Brent Mydland was always in the shadow of the other members of the Grateful Dead, because he was always "the new guy." One of the many interesting aspects of the Grateful Dead was that fans could see the musical interests and abilities of the individual musicians in their various side projects, and then see how those sounds were integrated or excluded from the Dead's sounds. Most Deadheads, however--and I am certainly including myself--paid little attention to Brent's individual activities outside the band because they were too busy following Garcia or Weir.
Certainly, if you were a Bay Area resident, and you had a chance to see Jerry Garcia or Brent Mydland in a club, you would generally pick Jerry. Also, like most Dead fans I liked many kinds of music, and being fortunate enough to see the Grateful Dead regularly, I made a point of seeing other groups rather than the spinoff bands. As a result, Brent Mydland projects tended to be quite obscure. Kokomo was a group that only existed for the Summer of 1985. Although all the players are recognizable, I know of no circulating tapes, no reviews, don't know anyone who saw the band and can only guess exactly what they played. I'm not suggesting that the band was world changing, or even any more than a solid bar band, but one of the purposes of this blog is to document little known performances of the Grateful Dead and its members.
update: Correspondent Stevo Rood turns out to have great photos from the Kokomo show at Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH on August 14, 1985, and was kind enough to let me post them. These are the only photos of Kokomo in concert that I have ever seen. Thanks Stevo! Is the Internet great or what?
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| Kokomo on stage at the Club Casino, Hampton Beach, NH on August 14, 1985. (L-R) Brent Mydland, David Margen, Bill Kreutzmann and Kevin Russell (photo (c) and courtesy of Stevo Rood |
Kevin Russell-guitar, vocals
Brent Mydland-keyboards, vocals
David Margen-bass, vocals
Bill Kreutzmann-drums
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| David Margen and Kevin Russell on stage at Club Casino, Aug 14 '85 (photo (c) and courtesy of Stevo Rood) |
David Margen was a Berkeley musician had played bass for Santana for several years (1977-82), as well as playing bass in a variety of other groups.
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| Brent Mydland on stage with Kokomo at Club Casino, Aug 14 '85 (photo (c) and courtesy of Stevo Rood) |
All the dates come from contemporary newspapers or the Grateful Dead hotline recorded messages.
July 26, 1985: River Theater, Guerneville, CA
July 27, 1985: Keystone Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA w/Zero
July 30, 1985: Wolfgang's, San Francisco, CA w/Zero
July 31, 1985: Cabaret Cotati, Cotati, CA
August 1, 1985: New George's, San Rafael, CA
August 5, 1985: Toad's Place, New Haven, CT
August 6, 1985: The Casablanca, Rochester, NY w/Jorma Kaukonen [solo]
A Commenter writes:
I was at that show! - the venue was called The Casablanca - it was a small nightclub on East Henrietta Rd. - there is now a T.G.I.Fridays in that location ;)And true to his word, here it is (front and back)
I met Brent briefly in the parking lot before that show. I had a "Hot F***ing Jorma" sticker with me (Hot Tuna was also on the bill that night), and he signed it on the back, asking "you're not gonna just stick this somewhere and throw away the backing, are you?" I assured him I wouldn't (and haven't) - I think I got fellow bandmembers Billy Kreutzmann and Santana bassist David Margen to sign it also, not sure, since that sticker is in a box somewhere in the house!
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| Brent, Billy and David Margen signed the back of the Jorma sticker |
As if that wasn't enough, reader Mike sends in a photo of the Casablanca Club in the mid-80s (not likely the night Kokomo was playing)
August 8, 1985: The Living Room, Providence, RI
August 9, 1985: The Chatterbox, Seaside Heights, NJ
August 10, 1985: The Metro, New Brunswick, NJ
August 11, 1985: The Bayou, Washington, DC
August 13, 1985: Paradise Club, Boston, MA
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| Bill Kreutzmann at his drum kit at Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH, Aug 14 '85 (photo (c) and courtesy of Stevo Rood) |
August 15, 1985: The Ritz, New York, NY
August 18, 1985: [venue], Norfolk, VA
August 19, 1985: Chestnut Cabaret, Philadelphia, PA
September 13, 1985: Major Pond's, San Francisco, CA
September 19, 1985: New George's, San Rafael, CA w/Zero
My notes (now twenty-three years old) say Bob Weir and Merl Saunders played with them.
September 28, 1985: River Theater, Guerneville, CA
If anyone can direct me to an online tape, or has a setlist, or went to a show, or knows someone who went to a Kokomo show and recalls the description, please put them in the comments.
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| Bill Kreutzmann shares some wisdom with the crowd during a Kokomo show at Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH, while bassist David Margen looks on (photo (c) and courtesy of Stevo Rood) |
I did see the Toad's show and it was outstanding. I've always loved that room and the band was just so hot that night. The highlight that comes to mind is Clapton's "Let It Rain". The band did not sing the refrain (the lyric "rain" held and repeated over the outro solos) - but the crowd did. It was definately one of "those" moments.
ReplyDeleteCurious to see more about Go Ahead. Saw them in . . . 86? At the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix AZ, with Bob W. solo acoustic as an opener.
ReplyDeleteActually it was: some shitty comic who was booed off, Go Ahead with Billy and Brent, Alex Litgerwood, and . . ? Then Bob acoustic, then Go Ahead with Bob. A fun night, show ran a good four hours maybe.
Interesting...although I have not gotten around to the Go Ahead post, I dont have an Arizona date for them. However, Bob Weir and Go Ahead played some dates in the Southwest in November 1987 (Long Beach, Reseda, San Diego, Sacramento) and March 1988 (Rosevelle, Reno, SLC), so it would have been easy to stick in an Arizona date.
ReplyDeleteThe March 1988 shows have a bunch of open days, and it would make sense that it fit in there. I have heard some Weir/Go Ahead tapes,and while it wasn't awesome, they were a pretty good band.
Hey Now!
ReplyDeleteI was at the Celebrity Theatre Go Ahead/Bob Weir gig! It was in February of 1988. My brother won tickets on the radio (2nd Row!) and I remember the spinning stage : Billy K. loved it as he was able to joke/accept drinks from fans in the first few rows! Musically I remember a great "Dear Mr. Fantasy->Hey Jude" as well as the "La Bamba/Good Lovin'" that they'd broken out on the recent fall tour ('87).
I downloaded a recording of the show many moons ago and have it on a DVDR somewhere in the archives with the correct date.
August 6, 1985: [venue], Rochester, NY
ReplyDeleteI was at that show! - the venue was called The Casablanca - it was a small nightclub on East Henrietta Rd. - there is now a T.G.I.Fridays in that location ;)
I met Brent briefly in the parking lot before that show. I had a "Hot F***ing Jorma" sticker with me (Hot Tuna was also on the bill that night), and he signed it on the back, asking "you're not gonna just stick this somewhere and throw away the backing, are you?" I assured him I wouldn't (and haven't) - I think I got fellow bandmembers Billy Kreutzmann and Santana bassist David Margen to sign it also, not sure, since that sticker is in a box somewhere in the house!
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DeleteMike, I posted these. Thanks so much!
DeleteMy friend Chris was at that Show in Rochester. I remember he told me he was in the bathroom relieving himself and Billy came in and used the urinal next to him, but he didn't want to be a douche so he didn't say anything...
DeleteMike, thanks, I updated the post with the venue info.
ReplyDeleteHi Corry, I have a correction to my comments a few years ago, regarding the 8-6-85 show in Rochester... I found my ticket stub (but i don't know how to post it here in the comments), it was Jorma Kaukonen solo acoustic as the opener - and he was loud!! :)
DeleteMike, I updated Jorma as the opening act. Thanks.
DeleteIf you could send me the ticket stub at corrarnold at gmail dot com, I'd be happy to post it.
'85 was a very special year for me, being a Head since 1976 Dead/Who shows I had the very special chance to meet Billy & Brent at the River Theater. I was the Mgr. of the theater, making sure everything was set up and ready to go for the shows. Kokomo arrived mid afternoon for set up and sound check at which time I had a very friendly conversation with Brent sitting with him at the soundboard. Billy was very friendly as I got both their autographs in the first blank page of "Playing in the band" book. I told Billy that I was also a drummer haha. He called me his drummer buddy after that, how cool. Don't remember much of the show, i know they played Not Fade Away and a couple of Brent songs, Far From Me? Hey Jude? I think.. All I know for sure, it was a fantastic show with a nice audience response.
ReplyDeleteThe Band I played in OAYB got a gig a couple of months later at Susanna & D. McNally's wedding in SF. We walked in a couple of hours before the doors opened to set up our gear. Sitting by the pool watching a 49er game was Billy. I walked up to him and said hi and if he remembered me, Yes your my drummer buddy, he said. I was floored. Wavy gave the ceremony, Jerry gave the Bride away and Billy was best man. After that we played in the bar area and dance floor, about half way through our set Billy walked up and sat down next to me (two drum kits) and we played. Wow, I was blown away. Also to look down from the stage we saw R. Hunter and T.C. standing there listening and watching. What a rush that was playing GD tunes, etc.. Later in the year and again in '86 we had Jerry and John K. at the River theater where I also got their autographs. Also in we had Kingfish w/Bobby, also got his autograph on the Playin' in the Band book 1st page. I will never forget those moments in time.. G. Scott
Did Jerry play at McNally's wedding?
DeleteFrom Jim Powell's Dark Star Document:
ReplyDelete"Kokomo (Billy & Brent's band from the mid-80s) played Dark Star at least twice:
Unknown Venue 8/19/84 12:35 AUD
Casino Club, Hampton Beach 85-86: 10:16# AUD breaks off before conclusion.
Identification of the unknown venue & unknown date would be much appreciated."
I can't vouch for the accuracy, but I guess this means there are tapes.
I know of one circulating Kokomo audience tape, from the Metro, New Brunswick, NJ 8/10/85, with this setlist:
Girl Like You
Is It Silver Or Gold
Tons Of Steel >
Up In Smoke
Never Trust A Woman
Tell Me No Lies ?
Love Me Right
Not Fade Away
For You
Dear Mr Fantasy > Hey Jude (refrain) > Dear Mr Fantasy
Keep On Growin'
Jam > Dark Star >
Drums >
Jam
Look Over Yonders Wall
Maybe You Know How I'm Feelin'
~Encore~
Casey Jones
Let It Rain
Etree also lists the early show from the Casablanca Nightclub, Rochester NY 8/6/85, with basically the same songs.
I hasten to say, I haven't heard these tapes, and am somewhat horrified that I'm even posting about them...
There's some Kokomo material in the Fall 1985 Golden Road (no. 8). Page 42 mentions the 9/19/85 gig at New George's with Bob sitting in (no mention of Merl). He helped them on Johhny B. Goode and Casey Jones.
ReplyDeleteI was at the show at the Keystone. That summer I lived in Palo Alto on College Ave and all I had to do was hop my back fence and walk across the street.
ReplyDeleteSaw a lot of great shows that summer.
Anyway, I remember the show but I don't remember anything they played. I do remember having a great time and the fact that the Keystone seemed only about half full.
Sorry I couldn't be of any help but I appreciate your attempting to make a chronicle of these obscure shows. Thanks.
Michael, thanks for the interesting comment. You make a very good point, namely that if the opportunity was there, Kokomo was a lot of fun. For the record--as a former Palo Altan--do you mean California Avenue (Keystone was on 260 S. California) or College Terrace (just across El Camino)?
ReplyDeleteHey Corey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply and for this blog. I've been enjoying the reading. College Ave is parallel to California Ave, to the north.
A few side notes:
I grew up in Seattle and enjoyed hanging out at the Aqua Park long before the tore the majority of the grandstand down. It really would have been an amazing place to see a show. As a kid, I heard that Elvis performed there long before Zeppelin and the Dead.
These probably aren't obscure shows but I remember seeing Weir and Garcia at the Haight Street Fair in '85 and the Gift Center in '89.
The most amazing "surprise" or bar show I ever saw was at The Saloon in North Beach in January or February of '89. John Cipollina was dying and his buddies played with him there. I remember Melton being there but the rest is a little hazy. What I do remember is that John didn't seem to be doing to well and he remained seated throughout the night.
And he melted the place. Incredibly beautiful and touching.
Thanks again for this really cool blog.
I'm 99% sure the Providence R.I. show was at the Original Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, It's been 30 years but unless my mind is totally gone it was at Lupo's.
ReplyDeleteI was a Bobby show at the Livingroom in Providence around the same time so maybe you have it confused with that show?
John, I got my list off Steve Marcus' announcement on the GD Hotline tape. It has not been updated since, so the original listing must have been wrong. Steve was probably just reading off a list himself, and it may have said "The Living Room" when it should have said "Lupo's."
DeleteThanks for the update. It's nice to try and get these things right once and for all
I have the July Cotati Show! Email me if you're still interested :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa. I'd be very interested in getting that show. Can you send me your email address? Alex
Deletealex@whitegum.com
Hey Melissa, i would love a digital copy of that show too if possible. Greatly appreciated. I have a dropbox account if that makes it easier.
DeleteThanks, Stevo stevenrood@mac.com
I would love a copy of this show if you are still avail.
Deletewould love a copy of you’re still sending out! oxpj77@gmail.com
DeleteI saw a show in Syracuse, NY rather on August 4 than 7, 1985. I had always remembered Kokomo of Bill Kreutzmann´s band, I don´t remember Brent in there. My memory is, it was in a very small club, rather 100 than 150 people attended and it was full. I´d rather believe I saw a trio than a quartet.
ReplyDeleteCorrespondent Stevo Rood was kind enough to let me post some photos of Kokomo performing live at the Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH on August 14, 1985. These are the only performance photos of Kokomo that I have seen.
ReplyDeleteCame across this site after looking thru some info about Brent's Hammond B3 & Leslie setup. I caught my first shows in 84' in Richmond, VA. & never looked back. I've been very fortunate & gotten to see a plethora of incredible music, meet some really great people along the way & have a Helluva good time doing it. I have never seen or heard Kokomo except for a few songs via the internet. BTW, I'm a huge Brent fan & like most people I was floored w/his passing. I'm also a big fan of the B3, what a work of art, just add one great keys player & you're in business. I've really enjoyed reading all your posts & enjoyed the great stories. I have a definite interest in hearing any tapes or recordings that might still be available, if anyone can come up with anything I'm certainly happy to pay for s/h, price of a tape/DVD copy, whatever it may be. Thanks for sharing & the best to you all. We are such a loving & diverse group of people & that's what makes us so special I think. You can reach me @ thelocks129@gmail.com My name's Topps btw, thanks & stay blessed
ReplyDeleteCame across this site after looking thru some info about Brent's Hammond B3 & Leslie setup. I caught my first shows in 84' in Richmond, VA. & never looked back. I've been very fortunate & gotten to see a plethora of incredible music, meet some really great people along the way & have a Helluva good time doing it. I have never seen or heard Kokomo except for a few songs via the internet. BTW, I'm a huge Brent fan & like most people I was floored w/his passing. I'm also a big fan of the B3, what a work of art, just add one great keys player & you're in business. I've really enjoyed reading all your posts & enjoyed the great stories. I have a definite interest in hearing any tapes or recordings that might still be available, if anyone can come up with anything I'm certainly happy to pay for s/h, price of a tape/DVD copy, whatever it may be. Thanks for sharing & the best to you all. We are such a loving & diverse group of people & that's what makes us so special I think. You can reach me @ thelocks129@gmail.com My name's Topps btw, thanks & stay blessed
ReplyDeleteAlthough tapes and setlists are outside the scope of this blog, the wonderful Dylanstubs site not only has all the known performance dates for Kokomo, Go Ahead and other Brent performances, but setlists and links to tapes as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://dylanstubs.com/dead/brent.htm
I am digitizing a the show from August 19 1985 Philly. Will post it @ Dimeadozen soon.
ReplyDeleteAny chance of that ending up on Sugarmegs for streaming or even Youtube? Can't find any tape anywhere of this band.
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ReplyDeleteThe Dylanstubs page gave a 404. Here's a workable link: http://gdsets.com/brent.htm
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ReplyDeleteHi, was at the Seaside Heights, NJ show. Billy gave me a drum stick and a copy of the set list. Still have the drum stick but don't know where the set list is. Definitely a good night for sure. Had to hitchhike home after the show!
ReplyDeleteI went to the show in philly.Found these posts after finding my ticket stub in a box of old stuff..
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ReplyDeleteI have a copy of Kokomo from the Cafe Casablanca show's first show if anyone is interested? Not the greatest sound due to banning of tapers, but will send you a copy if anyone would like one?
ReplyDeleteI'd love a copy of that if you're still offering. You need a physical address or just an email for a download link?
DeleteI was at the Toad's Place show it was great I had my first legal drink
DeleteJust saw your response, here is my email trickyxhickey@gmail,com
ReplyDeleteI saw the seaside heights show. Started late and played past curfew. Cops were not happy. Awesome show! Amazing “let it rain” Ala Clapton.
ReplyDeleteI saw them in Seaside Heights, NJ. Bill gave me a drum stick that I still have and a set list which I don't. Had to hitchhike home after the show. Pretty cool though.
ReplyDeleteI was present for the Hampton each Show. I recall Dark Star and Let It Rain. Saw Billy and Brent outside at the top of the stairs to the backstage entrance. It was a warm and sunny day.
ReplyDelete