Faces - San Bernadino, California[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1975]

In March of 1975, Faces were on the first leg of what would be their final tour of the United States. Their previous tour and resulting live record "Coast to Coast" had been criticized somewhat for not being completely together, and on this final tour the band were wanting to set the record straight. When introducing new bass player Tetsu Yamauchi, Rod credits him as "making us all play better". While this show maintains the loose party vibe they are known for, the performances are inspired and effortless. Rod is truly one of the best rock singers to ever front a band, and Faces were a fantastic band, no question.

This King Biscuit show first broadcast on 11 May 1975 features Faces recorded on 7 March 1975 at the Swing Auditorium on San Bernadino, California and comes complete with the original ads, including one for Lee "Europa Jean Suits", which couldn't have been anything other than a big mistake.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reels

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Average White Band - Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Kiss - Cleveland, Ohio[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1975]

This split King Biscuit show first broadcast on 9 November 1975 highlights both Average White Band and Kiss, and includes the original announcements and advertisements.

Average White Band was at the height of their popularity, touring in support of their 3rd record "Cut the Cake", and this performance captured at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on 16 September 1975 features their new drummer/legend Steve Ferrone. Original drummer Robbie MacIntosh had died suddenly a year previous, and the bands future was in question until Steve helped the band recover from their tragic loss and move forward.

Kiss had just released their breakthrough album "Kiss Alive", and the tracks recorded here at the Music Hall in Cleveland, Ohio on 21 June 1975 were taken from the same shows that were recorded for the official release. Not only did "Kiss Alive" save Kiss' career, it also saved their record label "Casablanca" which was on the verge of collapse.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reels

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Genesis - Hammersmith, London[British Biscuit 1976]

Spot the temp!

Recorded for the British Biscuit radio show for broadcast on 15 August 1976, this show was captured on 10 June 1976 at the Hammersmith Odeon during the band's debut shows in England with Phil Collins as lead singer. Bill Bruford adds his trademark drumming to this show, with plenty of contributions from Phil as well. This conversion includes the original announcements and advertisements.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reels

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Yes - Boston, Massachusetts[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1974]

Far from being slowed up by the departure of Rick Wakeman, Yes enlisted Patrick Moraz and went full speed ahead into the creation of "Relayer". Easily one of the most popular King Biscuit broadcasts, this show was recorded early in the "Relayer" tour when the band rolled into Boston. Compared to the meticulous, layered presentation of the studio versions, the album's tracks are presented in a much more physical fashion here. The show MVP award goes to Alan White, who is incredible from start to finish.

This performance was recorded at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on 11 December 1974 and first broadcast in SQ quadraphonic on the King Biscuit Flower Hour on 12 January 1975.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reel

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Jimmy Cliff - Chicago, Illinois[WXRT-FM 1978]

Jimmy Cliff was touring with the Roots Radic in support of his 12th album "Give Thanks" when they performed at Chicagos' Park West on 11 November 1978. They deliver a wonderfully gritty and powerful performance, with all the rough edges intact.

This broadcast from WXRT in Chicago has been heavily circulated over the years, yet one piece of information that got lost in the shuffle is that this show was mixed in compatible quadraphonic sound by broadcast legend Ken Rasek. This is the third mix of his to be featured on this blog, and hopefully not the last.
Source: 2015 FM broadcast

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Argent - Venue Uncertain[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1974]

In May of 1974, Argent was touring in support of "Nexus", their final album with Russ Ballard, who would leave the band shortly after the tour was finished. "Nexus" showed the band moving into longer songs and more adventurous arrangements. Bassist Jim Rodford and drummer Bob Henrit later went on to play with the Kinks. Russ Ballard enjoyed success as a solo artist and songwriter, while Rod Argent has been very busy in recent years with solo work as well as reunions with both Argent and The Zombies.

This performance was first broadcast in SQ quadraphonic on the King Biscuit Flower Hour on 11 August 1974 as part of a double bill with a Mott The Hoople performance. The KBFH documentation credits this performance to the Palace Theater in New York on 7 November 1973. However, the tracks featured are audibly identical to tracks that appeared on the "Encore: Live In Concert" album which is credited to have been recorded at three venues in the UK: the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, the City Hall in St Albans and the Top Rank in Swansea.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast CD

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Mott The Hoople - New York, New York[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1974]

Mott the Hoople were headlining when they toured across America in the spring of 1974, yet only a few months later Ian Hunter had left the band to work with Mick Ronson. The recordings in this broadcast were later used alongside recordings made in London for the "Live" album, which came out in November 1974 albeit with added recording and no quad mixes.

The performance was recorded on 9 May 1974 at the Uris Theater in New York City, and was first broadcast in SQ quadraphonic on the King Biscuit Flower Hour on 11 August 1974 as part of a double bill with an Argent performance.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast CD

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Gentle Giant - New York, New York[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1975]

This short 15 minute set captures Gentle Giant at their chaotic best. Their music is matched by one of the more unusual 4 channel mixes you will ever hear from a live broadcast. This mix bears almost no resemblance to the commercial CD release, which is stereo only. At the time of this show, Gentle Giant was touring in support of "The Power And The Glory".

The performance was recorded on 18 January 1975 at the Academy of Music in New York City, which despite it's impressive name was a former cinema built in 1927, and was first broadcast in SQ quadraphonic on the King Biscuit Flower Hour on 28 September 1975 as part of a double bill with an Aerosmith performance.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reels

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Graham Parker & The Rumour - Chicago, Illinois[WXRT-FM 1979]

"Live Sparks" was originally issued by Arista as a radio station promo LP to accompany "Squeezing Out Sparks" which was released in March 1979. The promo album featured tracks produced by WXRT Chicago and KSAN San Francisco. Although Graham Parker's official site indicates all the tracks were recorded recorded at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington on 24 June 1979, the CD insert states the WXRT produced tracks were recorded at the Park West, Chicago on 28 April 1979. In 1996, the recordings were included as bonus tracks on the CD re-issue with nine of the eleven tracks being SQ encoded.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded CD

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Chicago - Louisville, Kentucky[King Biscuit Flower Hour 1974]

In June of 1974, Chicago was touring in support of Chicago VII. Despite being a double album with a lot of adventurous, fusion based material, it was still hugely successful. They still had radio friendly singles, and had also established themselves as one of the top draws in America.

The performance was recorded on 12 June 1974 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky and was first broadcast in SQ quadraphonic on the King Biscuit Flower Hour on 27 October 1974. This conversion includes the original announcements and advertisements.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reels

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48

Genesis - Finsbury Park, London[British Biscuit 1977]

Spot the new guy!

Genesis' 1977 tour in support of their second post-Gabriel release was the last tour with guitarist Steve Hackett prior to his departure, and the first with Chester Thompson as their touring drummer. One of the most popular Genesis live recordings, it captures the band on the second night of their tour-opening three-night run at the historic Rainbow Theatre on 2 January 1977, and was broadcast in SQ quadraphonic under the British Biscuit banner on 20 March 1977. This conversion includes the original announcements and advertisements.
Source: Pre-FM SQ encoded broadcast reels

Converted to: DVD-A PCM 24/48