Face-melting concert photo

Unlikely Duo: Jerry Garcia and Sammy Hagar

Posted Fri, September 28, 2007 at 2:53 pm by Todd Levy

Sorry. You need to upgrade your Flash Player to watch this movie.
Think you already have an up-to-date Flash player? Try again.

Jerry Garcia, Sammy Hagar, Jeffery Burton, Annie Sampson, Sean Hooper, Pete Sears, Scott Matthews

Song
Going Down

Date
April 1989

Venue
Sweetwater Saloon

Location
Mill Valley, CA, USA

UPDATE: Sadly, the Going Down video is NO LONGER AVAILABLE on YouTube. I'm trying desperately to find an alternate copy. In the mean time, please enjoy this rendition of Lieber & Stoller's Riot in Cell Block #9 from the same night but with a slightly different lineup.

Here's a real gem of a jam session, featuring the unlikely pairing of Jerry Garcia with Sammy Hagar doing blues mainstay Going Down at Sweetwater Saloon during a Village Music Record Store party.

Jerry Garcia warms it up with the song's opening bars for a few repetitions. Just as things started, Elvis Costello grabs his drink and bolts off stage. Jerry apparently didn't bring a guitar as he's playing Elvis's custom Fender Jazzmaster. It's no problem though, as one reviewer notes, "Jerry makes it sing!"

Hagar, on lead vocals, is skinnier and of course younger looking than the Hagar of today but cheeses it up just the same.

Jeffery Burton, son of James Burton, is on guitar. He has some spectacular hockey hair and equally spectacular licks about two-thirds into the jam. Annie Sampson provides powerful backup vocals. Sean Hooper of Huey Lewis and the News is on keys. Pete Sears lays it down nicely on bass and Scott Matthews rounds out the rhythm section on drums.

Sadly, Village Music Record Store closed in September 2007. Sweetwater Saloon closed briefly but will re-open in a new location.

And don't miss this great video of Freddy King doing a ripping live version of Going Down as written by Don Nix. The song is also available on The Best of the Shelter Years, a compilation album of King's earlier work.

Like Jamtopia? Subscribe to Jamtopia by email or grab the Jamtopia RSS feed

3 Comments so far   

where did this video go???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I’ve looked everywhere!!!!

Hey Relevelerr - scroll up a bit… it’s right there!

Seriously though, I assume you mean the rest of the video from this night? No idea, but by all means if you find it please do drop a line!

I’m still looking for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The “I’m Goin Down” video.

Post your comment

Name
Email

Will not be made public.
Location
optional
URL
optional
Preferences

 Email me new comments

 Remember my information

Verification

Type the word below into the field:

  

Paragraphs and links are formatted automatically.

We kindly request no more than two links per comment.

Your comment may not appear immediately.

 

Like Jamtopia? Subscribe to Jamtopia by email or grab the Jamtopia RSS feed

All trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Add to Technorati Favorites