Back in the Day

I was talking to a very good musician friend of mine and we were discussing how "rockin" the bands were back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. I can remember the band stages were just stacked with high powered amps like the Vox Super Beatles, Fender Dual Showmans, Sunns and many others too many to mention. The atmosphere and the buzz before the concert were just incredible before the show! It was intensely electric! I can remember when I first saw the "Yardbirds". Jimmy Page was playing bass guitar and Jeff Beck was on lead guitar. The sound and their cord structures were almost from another world it seemed, and so loud and full that it took you to another place. I can remember that I was only 15 feet away from the band when they were onstage and I could feel the energy before it started to explode. In those days, the national bands would play at various pavilions and these venues were usually on a lake, so if you came early or knew the promoter you could maybe get a good spot for the show, and if you were lucky you might be able to meet the band after the show. "The Yardbirds" were always one of my favorite bands back in the day. Little did I know then that Jimmy Page would form and play guitar for "Led Zeppelin"! I just loved the intense volume and tightness of this rockin band. I think that if my memory serves me correct the amps were tube amplifiers creating that famous British sound that we all loved. I have always been intrigued about how the great guitarists got their signature sounds. Jeff Beck was unbelievable back in those days as he still is today. My friend was able to meet him that night and the band told him that they would be playing in Michigan in a couple of weeks so we knew where we were going. When we arrived at the club that they were performing at  in Ann Arbor, Michigan we were surprised that Jeff had left the band and Jimmy Page was playing lead guitar! Wow! is all that I could say when he started "Train Kept Rollin"! It was absolutely magical the way he played guitar back in the day....I invite all of your comments..thanks!