January 19, 1973
Aragon Ballroom
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
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
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