The Band @ Watkins Glen "Too Wet To Work/Jam"

Two of the only known real soundboard clips from The Band's 1973 Watkins Glen festival show that had a massive storm blow-in mid concert and forced the group off the stage. Levon Helm describes this event in his book, "This Wheel's On Fire".

Garth could still play as his section of the stage was reasonably protected and still had safe power, so while the storm raged he played a crazy little organ jam that "controlled the elements", so to speak and cleared up the storm. Shortly after, the group came back on stage and continued the concert with a nice little jam, also included here.

Photos are from Watkins Glen and the event posters; the color shot of the band onstage is from the Roosevelt show held within that same two-week period.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• the
• band
• levon
• helm
• garth
• hudson
• robbie
• robertson

[bluesman341]

@88888Rob---I just checked it out--we thought the guy had flares attached to his feet--Google said he jumped from the plane with a lit stick of dynamite to drop in the field ---it said he failed to realize that the dynamite would travel at the same speed as he was falling--it blew up blowing him into little pieces--!!! wow that sucks---aerial dynamics 101---

[bluesman341]

@88888Rob---He went right over our heads--we were on acid-everyone in the immediate area was clapping--Maybe I can find the story on You tube--bummer.. But we had a great time --we drove up from Boston in 3 car loads--You never hear much mention made of it--it was huge---i heard 750,000 peeps roughly--windowwwwww pane. :)

[88888Rob]

@jerseygirl1125 Yeah it was real hot during the Grateful Dead set--then it rained and cooled everything off. Amazing day and amazing jam at the end. .

[88888Rob]

@bluesman341 I remember the parachute guy but not the fire---but hey-that was quite the day/night!

[groovegoon88]

Drove down from Toronto on an acid bender. I’ll never forget crossing the border with a pic of Richard Nixon melting on the wall in customs (The Shape I’m In) they let us through because they couldn’t find any illicit materials. Truly epic one day event with three of the most amazing bands, all of which I can still actually listen to and still enjoy. That remains a day that shaped my musical tastes forever. I’d love to see something of that importance again, but I’d loose tha acid.

[bumchef1]

I was there right in front it was an awesome show

[Dannyfrenchsfp]

is this the show where levon went to sing and he got shocked and went blind for the whole song?haha

[gvcjeff]

I was there with friends where we aquired a picnic table,so we were out of the mud somewhat. 600'000 was alot of people. More than Woodstock! Still have the t-shirt.

[VWKILLERS]

My uncle was at that show. He claims that he slept through the Dead. I didn't ask what really happened.

[philipsturnerbooks]

I was there that long wet weekend at Watkins Glen. Love this tape of the rain jam. Thanks for posting.