Tuesday, March 02, 2010

BLUE CHEER FAMILY TREE - SHOWS LIST

This story is the work of Bruno Ceriotti. Help in putting this together has been provided by Leigh Stephens, Randy Holden, Norman Mayell, Eric Stephen Albronda, Vale Hamanaka, Gary Holland, Mark Smigel, Susan Krieger, Gil Mensch, Christopher Hjort, Noreen Wilder, Doug Denslowe, Kaleidoscope Chicago, Dan, Paul Loop, Greg Vick, Los Angeles Free Press, Lee Blu DiPintodi, Sacramento Rock & Radio Museum, Jim Carrico, Rob Branigin, Honolulu Advertiser, Berkeley Barb, Jeff Jassen (RIP), Daily Independent Journal, The Concert Database, and Colin Hill, to whom I'm most grateful.


BLUE CHEER #1 (ca. OCT 1966 - ca. NOV 1966)
1) Richard Allan 'Dickie' Peterson vocals, bass, rhythm guitar
2) Leigh Stephens lead guitar
3) Jerre Peterson vocals, rhythm guitar
4) Vale Hamanaka organ Hammond B-3
5) Bartlett Jere Whiting vocals,harp 
6) Eric Stephen Albronda drums


ca. October 1966: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA


BLUE CHEER #2 (ca. NOV 1966 - ca. JAN 1967)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Leigh Stephens
3) Jerre Peterson
4) Vale Hamanaka
5) Jere Whiting
6) Ted White (?) drums


January 14, 1967: Polo Fields, Panhandle Park, Oak Street at Masonic Avenue, near Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother and The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Grateful Dead (featuring Charles Lloyd), Jefferson Airplane, Loading Zone, Sir Douglas Quintet, Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snider, Timothy Leary, New Age (featuring Country Joe McDonald), Dizzy Gillespie, The Orkustra (canceled) "Gathering of the Tribes - The First Human Be-In" (Blue Cheer went to the event perhaps prepared to play but finally they didn't because too many bands willing to play for free and just not enough time for all)


BLUE CHEER #3 (ca. JAN 1967 - MAR 1967)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Leigh Stephens
3) Jerre Peterson
4) Vale Hamanaka
5) Jere Whiting
6) Alowicous 'Al' Merriweather drums


January 28, 1967: Winterland, San Francisco, CA with Dr. Timothy Leary (backed up by The Outfit), Richard Alpert, and others "Psychedelic Celebration No.1"

February 3, 1967: California Hall, 625 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company "The Hell's Angels Dance"

February 10, 1967: California Hall, 625 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with Jook Savages, Mojo Men, Congress Of Wonders "A Tribute To J. Edgar Hoover"

February 14, 1967: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Dino (Valenti), Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Human Being, Bill Boone, W.M. Flatly, Ambrose, Don Lewis, Chip Crosby, Mother Kali, Invisible 3rd "St. Valentine’s Day Flatly Dance"

February 15, 1967: California Hall, 625 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company

February 17, 1967: Convention Center, El Rancho Hotel, West Sacramento, CA with The Sparrow, Lights by The Retinal Circus

February 21, 1967: California Hall, 625 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, The VIP's

February 25, 1967: Freeborn Hall, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA with Country Joe And The Fish, Barbara Garson's Macbird "Benefit for Filmakers Workshop and SDS"


BLUE CHEER #4 (MAR 1967 - JUL 17, 1967)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Leigh Stephens
3) Jerre Peterson
4) Vale Hamanaka
5) Jere Whiting
6) Paul Whaley drums


March 6, 1967: Freeborn Hall, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA with Big Brother and The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Andrew Staples, Oxford Circle, New Breed, Loyal Opposition, Jook Savages, Lights by The Retinal Circus Light Show

March 19, 1967: Provo Park, Berkeley, CA with Loading Zone, New Delhi River Band, Motor, Mad River, Soul Purpose, Haymarket Riot, Ulysses S. Crockett and The Afro-Blues Persuasion "The Reversal of Planet Earthquake Picnic"
This event had been planned for the Mineral Springs area of Tilden Park the previous Saturday (March 11), but the event was rained out. The event was held eight days later, with a slightly different set of groups scheduled.

March 25, 1967: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service, Sparrow

March 31 and April 1, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Charlatans

April 14, 1967: The Irwin Street Warehouse, 502 Irwin Street, San Rafael, Marin County, CA with The Flying Circus, Freedom Highway, Lights by Dr. Strange 

April 21, 1967: Pythian Hall, 918 South West Yamhill, Portland, OR with Tweedy Bros, Lights by Retinal Circus

April 22, 1967: Ballroom, Portland State College, Portland, OR with The Heirs

April 23, 1967: Cafe Espresso, 409 SW 13th Avenue at W. Burnside Street, Portland, OR with Lights by Pandora's Box 

April 27, 1967: Cafe Espresso, 409 SW 13th Avenue at W. Burnside Street, Portland, OR with Lights by Pandora's Box 

April 28, 1967: Pythian Hall, 918 South West Yamhill, Portland, OR with P.H. Factor Rock Band, Lights by Retinal Circus

April 29-30, 1967: Cafe Espresso, 409 SW 13th Avenue at W. Burnside Street, Portland, OR with Lights by Pandora's Box 

May 14, 1967: Portland Armory, Portland, OR with The Wailers, P.H.Phactor Jug Band, Weeds, Red Coats, Courtmen, Tweedy Bros, Impacts, U.S. Cadenza, 7th Resemblance, Russo and Brentano, Poverty Five, The Gazebo, The Seventh "Portland Spring Trips Festival"

May 26-28, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1825 Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans

June 4, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1825 Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with The Doors, The Miller Blues Band, Lights by North American Ibis Alchemical Co. (Blue Cheer were not billed on the poster)

June 29, 1967: California Hall, 925 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Congress Of Wonders

Summer 1967 (or probabily 1968): Napa Town and County Fairgrounds, 575 Third Street, Napa, CA (uncertain)

July 1, 1967: Mt. Tamalpais Outdoor Theater, Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley, Marin County, CA with Sandy Bull, Congress of Wonders, The Charlatans, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Wildflower, Ace Of Cups, Freedom Highway, Melvin Q Watchpocket, Lamp Of Chidlhood, Eric Burdon & The Animals (maybe rescheduled for one day later) "Festival of The Growing Things - Barefoot Dancing on the Grass" (afternoon show)

July 1-2, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1825 Sutter Street at Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother and The Holding Company, Emerald Tablet, Lights by North American Ibis Alchemical Company

July 4, 1967: California Hall, 925 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with The New Salvation Army Banned, The Pariah, Lights by The Liquid Sandwich

July 7-8, 1967: California Hall, 925 Polk Street At Turk, San Francisco, CA with Sopwith Camel, Lights by Bob Holt

July 11-13, 1967: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with The Seattle Lawn, Lights by Chance
It was after one of this three nights that Dickie Peterson, Leigh Stephens and Paul Whaley decided to fired Jerry Whiting and Vale Hamanaka, since they were guilty of pretending to play when they were on stage. Then Jerre Peterson said that if the two had been fired then he would leave the band too and he eventually did so.


BLUE CHEER #5 (JUL 18, 1967 - SEPT 1968)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Leigh Stephens
3) Paul Whaley


July 22, 1967: Straight Theater, 1702 Haight Street At Cole, Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA with Country Joe and The Fish, Charlatans, Freedom Highway, The Dossier, Lights by Reginald "Live Theater – Straight Theater Company"

July 27-30, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1825 Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Youngbloods, Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band

July 31, 1967: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, The Charlatans, Anonymous Artists Of America "Free Clinic Benefit"

August 8, 1967: Family Dog, 1601 West Evans Street, Denver, CO

August 14, 1967: The Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR

August 17, 1967: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA with Bronze Hog, Sir Douglas Quintet, Lights by Light Brigade

August 25-27, 1967: The Matrix, 3138 Fillmore Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA with The Colours, Lights by Chance

August 28, 1967: Lindley Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA with Grateful Dead, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Mt. Rushmore "Chocolate George's Wake" (Blue Cheer went to the event perhaps prepared to play but finally they didn't because due to scheduling problems, there was just not enough time)

August 28 - September 1, 1967: Muir Beach Tavern, Shoreline Road, Muir Beach, Marin County, CA with Sons of Champlin, Electric Flag, Mt. Rushmore, Mad River, Black Swan, Flying Circus, Universal Joint, Phoenix, Morning Glory, Melvin Q., Haight Society, South Side Sound System, Loading Zone, Pyewacket, Transatlantic Railroad, Martha's Laundry, and many surprises and mystery guests "A Study In Electricity And Nature"  

September 8-9, 1967: Family Dog, 1601 West Evans Street, Denver, CO with Big Brother And The Holding Company, The Eight Penny Matter, Lights by The Diogenes Lantern Works

September 21 and 23, 1967: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Vanilla Fudge, Sunshine Company

September 24, 1967: Captain Ahab’s Homecoming, Muir Beach, Mill Valley, CA with West Coast Natural Gas Co., Mad River, Freedom Highway, Serpent Power, Burgundy Blues, Raven, Travel Consul, Black Swan, Mark Spoelstra’s Jade Muse

September 29-30, 1967: Western Front, 865 O'Farrell Street at Polk Street, San Francisco, CA with The Wildflower, Jesse Fuller

September 30, 1967: Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA with Quicksilver Messenger Service, Clear Light, The Van Morrison Group

October 1, 1967: El Camino Park, Palo Alto, CA with The Anonymous Artists of America, The Steve Miller Blues Band, The New Dehli River Band, The Solid State, The Congress Of Wonders, Ira Sandperl (MC) "free festival presented by The Mid-Peninsula Free University"

October 6-7, 1967: Straight Theater, 1702 Haight Street At Cole, Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA (cancelled)

October 6-8, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Lee Michaels, Clifton Schemier

October 11-12, 1967: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Jefferson Airplane, The Charlatans "Benefit For Haight-Ashbury Medical Clinic"

October 13-14, 1967: Winterland, Steiner Street At Post Street, San Francisco, CA with The Charlatans, Jefferson Airplane, Lights by Headlights

October 13-15, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band, Buddy Guy

October 20-21, 1967: Western Front, 865 O'Farrell Street at Polk Street, San Francisco, CA with The Wildflower, The Other Half, Eric Announcing, Lights by Clear Light Drive 

October 22, 1967: Straight Theater, 1702 Haight Street At Cole, Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA with Serpent Power, Phoenix, Congress Of Wonders, Black Swan "A Benefit for the Shire School" (evening show)

October 31, 1967: private land in the midst of gold mines, Sutro, Lyon County, NV with Amplified Om, and other local bands "Love-In"

November 3-4, 1967: Family Dog, 1601 West Evans Street, Denver, CO with Superfine Dandelion

November 10-11, 1967: Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA with The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield "Amazing Electric Wonders (aka Electric Wonders Dance)"

November 22, 1967: El Rancho Hotel, Sacramento, CA with John Rosasco Quartet

November 23, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter Street at Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Big Brother and The Holding Company, Mt. Rushmore, Lights by Diogenes Lantern Works

November 26 or 27 or 28 or 29, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Sopwith Camel, All Men Joy, Just Six, Gut, The Breed, and others  "Vox-In sound workshop"

November 30 and December 1-2, 1967: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA with Clear Light, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lights by Holy See

December 5-10, 1967: Whisky A Go Go, 8901 Sunset Boulevard At Clark, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA with Them (6-10)

December 9, 1967: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA with Buffalo Springfield, The Collectors, The United States Of America, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Dick Gregory, Firesign Theatre "KPFK Benefit Concert"

December 15, 1967: Shrine Exposition Hall, 665 W. Jefferson Street, Los Angeles, CA with Country Joe And The Fish, Moby Grape, Lights by Thomas Edison

December 21-23, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Soul Survivors, Siegal Schwall

December 28-31, 1967: Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with Jim Kweskin Jug Band (28-30), Country Joe And The Fish (28-31), Lee Michaels (28-31), Flamin' Groovies (31), Mt. Rushmore (31), Mad River (31)

January 7, 1968: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Mad River, Mt. Rushmore, The Committee, Loading Zone, Phil Ochs "Stop The Draft Week"

January 12-13, 1968: Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA with Big Brother And The Holding Company, Mint Tattoo, Lights by Thomas Edison
The shows were recorded.

January 12-13, 1968: Retinal Circus, 1024 Davie At Burrard, Vancouver, BC, Canada (cancelled - only appears on a handbill that states: "And if we are still in business - coming in January")

February 2, 1968: L.A. Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA with Steppenwolf, Nina Simone, Dr. Spock, James Foreman, Simon Casady, The Collage, Peter Tork of The Monkees "Mass Rally"

February 6-8, 1968: Straight Theater, 1702 Haight Street At Cole, Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA with War of the Buttons (movie), Cosmic Man (movie), Lights by Dr. P.H. Martin's Magic Medicine Show

February 8, 1968: Freeborn Hall, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA

February 10, 1968: 'American Bandstand', ABC TV Show, Los Angeles, CA with Joe Tex (broadcast date)
The band lip-synched 'Summertime Blues'. 

February 10, 1968: Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA with Soft Machine, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Electric Flag, Lights by Thomas Edison

February 16-17, 1968: Crystal Ballroom, 1332 West Burnside at N.W. 14th Avenue, Portland, OR with Nazzare Blues Band

February 21, 1968: San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, CA with Sagittarious, The Who
The show was recorded.

February 23-25, 1968: Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, HI with The Hedge, Indian Head Band and others local bands

February 28, 1968: Freeborn Hall, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA

March 1-2, 1968: Cheetah, 1 Navy Street, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA with Music Machine (1-2), Mug Wumps (1), Paul Butterfield Blues Band (2)

March 5-6, 1968: Family Dog, 1601 West Evans Street, Denver, CO
One of the shows was recorded.

March 8, 1968: Sacramento State University, Davis, CA

March 10, 1968: Avalon Ballroom, Sutter Street At Van Ness, San Francisco, CA with The Congress Of Wonders, The Sons Of Champlin, Lights by Jerry Abram's Headlights 

March 13, 1968: Selland Arena, Fresno, CA with Cream

March 14, 1968: Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA with Traffic, H.P. Lovecraft, Lights by Holy See

March 15, 1968: Winterland, Steiner Street At Post Street, San Francisco, CA with Traffic, H.P. Lovecraft, Lights by Holy See

March 16, 1968: Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Nazz (aka Alice Cooper)

March 18, 1968: back of a flatbed truck parked outside KMPX-FM radio station, 50 Green Street, San Francisco, CA with Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Ace Of Cups (cancelled) "KMPX Strike Rally" (Blue Cheer cancelled)
Creedence Clearwater Revival played at 3:05am, followed by the Grateful Dead who played but only briefly because residents up the hill complained about the noise so the police arrived and ordered the crowd to disperse (so The Ace Of Cups and Blue Cheer finally didn't play).  

March 19, 1968: 'The Steve Allen Show', NBC TV Show, Los Angeles, CA (filming date)
The band perform: 'Summertime Blues' and 'Out Of Focus'.

March 20, 1968: Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA with Kaleidoscope, Grateful Dead, Jeremy Steig and The Satyrs, Charlie Musselwhite Southside Sound System, Santana Blues Band, Clover, Frumious Bandersnatch, Creedence Clearwater Revival (cancelled), All Men Joy (cancelled), Black Swan (cancelled), Ace Of Cups (cancelled) "KMPX Strike Fund Benefit"

March 29, 1968: Selland Arena, Fresno, CA with Eric Burdon and The Animals

March 30, 1968 : Exhibit Building, Phoenix Fairgrounds, Phoenix, AZ with Eric Burdon and The Animals

March 1968 (?): San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA with The Rascals (cancelled), Ray Stevens, American Breed

April 5, 1968: Eagles Auditorium, Seattle, WA with Fat Jack, Lights by Retina Circus

April 6, 1968: Community Concourse, San Diego, CA with Jello's Gas Band

April 7, 1968: Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA with Steppenwolf, Cactus, The Drift

April 9, 1968: Sun Air Drive-In (movie theater), 68050 Highway 111, Cathedral City, outside Palm Springs, CA with Eric Burdon and The Animals, Sweetwater, The Collectors, Dirty Blues Band, Lights by Picadilly Light Show "Palm Springs Pop Festival"

April 11, 1968: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA with Electric Flag, Steppenwolf "Teen Time USA"

April 13, 1968 Utah State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, UT with Clear Light, Lights by Jerry Abrams Headlights

April 16, 1968: Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN (cancelled?)

April 18, 1968: Boston Tea Party, Boston, MA with Cloud
Blue Cheer filling in for B.B. King.

April 19, 1968: Stardust Lane Ballroom, 35 West Galena, Aurora, IL

April 19 or 20, 1968: Kinetic Playground, Chicago, IL with The Velvet Underground Blue Cheer were not advertised but an eye witness remember them as opening act one of these two nights (probabily on April 20).  

April 20, 1968: Niles Township High School - West Division, Oakton at Edens Expressway, Skokie, IL

April 21, 1968: Ibew Auditorium, 5241 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL

April ??, 1968: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA

April 25, 1968: Palace Theatre or Allen Theater, Cleveland, OH with Traffic, The Yardbirds

April 26-27, 1968: Fillmore East, 105 2nd Avenue, New York City, NY with Traffic, Iron Butterfly

May 2 or 3, 1968: Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA "Be-In" (free afternoon concert)

May 3-5, 1968: Electric Factory, 2201 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA with Elizabeth, Henry Crowdog, Apache Medicine Man (aka Apache Medicine Healer)

May 4, 1968: 'Upbeat', WEWS Channel 5, WUAB-TV Studios, Cleveland, OH with The Yardbirds, The Fireballs, Bob Francis, Bobby Goldboro, Harumi, The Human Beinz, The McCoys, The Outsiders, Freddie Scott, The Short Kuts, Sly and the Family Stone, The Velvet Underground, Mary Wells, Kim Weston (broadcast date)
The band perform: 'Summertime Blues'.

May 9, 1968: Boston Tea Party, 53 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA with Quill, Lights by The Road

May 10-12, 1968: The Action House, Island Park, Long Island, NY

May 11, 1968: Williams Arena, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN with The Castaways, Herb Alpert

May 18, 1968 Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, FL with Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mothers of Invention, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, John Lee Hooker, The Crowd, The Bangals "Miami Pop Festival"
Marshall Brevitz and Michael Lang, the owner of Coconut Grove's first head shop, put together the Miami Pop Festival at a horse racing track (Gulfstream Park) in nearby Hallandale. Criteria Studios in Miami helped put the sound system together, as they had for Thee Image. The show was a financial disaster, mainly due to bad weather, and the second day (May 19) was canceled altogether. Hendrix, Zappa and many other unoccupied musicians spent the day jamming in a bar. Lang went on to organize Woodstock. Blue Cheer performance was filmed but with no sound.

May 25, 1968: Love Street, Houston, TX with Bubble Puppy

May 25, 1968: Fillmore East, 105 2nd Avenue, New York City, NY with Country Joe And The Fish, Pigmeat Markham

June 13, 1968: Kaleidoscope and The Holding Co., 519 West Zane Street, Louisville, KY with The Waters, The Ginger People, The Oxfords

June 14, 1968: Indiana Beach (amusement park), Monticello, IN

June 15, 1968: Rumpus Room, Belvidere, IL

June 15, 1968: 'Upbeat', WEWS Channel 5, WUAB-TV Studios, Cleveland, OH with Helen Aberth, The American Breed, Ronnie Dante, Jay and the Techniques, Robert John, The Robbs, Sly and the Family Stone, Steppenwolf, Billy Vera (broadcast date)

June 21-23, 1968: Grande Ballrom, 8952 Grand River At Beverly, 1 Block South Of Joy Road, Detroit, MI with Jagged Edge (21), Soul Remains (21-22), Nature's Children (22), MC5 (23), Psychedelic Stooges (23)

June 24, 1968: Illinois Fairgrounds, Joliet, IL (Blue Cheer cancelled and Jokers Wild filled in for them)

June 28-30, 1968: Electric Theatre, 4812 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL with Hello People

Summer 1968: Concord Coliseum, 1825 Salvio Street, Concord, CA

July 5-6, 1968: Eagles Auditorium, Seattle, WA

July 12-14, 1968: Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA with Ike & Tina Turner, Freddie King

July 13, 1968: 'Upbeat', WEWS Channel 5, WUAB-TV Studios, Cleveland, OH with Freddie Cannon, The Fireballs, The Happenings, The Hello People, The Hombres, The Lemon Pipers, Porgy & The Monarchs, O.C. Smith (broadcast date)

July 19, 1968: unknown venue, Denver, CO

July 20, 1968: Patio Gardens, Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington, UT with Big Brother and The Holding Company

July 26-27, 1968: Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA with Jeff Beck Group, Pink Floyd

August 3, 1968: Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA with Jeff Beck Group, Charles Lloyd, Big Mama Thornton, Steve Miller Band, Lights by Single Wing Turquoise Bird Light Show

August 4, 1968: Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA with Grateful Dead, Eric Burdon And The Animals (possible day 3), Jefferson Airplane, Iron Butterfly, The Byrds, Things To Come, Illinois Speed Press, Quicksilver Messenger Service "First Annual Newport Pop Festival"

August 9-11, 1968: Eagles Auditorium, Seattle, WA with Pink Floyd

August 13-15, 1968: Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA with The Byrds, Steve Miller Band, West, Stefan Ponek (MC), Lights by Diogenes Lantern Works

August 17, 1968: 'Upbeat', WEWS Channel 5, WUAB-TV Studios, Cleveland, OH with The Amboy Dukes, Hank Ballard, Jerry Butler, Eternity's Children, The Flavor, The New Colony Six, The Ohio Express, The Sunshine Company (broadcast date in Ohio, while in California it was broadcasted on August 25)

August 30, 1968: Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, AZ with The Who

September 1968: Sacramento Memorial Stadium, Sacramento, CA with The Young Rascals
Leigh Stephens' last gig with the band.


BLUE CHEER #6 (SEPT 1968 - JAN or FEB 1969)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Paul Whaley
3) Randy Holden vocals, lead guitar


September 2? or October ?, 1968: basketball court, unknown high school, Eugene, OR
Randy Holden's first gig with the band

October 5, 1968: Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, AZ with Iron Butterfly, Sweetwater, The Standells, The Byrds

October 11, 1968 Thee Image, Miami, FL

October 15, 1968: Blaises Club, London, England

October 16, 1968: Middle Earth, The Club House, Richmond Athletic Club, Richmond, London, England

October 18, 1968: 'How It Is', BBC TV Show, London, England (filming date)

October 19, 1968: 'Upbeat', WEWS Channel 5, WUAB-TV Studios, Cleveland, OH with The Box Tops, Johnny Cash, Wayne Cochran and his C.C. Riders, Jackie De Shannon, The Delfonics, Neil Diamond, The Grass Roots, Al Hirt, Tommy James and the Shondells, Johnny Nash, The 1910 Fruit Gum Company, The Outsiders, The T.I.M.E. Unit, Bobby Vee, Clarence Carter, Shipley and Brewer, Carla Thomas, Charlie and Inez Foxx, Junior Parker, Autry Inman (broadcast date)

October 19, 1968: Middle Earth, Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England with Middle Earth Symphony Orchestra

October ??, 1968: 'Beat Club', TV Show, Bremen, West Germany with The Easybeats, Spooky Tooth, Family Dogg (filming date......the episode was broadcasted on November 16)
The band lip-synched 'Summertime Blues'.

October 25, 1968: start of the Holland tour

October 30, 1968: Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark

October 31, 1968: Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden

November ?, 1968: Sarasota National Guard Armory, Sarasota, FL

November 8-9, 1968: Psychedelic Supermarket, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA

November 21, 1968: Grande Ballroom, 8952 Grand River At Beverly, 1 Block South Of Joy Road, Detroit, MI with The Stooges

November 22, 1968: Aragon Ballroom, 1106 Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL with Jefferson Airplane, Fraternity of Man

November 22-23, 1968: Kinetic Playground, 4812 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL with Creedence Clearwater Revival

November 27, 1968: The New Place, Chicago, IL

November 2? or December ?, 1968: 'Come Alive', TV Show, Pittsburgh, PA (filming date)
The band perform 'The Hunter'.

December 8, 1968: New City Opera House, Minneapolis, MN with Happy Dayz, White Lightning

December 22, 1968: Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA with Jose Feliciano, Righteous Brothers, The Box Tops, Canned Heat, Three Dog Night  "L.A. Pop Festival"

December 26, 1968: Cow Palace, Daily City, CA with Santana, Canned Heat, Steppenwolf, The New Buffalo Springfield, The Spencer Davis Group, Three Dog Night, The Electric Prunes, Flaming Groovies, Tender Loving Care "KYA Presents The San Francisco Holiday Rock Festival"

December 27, 1968: Sound Factory, Sacramento, CA with Allmen Joy, Lights by The Light Brigade

unknown date, 1968: Danceland, West View Park, Pittsburgh, PA

unknown date, 1968: The Catacombs, Houston, TX

unknown date, 1968: Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, TX

unknown date, 1968: The Cellar, Chicago, IL

unknown date, 1968: unknown venue, Aurora, IL

unknown date, 1968: City Auditorium, Colorado Springs, CO

unknown date, 1968: 'The Joe Pyne Show', US TV Show

unknown date, 1968: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

January 11, 1969: 'Upbeat', WEWS Channel 5, WUAB-TV Studios, Cleveland, OH with Archie Bell and the Drells, John Fred and His Playboy Band, Brian Hyland, The Ohio Express, Jeannie C. Riley, Jimmy Damon, The Free Design, Bob Seger System, Young-Holt Unlimited, and The Young Turks (broadcast date)
Blue Cheer performed 'Summertime Blues' and/or 'Just A Little Bit.' 

January 12-13, 1969: Retinal Circus, Vancouver, BC, Canada (cancelled because the venue closed)

January 25, 1969: Kiel Opera House, 1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO with Kaleidoscope, Mt. Rushmore

Late January or Early February 1969: unknown venue, Stockton, CA
Randy Holden's last gig with the band.


BLUE CHEER #7 (JAN or FEB 1969 - ca. OCT 1969)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Paul Whaley
3 Bruce Stephens vocals, lead guitar
4) Raph 'Burns' Kellogg bass, keyboards


February 19-23, 1969: Whisky A Go Go, 8901 Sunset Boulevard At Clark, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA with Linda Ronstadt, Alice Cooper
Blue Cheer was booked for these dates but cancelled.

February 23-25, 1969: Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, HI

March 2, 1969: 'The Steve Allen Show', NBC TV Show, Long Beach, CA (broadcast date)

March 2?, 1969: unknown venue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

June 7, 1969: Kelker Junctin, Colorado Springs, CO

July 4, 1969: unknown venue, Lewiston, ID (cancelled)

July 19, 1969: Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL with Jefferson Airplane, Hello People

September 8, 1969: 'The San Francisco Sound', US TV Special, Fremont, CA with Buffalo Springfield, Richie Havens, Electric Flag (broadcast date)


BLUE CHEER #8 (ca. OCT 1969 - FEB 22, 1970)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Bruce Stephens
3) Ralph 'Burns' Kellogg
4) Norman 'Norm' Mayell drums, vocals, guitar, bass, sitar, delruba, percussion


February 18-22, 1970: Whisky A Go Go, 8901 Sunset Boulevard At Clark, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA with Bangor Flying Circus


BLUE CHEER #9 (FEB 23, 1970 - SUMMER 1970)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Ralph 'Burns' Kellogg
3) Norman Mayell
4) Gary Lee Yoder vocals, lead guitar


March 12, 1970: Panther Hall, Fort Worth, TX with Johnny Winter

April 4, 1970: Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, HI with Spirit

May 1-2, 1970: Warehouse, New Orleans, LO with Buddy Miles Express

May 8-9, 1970: Eastown Theatre, 8041 Harper Avenue Detroit, MI with Troyka, John Drake's Shakedown

May 10, 1970: Grandmother's, Lansing, MI with Teegarden & Van Winkle, Coven

unknown date, 1970: Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, HI with Spirit


BLUE CHEER #10 (SUMMER 1970 - FEB 1971 (?))
1) Ralph Kellogg
2) Norman Mayell
3) Gary Lee Yoder


July 18, 1970 Terrace Ballroom, Salt Lake City, UT with Love, Fever Tree
The band was scheduled on the poster but was finally replaced by Blue Mountain Eagle.

August ?, 1970: unknown venue, Jacksonville, FL

September 15, 1972: Memorial Hall, Kansas City, KA with Spirit (?????)


BLUE CHEER #11 (1974)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Jerre Peterson
3) Ruben De Fuentes guitar
4) Terry Rae drums


BLUE CHEER #12 (1974 - 1975)
1) Jerre Peterson
2) Ruben De Fuentes
3) Terry Rae
4) Nick St. Nicholas vocals, bass


BLUE CHEER #13 (1978 - 1979)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Tony Rainier guitar
3) Mike Fleck drums


BLUE CHEER #14 (1984 - 1985)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Paul Whaley
3) Tony Rainier


BLUE CHEER #15 (1985 - 1987)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Tony Rainier
3) Brent Harknett drums
+
4) Tonka Bell vocals (she sang with them only in 1985 and only for a few rehearsals)


BLUE CHEER #16 (1987)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Tony Rainier
3) Billy Carmassi drums


BLUE CHEER #17 (1987 - 1988)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Ruben De Fuentes
3) Eric Davis drums


BLUE CHEER #18 (1988 - 1989)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Andrew 'Duck' MacDonald vocals, guitar
3) Dave Salce drums


BLUE CHEER #19 (1989 - 1990)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Paul Whaley
3) Andrew MacDonald


BLUE CHEER #20 (1990 - JAN 22, 1993)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Paul Whaley
3) Dieter Saller guitar, percussion


June 22, 1991: Grosse Freiheit 36, Hamburg, Germany with The Honx

April 19, 1992: Grosse Freiheit 36, Hamburg, Germany with Mountain


BLUE CHEER #21 (JAN 23, 1993 - MAR 1?, 1993)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Dieter Saller
3) Gary Holland drums


February 4, 1993: unknown venue, Heidelberg, Germany
Gary Holland's first gig with the band.

February ?, 1993: unknown venue, Essen, Germany
The show was recorded and videotaped.

February ?, 1993: unknown venue, Schweinfurt, Germany

February ?, 1993: unknown venue, Regensburg, Germany

February ?, 1993: unknown venue, Hildesheim, Germany

February ?, 1993: unknown venue, Hannover, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Karlsruhe, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Bonn, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Reutlingen, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Wuppertal, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Berlin, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Hamburg, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Luebeck, Germany

February ??, 1993: unknown venue, Cologne, Germany

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Bern, Switzerland

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Zurich, Switzerland

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Vienna, Austria

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Salzburg, Austria

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Enschede, Holland

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Vigo, Spain

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Madrid, Spain

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Barcelona, Spain

February or March 1993: unknown venue, San Sebastian, Spain

February or March 1993: unknown venue, Burgos, Spain


BLUE CHEER #22 (1998 - OCT 12, 2009)
1) Dickie Peterson
2) Paul Whaley
3) Andrew MacDonald
+
4) Joe Hasselvander drums (he played with them for only a couple of shows in New Hampshire in 2004)


October 10, 1988: Ruhrersaal, Numberg, Germany

February ??, 1999: unknown venue, Tokyo, Japan

February ??, 1999: unknown venue, Osaka, Japan

February 18, 2009: Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO with Country Joe "celebrating the grand opening of the Denver Art Museum exhibit of 60s San Francisco poster art called “Are you Experienced?" (cancelled)

31 comments:

  1. This is a great start on a mysterious subject. I had thought that Blue Cheer had played a few Matrix gigs as early as the end of 1966, but I can't find any proof of that.

    According to my notes, the harmonica player was named Jerry Whiting and the organ player was Vale Hamanaka. Vale went on to sort of culty fame as the editor of the Re/Search fanzines from the 80s and 90s.

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  2. Oh thanks as always Corry!!!!....I update my Blue Cheer Family Tree with this information now.

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  3. I would have to dig them out but we do have a pretty comprehensive list of Blue Cheer shows somewhere. One thing I am pretty sure about is that Blue Cheer did not play the July 18, 1968 Terrace Ballroom, Salt Lake City, UT with Love, Fever Tree and that they were replaced by Alice Cooper.

    Another show would be February 14, 1967 at the Fillmore Auditorium with Quicksilver Messenger Service, Blue Cheer, Dino Valente, Chip Crosby (David's Brother), Buman Being, Bill Boone, W.M. Flatly, Don Lewis, Mother Kali and Invisible 3rd.

    Corry will no doubt recall better that I do but he and Colin were working on a Blue Cheer list about a year ago and we all dug up some additional shows.

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  4. July 20, 1968: Lagoon Opera House, Ogden, UT Big Brother and The Holding Company, Blue Cheer (the Lagoon was about half way between Ogden and Salt Lake City)

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  5. October 27, 1968: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA with Canned Heat, Chambers Brothers, Grassroots, Deep Purple, Loading Zone, Womb, Spyders "San Francisco International Pop Festival" I WAS THERE BOTH DAYS....ON THE BILL AS WELL...Jose Feliciano, Aum, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Johnny Rivers, Rejoice, Iron Butterfly. (I do NOT recall SPYDERS being there)

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  6. DukeoftheDiscs,

    First of all thanks for sharing your memories with me!. My source for this festival is the article appeared on the San Mateo's The Times newspaper (Friday, October 25, 1968 edition), where the exact bill for both days was:

    Saturday, October 26, 1968: Johnny Rivers, Jose Feliciano, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Iron Butterfly, Fraternity Of Man, Buddy Miles Express, Rejoice, Lee Michaels, Mad River

    Sunday, October 27, 1968: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Canned Heat, Chambers Brothers, Grass Roots, Deep Purple, Loading Zone, Womb, Spyders

    I don't know if all this bands listed above finally played or not at this festival, so maybe you're right about Spyders finally did not appeared. About Aum, they not listed on the above newspaper so maybe this band was a last minute added and you remember when they played? first or second day?

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  7. I played drums for BC for one Euro tour in 1993. The show in Essen, Germany was recorded and videotaped by a crew that was given permission to do so by manager, Roland Hofmann. The band members were also interviewed pre-show. As Mr. Hofmann has been unable to recollect exactly who it was he permitted to tape the show, I have been waiting all these years for the footage to surface. Eventually, I believe it will. I would love to obtain a copy for my own personal archives. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Gary Holland/throwwood@yahoo.com

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  8. I think Dickie told me they played at Golden Gate Park in Sept. of 67 at the memorial for Chocolate George along with the Dead and Big Brother. This would have been around the end of Sept. of 67. RIP Dickie and Chocolate......

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  9. Blue Cheer #6 (with Randy Holden) played a date in St Louis, I think at the Kiel Opera House. They were the headliners along with Mount Rushmore and Kaleidescope. This is my best recollection. I was at that concert but don't know the date. When I attended, I wasn't aware that Leigh Stephens was no longer with the group and was disappointed to see a different guitarist that I knew nothing about. You show BC #6 as touring in 1968-69 & that conforms to what I remember. I was hoping to find the exact date.

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    1. Thanks Gil! Added! I hope you can find the exact date.

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  10. Hi, the correct name for BC #15's drummer is Brent Harknett. His name was misspelled a couple of times in the mid-80's music press (I saw it as Brett Hartmeare once) and the incorrect spellings live on. Thank you for creating this page; very informative and helpful.

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  11. Didn't Blue Cheer Play Monterey Pop Festival June 16-18 1967?I thought that was the event that they decided to go trio after seeing Jimi Hendrix.This has been reported in many bios about Blue Cheer true or not.In any event they were there,whether as audience members or performers.

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    1. Blue Cheer did not play at Monterey, but maybe they were there in the audience, I do not know, I should ask to my friend and founding member of the band Leigh Stephens about that.....

      Cheers,
      Bruno

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    2. Paul Whaley and Dckie Peterson did attend the Monterey festival but were never scheduled to play the event . Shortly afterwards however Paul with his #1 influence on the band decided to then become a trio-................

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  12. About the night Whiting and Hamanaka were fired, I heard (read) two different stories from Dickie and Leigh. Dickie said (interview on tape) that the 3 of them (his brother wasn't in on it? maybe that's why Jerre quit) planned to stop playing at a certain spot in a certain song (title not specified) and that only they would know. Then when they stopped playing, he said the 2 fakers were exposed (I assume then Jerre was the only one still playing in the silence?). How can a vocalist (Whiting) fake singing in a live performance? Not sure of that.
    Leigh (when asked through his manager) about that incident replied [in effect] After the gig they listened to the live tape that had been recorded and it seemed that half the band was playing one song and the others playing another. This seems to be different (maybe a different incident?) but Leigh didn't seem to validate Dickie's claim. Can anyone reconcile these two stories?

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  13. The San Francisco Sunshine Company filmed a three day pilot of "the real Ballroom scene" on August 13,14 and 15 1968 at the Avalon Ballroom.It featured the Byrds,Steve Miller Band and Blue Cheer.Posters and handbills are still around to verify this event.Did you know about this and does any footage survive from this filming.

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    1. Hi Doug!

      Yes, you're right, I know these shows, although there is some doubt as to whether these performances actually take place, as they are not part of promoter Chet Helms and his Family Dog's regular concert series.

      Cheers,
      Bruno

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    2. They took place all right!I was there for (I know of)the Steve Miller episode.I remember many re-takes and Steve not being too happy to be there!There has to be others that attended these shows!!!!!!

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    3. they took place? really? great, thanks Doug!!!

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  14. Did the 7/11/68 show at the Shrine happen? I have seen the famous poster from it, but have never heard any tapes of the Deads set.

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  15. It would be lovrly to connect with Eric my mum did somr backing vocals here back years ago on here xx

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  16. Blue Cheer played in Peoria, Illinois according to Dickie and people that saw them in the area. Unfortunately, I can't find a date. One person claimed that the only advertisement was handbills and I have yet to find one:( Anyone know any details about this 1968 performance?

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  17. Amazing Page sir! The New Hampshire gigs were at a club called The Broken Spoke Saloon, at the Laconia biker rally in Laconia New Hampshire. I can’t remember the year now, but the band played two nights. Outside in a tent, it was filmed. The footage was scrapped because an annoying kid roadie kept standing too close to the stage. That kid was me. Joe Hasselvander played those gigs. Joe also played half a year later at a gig in a Sports bar in Fredrick Maryland with a Internal Void as the opening act. Joes playing captured the essence of Paul’s 1968 drumming to a perfect diabolical science.

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  18. Joe also sat in with the band for one song during their tour for What Doesn’t Kill you. This was in Brookline Massachetts, I cant recall the venue. I was Joes drum tech, and orphan tagalong, I was at all the gigs he did with Blue Cheer. I was a super enthusiastic young kid who probably annoyed all the older cats, but looking back they were so patient and amazing, especially Dickie whom I once made a grilled cheese sandwich for. Which upset the other members of the band and crew.

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  19. I was told by an extremely reliable source that they saw Blue Cheer perform outside on a flatbed trailer at Heidelberg College in Ohio. Probably sometime in 1968 and probably in the time frame they were doing the Upbeat shows, as Cleveland isn't that far away. They couldn't believe the wall of Marshall amps and said the ground shook.

    A footnote- Years ago I read a very similar account on the early Internet. A guy in California was a teenager and I think out with his Mom and said as they went past a beach area there was a huge roaring sound. He got his Mom to take him back to the beach and there was a band set up on a flatbed trailer. They were thunderously loud and the only reason he knew it was Blue Cheer was a big banner across the front of the trailer with their name on it. He also said the ground shook..

    And one more-I know a guy that lived in Haight Ashbury in 1968 and he said they played at the Haight Ashbury Street Fair.

    I heard in those days,at the time, they played a lot of colleges, so that's something you may look into.

    I saw them play "Summertime Blues" on Upbeat .....I'd never heard of them. The host, Don Webster said," And after a word from our sponsors, Blue Cheer!" For some reason, I thought it was going to be a girl group, like The Ronettes or something. I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd never heard anything that heavy, wild and outrageous and had never saw men with hair that long and dressed that way. These were real, in your face, San Francisco Hippie Acidheads.Everything about them screamed LSD unrepentantly.

    I almost think that clip was live, not lip sync, and it seemed to be in black and white not color. They had huge heads of hair, lots of beads around their necks and it seems like a couple of them were wearing denim jackets. They played like maniacs and looked really serious......I was hooked and have been a lifelong fan ever since......I hope this helps and I'll keep my eyes open for other info for you?!

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  20. I dearly love Blue Cheer and have since around '68 when I was in Jr. High and my band learned some of their songs. I wonder if anywhere anyone has an accurate version written down of the correct lyrics of the songs?

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