Toledo Can't Dance
Lou Reed brought N.Y.C cool to the University of Toledo Fieldhouse on this November day in support of his most recent album, Sally Can't Dance. Blue-Eyed
Of his fourth and most successful L.P. to date, Reed remarked:
"It seems like the less I'm involved with a record, the bigger a hit it becomes. If I weren't on the record at all next time around, it might go to Number One."Although Hall and Oates had not yet struck gold singing about rich bitches, smiling Sara and private eyes, their third and current LP, Abandoned Luncheonette, did contain the literal composition, "She's Gone," which would go on to chart at #7 in 1976, only after being re-released by Atlantic on the strength of successful cover versions released by both Lou Rawls and Tavares.
Fine print running along the bottom of the poster rather desperately proclaims: "This will be a very exciting show...and at a bargain price!"
UPDATE:
First hand account of the gig from Boogie Records/Culture Clash proprietor and wise elder statesman of all things Toledo-rock, Pat O'Connor:
Plantland was a great concert promotion company headed by Ron ? a TU (sic) law student. He put a nice array of progressive shows, well for Toledo and the times.
I did see this show which I remember could have easily fit in the Student Union room. Not a lot of people but avid rabid fans. It was rather a schmultz feat as Lou was i his "super asshole I love when you hate me" phase. Gone were those hot as lightning Dick Wagner riffs from R n R Animal. In in with blonde hair product.
Glad I saw it. I didn't realize we'd all respect him, not only for his past endeavors, but also as a lobe artist, at the time. I can only hope we look back and say, "Man the album he did with Metallica was sooo great"Respect your elders: Get into the Culture Clash and BUY SOMETHING!
4020 Secor Road
Toledo, Ohio 43623
(419) 536-5683
2 comments:
Great post! This gig eluded the most detailed Lou gigography on the web at the Rock And Roll Animal Web Page, at http://loureed.es/.
They only got crappy bands at Toledo when I was there in the 90s. I am jealous!!!
I was still in highschool when I designed that poster for Ron Ferell and his Plantland Productions. I don't think Ron cared so much about making money on his shows as he did getting laid. I think later he was mayor of some small Michigan town. Hell, my mother had a crush on him.
I was ecstatic because I was a huge Lou fan. I got to the Fieldhouse early (I lived just a few blocks away)and got a seat (on the floor) right in front. Hall & OAtes had yet to be able to hire top-notch musicians and their set was schitzoid as they were between styles with the Philly soul of Abandoned Luncheonette and the sci-fi War Babies. They later referred to their drummer on that tour as a "rhythm facist."
Lou appeared scarily drugged with his bleached hair and mirror shades. I remember the band performing the entire Sweet Jane intro instrumental and then falling apart because Lou refused to come on. I saw him gesturing to the hall lights at the opposite end of the fieldhouse which were still on. The lights were doused and the band played a different intro and Lou, steadied by a roadie, eventually floated to the little stage.
The stage was only about three feet high because everybody sat on the floor back then.
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