Absolute shite lineup. Charlie left after management tried to force him out for being too ugly and they tried to force the band to appeal to teenagers and MTV. There was already garbage and commercial leaning songs on the siogo album, which was only 30% classic Blackfoot. I remember buying that, totally hyped for it after marauder, and then having to listen to shit like teenage idol, going in circles, etc. I couldn’t believe it. That was the first time I had to start editing Blackfoot albums to make them listenable . Things got even worse with vertical smiles, which is practically unlistenable. He could’ve renamed the band back to ‘fresh garbage’, and it would’ve been perfectly apt. Listening to Medlocke talk shit about the old lineup with Hargrett and call his new lineup “the best ever Blackfoot lineup” “the best playing” is delusional at best, and typical bs band leaders are forced to say with every album they make, no matter how bad the album actually is. Absolutely embarrassing to hear this and if he ever sees this video again, he should publicly apologize for it. Within a year of this video, they all hated each other, Spires and Walker sold off their rights to the Blackfoot name for a few thousand dollars, giving it all to Medlocke, and the band was done. Absolute tragic ending to a once great band. I don’t think Medlocke ever talked to Spires again.
Great old interview thanks for sharing. It's interesting as the look on Rickey face kind of tells it all of that time and the comment about being a four piece. The looks that Ken Hensley is getting from Greg is interesting.
I ran into these guys at a bar named Spondivits in South Atlanta when they were recording this album in Atlanta. Jackson was the standout in every way. He was a great guy and the drinks flowed as did the bear hugs. Hensley was very quiet and seemed to have very little to do with the whole scene. I wasn't suprised when he left.
Rickey is coked up to the gills! lol. My band opened for them on their first tour with Ken in 1983. Got to party with them afterwards. Nicest band we ever opened for (and we opened for some big names.) Absolute Sweethearts.
When I was a youngster I ran into Rickey backstage at Manchester Apollo on one of their UK tours, kissed his feet, got up and said "Sorry about that..." (trust me, it's not something I've ever done before, or since) and Rickey just laughed and said "Don't worry about it man - last night I met Robert Plant and I SHIT my pants!" and handed me a bottle of Newcastle Brown. What a top notch bloke (and musician) he is :)
With ken in the band ...they never sold anything like when charlie was in the band strikes for example..ken is very talanted no doubt ....but you cant beat the original platform the foundation of the original ..you can go on your LONG JOURNEY. But in the end all things come back full circle
I saw them back in the 80s in the UK 🇬🇧 and they were totally awesome. 1 of the best live bands ever. 👌👍
Absolute shite lineup. Charlie left after management tried to force him out for being too ugly and they tried to force the band to appeal to teenagers and MTV. There was already garbage and commercial leaning songs on the siogo album, which was only 30% classic Blackfoot. I remember buying that, totally hyped for it after marauder, and then having to listen to shit like teenage idol, going in circles, etc. I couldn’t believe it. That was the first time I had to start editing Blackfoot albums to make them listenable .
Things got even worse with vertical smiles, which is practically unlistenable. He could’ve renamed the band back to ‘fresh garbage’, and it would’ve been perfectly apt. Listening to Medlocke talk shit about the old lineup with Hargrett and call his new lineup “the best ever Blackfoot lineup” “the best playing” is delusional at best, and typical bs band leaders are forced to say with every album they make, no matter how bad the album actually is. Absolutely embarrassing to hear this and if he ever sees this video again, he should publicly apologize for it. Within a year of this video, they all hated each other, Spires and Walker sold off their rights to the Blackfoot name for a few thousand dollars, giving it all to Medlocke, and the band was done. Absolute tragic ending to a once great band. I don’t think Medlocke ever talked to Spires again.
Marauder is an absolute masterpiece. I enjoyed some of the more commercial tunes on the latter releases.
Great old interview thanks for sharing. It's interesting as the look on Rickey face kind of tells it all of that time and the comment about being a four piece. The looks that Ken Hensley is getting from Greg is interesting.
Rickey looking his usual likable self, he could've been an action star.
Rest in Peace Jackson Thunderfoot Spires and Ken Hensley
I ran into these guys at a bar named Spondivits in South Atlanta when they were recording this album in Atlanta. Jackson was the standout in every way. He was a great guy and the drinks flowed as did the bear hugs. Hensley was very quiet and seemed to have very little to do with the whole scene. I wasn't suprised when he left.
Rickey is coked up to the gills! lol. My band opened for them on their first tour with Ken in 1983. Got to party with them afterwards. Nicest band we ever opened for (and we opened for some big names.) Absolute Sweethearts.
Was your band called point north????
WEN RICKEY STRATING TO MESS UP THE BAND LOOSING THE ESSENTIAL OF BLACKFOOT ..TILL TODAY THE BAND IS JUT A JOKE OF WHAT THE BAND USED TO BE ...
I became friends with Jackson later in life and he was the nicest person you could meet.
Rickey talking up vertical smiles - best effort and playing...jeez
rickey needs to call greg and charlie and get micheal cartellone on drums and do one last blackfoot tour
When I was a youngster I ran into Rickey backstage at Manchester Apollo on one of their UK tours, kissed his feet, got up and said "Sorry about that..." (trust me, it's not something I've ever done before, or since) and Rickey just laughed and said "Don't worry about it man - last night I met Robert Plant and I SHIT my pants!" and handed me a bottle of Newcastle Brown. What a top notch bloke (and musician) he is :)
With ken in the band ...they never sold anything like when charlie was in the band strikes for example..ken is very talanted no doubt ....but you cant beat the original platform the foundation of the original ..you can go on your LONG JOURNEY. But in the end all things come back full circle
I loved when they performed Speed King !!!!!
The beginning of the end
body language...and where was charlie?
Home in Gainesville Fla.@@donedeal5394
Rick looks high as a kite
Blackfoot was better live than in studio...😎Rickey "Rattlesnake" Medlocke
Too cool 😎 👍
Seen them in buffalo N.Y. What an Ora. I’ll never ever forget. And I get by with highway song on acoustic🙏👍
Ahh...got a call from "Al"...let me guess AL Nalli...Good dude haven't seen him in years
Ricky zooted..
Hensley looks out of place ..sticking out like a sore thumb lol.