Back in 1978, Ed Volker, Dave Malone and a couple of fellow musicians turned a few beers and five hour jam in a garage into a 33 year career together. As The Radiators they played with such luminaries as Gregg Allman, Maceo Parker, George Porter, Jr. and Bob Weir, to name a few, and in such long gone NYC venues as The Ritz, Tramps and Tobacco Road. Along the way, fellow musicians became brothers and fans became family as the Radiators became affectionately known as “The World’s Best Bar Band”.  Playing two packed evenings at Sullivan Hall, fans from as far away as Boston and Washington, DC came to share in what was expected to be one of the final appearances for beloved keyboardist “Zeke” and this lineup in New York City.

[All photos by Jeremy Gordon]

Treated to a mix of covers from The Beatles and Van Morrison and personal favorites of their own, many of the songs including How Do You Feel, Funeral March and The End Is Not in Sight were filled with deeper meaning and tinged with both euphoria and sadness in a truly New Orleans way. Even the final song of the run, Train Kept A Rollin’, spoke to the future of the band and its remaining members. Even if you’re not one of the loyal Fishheads, we suggest you check out one of their New Year’s run shows in Ardmore, PA or as a real treat, their final appearance at the upcoming New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 8th.

Sullivan Hall
New York, NY
11/17/10

Set 1: Tuning – Intro, Sunglasses On, Between Two Fires, Oh La La, Domino > All The Good Ones Are Gone > Everybody’s Got Something Hide Except Me & My Monkey > Linin’  Track > Domino, Falling Through The Bottom Line, Danang, Daddy’s Coming Home, Grief Snafu, Good Things, Going Up To The Country, City Of Refuge, Outro

Set 2: Tuning – Intro, Down By The River, Circus Life, The Man Who Lost His Head, Honey Bee > Keep On Popping That Shine, Hide You Love Away (false start), Hide Your Love Away, Number Two Pencil, Fools Go First, Lovely You, Kenny’s Call Em’ Back, St. James Infirmary, Party Ain’t Over Till I Say It So > Whole Lotta Shakin’, Outro

Sullivan Hall
New York, NY
11/18/10

Set 1: Tuning, Young Neil Intro, Dreaming Out Loud, Texas Chainsaw Massacre > Willie & The Hand Jive > Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Brand New Tennessee Waltz, How Do You Feel, Funeral March (riff), Automatic, One Eye Jack, JigSaw, Last Time, Sparkplug, You Can’t Always Get Want, Monkey In Her Heart > Screwloose, Outro

Set 2: Tuning – Intro, Brown Eye Girl *, March On Down To Valentine, Gimmie A Rainbow That’s For Real, I’ve Got A Feeling > Midnight Special  > I’ve Got A Feeling, Empire Getaway, Where Is The Soul Of The World ?, Lila, The End Is Not In Sight, Soul Kitchen, Kenny’s Call Em Back, Ride Captain Ride, Train Kept A Rollin’

* Young Neil On Vocals

[Setlist via Kevin Cawley]

READ ON for more of Jeremy’s shots from this show…

Jeremy Gordon

Jeremy Gordon is a photographer, registered architect, and current Jersey City resident. Beginning in a small bar in Teaneck, he started photographing local bands and eventually built up to such legendary artists as, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Etta James, Furthur, Phish, and Snoop Dogg. Jeremy has stated that live music photography at its best, is about capturing the split second of sweat and emotions shared between an artist and their audience and that the honor of standing in front of the creators of Rock and Roll and 20,000 of their loyal fans is one of the greatest thrills in the world. Jeremy can be contacted at gordonjer@gmail.com

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