In Concert: Big Brother and the Holding Company

by Michael G. Stewart.

It's been 40 years since the fabled "Summer of Love," but the spirit of San Francisco was alive and well at the Parilla Theatre on Maryland's Montgomery College campus during a concert by Big Brother and The Holding Company. Founding members Sam Andrew (guitar), Peter Albin (bass) and Dave Getz (percussion) proved that while time may have taken its toll on their once flowing hairlines, it has yet to dampen their flower child enthusiasm. Although the presence of Janis Joplin was felt in the hall that night, newcomer and Big Brother's vocalist, Lynn Asher, quickly established her own unique style making Janis's hits an inviting vehicle for her own powerful and soulful voice.

Original guitarist Sam Andrew generously shared six-string duties with Cleveland-based lead guitarist Ben Nieves, who helped move classic Big Brother tunes like" Down on Me" and "Summertime" into the 21st century with fiery fretwork more reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen that James Gurley. But, Andrew proved time and again why he was a pioneer of psychedelic guitar mayhem, with the feedback and fuzz flowing in generous helpings from his black PRS on showcases like "Ball and Chain."

As an extra bonus that evening, the band was joined on stage by Barry McGuire for a rousing sing along, ending the set with his 1965 hit ‘Eve of Destruction" and the Mamas and Papas classic "California Dreaming." McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" is one of the few songs from the '60s that can genuinely lay claim to the term “anthem.”

With balloons bouncing through the audience, the crowd singing and swaying, smiling and peaceful, the only thing missing to completely recreate a night at the Avalon Ballroom in 1967 was the haze of sweet blue smoke.

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Big Brother and the Holding Company
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