Chapter 42: The Big Week

Wed, Sep 16, 1970

“Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Little Jackie paper loved that rascal puff
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on puff’s gigantic tail
Noble kings and princes would bow whene’er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flag when puff roared out his name oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee”

Puff, the Magic Dragon
By Peter, Paul & Mary
Written by Peter Yarrow

The 10 Little Indians & their Families were still with us, being at the Sound Check at RCMH that afternoon. Peter, Paul & Mary quickly taught them 3-Part-Harmonies to Puff, the Magic Dragon. The Kids already knew the Song, as it was a favorite of all kids, they just needed to learn the 3-Parts, & when to Sing.

They were brought Onstage to Sing, for both Buffy’s finale, as well as for Peter, Paul & Mary’s Puff. All in the Audience loved the kids.

Regular Season, Game 149, vs Boston Red Sox. (Nite) We Lost 1-3.

Peter, Paul & Mary, Buffy Saint-Marie & Bette Midler, Day 2 of 6 @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 8pm.

McCloud TV Premier @ RCMH, 10-11pm, NBC-TV. We paused the Concert to View the Premier.

This was actually Episode #2, as the Pilot, Portrait of a Dead Girl, Aired Tue, Feb 17, 1970, on NBC, but tonight was its regular Premier.

Dennis Weaver, 46yo, Rode his Horse Onstage, to introduce his new TV Show. The Episode was called, Who Says You Can’t Make Friends in New York City.

McCloud was On Loan to the NYC Police Department, from New Mexico. I loved hanging out with Dennis, as he was a Man’s Man, but with a kind side.

Thur, Sep 17, 1970

Regular Season, Game 150, vs Boston Red Sox. (Nite) We Lost 4-5.

Peter, Paul & Mary, Buffy Saint-Marie & Bette Midler, Day 3 of 6 @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 8pm.

A few of us Flew to Jamaica. We were Moving Jimi Hendrix, 27yo, Janis Joplin, 27yo, & Devon Wilson, 27yo, into Ian Fleming’s old GoldenEye Estate.

We had fixed it up, as well as adding Guest Cottages, hidden in the Woods. We had also set up a nice Recording Studio, so Jimi & Janis could Record at will.

We had also reached out to 4 mostly Unknowns in 1970. We invited them to use GoldenEye too.

Chris Blackwell, 33yo, had Started Island Records in 1958, at 21yo. He Recorded the beginnings of Reggae in Jamaica, then known as Ska.

He then went to the Jamaican Community in Britain, selling the Records out of the Trunk of his Car. He was one of the main reasons Reggae grew as an Art Form. Most lived in Birmingham, UK. There was massive Prejudice against the Jamaican Immigrants in the UK back then.

Bob Marley, 25yo Peter Tosh, 25yo, Bunny Wailer, 23yo, had formed The Wailers, in 1963. They Recorded their 1st Record in 1965. In May, 1970, they Recorded The Best of the Wailers, which was their 4th Studio Record. It is misleading, as it was all new Songs. They would Release it in 1971.

They would hit it big in 1974, when Eric Clapton did a Cover of Bob Marley’s new Song, I Shot The Sheriff. Bob Marley & The Wailers, had put it out the previous year, 1973.

Bill Graham & David Geffen were with us, & quickly Signed up The Wailers, as well as becoming Partners with Chris Blackwell, as another 50% Deal. Island Records, was now another PastTimesRadio Record Label, alongside Asylum Records. Jimi Hendrix had also started Electric Ladyland Studios, in NYC. BS Studios, were all over, at the Bradbury Building in LA, CA; Brill Building Studios in NYC & Hever Castle, in Kent, UK.

Jimi immediately incorporated Reggae into his new Songs, as he was constantly evolving. We would feature Bob Marley & The Wailers, in our C-4 Ads too.

As Ralf, Bob Marley would buy GoldenEye in 1976, then sold it to Chris Blackwell in 1977. Now, all could live there together, along with Jimi, Janis & Devon.

Fr, Sep 18, 1970

Regular Season, Game 151, at Detroit Tigers. (Nite) We Won 5-0.

Peter, Paul & Mary, Buffy Saint-Marie & Bette Midler, Day 4 of 6 @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 8pm.

The Bob Seger System put on a great Kick-Ass Concert to a Sold-Out Tiger Stadium. Although unknown to most, Bob had a decent following in Detroit, so many came just to see Bob.

We had Flown In from Jamaica, that morning. We still had Jimi, Janis & Devon with us. I was still worried about Jimi, as he was due to Die that Night, in London. He Choked on his own Vomit, after Passing out from Drugs later that night.

But, now as Pug, I was desperately trying to avoid that from happening. Jimi wasn’t alone in London, depressed like before. Instead, he was in Detroit, surrounded by those who Loved him. Jimi survived the night, Thank You Jesus! I was hoping to get another 50 Years out of Jimi.

I had also Flown in Eric Clapton, having him personally give the Left-Handed Stratocaster to Jimi, that he had wanted to do in London.

It was great to hang out with My Guys, the NY Yankees. Everyone knew & loved Eric & Jimi’s Music, as well as Janis’, plus Bob Seger, so we all Watched the Concert together. Sure enough, as soon as Bob Seger broke a sweat, he invited Jimi & Janis & Eric Onstage. It was amazing, how well Jimi fit in with Bob Seger’s Music. Jimi, Janis, Bob & Eric, all loved hard driving music.

Sat, Sep 19, 1970

Regular Season, Game 152, at Detroit Tigers. (Nite) We Won 7-6.

Peter, Paul & Mary, Buffy Saint-Marie & Bette Midler, Day 5 of 6 @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 8pm.