January 10th, 1980. 46 years ago. Stages Nightclub in Granite City, Illinois.
Granite City sits across the Mississippi from downtown St. Louis. Stages was, as I recall, in an industrial area, not a lot around it. A basic building in a gritty neighborhood. It opened in the 70s and gained a reputation as a stop off venue for local, regional, and national acts who may have had an open night while passing through. An up and coming artist named John Cougar (later Mellencamp) played there in August of 1979. I wasn’t at that one, but did see him open for The Kinks a month later in Macomb.
Stages was a square building with a large lobby just inside. The show area had an open floor, the stage was chest high, and a balcony with seats and tables hung from at least three sides. I believe the wall behind the stage was open. I’d guess the capacity to be a few hundred.
I first saw .38 Special when they opened for Peter Frampton on August 2nd, 1977 at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. Both artists were on A&M Records and .38 Special had released its debut album in May of that year. Leading off for Frampton gave them exposure. They were “Southern rock” with a softer, more commercial sound than most of the bands of that genre at the time. They were credible and good. A six member group, with two drummers. They also had a lead singer with the last name of… Van Zant. Donnie Van Zant, a younger brother of the late Ronnie, who had been the lead singer and songwriter of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
By January of 1980 they were touring to promote their third album, “Rockin’ Into the Night”, which was released in October of 1979. They were often headliners by then, gaining moderate success as they progressed. Guitarist Don Barnes had begun sharing lead vocals on the third album, including the title track. They were becoming almost too polished, and always did lack the writing skills of the older Van Zant. But with the opportunity to catch them in a tiny club…With camera in tow, thee I did go.
I made arrangements for press credentials. I wrote occasional stories and reviews, with photos, for The Prairie Sun, a free newspaper that was distributed by Co-op Tapes and Records, which were regional music stores. The paper was music oriented, with some other entertainment copy at times.
It was my first trip to Stages. I found it, went inside, and settled in. One camera, three lenses, and a handful of slide film. There was no photo pit or barrier. I’d be working directly under the stage, with free access to roam anywhere else in the room. I don’t recall a huge crowd but I do know the opening band was Candy. They are completely forgettable.
I was making photos and loose notes, but don’t have a full set list. They covered a mix of material from those first three albums, the energy good, Van Zant wore a black hat, much like the “trademark” lid his older brother sported.
When the show was over… I had not been granted any promises and hadn’t asked for any. There was no “backstage” area to speak of, but the “green room” was off/near the lobby. I knew they’d retreated in there, it was too tempting, and I summoned the courage to knock on the door.. Someone answered and came out, probably the road manager. told him I was doing a story, etc, “Would it be possible for me to talk to the guys,” The man excused himself, went back into the green room, and soon returned. “No questions about his brother,” was the lone stipulation. (Ronnie had been killed in the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash in October of 1977). I shook my head to affirm “no.” I hadn’t planned to ask anyway. This was about .38 Special. With that understanding, I was led into the room. Most of the band were milling around, having sandwiches and winding down. Guitarist Jeff Carlisi and Van Zant were seated on a sofa. I was invited to sit between them while we talked. Van Zant took off his hat and placed it on my head.
I asked some general questions about the band’s history The two guys were incredibly kind and patient. So generous in fact, that they had someone work up a ham sandwich for me. As we talked and ate, a joint made its way around too. One of them suggested we should get a photo of the three of us. Hell yeah, I was livin’ the dream! What a night for a 20 year old, aspiring photographer.
I was back at Stages soon after. This time for Rick Derringer on February 17th. In between .38 Special and Derringer, another band played Stages on January 24th. I knew of them, had their their first two albums, and liked them a lot. They were ascending fast, I just didn’t want to make three lengthy trips in such a short time, figuring I”d catch them later on somewhere. It was a poor decision. When the they released their third album in October of 1980, they exploded to super-stardom. The band I passed on seeing in that small club was The Police.
.38 Special lead singer, Donnie Van Zant at Stages Nightclub. January 10th, 1980.
With Jeff Carlisi, left, and Donnie Van Zant after the .38 Special show.
The masthead for The Prairie Sun. I worked as the Macomb, IL correspondent.
