I really want to go to New Orleans. I can’t believe I’ve never been. I’ve had a couple of chances over the years, but I didn’t want to go with the people that suggested the trip at the time. But there’s someone I’d definitely go with now. It’s too bad we wouldn’t be able to attend a show at The Warehouse.

It was sort of a southern Fillmore, with a capacity of about 3,500, located at 1820 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans LA 70130. It was THE rock venue for New Orleans, a rite of passage for bands to play there when in town. The Allman Brothers, The Who, Elton, Zeppelin, Dylan, Bob Marley, Rush, Joe Cocker…everyone played there. The live side of ZZ Top’s Fandango album was recorded there. Upon opening, 54 years ago today on January 31, 1970, the venue instantly became part of rock history.

The first show was a triple bill with The Flock (a Midwest band somewhat like Blood, Sweat & Tears), Fleetwood Mac (w/Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer), and Grateful Dead. It was on this night, following the show, that police were waiting at the Dead’s hotel in the French Quarter, warrants in hand (though they’d already searched the rooms), ready to arrest 19, members of the band and crew in a drug bust. The Times-Picayune reported the story the next morning, “Drug Raid Nets 19 in French Quarter,” noting that among those arrested included “The King of Acid,” Augustus Owsley “Bear” Stanley III. The band and then-manager Lenny Hart swore it was a set-up, like a bowling pin. Fleetwood Mac and the Dead would play a “Bread For The Dead” benefit the next night, with all proceeds going toward legal costs and setting up a fund for future events such as this. The Dead used their take to bail out the remainder of their crew and friends.

Of course, this would lead to the writing and recording of “Truckin’,” a song that documents the event itself as well as elaborating on life on the road. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan is not on the recording, replaced by Howard Wales on organ. It would close their legendary album American Beauty and make it to #64 on the Hot 100 (b/w “Ripple”), their highest placement until “Touch of Grey.” The band would perform the song 500+ times. In 1997, the United States Library of Congress would recognize the song as a national treasure.

Today’s Playlist is a SomethingIsHappening compendium of trucking songs in honor of “Truckin’” and the events of January 31, 1970:

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