Memory:Eric Sopanen
I have been a big GG fan since the mid 70's. Still my favorite band ever. I saw them a few times. The first was the Glass House tour at the Shrine auditiorium in LA (my favorite time), next in a blockbuster show at the Anaheim Stadium in So Cal. That show was an all day blockbuster, with opener Gary Wright, next GG, then Peter Frampton, and finally Yes. I don't recall the date but it was in a summer series of similar blockbuster shows at that stadium. They only played about 30 minutes, and clearly were uncomfortable with the humongous crowd, at one point the singer told the crowd to "pretend we're Led Zeppelin". The last I saw them was at the Roxy in LA. I don't think it was the final show, but it was in that final series at the Roxy. I think it was the 2nd night late show. They tore the house down! My favorite albums are Power & Glory, Glass House, Free Hand, and Civilian. Civilian I liked because the band had acquired an attitude, and the anger really comes through on that album. The earlier albums were a bit raw and unrefined, and some of the later material I thought the band seemed weary. I think they really hit their stride and flowered with PG, GH, and FH. To this day I think Kerry Minnear is one of the unsung geniuses of our time.