John Cipollina - vocals, lead guitar
Gary Philippet - vocals, guitar, bottleneck
Jim McPherson - vocals, piano
Hutch Hutchinson - vocals, bass
David Weber - drums, percussion
This benefit concert for the California Marijuana Initiative featured Copperhead, Stoneground, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks and Hot Tuna.
For those unfamiliar with the band, Copperhead began as a loose unit in late 1970, when John Cipollina had just taken his exit from Quicksilver Messenger Service. After establishing a live reputation in the Bay area, and several abortive recording sessions during 1971, the group was signed to Columbia Records in 1972. The music is primarily hard driving rock with John Cipollina's distinctive guitar dominating their early sound.
This set captures the group shortly before they began recording their first album, and this show featured much of the strongest material from that first album, including the first three songs of this set, "Wang-Dang-Doo" and the set closer, "Roller Derby Star." The latter would be released as their single and had hit potential. Though poised for great success, the band unfortunately ended up with no record company support, as a result of the firing of Clive Davis and subsequent restructuring at Columbia Records.
This set also includes early jam versions of "Little Cindy" and "Keeper Of The Flame," two songs destined for the band's second album - an album which, though completed, Columbia refused to issue. Also of note is the cover song "Wrong Time," written by Spooky Tooth member, Gary Wright, who would years later have a huge solo hit with "Dreamweaver."
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