Tag Archives: In Person at the Whisky a Go Go

Music Monday: April 13, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week we celebrated how successful Otis Redding was in 1966. Not only did he release two albums that year, he also made his debut at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. He performed seven shows during his three night engagement which took place on Friday April 8, Saturday April 9 and Sunday April 10, 1966.

Photo of Otis Redding (center) on stage at The Whisky A Go Go from his Facebook page. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The now legendary Whisky-which opened in January 1964 & continues to operate today-welcomed many bands and artists over the last six decades & Redding’s shows were one of the first to feature a soul music artist. His shows took place a month before The Doors became the house band which opened for all the performers that played at the venue from May 23 to August 21, 1966 (more on that next week). But how incredibly sublime would it have been to have them & Redding on the same stage on the same night?

His live shows were his secret weapon. While the passion he exuded in his recordings was palpable, it was in full view when he was on stage. And it was infectious. That energy and Redding’s immense talent made him a standout at the The Monterey International Pop Festival a year later in June 1967, a career defining moment that became his breakthough to the American audience. But The Whisky is where California welcomed him first.

An album featuring that performance-In Person at the Whisky a Go Go-was released October 1968, 10 months after Redding’s death in December 1967.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A second album, Good to Me: Live at the Whisky a Go Go, Vol. 2, was released in 1993.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Redding’s appearances at the club, all seven performances were released on Live at the Whisky a Go Go: The Complete Recordings, on October 21, 2016. It won writer Lynell George the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. A playlist for all the songs from this recording are available on Redding’s YouTube channel.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “I Can’t Turn You Loose” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Pain In My Heart” (1966, written by Naomi Neville a/k/a Allen Toussaint).

Otis Redding: “Mr. Pitiful” (1966, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1966, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Otis Redding: “These Arms of Mine” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Chained and Bound” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “A Hard Day’s Night” (1966, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 307

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Before today’s song, I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to a most spectacular “Golden Girl”, Betty White. This legend of radio, TV & film turns 99 today & has been entertaining the world for 82 years. I was lucky enough to meet her in May 2011 when she came to Barnes & Noble in Lake Grove, NY to sign copies of her book, “If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t)“.

She was an absolute delight. I was in complete awe, told her meeting her was like meeting one of the Beatles which made her laugh. But when I told her she & the other three Golden Girls were like my surrogate mothers from their very first episode she smiled and squeezed my hand. It was one of the most cherished moments of my life. Keep rocking, Betty. You are loved, worshiped & revered. And an absolute riot!!!

Betty White

Betty White in May 2011 in Lake Grove, NY. (credit: Me!!!)

Music nightclubs have been around forever, but for the music I love, some of the best saw the 1960’s & 1970’s as the peak of their success. The Troubador in West Hollywood, CA introduced artists like Elton John, Tom Waits & James Taylor. The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA hosted Cream, The Grateful Dead & blues greats Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. At NYC’s Fillmore East Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and The Allman Brothers (who recorded their first live record there in 1971, At Fillmore East) appeared. Max’s Kansas City was a favorite hangout spot for John Lennon when he first moved to NYC, Deborah Harry was a waitress there and artists like The Velvet Underground & David Bowie performed there. Two other NYC clubs-The Bottom Line & CBGB’s hosted Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt & Van Morrison at the former and Patti Smith, Blondie, The Talking Heads and other punk/new wave artists at the latter.

Another West Hollywood club, The Whiskey-A-Go-Go, opened January 11, 1964 and quickly became one of the top music venues for up & coming artists. Two of my favorites-The Doors & Otis Redding-were featured there and it helped put them on their respective musical maps. For Redding especially this was a huge moment in his early career as it led to the recording of his live album, In Person at the Whisky a Go Go. It was recorded during his three shows in April 1966 but not released until October 1968, nearly a year after his death. A second release, Good to Me: Live at the Whisky a Go Go, Vol. 2, was released in 1993.

The shows at the club took place a year before Redding’s mainstream success thanks to his rousing performance at The Monterey Pop Festival in the summer of 1967. It included today’s song which was first recorded in 1932 but Redding’s version 34 years later took on a whole new style due in part to the producer, soul legend Isaac Hayes. Booker T & The M.G.’s played on the record & with Redding in person at the Monterey show. Redding’s complete five song set from the concert along with Jimi Hendrix’s performances were released on the 1970 album, Historic Performances Recorded at the Monterey International Pop Festival. Redding’s are included on a few of his posthumous releases plus you can also find the videos on YouTube. Today’s song was his last number of the night and it is nothing short of spectacular.

“It’s not just sentimental no, no, no
She has her grief and care, yeah, yeah, yeah
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle, yeah
It makes it easier, easier to bear”.

Otis at Monterey

Otis Redding on stage at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. Alan Jackson (back) was the drummer that night with the band Booker T & The MG’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “Try A Little Tenderness” (Live performance at The Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. Originally recorded in 1966. Written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Henry MacGregor “Harry” Woods).

I only own the rights to the Betty White picture, nothing else. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.