Memory:Tim Turner
I am a 49 year old prog rock musician and progressive rock fan. Way back in October of 1974 a friend and I discovered that this British band Gentle Giant were to be gigging in Hollywood at the worlds famous Whiskey-Au Go-Go. Having seen Yes on their "Yessongs" (1973) and "Topographic Oceans" (1974) tours, I had already been initiated to the wonders of English progressive rock. Having just turned 18 and recently graduated high school I was not really prepared for what the evening held for us. There were also two "firsts" on that October night. I had never been to this tight quartered rock club nor had EVER heard any music by Gentle Giant!
As we made our right hand turn up the hill to the parking lot we noticed that the que was all the way down Sunset Blvd. and then wrapped around the corner. The anticipation was intense. Once inside we were only about 25 feet from the stage. I began to notice all of the various assortment of keyboards, a marimba, a xylophone, drums and this white cello. When GG finally did hit the stage and play their opening number I was completely blown away. The complete versatility of all of the guys was amazing. Now having NEVER heard any Gentle Giant music I was transfixed. To see the lead singer switch back and forth to sax and then the bassist grab the violin and explode into a solo and then the guitarist change to playing recorder on this medieval baroque section and THEN they effortlessly move into this incredible accapella madrigal vocal ensemble was way too much for me.Seeing GG back in Oct. '74 has now proved to be one of my greatest concert experience ever.
The next day I ran out and bought "Octopus" and the English import of my now favorite" In A Glass House". Thank you so much for allowing me to finally share a little about this incredible show with others. Later on in February of '75 I caught GG again this time at their Santa Monica Civic show.