January 19, 1973
Aragon Ballroom
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
The second time I saw Badfinger was at the Aragon Ballroom at the beginning of 1973 in Chicago. I sat just feet away from them and directly in front of Pete Ham. They opened with “Blind Owl” which we had never heard (and misheard announced as “Blind Alley”). The Raspberries opened the show and Eric Carmen later stood in the wings after their set watching Pete Ham play. He looked completely in awe of Badfinger. The piano and acoustic guitars of half a year ago were now gone and they played exclusively electric guitars. Pete played the beginning of “Timeless” and the rest of the band then joined. I had never heard it before and it was quite a lot to take in. There was a funny moment when someone yelled a request for “I’m in Love”. They all laughed and the feeling was that they were light-years away from that song. In another funny moment, they all gathered around Mike’s drumkit, looking at a piece of paper and scratching their heads about what was to be played next.
I also remember Tom had a Blatz beer on his amplifier, which was a very local Chicago beer and we got a big kick out of that. I also recall someone yelling out “what’s the name of your next album?” and Joey yelled back “your ASS!” When the album finally did come out, we had a chuckle and got the joke.
I recall the magnificent guitar playing, whether “Perfection” or in the encore, Mike Gibbins had rejoined the band, and it was great to see them all together. This concert is one that I have never forgotten even all these years later.
Fun fact to add: I’m actually in the picture of the “Day After Day” Live CD which was mistakenly labeled as Cleveland Agora 1974, although it was taken at this January 1973 show in Chicago. There I am 19 years old, peeking out from Pete’s shoulder. I later mentioned this to Joey when I saw him after a concert. He got a big laugh out of it and said that picture was taken by Kathie’s father, “we asked him to take a picture and he took a picture of our backs.”
Michael Markus (November 2024)
Saw them at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago with the
Raspberries... not a great concert, as they just stood around hamming with
each other, but not playing any of their recorded songs...
James Bruckner (August 2019)
I put my memory cap on, but to be honest, I don't remember too much about
the concert, especially after 35 years. What I do remember is this: my
date and I were standing to the left of the stage, our left, maybe about
half-way back. I remember Pete wearing his bib overalls on stage and I
kind of remember seeing clouds that were painted on the ceiling. I also
remember smelling marijuana. That's about it. Maybe someday I'll go the
the library and check through the old newspapers and see if they printed
anything about the concert. I wish I could remember more.
Corey (December 4, 2008)
I saw Badfinger and the Raspberries in Chicago but didn't remember
when or where. I see from your site that in Jan. 1973 they played together
at the Aragon. You know, I thought it might be the Aragon because I
remember standing in a sea of people. Admission was $5.00 standing only,
general admission. Lots of drugs floating around back then. Saw many good
groups there and used to go there once or twice a month.
Regarding the show, it was great!!! I do remember towards the front there
was a small group of black girls, dancing, singing, hooting and howling
for them - they knew all the words. LOL!!! It was odd in that black people
didn't go to rock concerts back then...
Vera Watson
I saw them some time in '73 at Chicago's Aragon
Ballroom (great partying rock 'n' roll hall...had been a big band ballroom
before the neighborhood and music changed), with The Raspberries opening.
I yelled for them to do Perfection and Tommy yelled "yer ass!!"
back at me. The release of Ass was still a long ways off, but I
recall hearing and being really impressed with Timeless.
They actually did do Perfection.
Dan [in Michigan]
Scott McCarl of "Raspberries" fame did an
interview with Randy Justesen back in 1998...
The second time I saw them was in January 1973 when I had just spoken with
Eric Carmen on the phone and my head was spinning over that. That he liked
my little demo tape. I drove from Omaha, about 8 hours at least, to
Chicago to see them. I think was the Aragon Ballroom with Raspberries
opening the show. Couldn't miss that! I found out where Eric was staying
and Raspberries and knocked on his door and met him face to face for the
first time. He took me backstage to the show! That was great to see those
two bands together! I remember in comparison that they to me had started
to become more of a jam band at that point. Which I didn't really care for
as much as hearing them play "No Matter What" and their songs. That was a
magic night too! To meet the band and watch those two play on the same
stage in this beautiful ballroom.
Scott McCarl
© Copyright 2001-2025 Tom
Brennan's Badfinger Library.
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without
permission is prohibited.
All trademarks used are the property of their respective owners.