FROM „THE JOHN HERMAN MASTER TAPES“ VOL. 1
Monday, June 25 1973 Evening Show, Civic Center Arena,
Pittsburgh, PA.
Label: Straight Arrow Special
Products SA/SP 2023-69-02
In memory of John Herman
(June 25, 1942 – July 5, 2017)
“I first met John Herman around 1974 - 1975. We met the old fashion ways - by mail. He was running ads in the record collector’s magazine GOLDMINE as well as in want ad sections of fan club newsletters. I belonged to several - it’s how we networked with other fans and collectors.
John and I swapped letters and traded Elvis items. Once our relationship was established we began speaking on the phone. Eventually those phone conversations about Elvis turned to more friendly topics. Family, sports and as the years went by - our health issues.
He often relayed the story about being a young guy in South Carolina where he was born and being turned on to Elvis from the early days at SUN Records. One funny story involved getting the SUN release of “I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine” and disliking it so much that he used it for target practice one day. Imagine shooting a SUN label record! It was of course available in stores back then and before Elvis’ popularity exploded.
Eventually John and his family relocated to Uniontown, Pennsylvania. A small town about 45 miles east of Pittsburgh along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Pittsburgh would eventually figure greatly in his love for Elvis.
John helped me immensely in building my Elvis collection. He was generous to me including trading audio cassettes, reel to reel tapes, video tape, films and records. We became such good friends he gifted me 3 Sun Records, two 45 RPM’s and one 78 RPM. As the years progressed he recorded many Elvis concerts. He saw Elvis on tour in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
New York, Virginia as well as other places including Elvis’ last two engagements in Las Vegas. He shared a lot of that with me as well as other fans. He even helped me get to some of those shows and shared his access with me - I’m forever grateful.
Like many of us he began recording the shows on cassette tape. A process that was a learning experience for those of us who did such a thing. The more shows you’re recorded - the better you became at it. The same applied to shooting still pictures or Super 8 film. At some point you got better and better.
The interaction between Elvis’ staff, his father and eventually Elvis himself gave John pretty good access to his hero. It’s a story I’ll relate in later editions. Elvis loved policeman and that was John’s profession - a Police Officer for his hometown. John became friendly with his hero on a personal basis. The audio recordings he made, the photographs he shot and even the iconic films he shot have become legendary in the world of Elvis. With the passing of many of the original guard of Elvis fans and collectors – his is one of those names and stories that needs to be kept relevant.
He left us with many great moments and memories that we all still share and enjoy.”
Straight Arrow was fortunate enough to obtain recently recovered 1st generation copy of the original audience-recorded tape of this show, coming from collection of American fan. This historic concert was never before available in good sound quality - until now! Every second was enhanced to achieve the optimal listening experience. The sound was remastered to the correct speed. If you have enjoyed our previous 1973 CDs, we believe that you will love this one as well. Ask your local CD vendor for audio teasers!
Presented in the usual Straight Arrow fashion with the top notch digipak including the photos of Elvis in Pittsburgh and Uniondale, June 1973 and great liner notes written by close friend of John Herman, this new release is another beauty that you must not miss! Straight arrow is planning several volumes of “FROM THE JOHN HERMAN MASTERTAPES” similar with our legendary 2015 “FROM THE RICK RENNIE MASTERATEPS” series. Note: Elvis super fan John Herman also taped the legendary Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve show, widely released by bootleggers and by the official FTD label.
The Straight Arrow team is always looking for new, unreleased audience-taped shows and for better quality versions of the previously released recordings. If you have such unique tapes, even damaged or broken, do not hesitate to contact us through your local dealer!
Tracklist:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C. C. Rider
03. I Got A Woman / Amen
04.Love Me Tender
05. Steamroller Blues
06. You Gave Me A Mountain
07. Love Me
08.Blue Suede Shoes
09. Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Mama Don’t Dance /
Flip Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Shake Rattle And Roll / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
10. I’m Leavin’
11. How Great Thou Art (with reprise)
12. Hound Dog
13. Fever
14. What Now My Love
15. Suspicious Minds
16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra
17.Happy Birthday to Colonel Parker
18. I’ll Remember You
19. I Can’t Stop Loving You
20. An American Trilogy
21. Johnny B. Goode
22. Help Me Make It Through The Night
23. Can’t Help Falling In Love
24. Closing Vamp.
