1973-12-20 Bristol Motor Inn, Bristol, RI
Pete Stoffee I believe the opening act was a cover band called Dick van and the Dykes. We danced crazy to Bruce and as the loud whistler at the end of the show I got to thank Bruce and shake his hand before heading back across the bay to Fall River. Clearly the best show in my long life of shows. The cops tried to stop it because of some curfew but Bruce and the band wouldn't have it.
Steven R. Silvia I worked at the Motor Lodge as a busboy/server in prior years. The stage was low, approx. 18” off the floor. The ballroom had partitions to divide it into three private events but partitions were collapsed, making for one large room. If I recall correctly, there were no seats. Attendees either sat on the floor or stood. Bruce and the band arrived late. Hence, the Bristol Police Dept. enforced the town curfew, making for the 100 minute show.
Bruce and the band arrived early but their equipment manager quit, they had to find another. (apparently this new guy was Butch). The concert coordinator for Roger Williams College received a call from Butch saying he was on the Tappen Zee bridge in NY at 6:25pm with a flat tire. Another band opened the show at 9. After a very long wait and with no explanations at all to the crowd (less than 100 people) Bruce, apologizing for a bunch of mess ups, finally took the stage at 12:35am. He played Walking The Dog (cover of the Rufus Thomas song), Kitty’s Back and Rosalita. He stretched out each song because he and the band were informed the town curfew was 1am (the show was a lot shorter than a previously reported 100 minutes. Just after 1am the power to the room was cut off, bringing the show to a close). It is uncertain whether or not Bruce & the band did get to play Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
(The above is courtesy of me as an eyewitness part of the evening and the entertainment writer for The New Paper (writing this evening for RWC’s campus paper).
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