Tommy Bolin & The James Gang, Midnight Special 1974

Tommy Bolin & The James Gang, Midnight Special 1974

[@festushagan3921]

I met and partied with Tommy when they appeared at Winthrop College, SC and again in Charlotte, NC. I was an aspiring guitarist in a three-piece high school rock band back then. Tommy (and the entire band) was so nice to all of us. We got to go backstage and back to their hotel after the shows. I'll cherish those memories until I'm just a pile of dust. Long live Tommy's music. We lost him way too soon.

[@acousticshadow4032]

Never knew you intended to leave "Gunsmoke" to play Rock guitar, Festus!

[@festushagan3921]

@@acousticshadow4032 LOL, yeah... Gunsmoke was ending in 1975, so I was looking for some other line of work in 1974. Sadly, it didn't work out as " real life" got in the way.

[@MrFchank]

Yeah,well,that "partying " is what killed a great career and guitarist!!

[@jamesedwards2237]

My favorite song involving Tommy Bolin. I had this album back in the day. Too bad the herion addiction took him way too young!

[@festushagan3921]

@@MrFchank Yes, but at that time it just involved drinking some beer. Not even any reefer was involved then. He was actually kind of shy and reserved, which surprised me. He seemed very down to Earth. I guess the hard stuff came later in his career. We had a nice time discussing his guitars and gear, especially his new Echoplex. I mourn losing him to this day.

[@scottroberts3011]

Loved this version of the James Gang. Bang and Miami are great albums.

[@michaelhendricks6991]

I own bang and enjoy it especially for a James gang with no Walsh.

[@spinmancorner7543]

When I 1st heard this song, this artist, I was immediately hooked with an “O-M-G’ moment. I believe that is the summer that I was going into the 7th grade. Today I’m 71yrs young and it still amazes me. God Bless you while you’re in paradise.

[@Wildlonesome77]

I wore this album out. Still crank it up. Tommy was an absolute beast on the ax.

[@bb_lz9790]

This is one of my all-time favorite songs! I saw the Tommy Bolin led James Gang in Edwardsville, IL in '74. They opened for Black Oak Arkansas! It was an epic concert which made a huge impression in my then teenage mind...and I'm still talking about it 50 years later!

[@festushagan3921]

They were with Brownsville Station when we saw them at Winthrop College and with The Edgar Winter Group and The Earl Scruggs Review in Charlotte. I still have my whole ticket from the Charlotte show because they got us in for free, but we'd already bought our tickets. I kept it all these many years as a memento. It only cost $7 back then to see 3 bands! I also saw Black Oak with Foghat back in the day. Ruby Starr and Jim Dandy rocked the house down.

[@CheerfulCrescentMoon-oh9cz]

Mississippi River festival?

[@bb_lz9790]

@@CheerfulCrescentMoon-oh9cz Yes indeed!

[@randysteele6741]

Tommy Bolin...the pride of Sioux City, Iowa. You made us proud, Tommy. RIP.

[@oldskool4612]

I live in Sioux City. Been a huge Tommy fan since I was a freshman (74) in HS. Calvary cemetery is just a few miles from my home. I visit his grave occasionally and listen to his tunes and pay my respects.

[@empireoflizards]

This song sort of started off with a corny pre-disco-ish vibe, except for Bolin's awesome riffs. But then he kicks in the leads and turns that song into something else entirely, lol I was really impressed.

[@panosxaitagian5817]

Oh GOD !!!! what a band , 50 years ago !!!!!!..........

[@THE-HammerMan]

Yeah. One should always be proud of an idiot that wasted so much talent by doing too much drugs. So much, he got fired from bands where they all did some drugs too.

[@randysteele6741]

@@THE-HammerMan And one should always be a judgemental butthole who doesn't know squat about mental health issues such as substance abuse but knows all about the people who have them.

[@vincebalosky771]

I remember he put out a solo album called teaser one of the most rocking and best albums I ever bought

[@terryallard1918]

He had another called “Private Eyes”.

[@vincebalosky771]

@@terryallard1918 yes you are right I had that album too I totally forgot about it thanks for reminding me!!!!

[@mickkim3654]

I played Teaser to death way back. Loved it

[@cw9790]

Have you heard Whips and Roses by him?

[@kolchak3578]

Yeah, Private Eyes is super. Just wanted to pile on by mentioning it again. 🤘

[@lesliemountain1335]

Thank you! Tommy Bolin was such a talent.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Wow! This is a gem! I’m a huge, Joe era, James Gang guy - crazy power trio! With Tommy? Never heard this, and i’m a 66 yr old, electric guitar maker! God bless KZbin! Peace

[@hcury1960]

That studio album Bang is a great album!🎸🎸🎸

[@cds1957]

Bolin died way too early. I can only imagine how huge he would have been! RIP Tommy.

[@MichaelWinter-ss6lx]

In the music business, the drugs are much better than what everybody else is used to. He got too high too fast. w/ pun 🚀🏴‍☠️🎸

[@Guitarzan8]

All those videographers from the 70’s ruined these historic moments by zooming in on the singers face for the whole song. Dam!

[@TheoneGodfather]

Agreed. Today’s videographers ruin them with cuts every two seconds. Some of us don’t have add.

[@rsnell22]

The Billy Cobham album introduced me to the "jazz" world.

[@randysteele6741]

@@rsnell22 Great musician and band to get introduced to jazz by. I went to a Cobham concert way back in the day because I liked his Shabazz album with the Brecker Brothers, Glenn Farris, John Abercrombie and other great players, a few I didn't know. But the band he came out with for my show was nothing like that band, as good as it was. It was a mindboggling who's who of virtuoso fusion musicians: George Duke, John Scofield, Alphonso Johnson and, of course, Billy on drums. They came out and noodled a bit, then Billy said, "Y'all ready for some heavy metal," then proceded to blow the roof off the place. Incredible, surprising night!

[@lablaine1981]

​@@randysteele6741"quadrant"...1974? 👍🎵👍

[@paullevine1813]

Tommy loved getting to play with the likes of Billy Cobham & it shows big time on the album Spectrum.

[@PhrygianScale]

Thank you for this gem.

[@RayMond777]

looking and playing like a real rock star, RIP Tommy

[@edgardotorres8106]

Amazing band 👍

[@btr_ranch02]

I got to see Tommy Bolin and the James Gang as the backup band to the Guess Who (this was without Randy Bachman). This was at SMU in Dallas Texas in 1974. This concert was general admission, and the tickets cost only $4.00. The stage floor had no seating and was standing only. We were hanging over the front stage watching. I remember Tommy would use his slide bars on his Fender, then throw them into the audience. We were so close, I threw a piece sign to Dale Peters and he smiled and threw it back. Such great memories of that show I'll never forget.

[@Guitar_Smasher]

I used to go see Tommy, and Zephyr, in Boulder, CO, frequently! He was my introduction to the Echoplex! 😢

[@326vince]

Saw them in Philadelphia at the Spectrum. I was a little bummed cause I was so into Joe Walsh. They Rocked it. I became a Tommy Bolin fan for life. Sad I saw his last tour at Tower theater. He was nodding on stage. It broke my heart. Then we lost him. Put a little of that performance on my channel. Along with some old UFO. Schenker from 75

[@BigBri550]

What's the complete polar opposite of sloppy? Why, that would be Tommy Bolin on guitar: one of the best of the best for sure! He and Terry Kath are showin' 'em how in r&r heaven 🥲

[@anthonyfesta7010]

Terry Kath and Tommy Bolin. 2 of my favorite Guitarist. I hope they are Jamming in guitar Heaven. 🎸🎸

[@BigBri550]

@anthonyfesta7010 I think they are two of the all-time best. Rick Derringer may be right up there with them - in talent, not in r&r heaven

[@anthonyfesta7010]

@@BigBri550 Rick’s awesome!!! My favorite Live material on vinyl is Edger Winter’s Roadwork album with Rick and Jerry Lacroix featuring special guest Johnny Winter. What an album. Rock Jazz Soul Gospel. I believe Rick was the production engineer for that recording.

[@anthonyfesta7010]

@@BigBri550 Terry Kath is MY ALL TIME Favorite guitarist. First time I seen TK and company was 1971 Pittsburgh Civic Arena. I was 11. Plus he was the conduit for me to explore other great guitarist.

[@BigBri550]

@anthonyfesta7010 Another great one is Johnny Winter And Live. "And" were the McCoys without keyboardist Bobby Peterson. A person of taste like you probably knows that already 😌

[@rogindaUP]

Bolin's solo on Alexis is one of the greatest ever recorded -- rivaling NEthing Jimmy Page ever did -- IMO.

[@lordk8911]

Seriously? Not songwriting that could touch jimmy page at his worst and not sure what solo you are talking about. I am a deep purple fan and liked come taste the band but to say he is better than jimmy page is definitely tone deaf. Achilles last stand is one of the greatest solos and Led Zepplen songs.

[@robertwayne6537]

Over rated... Page is king.

[@bartbucklin7433]

I was blessed to see Montrose, Rush and Kansas together in 76.

[@lonelybro77]

No Joe..I didn't know they carried on. I must've been listening to the Sweet then

[@vinnis1660]

AMAZING!!!

[@robertogurgel9076]

O guitarrista número 1. O maravilhoso, espetacular, Tommy Bolin.

[@paddyodriscoll8648]

Please remember, when you destroy your life with drugs, you also leave us behind … broken hearted and often paralyzed with sadness. Tommy had a lot to give that we’ll never know about now….

[@HomelandConspiracy]

Damn drugs. Tommy Bolin is still one of my favorite fretmaster.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

I saw him at the Miami Jai Aili that nigh: incredible. God gave him one special night of incredible power.

[@Joeh1154]

I remember this song well. I've got that James Gang album along with every record I've ever bought and my turntable is up and running. Sure, CD's sound fantastic, but there's something about the needle hitting the record groove and the warmth of an analog recording.

[@josephsliger3308]

Great band.

[@juanmanuelmunoz8464]

Tommy Bolin excelente guitarrista de Rock

[@TheJeffcurran]

Bolin showing what made him a hero.

[@dennisbrowning8517]

Tommy Bolin did two albums with James Gang, Miami, and Bang!. He also played with Deep Purple on the album, Come Taste The Band. Then he did two albums of his own.. one if the best!

[@wabankik]

...He also cut albums with Moxy, Billy Cobham, Zephyr and did work with Jeff Beck!, lost Him too early!...

[@MichaelWinter-ss6lx]

Deep Purple, and then two solo albums? How can that be? He died during the 'Come Taste the Band' tour and that was the reason Coverdale split up Deep Purple. That is something I also never understood. Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale were never full members of Deep Purple. They were hired musicians, to do their parts of the job, but not full righted members. How could Coverdale then split the band? 🚀🏴‍☠️🎸

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@MichaelWinter-ss6lx Coverdale and Hughes were full members of Deep Purple, but it was Lord and Paice who decided to break up the band. Coverdale came to their dressing room after a terrible gig at Hammersmith Odeon, where Hughes was besides himself of cocaine and Bolin was stoned to another planet in heroine, and said, quote “That’s it, I’m leaving the band” to which Jon Lord replied; “Too late. There’s no band”. It took Bolin further nine months before he overdosed himself. By that time there was no Deep Purple - and obviously he wasn’t a member of the band.

[@HankColter]

@@MichaelWinter-ss6lx "Teaser" was released in conjunction with the album Come Taste the Band by Deep Purple, on which Bolin also played guitar. "Private Eyes" is the second and final solo album by guitarist Tommy Bolin. He subsequently died of a drug overdose while on the promotional tour, opening for Jeff Beck.

[@TheTobesOfHades]

Tommy!!!!

[@peterkabrna]

Great stuff from Tommy

[@yuriyositrov1617]

❤❤❤❤😊

[@leifhoffman6533]

I went to a concert called the "Wild West Medicine Show" at Shady Grove Music Hall back in the day. I was expecting Joe Walsh and company to come to the stage. What a disappointment. This version had a few decent songs and I bought their first album. Tommy has an amazing voice but he drove me crazy on stage. All over the place. Also, I had a small blond streak in my hair years ago but his were over the top.

[@paulshepherd9528]

wow... all these years and I thought this was a Rick Derringer thing... lol, never looked at the juke box :)

[@richardtaylor8595]

I love the band After Joe.

[@streetlevel4996]

Also if ya dig and enjoyed this song 😀 you may also enjoy the song " Most of All " By Glenn Kaiser and Where Roses Grow Live by Rez Band Awesome songs check them out. I remember hearing the song by Led Zepp " In My Time of Dyin " during my drug years and made me think about death and Jesus. Then a hippy friend that dug Jesus told me more of Jesus love and forgiveness and how I could also know Jesus love. So in 1981 I cried out to Jesus and wow man He came into my life and I had and have so much joy and peace and now know that through Jesus when I die I will be with Him in Heaven. Hey Jesus loves each of you also and yall can know Him if you are at all open. Just cry out to Him and a good question to ask yourself if you were to die today would you go to heaven ? And if yes why ? To find out more please read the Gospel of John in the Bible or check out the movie on KZbin. 😀

[@adamburgess8511]

Nice one brother

[@univibe23]

Guitar playing A++ Song and vocals D-

[@mikeohagan2206]

I didnt know Paulie Walnuts was in a rock band before he became a gangster.

[@norman9291]

I was wondering what you meant and then I saw it. Good one😂

[@robertlivingstone3364]

I knew the singer Roy Kenner, owned a large club in Toronto.

[@ronbock8291]

Which one?

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

He's still alive. He used to be in Bush and Mandela :-) Peace

[@robertlivingstone3364]

@@ronbock8291 The singer

[@ronbock8291]

@@robertlivingstone3364 yes, I know. Which club? I’m from Toronto.

[@robertlivingstone3364]

@@ronbock8291 It was called Solitaire's at Vic Park and Danforth.

[@user-ei2lk2ww5i]

Brasil, somos Rock and Roll

[@Mikevdog]

Best band in history

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

I still listen to this song, it's a shame it seems to have fallen by the wayside in the classic rock genre. They also had another good hit with a song called Summer Breezes Anybody know what that box on the stool that Tommy is messing with is? I'm not sure I ever recall seeing a guitar player having something like that on stage

[@xmillion1704]

Whoever can't totally dig some awesome Tommy Bolin, respond with your address and we'll get someone in white coats right over to help you.

[@Yellowshark33]

If Paulie Walnuts had a mullet

[@Alekx-gq2vt]

С У П Е Р ❤❤❤

[@superorangeish]

James Gang? Hardly!

[@sluggo68]

After Joe Walsh left.

[@leifhoffman6533]

Without Joe Walsh it wasn't close to James Gang.

[@lucianoschneider2287]

Would be better if this singer kept quiet And only let Tommy play

[@maxmeister5064]

As we see in the guitar solo section of this song, Tommy COULD HAVE played Highway Star properly. Alas, why didn't he?

[@kevinkhoy7171]

Deep Purple was a 🌎 class band too Big! James Gang was a jam band, perfect for Tommy. He couldn't handle DP they were a "Super Group!" Big as Led Zeppelin plus traveling out of 🇺🇸 with his habits! Was a mistake. It Caused Alot of trouble for him & DP! Saw his last performance opening for Jeff Beck Wired Tour was Jan Hammer 🎹 Dania Beach Florida Dec. 1976 What a Drag! 🪦 "Tommy Bolin" 🎸 ✝️🙏🏻

[@markniilo]

Was this before or after Joe Walsh?

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

After :-)

[@joekimberlin264]

Single long black pinkie nail.. A little too on the nose? 😏

[@robnamowicz8073]

My little band opened for this 'James Gang' at the Jackson Sports Arena. At the time, we had been playing lots of joints in the Jacktown area, (home of the worlds largest walled prison) and free concerts at Cascade Park. We had a following, shall we say, rowdy times, Jackson Michigan, hardy party, eh? Twenty minutes into our set, JG managers pulled the plug, everything went black, not just the stage amps, the spots, the overheads, everything. We were real unhappy, their guy came out said we had to get off. We tore down, left the stage and banged on their dressing room door calling them pussies and Cleveland Greasers!! Not our finest moments, but we probably sold more tickets that night than they did. Not their finest moment either. They didn't come out to do their set till their guy said we were gone. So was a lot of the crowd.

[@user-hn3he1qq7o]

Yes. All about you.

[@jimfritz2087]

An instrumental would have been better. Way better .....

[@RDJR007]

Terrible camera work.

[@tankhalffull]

Tommy was bad a$$.., the singer, not so much...

[@lukensage]

So no Joe Walsh ??? 😳

[@brianorakpohit]

He was before and after

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

Joe left the band to form his own group Barnstorm (and later joined the Eagles). Dominic Troiano briefly played guitar before joining the Guess Who. Roy Kenner isn't bad here in my opinion, maybe because he isn't trying to do a JG song that Joe sang lead on. There's a clip on here of trying to sing Funk #49 and it's terrible. But for this song, it's not a bad sound.

[@rossdavidson7790]

Dominic Troiano actually made 2 albums with the James Gang. Hardly a momentary passer by

[@paulsterner8190]

Please not so good

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

"Must Be Love" Feh.... What a lame choice for a single! So many better songs from both Bang! and Miami This song is just bad. It's like some sort of half-assed mish mash of Elvis, combined with generic boogie rock. And it defines what was wrong with the music business when it comes to singles. I mean, a song like this gets put out, while a good half dozen of other far superior choices go by the way side. Is it the label, the band, or the people who causes it? Honestly, this is one of the ONLY songs from either BANG! or MIAMI that I don't like at all, and that stinks on ice. M⚡

[@user-qd3ee4or7f]

Tommy Bollin is primitive !

[@KMC544]

No Joe no gang

[@rogindaUP]

Though Bang is a truly great album!

[@thomassschwarz5998]

This singer sucks. Tommy awesome as always

[@johnl1468]

No joe walsh no james gang! Bullshit

[@captbss]

This singer has no presence

[@MichaelLasotaWheresWaldo]

Must be why they're not famous.

[@rodger7029]

😂🤡

[@loulasher]

I suspect he makes up for it in coke.

[@peterschmitz6446]

But he has a great Voice and sometimes thatˋs enough.

[@robertwayne6537]

Not a fan of this incarnation of James Gang at all.

[@vitorbarbosa5656]

Fantástic Rock is fredonnnn Trumpppppppppppp 👏👏👏👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👏👏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

[@leifhoffman6533]

And Trump will take away our freedoms and doesn't have a damn thing to do with rock. Never bring politics into rock. It has no place there.

[@bigbud144]

Tommy was great but wow what a stupid song and terrible front man. The crowd could barely stay awake …

[@bluwng]

That is nonsense.

[@namcat53]

As college kids then, we all hated disco and "glam rock" as pretentious and ridiculous.

[@_spider_jeff]

no joe no james gang...they sucked without him.

[@marvinmartin3438]

Wonder what drugs Bolin was on that night!

[@lukasmarzell5598]

Funk music, the music that ruined deep purple.... tommie bolin by all his music greatness was an drughead like glenn hudges... destroying the heavy metal band of the 70s... im sorry im out

[@g2theg]

Bolin was overrated and this “singer” was awful GRADE: D

[@dday9257]

James Gang Bang LP was a pretty good album.

[@SteveLeSueur-ju6hg]

Was overated cause of drug use Ritchie blackmore and Jeff Beck had nothing but praise about Tommy his rock fusion on Billy Cobham Spectrum was awesome your overrated for saying that about him

[@donjohn2695]

The singer is atrocious and bolin isn't in Joe Walshs league

[@luckycharm4623]

really ignorant comment about Bolin.