Missouri Western State University - Griffon Yearbook (St Joseph, MO)

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The concert of the By John lVlier Photos bv Craig Drath Kottke, the classical guitarist, iupper right? plays with the Missouri Theatre's classical architecture behind him. The front row crowd fright? was diverse-from a satisfied drinker to the author of this story, in his new concert hat. Billed as 'the concert of the year' by the College Center Board, Leo Kottke and Jimmie Spheeris did their best to make the build-up an understatement. Who are these guys? was the pre-concert ques- tion, and the answer was delayed for about twenty minutes while the Fire Inspector surveyed the decaying Missouri Theatre. No smoking-of anything, became the un- year heeded law, and then came the entertainment. Jimmy Spheeris, an FlVl cult figure, sometimes known as 'the male Carole King', started the show, with John- ny Pierce accompanying on the bass. It took several songs to warm up the mixed audience, consisting of Kottke cultists, rock 'n' rollers, basic hippie types, and other various entertainment starved people iincluding this writeri . . . But when he finally gained control, Spheeris was at his best. There's absolutely nothing to drink backstage, he said, and l'm really dry. Want a Bud? came a slurred response from the back. Finally, Spheeris received refreshment from a member of the audience: That's a real all-American boy. I ask for a drink, and he brings me a Pepsi. Leo Kottke, on the other

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f.-,--- A '55 73325 ffamgf TOM BRENNAN lp, ,, .-3, ,,iE,,, SX ' N ' 1 ll ' 1, 1 -,,-2,,Ll. -'fy 1' 71 Mn: ,. 'J -,QQQV 'L 15.15 - 5 ,V A ,- 'kf:5Q,...6,jA,-5,.,i fm.: qw-if RICK BERRY -.., '.4 2,-...,., , . .45 F .:. I I A Rathskellar disco, ftopl became a regular event by popular demand. The unromantic atmosphere of the cafeteria, llower leftl, didn't in- terrupt anyones' good time at the Sweetheart Dance. Valentines Day was really sweet for the Journalism Club as Diana Palmer llovver right? became the '78 Sweetheart Queen left to right-Vicki Lombardo, Palmer, Chandra Clum and Kim Eastin, not shown, Susan Roscoe. TOM BRENNAN

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Spheeris lbelowl accompanied by Johnny Pierce, brings a mellow tune to an emotional climax. Spheeris linsetl during a lighter moment. hand, was far from thirsty. And even if he had, he probably wouIdn't have been able to find a watering hole, or anything else for that matter. From the front row, Kottke appeared to have absolutely no comprehension of what was going on. The lights and flash bulbs irritated him for a while, but soon he was in too deep to be bothered by trivialities. Luckily, whatever he had taken, or experienced, to achieve this voided existence did not effect his fingers. No matter how far gone Kottke was, his fingers stayed close to what they are famous for: masterful speed and precision. A magician with the twelve-string guitar as well as the classical, Kottke gave his fans what they wanted. There was a mixed reac- tion from the rest of the audience, but as previously mentioned, it was a mixed audience. So far, direct mention to the music presented at the concert has been tactfully avoided, and this practice will be continued. Words cannot describe, with any justice, the music of Jimmy Spheeris or Leo Kottke. Everyone knows that-at least everyone that attended the concert of the year.