Austin has a great music history from it's '60's origins with KAZZ FM and Sonogram Records spinning The Thirteenth Floor Elevators and The Sweetarts to The Vulcan Gas Co., Janis Joplin and Johnny Winter. The 70's saw that sweet mingling of cowboy and hippy called "Outlaw" at The Armadillo and Oat Willies to the early punk scene at Raul's, Duke's Royal Coach Inn, Club Foot, Studio 29. It's been a great ride and made Austin the live music capital of the world. Enjoy a memory or two from our ticket archives. A simple paper testament to Austin's music history.
| Date: | September 10, 1976 |
| Artist: | Papa John Creech w/ The Kenny Acosta Band |
| Venue: | AWH, Austin, TX. |
| Ticket Price: | $4 advance |
Papa John Creach
One of the unlikeliest rock stars ever to grace a stage or album, Papa John Creach was a 53-year-old jazz and blues fiddler who had been playing professionally for more than 30 years when he was "discovered" by Jefferson Airplane in 1970. With his balding head, white hair, and thin-as-a-rail physique, Papa John looked bound for a rocking chair instead of a rock concert. But as a musician, he could hold his own with musicians half his age. He was so admired by his colleagues that he became a fixture of the Airplane, Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship, and, as a septuagenarian, Jefferson Starship -- The Next Generation.
John Henry Creach was born May 28, 1917, in Beaver Falls, PA, one of 10 children. In 1935, the family moved to Chicago, IL, where John began playing in bars and clubs. Later, he joined a cabaret band, the Chocolate Music Bars. After relocating to Los Angeles, CA, in 1945, he performed at a show-biz diner called the Chi Chi Club, played on a luxury cruiser, and even appeared in a "couple of films," according to Frame. John married a woman named Gretchen (b. ca. 1914) in 1964 or 1966; according to one interview, he couldn't remember how long they had been married. They had no children.
In 1967, John was playing at the Parisian Room in Los Angeles. That year, he met a 22-year-old drummer named Joey Covington, who also hailed from Pennsylvania. The two became lifelong friends, and it was Joey who nicknamed the 50-year-old fiddler "Papa John," a nickname that stuck.
Three years later, Joey joined Jefferson Airplane and introduced his new bandmates to Papa John. Initially brought in to play with Hot Tuna, Papa John debuted with the band on October 5, 1970. The audience was reportedly so blown away when he tuned his electric violin, they gave him a standing ovation. Thereafter, Papa John became a permanent addition to the Airplane as well.
Though classified as a sideman, Papa John appeared in group photos and was listed as a member on three Airplane albums (Bark, 1971, Long John Silver, 1972, and the live Thirty Seconds Over Winterland, 1973). On Bark, he provided country-fied flourishes to Paul Kantner's When the Earth Moves Again, then stepped to the forefront for Wild Turkey, a rousing instrumental which showcases his talent. On LJS, he co-wrote (with Grace Slick) Milk Train. Meanwhile, he also appeared on Hot Tuna's First Pull Up, Then Pull Down (1971) and Burgers (1973), and launched his solo career with his eponymous debut in 1971.
Papa John stayed with the Airplane through its transformation into Jefferson Starship. He appeared on the first two Starship albums, Dragon Fly (1974) and Red Octopus (1975). The latter featured another instrumental showcase, Git Fiddler, which he wrote. But the the demands of the group and his solo career forced him to choose between the two. In August 1975, he left the band.
Papa John remained on friendly terms with his former band mates, however, and even guested with JS during its spring 1978 tour. Ten years later, he was present at the legendary "Hot Tuna and Friends" concert, at which Paul and Grace reunited with Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady. In between, he played alongside Joey in the San Francisco All-Stars (1979-84) and with ex-Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden in the Dinosaurs (1982-89).
In 1992, 74-year-old Papa John joined Jefferson Starship -- The Next Generation and played with them until shortly before his death. He suffered a heart attack during the Los Angeles earthquake in January 1994, and passed away on February 22. He was 76.
Kenny Acosta
During his early years, 1972 – 1979, Kenny Acosta was a main stay in the American Blues scene. Playing out of Austin, Texas, he fast became a popular and noted blues performer. A regular at Armadillo World Headquarters, Kenny preformed regularly with Marsha Ball, Kim Wilson, W.C. Clark, and Stevie and Jimmy Vaughn.
Coming home to Baton Rouge in the fall of 1978, Kenny teamed up with “Cadillac” Cook to form Kenny Acosta and the House Reckers. Through the 80’s and 90’s Kenny traveled the Gulf Coast and the southern states. Kenny released his first solo album Hot Dog in 1984. He was awarded best original song for “Justice Blues” at the 1989 Baton Rouge Blues Festival. At that time, this festival was the 2nd largest Blues Festival in the country. Also in 1984, KRVS FM radio station out of Lafayette, Louisiana awarded Kenny a plaque for being their most requested Blues musician. During the years of 1986-1994, Kenny was a regular playing at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. In 1995, Kenny needed some time off to help raise his first and only son, Zeke. No regrets.
For the last four years Kenny was the host of the famous “World’s Greatest Blues Jam” held Thursday nights at Phil Brady’s Bar and Grill in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There, he hosts noted Blues greats such as Kenny Neal, Larry Garner, Big Luther Kent, Lil’ Ray Neal, James Johnson and Phil Guy to name but a few.
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