'CALebration': 1970, LR, Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs

[Cornish Pirate]

Just found an unknown Linda video from 1970. Not good quality though. It was said to be from a programme called 'Calebration' broadcast by KQED-TV from their studios in San Francisco on 30 Aug 1970, which also featured Grateful Dead and Boz Scaggs. However, someone commenting on the posting said there were two Celebration programmes broadcast in 1970, Linda and Boz Scaggs in one and Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Swamp Dogg in the other, so the above date may not be correct.

Linda sings three songs, She's A very Lovely Woman, Break My Mind and Long Long Time. The picture breaks up often and the audio wows and goes in and out of sync but on the plus side she is wearing her Hee-Haw dress. ;D

Usual, 'right click/Save As...' to download.

1970, Linda Ronstadt, Celebration, KQED Studios, San Francisco (wmv, 51MB, 10:19)



Alan

[the Scribe]

Linda in psychedelics! Love it. Very 70s.

[sliderocker]

Maybe someone will be able to come up with a clean copy of this performance someday? Hope so. Curious as to who the musicians are - the bassist and rhythm guitarist who are providing the backing vocals seemed very out of place. Not the kind of musicians one usually saw playing with Linda from around that time. Could these guys have been a pick-up band? I did love Linda's cute whispering in her intro to "Long, Long Time," though wonder how much of her audience heard what she was saying?

[linda2006nicci]

Cornish Pirate, thank you for the rare item.
I have never seen this video before.

[erik]

Quote by sliderocker re. Linda's backing band in video:

Curious as to who the musicians are - the bassist and rhythm guitarist who are providing the backing vocals seemed very out of place. Not the kind of musicians one usually saw playing with Linda from around that time. Could these guys have been a pick-up band?

I may be mistaken, but it appears to be Swampwater. Even with the 42 year-old sound and video quality, there seems to be a definite CCR-like feel to "Break My Mind", plus Linda's intensely growling vocal delivery on it.

[philly]

Wow, awesome clip, CP! I thought it might have been one of lindanicci's Japanese curiosity shop finds, lol.
It looks like it was recorded with some kind of home equipment. I know there were home reel-to-reel tape decks back then, cartrivision didn't exist till '72. Either that or the station has their own master tape and someone made a copy off of that? I imagine a lot of tv stations in those days either didn't tape their live shows or would just reuse video tape

[erik]

Quote by philly:

I imagine a lot of tv stations in those days either didn't tape their live shows or would just reuse video tape

On that last point about using videotape again and erasing over past programs, you'd unfortunately be right.

[musicaamator]

What an awesome clip! I have never seen this one before either. And as always, Linda looks and sounds incredible.

[eddiejinnj]

she sounds great as far as her vocals and phrasing. thanks for posting this. though i was very young at the time, listening to she's a lovely woman and the "psychedalia" spin on music at the time am surprised that the song was not a big hit. it is very infectious. this was a time period in her career that she definitely sounded better in person than on recording. break my mind is so much better live. eddiejinnj

[Cornish Pirate]

Glad you all like it, despite its problems.

This was found on a U-Matic tape (one of the first cartridge based video recording systems) although U-Matic wasn't available until 1971. Broadcast quality video tape was expensive at the time, so TV Studios couldn't afford to just use them once and keep them in storage. Also, it was considered that there was no market for repeats of general programmes after the initial run of broadcasts. Anything considered worth keeping would be transferred to film. Also programmes bought for broadcast by other countries would often be transferred to film, as film is more compatible than video tape for different TV systems. Some of these films have survived.

The initial primary use for videotape in the US was just for time delaying broadcasts for different time zones. It was cheaper, and more convenient, than film transfers (kinescope), as the tape was re-useable.

Would this type of programme have been broadcast throughout the US, or was it just a west coast showing.

'Celebration' was broadcast as an FM simulcast but only the Grateful Dead portion has 'survived' at the moment.

Alan

[the Scribe]

Would this type of programme have been broadcast throughout the US, or was it just a west coast showing?


I think KQED is a public television station, correct? If so that is about the time many public stations (especially the more progressive ones) began creating and producing their own shows in hopes they may have gotten picked up by other public tv stations for broadcast. It is possible it was shown by other stations on a hit and miss basis but chances are not great back then. The great thing about Linda Ronstadt is that she had so many fervent fans in and out of the industry that would go out of their way to collect and save anything they could get away with.

I've always considered She's A Very Lovely Woman in the "Psychedelic" genre which was fairly popular back then thanks to the Beatles but it seemed to eventually phase out of popularity after the Beatles split. It is one of my favorite musical genres. Fuzzy guitar (as on Break My Mind) is also a characteristic of Psychedelia.

Regarding the band you may want to find the Swampwater thread I created on the old forum and check out the photos. Erik may be correct about that as the timing here seems correct. You could also compare this video to the one of Linda on the Mike Douglas Show on Lindanicci's site as that is Swampwater backing her.

here it is:

ronstadt-linda.com/v-web/bulletin/velco2/viewtopic.php?t=3363

Mike Douglas:



Looks like the same guys to me.

[hotwater]

I know the guitar player just to the right of the drummer is Gib Guilbeau who played for Swampwater the others I can't tell by this. I never have seen a picture of Eric White who played bass early on for swampwater. It be cool to see it turns out to be him.

Jan 3, 2013 22:21:59 GMT -5 erik said:

Quote by sliderocker re. Linda's backing band in video:

Curious as to who the musicians are - the bassist and rhythm guitarist who are providing the backing vocals seemed very out of place. Not the kind of musicians one usually saw playing with Linda from around that time. Could these guys have been a pick-up band?

I may be mistaken, but it appears to be Swampwater. Even with the 42 year-old sound and video quality, there seems to be a definite CCR-like feel to "Break My Mind", plus Linda's intensely growling vocal delivery on it.

[profstadt]

Cool! Thanks for posting.

[wdcats]

Cornish Pirate....If you find any more of Linda's tapes no matter how poor, keep them coming!! We thank you for these rare finds!

[beland1949]

We did this around the same time as the Big Sur Celebration show. I believe that the Isley Bros were on the show with us. Thats Eric White (mistakes and all) on bass, Stan Pratt on drums, Gib Guilbeau on Rhythm guitar and myself (John Beland) on lead and acoustic guitar. This was not yet Swampwater. Following this appearance we replaced Eric (who became our roadie) with Thad Maxwell. That is when we formed Swampwater.
This was our 3rd gig together with Linda. Hope this clears up things.
Cheers - John B
www.johnbeland.com
www.facebook.com/johnedwardbeland

[the Scribe]

Jul 25, 2013 13:45:00 GMT -5 beland1949 said:

We did this around the same time as the Big Sur Celebration show. I believe that the Isley Bros were on the show with us. Thats Eric White (mistakes and all) on bass, Stan Pratt on drums, Gib Guilbeau on Rhythm guitar and myself (John Beland) on lead and acoustic guitar. This was not yet Swampwater. Following this appearance we replaced Eric (who became our roadie) with Thad Maxwell. That is when we formed Swampwater.
This was our 3rd gig together with Linda. Hope this clears up things.
Cheers - John B
www.johnbeland.com
www.facebook.com/johnedwardbeland

Thanks John! That must have been an exciting time in yours and Linda's life. Appreciate the insight as it is hard for us to piece the information together without help sometimes. Don't be a stranger.

[Richard W]

I found it very poignant watching this -- Linda at the very beginning of her solo career, with her green, sweet, awesome talent in abundant evidence, her gorgeous, Bambi-like, barefoot hippie-chick persona in all its erotic glory (I'm gay and even I can feel that!) -- and knowing, as she obviously could not then, the artistic blossoming, the many, many musical triumphs to come. Especially poignant now that, decades after this performance, here we are eagerly awaiting her memoir.

A person (a person on this forum, at least) could get a little choked up. I usually avoid this word like the plague, but that video was "precious."

Thank you so much for bringing it to us. Thank you, too, Mr. Beland for your post.

And I still think "She's a Very Lovely Woman" is this/close to qualifying for a James Bond theme.

[the Scribe]

And I still think "She's a Very Lovely Woman" is this/close to qualifying for a James Bond theme.

I've always thought that way about Look Out For My Love from her Mad Love album.

[John Beland]

If anyone has any pics or video with us and Linda from 1970 I sure would love to see them. I have a few myself. I'll post some soon. Cheers-JB

[the Scribe]

Jul 25, 2013 15:08:19 GMT -5 John Beland said:

If anyone has any pics or video with us and Linda from 1970 I sure would love to see them. I have a few myself. I'll post some soon. Cheers-JB

The best bet for that may be from Alan the Cornish Pirate that originally posted this. I think he is sitting on a Pirate's ransom of Ronstadt Gold!

[Long Long Time Fan]

Cornish Pirate.......I just wanted to say Thank-You for posting the video, you made my day! If there is anyone on this forum who could provide video links to the song "Long Long Time" I would be forever grateful. Aside from the original recording, I think the best version I've heard so far is the absolutely charming version on the Capitol Records 2 disc compilation. Again, Thank-You!  

[Cornish Pirate]

Ooh! I missed this thread coming back up.

Thanks for the band info John Beland. The only video clips I have of Linda from 1970 & 71 where her band is present are

1970, Playboy After Dark
1971, Johnny Cash Show
1971, Mike Douglas Show

These have been on Youtube but many have gone due to copyright infringements.

Long Long Time Fan, you're welcome. The other video clips of LLT I have are

1970, Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1970, Playboy After Dark
1970, The Darin Invasion
1970, Johnny Cash Show
1971, Midnight Special

Any of them you want I can upload here. I used wmv for the best PC compatability, but if you want mp4 or any other format let me know.

[Long Long Time Fan]

Cornish Pirate,

I would be more than greatful for any or all of the video's you've listed. Let's go with your suggestion for the wmv format for best PC compatibility. I've had the pleasure of seeing Linda perform live at least a dozen times but, sadly, she never sang my favorite song. Thank-you for sharing! 

[eddiejinnj]

she was on a lot of shows in the early years. a lot of people saw her potential. eddiejinnj

[sliderocker]

Aug 7, 2013 20:39:12 GMT -5 Cornish Pirate said:

Ooh! I missed this thread coming back up.

Thanks for the band info John Beland. The only video clips I have of Linda from 1970 & 71 where her band is present are

1970, Playboy After Dark
1971, Johnny Cash Show
1971, Mike Douglas Show

These have been on Youtube but many have gone due to copyright infringements.

Long Long Time Fan, you're welcome. The other video clips of LLT I have are

1970, Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1970, Playboy After Dark
1970, The Darin Invasion
1970, Johnny Cash Show
1971, Midnight Special

Any of them you want I can upload here. I used wmv for the best PC compatability, but if you want mp4 or any other format let me know.

Cornish Pirate, thanks from me as well for the videos you've provided (though I still have a vhs tape of "The Darin Invasion"), but just did want to add a minor correction to your info on the "Midnight Special." That show did not begin until 1972. It started out as a one-off special on NBC to encourage 18 year olds to get out and vote (since they had won the right to vote). The special received high enough ratings to cause NBC to make it a regular series with revolving guest musical hosts. I recall it was said the guest musical hosts selected the artists who appeared with them although I don't really think that was the case. Linda was never a musical guest hostess, which was a pity, just an infrequent musical guest. The MS also tried to assign a regular host as I think NBC wasn't too happy with revolving musical hosts. Helen Reddy got the job although the Bee Gees were offered the gig in early 1973 based on their previous appearances as hosts. Their appearances as hosts did extremely well in the ratings and NBC wanted them, but they took a pass because they felt the gig would take away from their ability to record.

Linda was on the very first episode, and recall her performing "Long, Long Time" (single version) and "The Fast One" (before the song was released on "Don't Cry Now"). Also believe the first version of "You're No Good" made its appearance on the first episode of the MS, although I can't be sure as it's been 41 years. The episode has never been seen as it was originally broadcast, just the highlights.

[the Scribe]

Jul 25, 2013 13:45:00 GMT -5 beland1949 said:

We did this around the same time as the Big Sur Celebration show. I believe that the Isley Bros were on the show with us. Thats Eric White (mistakes and all) on bass, Stan Pratt on drums, Gib Guilbeau on Rhythm guitar and myself (John Beland) on lead and acoustic guitar. This was not yet Swampwater. Following this appearance we replaced Eric (who became our roadie) with Thad Maxwell. That is when we formed Swampwater.
This was our 3rd gig together with Linda. Hope this clears up things.
Cheers - John B
www.johnbeland.com
www.facebook.com/johnedwardbeland

www.johnbeland.com/bio

Happy Birthday John Beland!!



BIOGRAPHY

John Edward Beland (born July 24, 1949)
is an American songwriter, session guitarist, recording artist, producer and author. Beland’s career as guitarist started out in Los Angeles in the late 1960’s, playing sessions and local live gigs with Kris Kristofferson, as well as future Eagles members, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon. Beland’s first major break came in 1970, playing lead guitar for a young Linda Ronstadt, and helping Ronstadt put together her first serious solo band, Swampwater. Along with fellow bandmates Gib Guilbeau, Thad Maxwell and Stan Pratt, Swampwater toured the country with Ronstadt, appearing with her on such notable television shows as The Johnny Cash Show. Swampwater recorded two landmark country rock albums for Starday King and RCA Records. The group was one of the first Los Angeles bands to record in Nashville, known for their smooth harmonies and Cajun rock style.

After working with Ronstadt, Beland became a much in-demand guitarist, engaged by such high-profile artists as Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Tillotson, Kris Kristofferson, The Bellamy Brothers, Mac Davis, Dolly Parton and The Flying Burrito Brothers. As a solo artist, Beland recorded for Ranwood Records, scoring a chart hit in 1969 called “Baby You Come Rolling Cross My Mind”. Beland also became the last artist to sign with The Beatles’ record company Apple Records in 1973. As a session guitarist, Beland recorded with many music business legends in the United States and internationally. For over twenty years, he was the creative force behind the pioneering country rock band from California, The Flying Burrito Brothers. Through his leadership, the group achieved nine hit country singles for Curb Records in the early 1980’s. Beland was also instrumental in the comeback of rock and roll legend Rick Nelson in the late 1970’s, arranging and playing on Nelson’s last hit single “Dream Lover”, as well as Nelson’s much acclaimed album The Memphis Sessions. He also toured and appeared with him on Saturday Night Live in 1979.

Beland as an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award-winning songwriter, his tunes have been recorded by a wide variety of artists from pop, folk, gospel to country music.

ronstadt.proboards.com/thread/287/linda-ronstadt-swampwater



www.fampeople.com/cat-linda-ronstadt_4

[rumba]

Jan 3, 2013 16:44:38 GMT -5 Cornish Pirate said:

Just found an unknown Linda video from 1970. Not good quality though. It was said to be from a programme called 'Celebration' broadcast by KQED-TV from their studios in San Francisco on 30 Aug 1970, which also featured Grateful Dead and Boz Scaggs. However, someone commenting on the posting said there were two Celebration programmes broadcast in 1970, Linda and Boz Scaggs in one and Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Swamp Dogg in the other, so the above date may not be correct.

Linda sings three songs, She's A very Lovely Woman, Break My Mind and Long Long Time. The picture breaks up often and the audio wows and goes in and out of sync but on the plus side she is wearing her Hee-Haw dress. ;D

Usual, 'right click/Save As...' to download.

1970, Linda Ronstadt, Celebration, KQED Studios, San Francisco (wmv, 51MB, 10:19)



Alan

Hi. Is this link still valid? When I click on it nothing happens. Thanks.

[moe]

rumba,

Just now tried the link and it worked. I've run into this before and some of these links seem to be device dependent. But it does work on a standard issue PC. And indeed the video/audio is awful but on the other hand it is (like me) really old and has most likely been copied a hundred times.

[the Scribe]

It opened automatically on my old Windows 7 browser but it took some finagling on my Google Chrome.

[the Scribe]

Since today is John Beland's birthday and he responded to this thread a few years back I thought I would pull it forward as well as wish him a happy birthday and a healthy year ahead. If you do a search on youtube you will find John has quite a catalog going on. Talented man with an interesting story to tell.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beland

www.youtube.com/channel/UChlS5g3jW2bXrLRWZ6YtnZg


John Beland biography - Part 1 (Flying Burrito Brothers)