Musicians In Absentia At The Spa
The Times Record, June 30, 1973
Music fans at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center last night were treated to unexpected guest stars on the first half of the program — people like Stevie Wonder and Bette Midler.
The only problem was the stars were all on records.
Curtis Mayfield, who was scheduled to precede Blood, Sweat and Tears on the program, did not show up.
His band was there, but his manager announced Mayfield was grounded by weather in Chicago.
In his absence, after the records, a local guitarist and folk singer entertained briefly and then Blood, Sweat and Tears came on for a short set. After an intermission, it was announced the Mayfield band would play — without Mayfield.
Using the band’s bass player as a stand-in vocalist, Mayfield’s group did a first-rate job of entertaining in the leader’s absence, doing such familiar favor¡tes as “Superfly” and “Freddie’s Dead.”
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