Love the One You're With....
Blazing a Rock n Roll Trail...
Back in the 60’s, Los Angeles was the place where young rockers could play clubs like the Whiskey a Go Go on fabled Sunset Blvd, get noticed, get a following, get a record contract and get rich. Then came the fame, the girls, the drugs, the work, the hype, the fans and a question: how in the world could you survive all that?
When Stephen Stills walked on stage at the intimately cool Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara on Sunday night, the sold out audience gave him a rousing welcome and we got a glimpse of a man who has survived a turbulent career and surfaced as a true artist and a die hard rock ‘n’ roller.
Forty years later, he’s still blazing! Opening with “Helplessly Hoping” played on a big Gretsch White Falcon, Stills sang with a time ravaged but strong voice and fans of all ages were whooping with appreciation of some fine songs. A first hour acoustic set included a rousing version of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”, “Johnny’s Garden” from Manassas, some funny banter and he closed with an electric set and a few encores. Highlights were “Isn’t It A-bout Time” and “Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” on which Stills played a mean slide guitar and kept flicking guitar picks out into the audience! Then “ For What It’s Worth” got everybody up and dancing in the isles and rushing up to the stage! What are we? Teenagers!?
Well, it was fun..LOUD..but fun!