A VISIT TO A REHEARSAL AND THEN GUESS WHO WAS PLAYING......

It could happen anywhere, but this happened to be in L.A. You just have days where you feel nothing much out of the ordinary is going to happen, which to a degree, is that fine balance in life where you truly can enjoy those unexpected moments. This was in 1976 during the week ….
The day was quiet and I drove out to visit a few friends; West Hollywood was both actors, musicians, writers, many a varied artist, and a gay community that thrived. I went to visit a friend who was a roadie, and his wife, and we had coffee and caught up on things going on around the community, a tidbit of gossip here and there. (May have gone to Canters for bagels beforehand so as to have an addition to the coffee) My friend was to go on the road after working some local debuts for the band, Detective. I knew the band and a few were friends of mine. Seems my whole life I knew musicians, so times upon meeting other musicians they'd ask if I played and my response always was, "a mean stereo". But mostly we enjoyed the same bands and knew the history of bands and songs so having a conversation just fell together. During my S.F. days and how I enjoyed dressing had only been changed a bit by the stores and artisans, the seamstresses and the unique and sometimes the "I lucked out" and there had been one or two either shipped to the store or a seamstress had made a few. In that sense, I blended into the music scene and wasn't that judgmental on what one might wear. Nothing ever seemed that out of the ordinary, at least to me, but probably innovative for that time-era and some set trends or took trends and added their personal touch, which is what any artesian would do, whatever their art.
Went down La Cienega Blvd, which had clothes stores that were unique and some were good for the stage others just unique fashions and there were several clothing stores that had some seamstress employed there, one time, I guess they had gotten a few yards of some really detailed satin and made long sleeved shirts, but only had enough material for about 1 or 2 of each unique color and pattern.
With great hesitation, I could only afford one shirt and there were two that had caught my eye…finally I purchased the dark green satin shirt with little embossed birds a slight darker green as the pattern. I learned later that the older materials were not doused or treated in any way so if you soiled the shirt, the stain was removed successfully. Some of the items were not my style, but for the stage or to make a particular statement, the trademark was for some a treasure. Those days were more form-fitting, more of the English style tailoring so the sewing and material had to be pristine and of good material or you'd have big, big problems which no one would enjoy, pants or shirts bursting or ripping just had to be prevented as these were worn daily and not just some fashion show garb (at least in a sense).
As a side note, the Gap, you know the chain store, well the one in west Hollywood was different as it appeared the managers would order some unique clothes and shoes not found at the average Gap store. As you can see, artisans tended to have more products in stores and there were some of the "off the rack items", but interspersed with other unique items.
This next part is a bit "fuzzy" but a friend had called my friend, Michael, and I can't remember if I went to his place or we met at the studio. Nonetheless, we went to a studio on Santa Monica Blvd or about, it could have been the record plant or another studio, I think I had been there once to see some friends rehearse new songs. Well, I had thought there was a rehearsal for the band he was in, Detective, for which Michael had played lead guitar with Steppenwolf, (I had seen him play at the Avalon Ballroom when the band was called The Sparrow 10 years before) there was another singer, the other Michael played with at Silverhead. The bass player, Bobby, had played with Sugarloaf and Etta James, the drummer Jon also sang and was in Hokus Pokus and Tony had played with Yes. All had played in other bands and also some sessions.
They were the only band besides Bad Company to be signed by Swan Song (Led Zepplins label) and were going on tour with Kiss; and playing local events with press releases, some showcasing the band.
As we walked into the recording studio entrance, Michael knew which rehearsal room we were going to. At that time, and even today with design changes, everything was muted by runs, soundproofs sometimes going down the hallway with too heavy wood on the walls on way to the studio. Studios were closed off and unless you were inside, you wouldn't know who or what was going on in terms of rehearsing or recording. We made our way down the corridors (sort of maze to a degree) then we stopped at a rehearsal studio door where there were two large dudes that towered over us. We are both about six feet tall and lifting weights was a regular pastime. Michael gave his name and the green light came on by the door and we could enter. As we entered, I thought I know that song. On the small rehearsal stage was Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and Jon was on drums and they were playing Kashmir. As we went to sit on a couch, there was Robert Plant singing and he was stretched out on the rugged floor (for sound damping) his bottom leg in a cast, he had been in a car accident with his wife in London, hence the ankle cast. They would go through and stop several times if they felt it was either off a bit or wanted to incorporate a new nuance at that point. After playing several partial segments of Kashmir, they played the entire song. Since it was in a studio, a space that really wasn't large enough, the intensity of the song was astounding! You could hear the sound. It was dampened to prevent echoes with sound bouncing off the walls; the sounds were crisp and clear. The symbols drove the song to the guitar and highs and lows to the bass, and with Plant singing it was a unique experience. We both watched. Plant said, "hi" to Michael and he introduced me. The focus was on rehearsal as there was a tour coming up soon and they had the film "The Song Remains The Same" opening soon and the bands' upcoming "Presence Tour" in 1977.
They played their standard, and their anthem, 'Stairway to Heaven", which was mesmerizing as one would expect. Between Jon came over and said, "hi" and drank some water (always the vegetarian and healthy eater. The polar opposite of his brother who was their head roadie) and we asked if Jon might need a ride and he didn't, if I remember correctly, that is. I can't remember if I left by myself or if Michael left too. I'm thinking we both left at the same time…
So there was a surprise one evening during the week's lazy-hazy days in L.A.

DETECTIVE