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

Page 29 text:

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.

Page 28 text:

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

Page 30 text:

Just regular folk Sitting here, staring at a blank sheet of paper. l can't think of much to say about Judy Carter's visit to the campus on Tuesday, January 31, 1978. She was here. Fifteen minutes late, but she was here. She spoke to a packed house in the Little Theatre in what was termed a news conference. Her purpose for being in St. Joseph, just one of the stops on her Missouri tour, was to drum up support for the Equal Rights Amend- ment. That's about all l can say. But you'll probably be sit- ting on the sofa with your grandchildren one of these days, a comfortable old dog at your feet, and this annual in your old, old lap. You'll turn to this page. look at the pictures, and curse me for not writing down a few funny remarks for you to use to keep those grandchildren interested and away from the television. Well grandpas and grand- Mrs. Carter fright! had a chance for some informal chatter with members of the audience before her formal speech started. By JOHN lVllEF'l kErrH DUPREE 1: 1. 1 ' -' I 'fl -3 .f - 'Q