June 1, 1979 (Friday)
Ector County Coliseum
Odessa, Texas, U.S.A.

I was there at all of 14 1/2 years of age, one of the very first concerts I ever attended.

Badfinger opened and were ok; they were touring to promote their comeback LP Airwaves at the time, I believe Tony Kaye (Yes) was playing keys, my recollection is that he seemed really manic and revved up, like he was on coke or meth.

Badfinger played a tight solid set, but did not play any of their hits like Day After Day, No Matter What, Come And Get It or Baby Blue (despite the crowd loudly yelling for all of those songs).

Blue Oyster Cult was touring to promote their upcoming brand new release Mirrors at the time with a bleeding edge laser light show that reportedly cost over $1,000,000 at the time and was insured for the same amount.

Unfortunately, the neanderthalic Ector County Sheriffs department would not allow them to unload their laser lights and even went so far as to place a deputy wielding a shotgun on top of the semi with the laser gear to prevent their crew from unloading and setting up the laser light show. (This incident made the national news the next day, and provided BOC with a TON of publicity).

The lack of lasers did not matter as BOC just flat tore it up regardless and blew the roof off the place, and the crowd really erupted when they launched into Godzilla and Don't Fear The Reaper. Definitely one of the best shows I recall ever having seen.

Norris Coleman