James Gang: The Year with Tommy Bolin: 1973 -74
Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #88 for WDGY Radio (#13jg)
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0
When I was a kid growing up in Sioux City in 4th Grade I was attending Old East Jr. then a alternative school known as“ARDVARK” we used to go for swimming lessons across the street at Morningside Collage, I remember seeing a poster on the wall for an upcoming concert “James Gang” for 12 Dec 1973, now at that time the 2 most popular songs in our circles was “Smoke On The Water” & “Jesus Christ Superstar” so I wasn’t really sure who the ‘James Gang’ were, little did I know my Uncle Jeff’s friend Tommy Bolin was now in the ‘James Gang’, however it does seem like any house I went to back then, they owned a copy of “James Gang: Bang” in their record collection.
> Seems To Me: 1965 – 1972 <
The ‘James Gang’ began with founder James “Jim” Fox (24 August 1947: Cleveland, Ohio) on Drums & Organ who started out as ‘The Starfires’ in High School with Tom Kriss on Bass, they changed the name to ‘James Gang’ in 1966, this is where the name came from “James Fox’s Gang” with Greg Grandillo on Lead Guitar. In Jan 1968 Joe Walsh(Joseph Fidler: 20 Nov 1947: Wichita, Kansas) left the band ‘The Measles’ to be the Lead Guitarist & Lead Vocalist of the‘James Gang’ from 1968 to 1971; for 3 albums, & then in Nov 1969, one Dale Peters: (17 Sep 1948) replaces Kriss on Bass, for 9 albums. Walsh was eventually replaced by Vocalist Roy Kenner: (14 Jan 1948 Toronto, Canada) from 1972 – 1974; for 4 albums & Guitarist Domenic Troiano (17 Jan 1946 – 25 May 2005) for 2 albums, both were from the Canadian band ‘Bush’ who released 1 album in 1970.
In ’73 Troiano left the band, Joe Walsh was still signed to ABC-Dunhill Records as was (at one time: 1969 -70), the Colorado band ‘Zephry’ with Tommy Bolin (1 Aug 1951: Sioux City, Iowa – 4 Dec 1976; Miami), Walsh, in ’72 was with the band ‘Barnstorm’ & Bolin was in the band ‘Energy’. Jim Fox called Walsh to ask for a recommendation for a new guitarist, Walsh recommended this new up and coming kid (Bolin had a nameplate “The Kid” on his Amp Head) from Boulder, this Tommy Bolin. Bolin had left ‘Zephyr’ with his Drummer & friend Bobby Berge in May ’71, to form his “dream”band ‘Energy’, this band had several musical styles, as well as a revolving door of members, and as fantastic as the main stay lineup (Bolin, Berge, Jeff Cook, Stanley Sheldon & Tom Stephenson) was, they just couldn’t seem to land a record deal.
‘Energy’ seeming going nowhere, broke up and Bolin recorded the guitar tracks in May ‘73 for 4 songs for Billy Cobham’s(16 May 1944: Panama) 1st solo record ‘Spectrum’ on Atlantic Records, released in Oct 1973. Bolin gets a call from Fox to come down and audition, the band likes what they hear from Bolin, it doesn’t hurt that Bolin brings with him, a plethora of original songs (usually co-written with Jeff Cook or John Tesar). Bolin joins the ‘James Gang’ from August 1973 to August 1974, for 2 Albums, 2 Singles and over 70 Concerts & several TV appearances.
> Ride The Wind: 1973 <
At this time Bolin is using a (the finish a shoe polish brown) Tele-Strat; the neck of a Telecaster & the body of a Stratocaster (rumored to now be owned by the guitarist from ‘Generation X’ in the UK) 1972 Hi Watt Amp model DR-103made in England, a Sam Ash Fuzz Face pedal, and Sound City 4 x 12 speaker cabinets and his legendary Maestro Echoplex; model EP-3, later Bolin purchases a brand new 1974 black Fender Stratocaster (which he used until the night of his death, now located somewhere on the East Coast) his girlfriend, Karen Ulibarri (she went on to be the head costumer for KISS in the 80s & 90s, I met her through Eric Singer) since 1968 made his stage clothes for him, a Silver Lame’ Suit & a Red Velvet Suit, among others. When Bolin joins ‘James Gang’ they sign a new record deal with ATCO-Atlantic Records. Bolin has many unused songs from his ‘Energy’ 1971-73 or ‘American Standard’ 1968 days: “Got No Time For Trouble” “Oh Carol (from another time)” “Standing In The Rain (come back to me)” “Jump Back (somebody help me)” “Alexis (come on cool it)” “Bring Our Love Home” “Red Skies” “Must Be Love (bring it on up)” & “Mystery” (I have copies of these recordings from Bolin’s personal reel to reel collection)
The band begin recording their 6th album in Mar ’73, Bolin writes or co-writes 8 of the 9 songs released on the album & sings lead on “Alexis” his 1st released vocal ever. The LP ‘Bang’ (#SD-7037) is released on 1 Sep 1973 and climbs to #122on the Billboard Charts, 2 singles are released from this album; “Must Be Love b/w Got No Time For Troubles” (#6953)which charts at #54 in Apr ’74 followed by “Standing In The Rain b/w From Another Time” (#6966)
Many do not realize the cover photo was taken when Troiano was still in the band as Tommy’s head imposed over Dominick Troiano’s body in photo on the cover. The Bolin museum in Sioux City, there is a 3 x 3 foot foam core poster of the album cover signed by all 4 members in blue ballpoint pen.
Johnnie Bolin in 2005: “You know Tommy was always asked to join these other bands and when he did he really did revive them. He would come in and he would bring all these songs. Just look at the albums he played on almost all the songs he co-wrote or brought to the band. Also you wouldn’t know this, but the album cover photo of ‘BANG’ Tommy’s head was super imposed over the old guitarist’s body (Domenic Troiano). You see Tommy never wore rings, (even though he was given the ring Hendrix was wearing when Hendrix died, although Tommy was buried with that same ring) and in the cover photo it shows him wearing rings, that’s because it’s not Tommy’s hand! Because the band didn’t want to spring for another photo shoot. I was there in the studio the day Tommy recorded his first vocal for release, for the vocal take of ‘ALEXIS’ Tommy had all the lights turned down real low so he could just see the lyrics sheet. He did the vocal and when he was done he turned to me and said ‘How did I do, I mean what did you think?’ I Replied ‘Yeah, man you did fine, it sounded good”
Bolin’s 1st concert with the band was on Wed 26 Sept 1973 in Big Rapids, Michigan. A “Studio Soundboard” recording of the band does exist from Sep-73 in Ohio. James Gang performs about 28 concerts in ’73. Bolin was at least friends with Tim Goodman and perhaps played on Goodman’s recordings in Nov-73 on a Studio Board recording made in Boulder, Colorado, of the songs “Seagulls Believe / To Be Free” & “My Baby She’s Lost”
Here is the Setlist (as best as I can tell) to the concert I mentioned previously;
12 December 1973 Wed. 8pm B-Sharp Productions
Morningside Collage Eppley Auditorim $4.oo with opener Danny Matousek (of the Vel Aires)
Funk #49
Ride The Wind
Devil Is Singing Our Song
Must Be Love
Stratus: Medley
a.Tommy’s Guitar Solo
b. Blues Supreme
c. Echoplex Solo
Standing In The Rain
Walk Away
I have been told that Roy Kenner came out on stage wearing a Morningside Collage Band Uniform, and a cast on his leg as he broke his leg jumping off of some guitar amplifiers while filming a TV appearance. The 1st major TV Appearance is on the “Midnight Special” on 18 Dec 1973 Tues. the band performs 3 songs (the standard back then) “Must Be Love” “Standing In The Rain” “Devil Is Singing Our Song” the is a very famous photo of Tommy from this TV show appearance.
28 December 1973 Des Moines, Iowa @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Headliner: Johnny Winter (as the opener)
Ace Acela: In 2007
“My friend & I left school after lunch break to go get tickets to the concert that night. We got there early enough that we got back stage, I just walked in like I owned the place. We were wondering around and there were the band’s instruments. I noticed that stuck on Tommy’s guitar case that there was a ‘BARNSTORM’ sticker. I thought that’s funny Joe Walsh left JAMES GANG For BARNSTORM and the new guitarist has A BARNSTORM sticker on his case.” In case you readers missed this, it was because Walsh & Bolin were friends, the keyboardist & vocalist for Barnstorm: Tom Stephenson was from Bolin’s previous band ‘Energy’. There is a recording of Walsh & Bolin jamming at a recording studio in Boulder, CO. for about 30min.
>Wildfire: 1974 <
There is a reel to reel tape from Bolin’s personal collection marked “James Gang Ideas” which contains demo recordings of “Summer Breezes” “Instrumental (Journey)” which later becomes “Marching Powder” & “Spanish Lover”. The 2nd album with Bolin, ‘Miami’ is released in July 1974 and makes it to #97 on charts, the 45 Single released from this LP is “Crusin Down The Highway b/w Miami Two Step”. Bolin releases his 2nd Lead Vocal with “Spanish Lover” the song“Red Skies” is a leftover from Bolin’s ‘Energy’ days, a couple years earlier. I always wondered how prophetic this album is; titled “Miami” and is all Black and Tommy would die in Miami only 2 years and 5 months later.
The band make their 2nd national TV appearance on “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert” on 23 Feb 1974 Sat. performing a whopping 5 songs including: “Walk Away” “Devil Is Singing Our Song” “Ride The Wind” “Funk #49” “Standing In The Rain“ (these can be found on YOUTUBE). This was recorded earlier, most likely in Dec ’73, and it’s believed this is where Roy Kenner broke his leg. The bands 3rd TV appearance comes in the form of an interview on the “Old Gray Whistle Test” on 21 May 1974 Tues with Jim Fox & Tommy Bolin.
Andrew Wissing: “There is an audio tape of ‘MIAMI’ with no vocals from Tommy’s personal collection. (from interviews with JIM FOX & DALE PETERS) the instrumental recorded versions of the ‘MIAMI’ songs without Roy Kenner’s vocals exist because, apparently Roy Kenner was tied up with court dates in Los Angeles and could not add his vocal parts until later on, After the band had recorded all the instrumental parts”
A band originally from Cleveland, OH. being ‘Rainbow Canyon’ releases “Rollin In The Rockies” in 1974 on Capitol records #ST-11272 Tommy Bolin provides lead guitar on the 45 single (A side) “Invisible Song b/w Hanover Square”#SP-20132 Produced by: Jim Fox, band member Greg Grandillo was the 1st lead guitarist for the ‘James Gang’ in 1966.
29 June 1974 Sat Traverse City, Michigan @ Fair Grounds Bldg.
J.D.Productions 7:00pm & 10:00pm $5.oo w/ Opener; ‘TALISMAN’
Michael Mordon: Bass Player For ‘TALISMAN’ In 2007 “You see my wife from then & the girlfriend of our drummer went with the promoter to pick up the ‘JAMES GANG’ from the airport. The band was expecting to be picked up in a limousine not a Winnebago, which they had to use as a dressing room. It seems they weren’t real impressed or real happy about that, or anything else for that matter. I don’t think they weren‘t getting along real well. They didn’t have much to say to anybody, much less each other; in addition too Tommy was a little incoherent as he had been up for three days with nosleep.”
On Sat 21 August 1974 in Odessa, TX. Tommy performs his last show with the ‘James Gang’ listed among his complaints:
Jim Fox was more interested in collecting license plates than the performance of the band Bolin: “He would thumb through catalogs (of license plates) while I was doing my solo” Dale Peters would be bored on stage and not try to hide it. Roy &Tommy seemed to be at odds competing for the spotlight “I Never Really Got A Chance To Blow My Cookies” TommyStates.
From Bolin’s personal collection; A set of Lyrics on yellow legal paper with blue felt pen hand written In Tommy’s handwriting (or Jeff Cook or John Tesar):
“LEAVING THE GANG” T. Bolin 1974
I’m Leaving The Gang
You Better Set The Stage Cause
I’m Leaving The Gang
I’m Leaving The Gang
Doncha Keep The Change Yes
I’m Leaving The Gang
Send My Boots to My Baby
Send My Suits To My Wife
I’m Trying To Find Myself Another Life
I’m Ready Set The Stage
I’m Steady I Look My Age
I’m Stealin Somebody’s Play
Cause The Time Is Right
It (will) Would Be My Delight
To Try To Be The (rage) Latest Rage
Good Bye Now- Hate To Go
Get High Now- Don’t Stop The Show
Get By (e) Now– I Don’t Know
But I Can’t Stop Now
No Turning Back Around
I Just Keep Hearing Crazy Sounds
And On And On
Show Biz Comes Around
A Sunbird Looking For A City
Worth mentioning there were several other reel to reel tapes from Tommy’s personal collection, from his time in the band; here the info from the tape boxes:
James Gang 5-Feb-74 Denver Colorado Audience
James Gang 5/6-Feb-74 Boulder Colorado
James Gang 17-Feb-74 New York City New York Academy Of Music Audience
James Gang 10-Apr-74 New Orleans Louisana
James Gang Apr-74 Studio Board
Tommy Bolin/Energy 3-Jun-74 Denver Colorado Ebbets Field Board
Tommy Bolin/Energy 4-Jun-74 Denver Colorado Ebbets Field KDHT FM
James Gang 17-Jun-74 New York City New York Central Park
Tommy Bolin 1974 Colorado Demo Board
And so it was; Tommy R. Bolin’s stint in ‘James Gang’ if you’d like to read more about Tommy Bolin, checkout my other “Roseville/Patch” Articles on: “Zephyr (#71: Aug 2016)” “Energy (#83: Jul 2017)” “Alphonse Mouzon & Tommy Bolin (#58: Aug 2015)” “Deep Purple: Mk4 (#17: Jul 2015)” “Tommy Bolin: 1951 -1976 (#33: Aug 2013)” & “Don’t Let You Mind Post Toastee (#6: Aug 2014)”
The 24th Annual “Tommy Bolin Music Festival” will be held again at the “Ickey Nickle” in Sioux City, Iowa Sat 4 Aug 2018 @2pm. I have done 2 shows on Tommy R. Bolin for Radio WDGY 740am & Streaming & FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1 on my “Mr. Zero’s PsychoGello Radio Show” Sunday’s 10:30am. You can hear past shows (like the 2 on Tommy R. Bolin Episdoes #3 & #11) on www.MrZeroS.Com-Podcast (link) for FREE! This article is for Caryn, admittedly a casual Tommy Bolin …. Smiles.
Tommy Bolin Years of The James Gang
Until next month, listen on Sunday’s or Drop by the Store & buy some Music …. MrZerro
Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville-St. Paul, MN. 55113
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