NOT the LP. Vanilla Queen, Candys goin Bad, Big Tree Blue Sea! Great songs! Very Darkside of the Moon at times! Everyone always thinks Radar Love but the others on the shorter EP are killer!

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@roderickgful Yes, everybody thinks “Radar Love”, and why shouldn’t they? That was the group’s only hit, after all. I thought it was idiotic, but it didn’t really bother me much at first: Lots of hits were idiotic (and still are). I tried just to ignore it.Then I saw Procol Harum (Fox Theater, St. Louis, 1974), and Golden Earring happened, unfortunately, to open. Eventually I got so disgusted that I left my seat and waited out the remainder of their set in the lobby. (Procol Harum, on the other hand, was great.)

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

The Dixie Dregs came onto the scene relatively late. Steve Morse began by playing Mahavishnu Orchestra (whom I saw in concert in 1973) tunes, and Mahavishnu obviously made a strong impact on them, so much so that at times the Dregs sounded like diluted Mahavishnu. King Crimson was at first considered “art rock”, and since the group was never intent on showing off its virtuosity, “art rock” might be more apt. The first rock group I remember being called “progressive rock” was Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, with Yes close on its heels. Jethro Tull didn’t go progressive until their fifth album. A group that deserves mention in this regard, by the way, is Focus. (i was very impressed with them in concert in 1973, but not as much with their records. I never cared at all for Rush, Gentle Giant, or Genesis.)

[@bratman99]

My buddies and I watched this live. It was an event for us and we talked about it for days. Young minds were blown.

[@Buzzramjet]

The Dixie Dregs were one of the great unsung bands of that time. They were incredible. I was fortunate to have seen them. INCREDIBLE.

[@mikesimonian484]

Same here. Saw them once on their Dregs of the Earth tour and was forever a Dregs addict.

[@mikesimonian484]

Saw them every time they toured. There was also a mini truck always at the shows (a fan) that had a D DREGS as their license plate.

[@user-rz8wn5zu6y]

RUSH had the songs.

[@strangher11]

@@mikesimonian484 Long time DD fan here, I caught that tour in Denver and as much as I love the band I was so bummed Allen Sloan wasn't in the band ... being replaced by Mark OConnor, for me it was a big change in their vibe but to most I'm sure it didn't matter much at all.

[@mikesimonian484]

@@strangher11 The Dregs tour I saw at the Golden Bear was the Industry Standard tour that had Mark O'Connor. The Dregs of the Earth tour at the Roxy had Allen Sloan. Both were fantastic. They propped up a mannequin for a song with vocals. "Crank it Up"

[@goodehands5388]

I was able to see them twice in a small club in NY. Mark O'Connor had taken over the fiddle/guitar position. During the break between sets Steve came out and played a short solo set, there are no words to describe the talent and abilities of that man. It was a masterclass in what a guitar could do!!!!!

[@sandiotoole4295]

I grew up in Decatur Georgia and they played a lot in Atlanta area. I probably saw them 8 times. Best memories next to Rick Wakeman and Jeff Beck. I worked at Mellow Mushroom Pizza in Avondale and made their pizzas several times.

[@sonofbarnsey]

5:59 Rod has got to have the funniest case of "drummer face" ever. He looks like he is having one hell of a time

[@satsukikorin]

Check out Canadian drummer Sarah Thawer, for lo, she hath inherited the Morgensteinian facery. And she's badass too (but a very different player from Rod).

[@bobwestinicky8447]

The classic lineup, IMHO. R.I.P. T.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

My heart is STILL broken over T. Lavitz' demise. A wonderful and extremely talented man!

[@TechMule59]

Good stuff. I'm so glad I saw them in their prime. So many great shows. Steve M is a also a great person. I got to meet him a few times. Thx.

[@philturner6642]

I couldn't tell you what kind of relationship Steve had with Allen.. but when you can play like that I'm sure there's differences and friction along the way either way sure seems like they communicated quite well man they could play... never got the success they truly deserved I could watch them play over and over and it still blows me away

[@garyevans8957]

I grew up in the 1970's and felt I came of age along with rock and roll. I always said there are 3 albums I distinctly remember hearing for the first time and remembering where i was at the time. James Gang and Funk 49. Kansas Leftoverture. And Dixie Dregs Freefall.

[@larryeaton4263]

Saw them in the late 70s in the student center at Georgia Tech. I was a poor college student and the tickets were $1 each. Well worth it for sure. Love Steve Morse. Love the dude playing the lead violin.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

The Violinist is Allen Sloan. Very Intelligent person. He is an Anesthesiologist - Medical Doctor!

[@JB-ol1po]

Years ago, I thought was a pretty damn good musician, I started out on drums and I was pretty great. Then I saw the Billy Cobham, he blew me away so much so I decided right then to switch to bass and I got really good! . Then I saw Javo P.Ritenour , Again I was blown away and thought I might be better off switching to keyboards. I got good on the keys too! Then I saw Jan Hammer. Dumped the idea of being a great keyboardist. Lastly ,I switched to guitar. Practiced like crazy, thought I found my niche!! Then I saw the Dixie Dregs and decided to sell insurance 🙁

[@JB-ol1po]

Jaco Pastori , not Jaco P🥴

[@JB-ol1po]

Typo…. Sorry

[@richardbordeaux9218]

Jaco Pastorius

[@riceflatpicking4954]

Bro you need to quit watching bands 😀

[@aschule5684]

😆😂 that was funny, I actually laughed out loud, funny but also sad. You can't get bummed out by stuff like that, there's always going to be someone better than you. Use it, be inspired by it and them and keep on keeping on, look how good Steve Morse is, I never let that stop me, he inspires the hell out of me.

[@jeffreyholmes7216]

I will never forget watching this show. They played after don"s disco dancers. This band blew my mind.

[@scottpeer]

Steve Morse and T. Two of the nicest, humblest, talented people I've met in the industry.

[@jeffreyholmes7216]

I agree. Nice guys to meet. I have met everybody in the dregs. All good people.

[@skivtonten294]

I think Steve Morse was a trailblazer when it came to speed, loong before Yngwie! Too bad he doesnt get half the recognision he deserves!

[@mikesimonian484]

Steve owns the best of many types of playing like speed jazz blues/rock classical etc... Definitely an American treasure.

[@reidwhitton6248]

Steve Morse is also a brilliant composer. He writes very challenging music. And all of those Dregs tune have great melodies.

[@goodun2974]

​@@reidwhitton6248, Steve's melodic sense is second to none --- they're even hummable!

[@peglegjim57]

“ Master Mathematicians”, is the understatement of the century .

[@paulmorrison4338]

saw this on tv back then, blew me away and still does

[@magnuszetterqvist5936]

Thanks 👍😘🇸🇪

[@albacore101]

Saw Steve Morse with Deep Purple..fuckin great. Thanks!

[@mikesimonian484]

Despite the Blackmore freaks.

[@fennis26]

Gotta love the HiDef quality of ‘80’s VHS tape. Still, better than nothing!

[@FryingBurritoBro]

They are tearing it up!!! Damn!

[@strangher11]

LOL .... they even played Gina Lola FASTER ..... that's just great stuff.

[@narvul]

Oh wow, thanks for this...!!

[@GuitarAnthony]

Holy crap, Steve Morse playing with the pre Franken-Tele.

[@larryn2682]

Fender Lead II. He was in ads for it.

[@privateer0561]

I asked Steve about his guitar (Fender Lead II) and he told me it was easier for the TV show to just switch guitars for "Punk Sandwich". He already long had the FrankenTele as demonstrated here.

[@jeremyhelm2833]

Steve was THE primary endorser/point man for the Fender Lead guitar line. It was a cheaper/cut down, pre super-strat. He only used it for this song (Punk Sandwich??) so he didn't have to detune (drop D) his LEGENDARY Franken-Tele.

[@Dwoed]

This was the swing band version of The Mahavishnu Orchestra

[@goodun2974]

Great observation; Mahavishnu fans can be kinda snotty about their favorite band's technical prowess and compositional complexity, but I never found them much fun to listen. The Dregs, however, were both fun AND challenging, and yeah, they "swung" like crazy! I saw them live with Alan Sloan once, and another time with Marc O'Conner; and saw the Steve Morse Band many times, as well as Dregs reunion tours. Van Romaine is a capable drummer, I guess, but I truly miss Rod Morganstein; Dave LaRue however is awesome, several notches above Alan West in my opinion.

[@mxgonzo]

WOW! I've never seen this show before. Thanks for the post.

[@georgeshepherd3381]

This is great!

[@bobbybirmingham8613]

First I saw this (on Don Kirschner)... was lucky enough to live 2 blocks from the Paradise Club in Boston, where I saw them shortly after.... WOW... mind blown; can't say I've ever seen a tighter band.

[@mikeporro3311]

Saw em at the Bottom Line NYC as well as the Ritz( it's the pits) and some club in NJ. So long ago forgot the club, lol!

[@Gregor9043]

Oh, the CHOPS!

[@DavidGiblerpeilimocom]

Anyone else catch that Mahavishnu riff at 11:45?

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Most Awesome :)

[@pearldrummer7217]

The broadcast equipment couldn’t handle that bass guitar.

[@raynic1173]

I get the impression that these guys were all classically trained...but then, went electric rock and roll...lots and lots of scales in those riffs and runs....

[@mikesimonian484]

Steve is just a massively intrinsically talented person.

[@frankrichards3089]

Steve has a classical degree from Miami, yes.

[@goodun2974]

​@@frankrichards3089, another student at the University of Miami music school at the same time was Pat Metheny and others I forget.... shee-it, brain fart!

[@johnforan2973]

Most underrated ever musicians? I think so

[@mikesimonian484]

Very much so. Steve never ends up on most greatest guitarists lists despite his amazing compositions and bio.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

@@mikesimonian484 At least he won "Guitar Players Magazine Best Guitarist Poll" 5 years in a row.. After that he became ineligible for any more awards. Hahaha - Go Steve. We love you!!

[@goodun2974]

Under-appreciated is a better way of putting it ---- no one who ever saw him play would underrate his skills, even if the music wasn't to the person's taste. (The two other guitarists I think are most under-appreciated are Richard Thompson, who once toured Europe with Morse and David Lindley BTW, and Sonny Landreth, the most unique slide guitarist on the planet IMHO, he ought to be as famous as Hendrix).

[@63terrence]

The ultimate

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

No, Night of the Living Dregs at Montreux was much, much better.

[@TimJackson-eq6iy]

If you haven't yet, check Steve out in Flying Colour. Geronimo is an absolute classic

[@mikesimonian484]

Have you seen the unauthorized video for Infinite Fire? So good!

[@buddystewart2020]

Damn, I wish there was a better recording of this. Love the Dregs.

[@mvs784]

Southern Fried ELO , In a good way !

[@larryeaton4263]

Great analogy!

[@roderickgful]

Fender Lead ll ? I had a Lead l

[@henkehakansson2004]

I hope that the original tracks and recordings exist of this, so they can - maybe - spiff it up digitally, and release at some Dregs compilation albums, of "greatest live takes" of different songs, they did live, included this one. The ugly edit during the duo improvisisation during "Cruise Control" between Rod and Steve is pure sacrilege, but one can understand it for TV edit purposes, they were simply running out of time. But an audio recording - definitely unedited - of all this would be great. Buy off the licensing and copyrights, it's too old by now anyway, to make a bump in someones finances.

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

Night of the Living Dregs at Montreux, dude.

[@omairsh8]

Steve's guitar is so sexy

[@georgeshepherd3381]

Allen sloan is anesthesiologist now

[@Siloguy]

Steve isn't playing the Frankentele....that's rare from back then

[@larryn2682]

Fender Lead II, endorsement deal.

[@dogman5680]

@siloguy you didn’t watch the whole video, Steve always played this guitar on PunkSandwich in those days because it’s tuned down to drop D

[@cportz1966]

Any truth to the rumor that they changed their name to "The Dregs"?

[@seanx666]

The did that in 81 man

[@andyokus5735]

They had to legally change their name because Alan was leaving the Band and he had part ownership in the name. My best friend Steve Davidowlski is the " Original " and BEST keyboardist of the Dregs!!!

[@RustyKnorr]

@@seanx666 LOL…oh, those rumors. 🤣

[@goodun2974]

​@@andyokus5735, Southern Rock was also starting to fall out of favor In the late 70s to early 80s and I suspect that having Dixie in the name wasn't helping them expand their fan base to potential new fans.

[@chriswinter8255]

Who the hell is Steve Walsh???

[@daveparker1083]

The lead singer,keyboard player in Kansas

[@jkellow354]

(((((((

[@eric_in_florida]

Another great band plagued by a bad band name. I know there is a reason behind it but that doesn't make it good.

[@goodun2974]

They did drop Dixie from the name and rebrand themselves as just the Dregs, which was probably a smart move considering that Southern rock was falling out of favor in the late 1970s and early 80s.

[@goodun2974]

PS, I think the Dregs is a great name! (Would you argue with the Who over their name?) Plenty of bands have named themselves fabulous something, like the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Fabulous Rhinestones, even the Fabulous Poodles, and none of them lived up to the adjective. Morse and company were so good they could have called themselves the Shit Sandwiches and yet those who saw them play would still be gobsmacked.

[@knowmusicman157]

everyone copied Jeff Beck

[@RustyKnorr]

The kind of comment that shows people believe music develops in a vacuum and only one person innovates at a time. F’ing stupid.

[@knowmusicman157]

@@RustyKnorr the only obvious vacuum here is the one between your ears. Do your trolling somewhere else.

[@jonp4846]

@@knowmusicman157 The fact that you think everyone copied Beck proves you're the one trolling.

[@knowmusicman157]

@@jonp4846 proves you don't know jack, jon. Go sit on the jon and get rid of the load of poop you are peddling.

[@jonp4846]

@@knowmusicman157 What are you, 12?