Well, maybe it’s like, if you can remember shows at Ebbets Field, you weren’t really there.  (I do know if you think it was a field, you weren’t there.) Now FM102.3KCUV will revive memories and make you believe you were thre, even if you weren’t. Denver was a great place for music in the 1970′s, and Ebbets Field, a small night club located in the Brooks Tower near 15th and Curtis contributed and let music lovers in Denver, the front range and beyond hear some of the best music from around the world.  Â
Denver’s famous concert promoter Chuck Morris opened up Ebbets Field, and it seemed like everybody played there in the 1970′s, including Willie Nelson, Bob Seger, Tom Waits, Lynyrd Skynyrd are only a few artists on a long list who came through the Ebbet and made musical history in Denver.  Here’s more of that list,  I’m not making this list up, and I was there for some of them, I think:   Freddie King, Taj Mahal, John Prine, Muddy Water, Asleep At The Wheel, J.J. Cale, Ry Cooder, Commander Cody, Dr. John, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Peter Frampton, Dan Hicks, Lightning Hopkins, Howlin’ Wolf, Kraftwerk, Little Feat, Don McLean, the Outlaws, Robin Trower, Jerry Jeff Walker, Muddy Waters, and more! Rock, blues, country, jazz, every genre found a home there. Â
And to prove it really happened, the good news is, the shows were professionally recorded by the staff of ListenUp, the local audio/video retailer and Ebbets’ sound company. Many of the shows were simulcast, and I have copies of those that recorded off the radio that are like the best concert tapes I own. This is thanks to Co-founder and president Walt Stinson entered into an agreement with Ebbets to simulcast them for free on the radio, or record them for re-broadcast, usually on Sunday nights.Â
FM 102.3 KCUV is releasing compliation CD’s of some of this music, and a portion of the profits from the newly released Volume II go to the Morgan Adams Foundation, to raise awareness and financial support for pediatric cancer.
Volume II has a great medley of Willie Nelson, including his famous “Denver”, from his Red Headed Stranger album. So, okay, turn down the lights, sit back, smoke ‘em if you’ve got em, and enjoy the musical journey this collection will take you on:Â
1. LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III Down Drinking at the Bar – 6/19/74
2. WILLIE NELSON Denver/over the Waves/Down Yonder – 9/2/75
3. BREWER & SHIPLEY Witchi-Tai-To – 5/25/75
4. TOM RUSH No Regrets – 10/22/74
5. LIVINGSTON TAYLOR Carolina Day – 11/27/73
6. WENDY WALDMAN Mad Mad Me – 11/7/74
7. FAIRPORT CONVENTION Matty Groves – 5/23/74
8. STRAWBS Out in the Cold/Round and Round – 3/4/74
9. BRIAN AUGER’S OBLIVION EXPRESS Happiness Is Just Around the Bend – 4/4/74
10. WET WILLIE Grits Ain’t Groceries/Soul Jones – 6/27/74
11. TOMMY BOLIN Homeward Strut – 6/3/74
12. PROCTOR & BERGMAN Channel 85 Sign-On – 12/6/73
These tracks, digitally transfered directly from the original tapes, have been remastered by Bob Ferbrache at Absinthe Studios in Westminster. The CD package was designed by Steve Holt, includes a cover shot featuring a vintage hand-illustrated Ebbets Field crew shirt, and a twelve-page booklet with archival photographs of Brian Auger, Strawbs, Brewer & Shipley, Wet Willie, Tom Rush, Tommy Bolin and Fairport Convention onstage at Ebbets, taken by Bob Ferbrache. G. Brown wrote the liner notes detailing the history of Ebbets Field as well as help ListenUp and KCUVâ€.
You can google this and find ways to buy it on line, and I’ve seen it at some independent record stores, too.
For a while it seemed like I was at Ebbet’s once a week for all the great show. Though I saw many great concerts a few of my best memories are; Seeing a very drunken Ronnie Van Zandt being helped out the front door to a car while I stood in line for a second show (they often had two shows a night) I think the show might have been Eric Anderson. Skynyrd had played the night before at the Denver Collesium. I had seen Skynyrd before they really took off twice at Ebbets. Another time I ended up partying with Flo & Eddie and band upstairs at Brooks Towers. I wasn’t 21 yet and sitting on the floor drinking with Howard Kaylan was a big thrill for my buddy and I.
Besides the shows mentioned above I recall good ones with “The Good rats” David Bromberg, Leo Sayer and believe it or not Dolly Parton.
Dr. Hook’sd shows there in the 70′s have been released as a CD with I think it’s up to three different names now.. On the Run, Live in Denver, and I think another name. Available for about $15, it’s a great Cd for Hook fans.
Thanks for the information, Mister Doctor!
Are there tapes of Third World playing there sometime in the late 70′s. I think I was there. I’d love to get a copy if they exist.
I just don’t know, David. Wish I did!
Any consideration for theme oriented Ebbets compilations? There were some great progressive rock bands there over the years – Gentle Giant, Strawbs, PFM, Renaissance, Camel, Caravan – wow, it was incredible. Here’s hoping a “Progressive Ebbets” CD is in the offing!
I think that’s a great idea, John. Nice listing of bands. Hadn’t thought of it in years. Progressive Ebbets would be good. Lots of interest, I’d think.
Does anyone recall the other music place on Cofax that was a small burger/beer (3.2) place. I remember it was well east of Broadway and had some great acts there such as Louden Wainwrigth, David Bromberg and Poco who I met out back before their set. I was a bartender back in those days at the Great Divide Saloon on So Broadway. Good times.
I was a waitress with Teri at the Great Divide…good times isn’t even the word…our tips were in the bathroom! Then the jerk bought it and changed it all together….Ebbots was great, and so was the theatre in the round where Joplin played…those were the days…………….
I worked at Ebbets Field and was Chuck’s roommate, on Holly Street, for awhile. Just roommates. On my first night working there, John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, played. I worked the front door with John Patterson and had a hard time, not watching the band. John kept telling me to keep my mind on taking the money. HAHAHA!!!!! I love the good old days.
It was a shame when the BOYS from upstairs took over the club. It went down hill from there.
Greatest venue in the world. I’d like to have more recordings from the shows.
Just to be precise, Ebbets Field wasn’t in the Brooks Tower (which is on 15th St.) it was in the Executive Tower at 14th and Curtis (1405 Curtis). I didn’t get to CO until 1974, but I still have amazing memories from Ebbets…Warren Zevon (who was so out of control sloshed at those shows that Ahmet Ertegun sent Jackson Browne to Denver to reign him in), Stephen Stills solo in a benefit for Dick Lamm, having breakfast at 3 am with the Flying Burrito Brothers in the dive coffee shop next door…ah the good ol days,
Thanks for your info!
I saw a band play there one night in 73 thay were from hawaii,i cant remember there name,but ill never forget the lead guitar player he was one of the best i ever heard,hard rock sound,anybody remember them give me a call,i just cant remember there names,im thinking RAINBOW but not sure
wow. this is a blast from the musical past. i loved this club. it had all the intimacy of the clubs in greenwich village without the nyc attitude. maybe the best thing about it was its accessibility. at the time i was probably pulling down a whopping eighty bucks a week but i could still afford to spend an evening there occasionally. my favorite memories: the late, great Steve Goodman… I was surprised at how small he was cuz his records had a huge sound; jazz pianist, singer and stylist Mose Allison… the crowd was a little thin for this gig… I don’t think jazz was particularly popular in denver at the time… I asked Mose to play one of my favorite songs from his Mose Alive album, and he very graciously sat down and performed about half the songs on the album, damned nice of him. Loudon Wainright was also pretty accessible, and in the course of conversation we discovered that we actually spent our childhood summers on the same east coast beach… probably walked by each other a hundred times wading in and out of the surf, and wound up meeting a thousand miles from any ocean… too funny.
thanks for the memory!
I saw many shows there having first gotten to know Chuck when he was bartending at Tulagi’s in Boulder and later doing the booking (he hired my band). If he saw me in line he’d pull me out and take me in, even inviting me to John Prine’s birthday party. Some of my favorites were Climax Blues Band (amazing), David Bromberg, Curtis Mayfield, Commander Cody, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Frampton’s Camel along with Street Corner Symphony-incredible accapella (does anyone know who they were or where they came from?) and many I simply can’t remember, for some reason…hmm. I do remember that little bar on Colfax too but I can’t think of it’s name. I stood outside and listened to Country Joe & the Fish there (couldn’t afford a ticket that night) and saw the New Riders of the Purple Sage another night. Copped a buzz in the men’s room with Marmaduke. He had the hash and I had a pipe. Cool. Anyone remember Denver Dog from a few years earlier? Mucho fun too.
Oh yeah, Great Divide. Great little bar. Anyone remember my roomates Jim and Robin who tended bar there. Robin left to work the Playboy club as a bunny.
three friends and myself tripped up in the hills one afternoon raced back to D we were the last ones to get in so standing room only we were right up front a mere two feet away from Ronnie Van Zant ….LYNYRD SKYNYRD!!! great memories for a sixteen year old kid the only club that allowed minors
thanks chuck for all the memories
Good times, for sure. What a great show that was. Yes, thanks Chuck Morris.
great web site… spent many many nights at EF… actually worked for Chuck when he ran Tulagi in Boulder… with the new Runaways movie coming out I have been reminiscing with some friends about the Runaways show at EF in March ’78… we can’t remember who opened for them… we remember the Ramones opening for Nite City (can you believe that?) a few weeks before the Runaways show… do you have anything that might answer our question?
I rember that place in the mid 70s. I was working at Hugh M Woods, and at night we went down to see Steve Martin, Jean luch Ponty (sp?), and John Mayhall to name a few. I remember it being next door to maybe the Boston Half Shell.. or something like that. Great seafood, but pricey! Steve Martin took the entire audience outside as he stopped cars on Curtis to talk to and freak out the drivers.. very funny.
I and my brothers bought tix for BOTH Ramones sets at Ebbets. (The second show sold so poorly we wouldn’t have needed second show/set tickets). Trust me, they didn’t OPEN for Nite City, who I barely recall seeing (and I was relatively straight that night). I also went to the Runaways show there and can’t recall an opener for them either.
Good times, Mike. It was one of a kind place.
Funny how time passes. I’m now in my 60′s and living 10,000 miles from Ebbets Field, in Manila, Philippines but memories of Colorado and the music keep passing through my mind.
I remember a special night at Ebbets Field where I listened to the Mark Almond Band, sitting no more than ten feet from Jon Mark and Johnny Almond.
Wish I could turn back the clock for just one night.
Scott, what took you to the Philippines?
Remember how cozy the place was, and all the shag carpet? What a treat to see those artists in such a small cozy venue. Seating for only a couple hundred or so, right?
I saw Lynard Skynard at ebbets field in 1974, knew they were special…also saw Spirit, and Wet Willie…what a great venue…loved the Rainbow Music Hall too. Was very young when i saw Tommy Bolin…think it was at Tulagi;s and remember he was barefoot.
I remember seeing Asleep at the Wheel in ’73 along with Eric Anderson. Now the ‘Wheel” is celebrating their 40th anniversary this week in Texas! how ’bout dat?
Wow…does this website bring back memories. I attended several great shows at EF in ’73 and ’74, including Lynard Skynard, Frampton, Strawbs, Kenny Rankin, and others. The late great Minnie Ripperton (who I had never heard of before then) opened for someone I can’t remember. What a great voice! I may be mistaken but I swear I saw Marshall Tucker there, also (but it could just be a senior moment). I was just a poor student at the time but the EF shows were always affordable.
Thanks Chuck.
Saw Tompall Glaser & His blues/country band in 1976 w/Mel Brown and Ben Keith. He did two shows and we and about thirty other people were there for both. Amazing memory. Also saw Brian Auger in 76. He kicked it. The very best club,ever. Have a buddy who saw Tom Waits there and TW was never without a lit cigarette,all night.
Saw John Prine and others back in the day. No longer in Denver. Speaking of the Great Divide does anyone remember where it was on S. Broadway and when it closed? A few lost nights there……
Cindy Nagy, don’t know if you will see this, I was a bartender at Ebbetts with Steve, and Eric. You made reference to ” the boys upstairs”. This must have been after I left. Who were they? I remember Chuck’s Left hand man, Father Time, Gary Paul, and more. What a great job, think about it often. Oh yah, big up for the Great Divide.
I lived in Brooks Towers in 1975-76 and sometimes rented my Hammond Organ to bands playing downstairs at Ebbets. A guy who called himself Lefty Colorado, worked there. I remember Steve Martin’s street routine, also Martin Mull and Fireign Theater. One time Tommy Chong stayed at my apt. between shows. I first met Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald there when, I think, he was a bouncer. Fun times.
Such memories, Chuck! You should write a book. It was an amazingly cozy, great place to see shows.
Ya, Lefty Colorado was Chuck’s left hand man and Father Time was his brother.
Lefty was the manager of the day to day club operation. Chuck did the booking and all other external business. As an employee I will never forget the fear that was struck with the words Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. Those shows were controlled riots. Also, I’ll never forget when Average White Band opened for Eric Anderson. Who knew? They torn the house down and then Eric came out with his guitar and stool. Chuck should write a book. Hey, how about the time when the guy from Brooklyn (Chuck) finally spent some time in the mountains. He drove up to the Eisenhower tunnel and back.
Ebbets Field was one of the best things going in Denver in the early 70s. i was a high school boy but serious about rock n roll…and we knew that if EF booked someone–it was probably ‘important’ to check it out. Didn’t hurt that the liquor store in the exec Tower lobby sold us peppermint schnapps pints despite our age…everyone was so nice to us…the crew at Listen Up would treat us like bigshot customers despite our lack of funds…who do i remember from Ebbets?: Spirit, Eric Burdon, Tommy Bolin, Steeleye Span, Camel, Ambrosia, Flo n Eddie, Tim Weisberg, Severin Brown, Tom Waits, Outlaws, Lynryd Skynyrd and so so so many more thru the Gary Hart ( not Dick Lamm) that featured Stills, Rick Roberts and many more…..Stills played ‘Blackbird’ ya coulda heard a pin drop !
Saw Tom Waits twice in ’75, remember him sitting on a stool in the ticket taker booth, hiding in the shadows, checking us all out. In ’76, my boyfriend & I walked in early on a Waits rehearsal, and he came over and talked to us, such a nice guy. He felt bad he didn’t have any extra tickets for us, and then when he found out we DID have tickets for his show, he paid for all our drinks that night. My boyfriend got so drunk, he walked up on stage during the act to ask Tom for a light. Great memories.
Thanks for your story. Someone needs to write an Ebbets Field book!
The internet is a wonderful thing. A topic on Lynyrd Skynyrd was posted in the Fender Forum, which made me recall seeing them at Ebbets, which led me here. Great, great memories including Bromberg, Tom Waits, the Ozark Mtn Daredevils, many more (and a special memory of being flirted with by one of the women singing backup with Commander Cody). Thanks for the memories.
Went to the Great Divide on a couple occasions, home country was the foothills though and most weekends at either the Timberline Inn in Bergen Park or the Little Bear.
My friend and I use to hang out at Ebbet’s because Chuck overlooked the fact that were were only 16! Joan Armatrading was amazing,as were all of the acts in the 70′s, but things went south after it was purchased by R.B. He lived upstairs in the ETI and was more interested in chasing trail than chasing acts.(He was the one who booked Dolly Parton). Chuck moved on to promote larger shows in major venues (went to those, too!).The Little Bear…haven’t thought of that place in years. There was another place up in Morrisson which was pretty rowdy, but God knows I can’t remember the name of it.
thanks for sharing that story. It was one of a kind place. I think there is another Live from Ebbets Field cd released, too.
Recently Public television aired an “On Stage” program that spent an hour with Chuck Morris. He spent time remembering the Sink, Tulagi’s, and Ebbets Field. I hope all you out there can search it out if and when it airs again.
I saw many shows there in the 70′s but the best was Renaissance who played there on the same tour they sold out Carnegie Hall for three nights. I’m sure they wondered how Ebbets Field this got on the tour. They were fantastic and included the 26 min long version of “Ashes Are Burning” that still includes the 4 min long Bass Guitar solo that ranks among the best I’ve ever heard.
RDub – I was there for the Renaissance show, too, front center table about 10 feet from Annie. Unbelieveable! So many other good prog shows – Gentle Giant, Strawbs, PFM, Camel, Caravan, must be forgetting a couple. Virtuoso performances in such an intimate venue. It is hard to believe it actually happened. We stayed for the 2nd PFM show because it wasn’t sold out – even recorded part of it with our funky $25 cassette recorder!
wrote a post a while back
it was the club
you could see great bands
i starting going there at 16
thats why it was so cool
the license was for entertainment
i have a club and i wish i could draw
16 and over but things have changed
saw the best of all there
it was so grand we were all so lucky\
and ive said this before
thanks chuck morris of ebbets feild
isnt that how they used to say it
long live real rocknroll
peace
is that song chuckies in love about you
John F – we must have been sitting within a few seat of each other for Renaissance. I was also at the Camel concert there. Also saw Ambrosia before they went mainstream and it was pretty exceptional. I just discovered that Renaissance is still touring with Annie sing and Michael D playing guitar. Mostly on the east coast so far.
Thanks, Arthur. That was nice to read. Earlier this year, I got to say that to Chuck Morris, “Thank you for ebbets field”, in Boulder, at Colo. Hall of Fame Fundraiser.
I was the opening act the night Ebbets opened and for many shows after. Chuck was my first manager and couldn’t have been a bigger support at that early time in my career. It’s always been a pleasure to cross paths and talk about the old days.
For those who will remember Magic Music, they all united this past summer on Martha’s Vineyard and we actually played a gig. That has lead to
a night at Swallow Hill Nov.18 and Chuck has hinted at stopping by. We hope to see quite a few old friends and relations so spread the word….
Ah yes the coffee shop next door, card tricks with Rickie J, what a time, best to all who partook in the joy, and once again thanks Chuck for all the good times….. Tim Goodman, Vineyard Haven MA
Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I attended D.U. from fall ’73 to Spring ’75 and saw many incredible shows there, notably Gentle Giant, Brian Auger & the Oblivion Express (Rick Wakeman stopped by after his show at a different venue) and sax king Stanley Turrentine.
Such great acts in such a small place – so small you could even talk to the bands.
I also saw some great concerts at CU in Boulder, but Ebbets Field was about as intimate as you can get. Memorable. Amazing.
I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd at Ebbetts Field in 1974, too, and sat right behind Tommy Bolin.
We were center stage and just a few feet away from Ronnie Van Zandt.
It was one of the greatest memories of my teen years that were concerts almost every weekend and a few weekdays thrown inbetween.
I still remember hearing about the plane crash that took the lives of some of my favorite musicians.