(editor’s note – Joe Cocker was originally scheduled as the opener, but was replaced by Livingston Taylor)
A SPAC tidal wave swamps the rock
by Dennis Law, The Knickerbocker News, July 7, 1975
It happens frequently at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) rock acts. Those people not possessing
tickets storm the front aisles when the main act opens.
At other times I’ve attended, they’ve been repulsed or asked to leave the aisles.
But at Sunday night’s Dave Mason-Livingston Taylor concert, the kids came down the stage-left aisle and stayed. And instead of sitting down, as they usually do, they stood up.
That caused a chain reaction where those in the seats, in order to see, had to either stand or at least perch on the backs of their seats.
After about 20 minutes (and I still hadn’t seen Mason yet) I gave up the seat and walked to the back of the pavilion. The seats, of course, were gobbled up quickly by two girls who had been standing beside me.
SPAC officials could not be reached for comment after the concert as to what the procedure is in keeping persons out of the aisles.
It should be noted that two ushers tried to come in and break the crowd up. They managed to cut the tail off the long line, but the standing continued.
Taylor was a fine opening act, when you could hear him over fireworks being set off. He tried to start a story about a country and Western singer, but firecrackers drowned him out.
He did a fine version of “Carolina Day,” “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” and an old Drifters tune, “Up on the Roof.”
Then Mason came out, and the surge began.
After giving up my seat, I found out something that those who now stood in the aisles must have realized: It’s not much fun watching a good concert on your feet.
Syracuse Herald-Journal, July 4, 1975
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