This month marks the 58th anniversary of the Yardbirds’ concert at Staples High School.
The blues-influenced rock band was one of many top groups that played in the local auditorium, from 1965 through the early ’70s. Others included the Doors, Animals, Rascals, Byrds, J. Geils and Peter Frampton. Sly & the Family Stone played at a dance, in the gym.
(For the back story on how all that musical history went down, click here.)
The Yardbirds’ lineup on October 22, 1966 did not include Eric Clapton. He left the year before, to join John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. But Clapton was on the Staples stage on March 27, 1968, with his supergroup Cream: drummer Ginger Baker and guitarist Jack Bruce.
The Yardbirds who played at Staples did include Jimmy Page (who earned even more fame later with Led Zeppelin) and Jeff Beck. Both (with Clapton) are in Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists.”
Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck tuning up in what was (and still is) the Staples High School choral room. The photo was taken by Linda Eastman — the woman who became Paul McCartney’s wife and fellow Wings musician. In 1966 she was a young photographer. She heard the Yardbirds were playing in Westport, and came to see them.
That concert was memorable for one other reason. The lead singer for the opening act — the Chain Reaction — was a young guy named Steve Tallarico.
He later changed it to Steve Tyler. Yep, that Steve Tyler — the Aerosmith guy.
Steve Tallarico (later Steve Tyler), with the Chain Reaction at Staples. (Photo from Mark Smollin’s “The Real Rock & Roll High School.”)
That Yardbirds gig at Staples was a pivotal moment in young Steve’s career. It inspired him to have a career in music.
In 1995, he told that story when Aerosmith inducted Led Zeppelin in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
It’s played on an endless loop there ever since. Listen below:
(Hat tip: Mark Smollin’s “The Real Rock & Roll High School”)
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Very cool! I remember hearing about those concerts. We were too young to go apparently according to our parents.
I spent many hours in the Staples Choral Room, I believe. Looks just the same! It is where the Jr. Orchestra practiced with Mr. Ohanion at the helm. What a teacher and leader! He could be scary if one hadn’t practiced😬
Westport was amazing in those days.
Really enjoy your Friday Flashback…the incredible history behind so many legends from Staples High School
On Monday Oct 14, you can watch “The High School that Rocked”, the Staples story, at https://video.cptv.org/
Luke, yes indeed, thanks.
And for those with a broader interest in rock history (and local history), “The Real Rock & Roll High School” ebook offers a fascinating and comprehensive look at the Westport music scene from the beginning of the 1960s into the mid-1970s.
And I’m not saying this because I helped out Mark with the research and in collecting stories. I was already familiar with the backstory of the legendary concerts at Staples and, of course, the equally legendary Barry Tashian, but there were terrific stories that were completely new to me—so much so that several were incorporated in “The High School That Rocked!”
Plus, it’s a beautifully designed book that Mark, a very talented graphics designer, put a lot of time and passion into executing.
Our class enjoyed the Beau Brummels. For 3 bucks you could see/hear big bands. And then along came Woodstock.
I was at the Beau Brummels concert – the first one with a rock band at Staples. I was in 7th grade. My first concert ever. I still remember it — and all that followed.
Paul Gambiccini of our class organized many of the concerts. Quite remarkable.
Kudos should also go to John Ohanian, the music director of Westport schools. In those days most people in that position would limit music instruction to classical music and look down on rock.