Donnie Van Zant - vocals, guitar; Jeff Carlisi - guitar; Don Barnes - guitar, vocals; Larry Johnstrom - bass; Jack Grondin - drums; Steve Brookins - drums
Originally broadcast on WLIR in Long Island for broadcast on the King Biscuit Flower Hour, this recording was done a mere four months before singer Donnie Van Zant would go into mourning over the untimely plane crash death of his brother, Ronnie Van Zant, lead vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd. On this night, however, the young Van Zant was riding high as another Southern rock band, fast gaining popularity in America. This show was taped at Long Island's popular rock room, My Father's Place, a venue that helped launch the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, among others.
The group had not hit pay dirt as of this time with the string of radio hits that included "Hold On Loosely," "Rockin' Into The Night," and "Caught Up In You." That success would come after in 1978, when the band scored big with its Special Delivery album and subsequent releases.
They were showcasing material from their self-titled 1977 debut when this show was recorded. There is a healthy dose of southern rock boogie featured here, and it is clear that the band had the musical chops to make a real impact in this genre of music. Unfortunately, the music during this early period was not quite as strong as the material that would make them rock stars some years later.
Highlights of this show include "Four Wheels," "Long Time Gone," "Gypsy Belle," and "Travelin' Man." They close with a double whammy: a rockin' version of Chuck Berry's classic "Around and Around" and their own, "I Just Wanna Rock N Roll."