if you liked "Budgie" and "Bakerloo", you will like this album: Electric Frankenstein - What Me Worry (Italian Hardrock 1976)

Size: 84.1 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

Paolo Tofani, guitarist extraordinaire from Florence and a member of Area , also released some records for Cramps as Electric Frankenstein and under his real name.

He started his professional career in the early 60's with Samurai, also playing abroad with them, then he joined I Califfi, leaving them probably around the end of 1970 to move to London, where he played as a solo artist and recorded some tracks in his home studio. He was then offered to join Area and relocated to Italy in 1973.

The chance to release a solo album came in 1975, when Cramps offered him to issue an LP with his London 1971 recordings under the name Electric Frankenstein. The LP, a guitar extravaganza with long spacey guitar solos by Tofani and all the instruments played by himself, the album will appeal to acid-psych lovers rather than prog fans. Mostly instrumental with vocal parts in English, the album contained some reworkings of his previous works with I Califfi and also had two tracks released as a single.

Tofani also released another solo album in 1977, Indicazioni, a more experimental work based on guitar with large use of electronics, before entering a Hare Krishna community. With another Krishna devotee Claudio Rocchi, he has released an album in 1980, Un gusto superiore, on the Iskcon label.

The Complete Florence/London sessions 1966/73 CD, issued in 2007, contains rare and unreleased recordings by Tofani, starting with some 1966 songs (issued by the Net label under the nickname Danny), and including then his later home-studio tapes from Florence and London.

"Hiding under the name of Electric Frankenstein was Paolo Tofani, guitarist extraordinaire with Area and 60's groups Noi Tre and Califfi before them. 
With this name he released a solo album in 1975, on Cramps label, that's more a guitar extravaganza than a serious album.

With long spacey guitar solos by Tofani and all the instruments played by himself, the album will appeal to acid-psych lovers rather than prog fans. Mostly instrumental with vocal parts in English, the album contained some reworkings of his previous works with I Califfi and also had two tracks released as a single.

01. Waiting  4:28
02. Feeling  7:07
03. Moon Walk  2:58
04. Why Don't You Understand  3:24
05. The Land Of The Magic Wizard  2:52
06. Get Together  5:17
07. Somebody Help Me  7:18
08. Music Man  4:50
09. If She's Still Mine  3:35

1. Link
or
2. Link
.

Italian Single 1973

Label 1973

Budgie - Selftitled (1st Album Superb Hardrock UK 1971)

Size: 102 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan SHM-CD Remaster

Budgie is the debut album of British hard rock band Budgie. It was released in June 1971 through MCA Records. The US version on Kapp Records includes "Crash Course in Brain Surgery", originally released as a single and covered by Metallica on their 1987 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited. "Homicidal Suicidal" has also been covered by the Seattle grunge band Soundgarden. Canadian band Thrush Hermit covered "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" on the album All Technology Aside, included on the 2010 "The Complete Recordings Box Set". The opening track "Guts" as well as "Homicidal Suicidal" can be seen as precursors to doom metal.

Budgie has generally received moderately positive reviews. Sounds criticized the album as being somewhat nondescript, but praised it for having "a lot of good natured foot-tapping music" and concluded "I certainly find it infinitely preferably to Black Sabbath, and I have the feeling that Budgie might develop into something a lot more interesting."

In a brief retrospective review, Allmusic declared that "For those seriously interested in metal's development, bombastic treasures like 'Homicidal Suicidal,' and 'Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman' are essential listening."

Though not nearly as celebrated as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, or Deep Purple, Budgie was one of the finest heavy metal bands of the early to mid-'70s. The British power trio, formed in 1968, was influenced by Cream in the beginning, but by the time this self-titled debut album was released in 1971, Budgie was obviously paying close attention to Sabbath and Zep. In fact, it's hard to miss the impact that Robert Plant had on Budgie lead singer/bassist Burke Shelley. For those seriously interested in metal's development, bombastic treasures like "Homicidal Suicidal,"and "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" are essential listening.

Budgie - German Single 1971

Biography:
Budgie is a Welsh hard rock/heavy metal band from Cardiff. They are described by author Gary Sharpe-Young as one of the earliest heavy metal bands and a seminal influence to many acts of that scene, with fast, heavy rock (an influence on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and acts such as Metallica)
 being played as early as 1971. The band has been noted as "among the heaviest metal of its day". Notable Budgie songs include "Breadfan", "I Can't See My Feelings", "Crash Course In Brain Surgery", "Parents", "I Turned To Stone" and "Napoleon Bona - Parts 1 & 2".

Budgie formed in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales under the name Hills Contemporary Grass. Their original line-up consisted of Burke Shelley on vocals and bass, Tony Bourge on guitar and vocals, and Ray Phillips on drums. After performing several gigs in 1968, the band changed their name to Budgie the following year and recorded their first demo. The band originally formed under such names as Hills Contemporary Grass and Six Ton Budgie. Burke Shelley has said that the band's name came from the fact that he, "loved the idea of playing noisy, heavy rock, but calling ourselves after something diametrically opposed to that".

Budgie - Italian Single 1971

Their debut album in strong blues-oriented hard rock lines was recorded at Rockfield Studios with Black Sabbath producer Rodger Bain and released in 1971, followed by Squawk in 1972. The third album, Never Turn Your Back On a Friend (1973), contained "Breadfan", which was covered by Metallica in 1988, the band having covered another Budgie song, "Crash Course In Brain Surgery" earlier in their career. Ray Philips left the band before the fourth album In for the Kill! was recorded and was replaced by Pete Boot (b. Peter Charles Boot, 30 September 1950, West Bromwich, Staffordshire).

In late 1974, the band were joined by drummer Steve Williams for the album Bandolier, for live shows promoting this album and the follow-up, If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules, the band were augmented by Welsh guitarist Myf Isaac, but both Bourge and Isaac left mid 1978 and were replaced by ex Trapeze guitarist Robert Kendrick. Music from the 1978 LP Impeckable was featured in the 1979 film J-Men Forever (shown frequently on the USA Network's "Night Flight" television series in the 1980s) which is now a cult classic. 

Budgie -  Promo Single UK 1971

In late 1978, having been dropped by A&M and with no new recording contract, this line up floundered, and after 12 months Kendrick was replaced by "Big" John Thomas (b. 21 February 1952) in late 1979. This line up recorded two albums for Kingsley Wards 'Active' label: Power Supply (1980) and Nightflight (1981). 1982 saw them signed to RCA for Deliver Us From Evil their final recording for a "major label".

The band continued to have success during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, playing the Reading Festival in 1980 and then headlining the festival in 1982.

They built a particular following in Poland, where they played as the first heavy metal band behind the Iron Curtain, in 1982. Also notable was their tour support of Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz Tour.

The band stopped gigging in 1988, members went into studio production, occasionally guesting on other projects; Thomas most notably worked on the Phenomena CD with Glenn Hughes out of the Black Sabbath studios.

Although the group has had very little commercial success in America, they have enjoyed a strong fan following in Texas and they have been known to receive radio airplay from Joe Anthony and Lou Roney on KMAC/KISS radio in San Antonio in the 1970s, the band reformed using various drummers for one-off gigs in 1995, 1996 for outdoor festivals 'La Semana Alegre' in San Antonio, Texas. They toured in 2002-6, mostly in the United Kingdom, the NYC/NJ area, Dallas, and with a few shows in Europe including the Sweden Rock Festival and a return to post-Communist Poland. In 1999 the band reunited in Letchworth and officially reformed.

In 2006 Budgie undertook a thirty five date United Kingdom tour and a new album, titled You're All Living In Cuckooland, was released in the UK on 7 November that year. In 2007 they played dates in Sweden and Poland.

On 4 July 2007 Lees announced his departure from the band to concentrate on his teaching and solo career.
Following the departure of Lees, Dio lead guitarist and songwriter Craig Goldy offered his services while Ronnie James Dio was completing commitments with Heaven & Hell on their World Tour.

In February 2008 Craig Goldy accompanied Budgie on their first tour of Australia and has continued playing with Budgie as 'guest guitarist' for all of their shows.

Budgie's November 2010 tour of Eastern Europe had to be cancelled as Shelley was hospitalised on 9 November in Wejherowo, Poland with a 6 cm aortic aneurism. After surgery, he returned to Britain for recovery. Since then the band halted any activities, as Shelley can`t sing and play at the same time.

Budgie's music is a cross between the progressive textures of Rush and heaviness of Black Sabbath. Burke Shelley's vocals have been compared to Geddy Lee due to his similar approach of high-pitched banshee wails (incidentally, Shelley and Lee are also the bass players in their respective bands). Although Budgie remained quite obscure during their early career, many future stars of hard rock/metal have cited them as an important influence and covered their songs, including Iron Maiden, Metallica, Van Halen, Melvins, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. [Wikipedia + AMG]

Personnel:
• Burke Shelley – lead vocals, bass guitar 
• Tony Bourge - guitars 
• Ray Phillips – drums

Early Discography:
• 1971 - Budgie
• 1972 - Squawk
• 1973 - Never Turn Your Back on a Friend
• 1974 - In for the Kill!

01. "Guts"  4:21
02. "Everything in My Heart"  0:52
03. "The Author"  6:28
04. "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman"  8:41
05. "Rape of the Locks"  6:13
06. "All Night Petrol"  5:57
07. "You and I"  1:41
08. "Homicidal Suicidal"  6:41

Bonus Tracks
09. "Crash Course Brain Surgery (Single Edit)  2:35
10  "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman (Single Edit)  4:08
11. "Crash Course Brain Surgery (Bonus Track)  2:36

1. Link
or
2. Link
.

Budgie 1972

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Bridge School Benefit 14 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View 2000-10-29 (Bootleg)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Portugal EP 1970

Size: 172 MB
Bitrate: 320
mp3
Found in DC++ World
Some Artwork

Over the years, the roster of performers who have played at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit shows is a virtual who’s who of rock royalty. Sir Paul McCartney, The Who, Elton John, The Who, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Tom Petty and this month’s featured artist, Bob Dylan, just to name a few, have joined Neil for this worthy cause. Perhaps no moment was more anticipated, however, than in at Bridge School 14 on October 28 & 29, 2000, 13 years ago today and yesterday, when CSNY took the stage. The group had reformed earlier that year for their first tour in 25 years. They brought that reunion to a fitting conclusion, a concert with a cause, reminiscent of their days together in the 1960s and 1970s using the power of rock music to help bring about social change.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young -  Japan Single 1970

The musical partnership of David Crosby (born August 14, 1941), Stephen Stills (born January 3, 1945), and Graham Nash (born February 2, 1942), with and without Neil Young (born November 12, 1945), was not only one of the most successful touring and recording acts of the late '60s, '70s, and early '80s -- with the colorful, contrasting nature of the members' characters and their connection to the political and cultural upheavals of the time -- it was arguably the only American-based band to approach the overall societal impact of the Beatles. The group was a second marriage for all the participants when it came together in 1968: Crosby had been a member of the Byrds, Nash was in the Hollies, and Stills had been part of Buffalo Springfield. The resulting trio, however, sounded like none of its predecessors and was characterized by a unique vocal blend and a musical approach that ranged from acoustic folk to melodic pop to hard rock. 

CSN's debut album, released in 1969, was perfectly in tune with the times, and the group was an instant hit. By the time of their first tour (which included the Woodstock festival), they had added Young, also a veteran of Buffalo Springfield, who maintained a solo career. 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Japan Single 1970

The first CSNY album, Déjà Vu, was a chart-topping hit in 1970, but the group split acrimoniously after a summer tour. 4 Way Street, a live double album issued after the breakup, was another number one hit. (When it was finally released on CD in 1992, it was lengthened with more live material.) In 1974, CSNY re-formed for a summer stadium tour without releasing a new record. Nevertheless, the compilation So Far became their third straight number one. Crosby, Stills & Nash re-formed without Young in 1977 for the album CSN, another giant hit. 

They followed with Daylight Again in 1982, but by then Crosby was in the throes of drug addiction and increasing legal problems. He was in jail in 1985-1986, but cleaned up and returned to action, with the result that CSNY reunited for only their second studio album, American Dream, in 1988. CSN followed with Live It Up in 1990, and though that album was a commercial disappointment, the trio remained a popular live act; it embarked on a 25th anniversary tour in the summer of 1994 and released a new album, After the Storm. The trio again reunited with Young for 1999's Looking Forward, followed in 2000 by their CSNY2K tour.

CSNY - 2000-10-29 - Mountain View, CA (FM) Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 2000-10-29 Bridge School Benefit 14 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, CA FM Broadcast 

01. Cinnamon Girl
02. Marrakesh Express
03. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
04. Helplessly Hoping
05. Dream For Him
06. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
07. Teach Your Children
08. Love The One You're With

Bonus Tracks
Neil Young
2000-10-28

09. Slowpoke
10. After The Gold Rush
11. Our House

Bonus Tracks
Neil Young
2000-10-29

12. Flying On The Ground Is Wrong
13. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
14. Mr. Soul

1. Link
or
2. Link
.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Swedish Single 1970

Crosby, Stills, Nash -  Netherland Single 1969

Bakerloo - Selftitled (Great Progressive Bluesrock UK 1969)

Size: 144 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan SHM-CD

Bakerloo (previously The Bakerloo Blues Line) was an English heavy blues-rock trio, established by Staffordshire guitarist David "Clem" Clempson, Terry Poole and others in the late 1960s, at the high point of the influence of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream. Although the group was prominent only for around a year (1968-9) and released only one album it played an important part in the history of the genre, especially in view of its members' subsequent involvement with Colosseum, Humble Pie, May Blitz, Graham Bond, Vinegar Joe, Judas Priest and Uriah Heep.

The Bakerloo Blues Line was formed in February 1968 by David "Clem" Clempson and Terry Poole, who worked with several drummers, including John "Poli" Palmer and John Hinch, before settling with Keith Baker. Under the management of Jim Simpson, they began performing regularly at Henry's in Birmingham and joined Simpson's U.K. 'Big Bear Ffolly' tour with Earth (the future Black Sabbath), Locomotive and Tea And Symphony. The group appeared as the support act for Led Zeppelin's debut at London's famed Marquee Club on 18 October 1968.
After simplifying the name to "Bakerloo" the group signed to Harvest Records in mid-1969. 

Their first release was a single, "Drivin' Bachwards"/"Once Upon a Time" (HAR 5004) that July. The A-side is an arrangement of the J.S. Bach tune Bourrée in E minor. This record appeared just prior to the release of a similar song, Bourrée, by Jethro Tull, on their second album Stand Up in August 1969. The single A-side also appeared on their self-titled album in December.

The album Bakerloo (Harvest SHVL 762) was further promoted by the inclusion of "This Worried Feeling," a slow blues number, on the 1970 Harvest double sampler album Picnic - A Breath of Fresh Air and by sessions for the BBC. The album was produced by Gus Dudgeon. Notable tracks included Last Blues,a heavy rocker, and the album's closer, Son of Moonshine, a driving metal blues. Other tracks contained "progressive" classical and jazz elements.

While reviews for the debut LP were favorable, the group itself was in disarray at the end of 1969. By the time the record was released, the Clempson-Poole-Baker lineup had decided to go their separate ways. Clempson initially sought to form a new blues-rock power trio, one that reportedly included drummer Cozy Powell, before electing to replace James Litherland as the guitarist in Colosseum. Poole and Baker also moved on, forming May Blitz with Jamie Black on vocals and guitar, although both departed before the band was signed to Vertigo Records.

Poole later played with several other bands, including Graham Bond and Vinegar Joe, while Baker bounced from Supertramp to Uriah Heep. Clempson would continue to achieve greater fame with Colosseum and, in 1971, as Peter Frampton's replacement in Humble Pie.

In the winter of 1969, a new "Bakerloo" (including drummer John O' Reilly, formerly a member of the Koobas, was formed to fulfill a few contractual obligations, but this group eventually signed to another label under another name.

Bakerloo originally formed around 1968 under the moniker 'Bakerloo Blues Line' in the Birmingham area. The line-up then was Dave 'Clem' Clempson on guitar and vocals, Terry Poole on bass and John Hinch on drums. Initially they stuck to a largely blues based set, yet like so many of the innovative acts of the era grew tired of the formula and began to experiment.

They attracted Black Sabbath's future manager Jim Simpson, and attracted a considerable following- enough to win them a slot on John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show 'Top Gear'. However, there was a touch of Spinal Tap syndrome with drummers as Hinch was replaced with a multitude of players until they finally settled on Keith Baker. They also decided to drop the 'Blues Line' and became the shortened Bakerloo, and were put on a package tour called 'Big Bear Ffolly' (which inspired Bakerloo's song of the same name) with other local bands Tea and Symphony, Locomotive (another highly innovative proto prog combo) and Earth, who would of course later evolve into the massively successful Black Sabbath.

They recorded their album prior to getting a record deal under the aegis of legendary, recently deceased producer Gus Dudgeon yet eventually, Simpson secured a deal with the new 'progressive, underground' imprint Harvest Records, which housed the likes of Pink Floyd, Edgar Broughton Band and aforementioned fellow Brummies, Tea and Symphony.

Though the album received very enthusiastic reviews and the band had a sizeable cult following, it sold little. This was a shame, because it remains a genuinely 'progressive' album with blues, jazz, classical and heavy rock meeting head-on, yet seamlessly.

However, internal ructions ripped the band apart anyway and despite some line-up reshuffles, with noted rock drummer Cozy Powell joining the band. That line-up lasted a small amount of time before Jon Hiseman, who had been impressed with Clempson's guitar prowess, invited him to join the legendary jazz rock combo Colosseum. Keith Baker joined Uriah Heep for their classic 'Salisbury' album and Terry Poole turned up on blues/jazz rock innovator Graham Bond's albums of the era.

Clempson, after Colosseum split, went on to work with heavy rockers Humble Pie who were a massive success, and Rough Diamond with ex-Uriah Heep singer David Byron, who were not. Clempson continued to work with a variety of artists. However, the other members seemingly fell off the radar after the 1970s.

Bakerloo 1968

Still, Bakerloo's one and only album (a real collector's item in original vinyl format) is a definite underrated classic and has a lot to offer fans of the genre.

Clem Clempson (born David Clempson, 5 September 1949, Tamworth, Staffordshire, England) is an English rock guitarist who has played as a member in a number of bands including Colosseum and Humble Pie.

Clempson began his career in the late 1960s with the power trio, Bakerloo (originally The Bakerloo Blues Line), playing blues-rock. In 1969, he joined Colosseum, until they disbanded in 1971, but re-joined to form a reunion version of the band in 1994, and has continued to perform with them since that time. After Colosseum's split he went on to join Humble Pie in 1971, replacing Peter Frampton. When the band split in 1975 he and Greg Ridley joined drummer Cozy Powell to form Strange Brew. During this period, Clempson auditioned for Deep Purple but lost to Tommy Bolin. Although he played in Marriott’s All Stars he opted not to join the reformed Humble Pie in 1980.

Clempson has appeared as a guest musician with Jack Bruce, Billy Cobham and Dave Sancious, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Bob Dylan, Chris de Burgh and Jon Anderson.

One of the first acts signed to the fledgling Harvest label in 1969, Bakerloo were very much a product of their time, a hard-hitting progressive blues band whose predilections ranged from a straightforward assimilation of Willie Dixon to some positively dazzling flashes of instrumental prowess. Guitarist Dave Clempson's "Big Bear Folly," the opening cut on the band's first and only album, is a dazzling Ten Years After-style showcase, while a jazzy variation on a theme of Bach, the aptly titled "Driving Bachwards," proves that the band wasn't averse to messing with the classics, either. The quartet's virtuosity occasionally overwhelms the songs themselves, although there is no shortage of gripping atmosphere. 

Bassist Terry Poole unleashes an almost sepulchral vocal across the stygian "Last Blues," a seven-minute marathon that swiftly develops into a full-fledged heavy rocker, punctuated by mood shifts that amount to separate movements -- it's a magnificent piece, rendered with both musical precision and some of producer Gus Dudgeon's most inspired washes and effects. 

Impressive, too, is "Son of Moonshine," a distorted metal effort that clocks in at double that length and combines Clempson's intensive guitar soloing with a desperately driving blues rhythm. Period comparisons with Cream and early Led Zeppelin really weren't that far off the mark. Bakerloo were not long for this earth -- Clempson quit to join Colosseum shortly after the album's release; Poole reappeared alongside Graham Bond; drummer Keith Baker departed for Uriah Heep; and Bakerloo itself disappeared off the shelves fairly quickly. [Wikipedia + AMG + Proarchives]

Personnel:
♦ Dave 'Clem' Clempson / guitars, piano, harpsichord, harmonica, vocals
♦ Terry Poole / bass guitar
♦ Keith Baker / drums

Album: Bakerloo - Bakerloo Foldout LP Harvest Records SHVL762 (1969)

01. Big Bear Ffolly (3:55)
02. Bring It On Home (4:16)
03. Drivin' Bachwards (2:06)
04. Last Blues (7:04)
05. Gang Bang (6:15)
06. This Worried Feeling (7:03)
07. Son Of Moonshine (14:52)

Bonus Tracks
08. Once Upon A Time (3:37)
09. This Worried Feeling (alternative take) (5:45)
10. Georgia (4.04)
11. Train (2.53)
12. Son of Moonshine Part 1 (8.46)

1. Link

or

2. Link

.

Bakerloo Band 1969

Article for the day: Uriah Heep 1974, enjoy

open picture in a new window for 100% size

Frank Zappa - Armadillo World Headquarters Music Hall, Austin, Texas 1973 (Bootleg)

Size: 197 MB
Bitrate: 320
mp3
Found in my Blues Mobile
Some Artwork Included

This has got to be one of the finest sounding shows ever to circulate and this version delivers an astonishing upgrade to all known previous versions of this excellent show. All thanks to the tape contribution provided by fzmoi69, which was diligently transferred via NAK DR-1 by doctorzap then made available in the Shoebox. If you have heard this show from any other known source, then be prepared to experience an absolute jaw dropping experience. It captures FZ & The Mothers Of Invention during their final North American Tour in 1973 with superb clarity and amazingly detailed stereo separation. Speed correction advice by flambay." 

Armadillo World Headquarters Music Hall:
The Armadillo World Headquarters (usually called simply The 'Dillo) was a music hall and entertainment center in Austin, Texas, United States from 1970 to 1980.

In 1970, Austin's flagship rock music venue, the Vulcan Gas Company, closed, leaving the city's nascent live music scene without an incubator. One night, Eddie Wilson, manager of the local group Shiva's Headband, stepped outside a nightclub where the band was playing and noticed an old, abandoned National Guard armory. Wilson found an unlocked garage door on the building and was able to view the cavernous interior using the headlights of his automobile. He had a desire to continue the legacy of the Vulcan Gas Company, and was inspired by what he saw in the armory to create a new music hall in the derelict structure. The armory was estimated to have been built in 1948, but no records of its construction could be located. The building was ugly, uncomfortable, and had poor acoustics, but offered cheap rent and a central location. Posters for the venue usually noted the address as 525½ Barton Springs Road (Rear), behind the Skating Palace (approximate coordinates 30.258 -97.750).

The name for the Armadillo was inspired by the use of armadillos as a symbol in the artwork of Jim Franklin, a local poster artist, and from the building itself. In choosing the mascot for the new venture, Wilson and his partners wanted an "armored" animal since the building was an old armory. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) was chosen because of its hard shell that looks like armor, its history as a survivor (virtually unchanged for 50 million years), and its near-ubiquity in central Texas. Wilson also believed the building looked like it had been some type of headquarters at one time. He initially proposed "International Headquarters" but in the end it became "World Headquarters."

In founding the Armadillo, Wilson was assisted by Franklin, Mike Tolleson, an entertainment attorney, Bobby Hedderman from the Vulcan Gas Company and Hank Alrich. Funding for the venture was initially provided by Shiva's Headband founder, Spencer Perskin, and Mad Dog, Inc. an Austin literati group.

Frank Zappa 1973

The Armadillo World Headquarters officially opened on August 7, 1970 with Shiva's Headband, the Hub City Movers, and Whistler performing. The hall held about 1,500 patrons, but chairs were limited, so most patrons sat on the floor on sections of carpet that had been pieced together.

The Armadillo caught on quickly with the hippie culture of Austin because admission was inexpensive and the hall tolerated marijuana use. Even though illicit drug use was flagrant, the Armadillo was never raided. Anecdotes suggest the police were worried about having to bust their fellow officers as well as local and state politicians.

Soon, the Armadillo started receiving publicity in national magazines such as Rolling Stone. Time magazine wrote that the Armadillo was to the Austin music scene what The Fillmore had been to the emergence of rock music in the 1960s. The clientele became a mixture of hippies, cowboys, and businessmen who stopped by to have lunch and a beer and listen to live music. At its peak, the amount of Lone Star draft beer sold by the Armadillo was second only to the Houston Astrodome. The Neiman-Marcus department store even offered a line of Armadillo-branded products.

The unique blend of country and rock music performed at the hall became known by the terms "The Austin Sound," "Redneck Rock," progressive country or "Cosmic Cowboy." Artists that almost single handedly defined this particular genre and sound were Michael Martin Murphy, Jerry Jeff Walker and The Lost Gonzo Band. Many upcoming and established acts such as Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and ZZ Top played the Armadillo. Freddie King, Frank Zappa, and Commander Cody all recorded live albums there. Bruce Springsteen played five shows during 1974. The Australian band AC/DC played their first American show at the Armadillo with Canadian band Moxy in July 1977.

The Clash played live at The Armadillo with Joe Ely on October 4, 1979 (a photo from that show appears on the band's London Calling album). The show was so successful that Joe Ely and The Clash teamed up for a 1980 U.S. tour.

Despite its successes, the Armadillo always struggled financially. The addition of the Armadillo Beer Garden in 1972 and the subsequent establishment of food service were both bids to generate positive cash flow. However, the financial difficulties continued. In an interview for the 2010 book Weird City, Eddie Wilson remarked:

"People don’t remember this part: the months and months of drudgery. People talk about the Armadillo like it was a huge success, but there were months where hardly anyone showed up. After the first night when no one really came I ended up crying myself to sleep up on stage."

Frank Zappa - Apostrophe 1974

With the success of the Armadillo and Austin's burgeoning music scene, KLRN (now KLRU), the local PBS television affiliate, created Austin City Limits, a program showcasing popular local, regional, and national music acts.

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar began in 1976 at the Armadillo, and is still held annually during the Christmas season. The Bazaar was another attempt to improve cash flow for the hall. When the Armadillo closed, the Bazaar first moved to Cherry Creek Plaza (1981–1983), and then on to the Austin Opry House (1984–1994). In 1995, the Bazaar settled at the Austin Music Hall for twelve years. Due to remodeling of the Austin Music Hall, the Bazaar had to move its 2007 show to the Austin Convention Center. The Bazaar has become one of the top-ranked arts and crafts shows in the nation with a long waiting list of artisans who wish to show their work.

On August 19, 2006, the City of Austin dedicated a commemorative plaque at the site where the Armadillo once stood. Co-founder Eddie Wilson was on hand and stated:

"It is still on the lips and minds of a lot of people 26 years after it closed. This is noteworthy for me because of the zero-tolerance mentality, and now the city erected a memorial that glorifies the things of the past that are not accepted today."

Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention -  Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX 1973-10-26 

♦ Frank Zappa
♦ Napoleon Murphy Brock 
♦ Tom Fowler 
♦ George Duke 
♦ Ruth Underwood 
♦ Bruce Fowler 
♦ Ralph Humphrey 
♦ Chester Thompson 

01. Cosmik Debris (06:59) 
02. Inca Roads (10:29) 
03. Pygmy Twylyte (4:56) 
04. The Idiot Bastard Son (2:15) 
05. Cheepnis (3:38) 
06. Big Swifty (9:25) 
07. San Clemente Magnetic Deviation Preamble (1:26) 
08. Dickie’s Such An Asshole (world premiere) (8:41) 
09. Farther Oblivion (14:41) 
10. Encore Tune Up (1:41) 
11. Mr Green Genes Medley (16:07) 
Medley includes: Son Of Mr. Green Genes, King Kong, Chunga’s Revenge, Mr. Green Genes & Dickie’s Such An Asshole reprise

1. Link
or
2. Link
.

Armadillo World Headquarters