Pure Prairie League in Charlotte

[Tony Prior]

Of course I am attending and it is said that John David Call is touring with the current lineup, should be pretty darn good !

I also never knew that Al Brisco played Steel on the 1st PPL LP and maybe the 2nd before JD Call entered the picture. Great playing by Al on those classic LP's.

[Tony Prior]

All I can say is it was one great show. John David Call was not on stage, it was John Heinrich, PPL's lineup changed so much thru the years its a moot point to say the original lineup was not there. If you closed your eye's and listened, you were brought right back to the 1st LP. The Steel/Telecaster interaction and vocals was exactly as it should be, maybe better !

Go see them , we will go again when they are in the area.

[Steve Mueller]

Tony, To set the record straight, JD Call played on the first PPL album titled "Pure Prarie League." Al Brisco played on the second album titled " Bustin' Out." Both great players. I spent alot of time listening to them at their house gig at New Dilly's Tavern in Mt Adams in Cincy before the first album was released. JD Call played on albums subsequent to Bustin Out, but not sure which except that's definitely him on "Two Lane Highway!"

[Jerry Overstreet]

So if JD is not there, nobody left of the original members?

[Tony Prior]

Its quite an interesting story for this band. To me its irrelevant as the lineups changed with the weather ! I was hoping to see JD Call, but he left the tour reportedly at the end of 2024. who can say why. Craig Fuller, original lead singer/guitarist who sang Aimie, left the band by '73, so even if we went to see them in '73, Larry Goshorn was in the band, ( Two Lane Highway era) they were no longer the original lineup almost from the get go. A few years later Larrys brother joined the band then they both quit. Subsequently both Larry and brother Tim have passed away.

The web lists 32 different players in PPL. including Vince and other well known players,

Early 2000's there was a resurgence which included Fuller , Powell and a few more but even at that it couldn't stand the test of time. Many had passed away or were just not able to tour anymore due to health restrictions. It seems that keyboard player Randy Harper was added to the lineup and he kept the fire burning

I can tell you this, if someone called and asked me to tour I would have to pass, age, and other life / health restrictions would prevent me from going on the road. Even the band I still play with, after 25 years there are only 2 original members remaining , me and Tim, and even at that I am part time.

I think it would be near impossible for original lineups to remain intact for well over 50 years, Don Henley and the Eagles come to mind right about now. We were able to see the Eagles in 2015 a few months before Glenn's passing. while they certainly were the Eagles, there were at least 2 or 3 others on the backline, be it keyboards, acoustics or percussion, they were all participating in the vocals and harmonies. Not a complaint, an observation, it was a great show, Don and Glenn were certainly " original Eagles" and it was great to see them.

To me, I am thankful that this current PPL lineup, which is mostly 7 years or less, are keeping the music alive and really well. They are Pure Prairie League and they are playing their butts off ! The songs and music still rocks ! When they played "TEARS" from the 1st LP, I was instantly time jumped back to 1970!~

[Jerry Overstreet]

I just asked out of curiosity Tony. I'm not pining for an all original band as I know well the revolving door even up way past 2 Lane.

I'm very happy the music is being kept alive. PPL is one of my most revered and listened to bands on LP and CD all the way back to the beginning.

I'm sure they still sound great and John Heinrich is a great and very versatile musician, steeler as well as fabulous saxophonist being proficient on all forms to add where called for.

[Craig Stock]

I thought I read somewhere here on the Forum that JD Call had hand surgery or something like that so he had to bail. Im not 100% on that though

[Tony Prior]

I just asked out of curiosity Tony. I'm not pining for an all original band as I know well the revolving door even up way past 2 Lane.

I'm very happy the music is being kept alive. PPL is one of my most revered and listened to bands on LP and CD all the way back to the beginning.

I'm sure they still sound great and John Heinrich is a great and very versatile musician, steeler as well as fabulous saxophonist being proficient on all forms to add where called for.

Me too Jerry, my reply was general. If I reflect back over the decades I tried to go see them when they first hit the scene but the show was cancelled . I don't recall them ever coming back close to where I was back then. As with you, PPL is really one of my all time favorite bands, However and whoever they are when the perform as PPL is quite appreciated ! This lineup rocked the house, 4 lead vocalists and if you closed your eyes you couldn't tell any of them from Fuller or Goshorn . The Guitar playing and Steel playing was Johnny on the spot, 2nd to none.

[Chris Templeton]

Here are their credits: https://www.allmusic.com/search/all/Pur ... e%20league

[Tony Prior]

LOL I love the genre assigned in the credits "POP ROCK"

[Tony Prior]

I've been thinking about PPL these past few days especially after seeing the latest lineup last weekend and hearing those great songs again. Being a huge fan of PPL, Poco and Buffalo Springfield, it dawned on me that it was really Pure Prairie League that was my primary influence way back then. The Steel playing, be it JD Call or whoever, and the songs of Craig Fuller along with his guitar playing was really where I was . Looking back I guess I never realized what a force Craig Fuller was , now add the Steel interaction in the songs and it was all pretty incredible. My roots are R+R, ( Everly's , Elvis, Ricky Nelson) Blues , the British Invasion and then the Country Rock bands , which led me to Pedal Steel. I came to Country Music thru the backdoor. Friends ask me all the time how I have so much music in my brain, easy answer , I was there, I didn't step into Country Music until after my journey thru all that other music.

I have a musical memoir which I may publish at some point and I mention that when I first joined a Country Band on Steel I got fired the first night, I didn't know the music or songs. Never mind that I actually couldn't play Steel other than a few AB licks here and there. I came from a different place musically. It took me the better part of a year or more to get familiar with the typical Country Music setlists that were being played in the clubs. My Country Rock days introduced me to Pedal Steel, getting fired made me go back and learn Country Music songs and how to play them.

Getting fired wasn't a bad thing and good thing there was a backdoor for me to walk thru for Country Music ! lol

[Dennis Ellerbee]

John David Call had to have a couple of surgeries on his hand. He was going to be out for six to eight months so since he has been on the road for so long he decided at his age it would be better for him to retire. Got this information from Craig Fuller.

[Lee Baucum]

My wife and I had the pleasure of seeing PPL at Gruene Hall, many years ago. Fats Kaplan was on pedal steel guitar.