Here. I found this for you because I love you. You’ve seen the picture of Warren with Phil in the background, but you haven’t seen this one. Y’know how I know? Because before five minutes ago, I hadn’t seen it. And, Enthusiasts, you know how good I am at Dead-picture-seein’. If Dead-picture-seein’ were an Olympic sport, then people would say, “Why is that in the Olympics? It’s not only not a sport, it’s not a thing.” Regardless, I’m spectacular at it. Existing in a society, maintaining relationships, earning money: not great. Knowing whether or not I’ve viewed a particular photo of a semi-defunct choogly-type band? World-class.
The shot is from the energetic-to-the-point-of-being-overheated 6/4/78 at Campus Stadium at UC Santa Barbara (Go Banana Slugs!). Warren was one of three opening acts; the other two–Wa-Koo and Elvin Bishop–went over well, according to contemporaneous reports, but Warren was more vodka than man in 1978, and so he mocked the crowd for being hippies and got booed. (Corry and his esteemed Commentators over at Lost Live Dead shed some more light on the day.)
Warren would make amends with the band, opening up for them again in ’80, ’83, and ’84, but on this hot day in California, he pooched it so hard that even fucking Keith was laughing at him.
The Banana Slugs are UC Santa Cruz. No idea what the mascot for UCSB is – just a google away I suppose. Don’t mean to be petty…
UC Santa Barbara are the Gauchos. A great many fun shows occurred on this field over the years, culminating (for me) with Jane’s Addiction, almost 11 years to the day from this photo. Thanks for sharing.
TotD is like Bobby and Seattle, New York, Detroit & it’s All on the Same Street with the Banana Slugs