Paul Cotton Concert Archives

The groundbreaking work on Paul’s pre-Poco career has been done by Rich McGrath, with assistance from DELIVERIN’ contributor Stu Rosenberg.

Sadly, Norman Paul Cotton passed away on July 31, 2021. In his honor, I will continue to add and research his pre-Poco and solo career live appearances.

1959-1960

The Capitols were formed in February 1958 when Paul was almost 15. Paul (Norman) Cotton on guitar, Keith Anderson on accordion & bass, Jerry Urban on sax, Guy Franchot (Frenchy) Germany on drums, Walter (Buddy) Riley on guitar, Chuck Edelhofer on vocals, and Jim Jaroscz on vocals. Cotton was the lead guitarist but did no singing in the band. Within a week of announcing the band’s formation, the group had its first gig at the YMCA. They played at the local South Chicago YMCA, school functions, and private parties during its lifetime. This original band name was taken from the brand name on Keith Anderson’s accordion. In 1960, they recorded a demo album in the studios of WIND-AM in Chicago. Comprised mostly of instrumental tracks, it also included two vocals, although Paul doesn’t sing. It’s this recording that will be used to draw several singles in the coming years.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
August 15, 1959	Harvey Y Teen Center	Harvey, IL		Twixt Twelve and Twenty Dance from 9:00 p.m. to midnight
January 28, 1960	Moose Teenage Club	Harvey, IL
March 26, 1960	Thornton Township High School	Harvey, IL	22 other acts on the bill	Circus – 1960 Variety Review
August 21, 1960	Art’s Roller Rink	Harvey, IL	The Moderns	Blitz Benefit Bop

1961-1962

The Capitols change their name to the Mus-Twangs after Nero Records releases the Irving Berlin tune, ‘Marie.’ in January 1961. A couple months later, Nero Records sells their recordings to Mercury Records. Mercury releases a single for their Smash record label. Marie was a fiery instrumental featuring Paul’s early guitar work. Although the single didn’t chart, Mercury released a follow-up, ‘Frankie and Johnny,’ an orginal by Keith Anderson, in July 1961. The band dissolved by the end of 1962. Frenchy Germany left first in mid-year replaced by Johnny Jordan. Keith Anderson and Bobby Simms left at the end of the year to form a trio act. When Jerry Urban fell ill and had to leave the band, the group was through.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
March 25, 1961	Thornton Township High School	Harvey, IL		Dance after 8th Annual Variety Show, the group has recently changed their name from the Capitols. They perform ‘Marie.’
April 8, 1961	Hillside Ballroom	Nakoosa, IL
April 22, 1961	Bremen High School	Harvey, IL		Beehive Bowl
May 11, 1961	Mike & Jean’s Hall	Posen, IL
June 2, 1961	Thornton High School	Harvey, IL		Bermuda Hop
October 31, 1961	Whittier Gym, Thornton High School	Harvey, IL
November 17, 1961	Poppel’s Under 21 Tropicana Club	Riverdale, IL		One show at 9:00 p.m.
November 23, 1961	Thornton Junior High School	Harvey, IL
December 9, 1961	Grade School Gym	Gridley, IL		FFA’s Snowflake Dance – billed as Keith Anderson’s Mus-Twangs. Dance begins at 9:00 p.m.
January 6, 1962	Skate-A-Rama	Niles, IL		One show at 10:30 p.m.
January 20, 1962	Skate-A-Rama	Niles, IL		One show at 10:30 p.m.
February 3, 1962	Skate-A-Rama	Niles, IL		One show at 10:30 p.m.
February 17, 1962	Shadowland Ballroom	St. Joseph, MI		One show at 8:00 p.m. Promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury
March 31, 1962	Shadowland Ballroom	St. Joseph, MI		One show at 8:00 p.m. Promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury
April 27, 1962	Marian High School			Turnabout Dance
June 22, 1962	American Legion Hall	Chicago Heights, IL	Ral Donner	Friday night shows promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury. The Mus-Twangs played every other Friday night.
July 20, 1962	American Legion Hall	Chicago Heights, IL		Promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury
August 3, 1962	American Legion Hall	Chicago Heights, IL	Jay & Americans, Kenny Dino	One show at 8:00 p.m. Promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury
August 5, 1962	Just For Fun Roller Rink	McHenry, IL		One show at 8:00 p.m. Promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury
September 1, 1962	Grundy County Fair, Mazon Fairgrounds	Morris, IL		Two shows at 2:00 & 9:00 p.m.
September 29, 1962	Kinney Shoe Store	Harvey, IL	Bobby Simms & Cheerleaders	Promoted by Chicago DJ Jim Lounsbury
October 31, 1962	Gym, Thornton High School	Harvey, IL

1963

In February of 1963, Jerry Urban, now recovered, pulled Paul and the remainder of the Mus-Twangs together and added Johnny Moore on bass, forming the Starfires. Urban stayed only until the summer before leaving to get married in late July. During the year, Paul attended barber school and played on sessions for Bobby Simms’ solo records.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes

1964

Carol Vega had been around the scene, and she’d rehearsed with the Mus-Twangs and the Starfires but had never performed a gig with them. Paul, Johnny Moore, and Johnny Moyer formed “Carol Vega & Trio.” Paul performed with the group through 1964 and perhaps early ’65 before moving on. While with the group, Paul played guitar on at least one Carole Vega single, ‘Sugar Over You’ in May 1964.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
	Poppel’s 21 Club, Riverdale, IL			The band debuted at this popular haunt.
July	Schuler’s,	Niles, MI		Two-week engagement after the release of their debut single.

1965

In early 1965, Paul formed a new band called the Gentrys with Frank Bartel (Bortoli) and Freddy Page (Pappalardo). The band began as a trio playing cover tunes of the Beatles, Righteous Brothers, and other Top 40 hits. Partway through the year, the Gentrys added Michael Anthony on keyboards and Kal David on guitar. As the year neared an end, a group out of Memphis, also called The Gentrys, scored a national hit entitled Keep on Dancin’, forcing the group to change their name to The Rovin’ Kind. The band did some recording during the year, but nothing was released.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
August 14-	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL		New show added!
September 17-21	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL	Bobby Whiteside
	Poppel’s Under 21 Tropicana Club	Riverdale, IL
	Black Orchid Club	Chicago, IL
Summer	Turner Hall, St. Anthony’s	Chicago, IL
				Paul renames the Gentrys after hearing of the band in the South. Riding on their hit, ‘Keep on Dancin’,’ the band had played dates in Illinois in November He choses “The Rovin’ Kind.”
December 11	Auditorium	Milwaukee, WI	The Dave Clark Five (headliners), Dee Robb & The Robins, James Hamm	One show at 7:30 p.m. Chicago-based promoter Ed Pazur booked this show and signed the Rovin’ Kind as one of the opening acts for one of the British Invasion’s most popular groups.
December 22-26	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL		First local gig booked under their new name.
December 31	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL		Billed under their new name and their old one

1966

The newly-named Rovin’ Kind gets a major break when Dick Clark sees them and earns them a spot on the iconic teen TV show, American Bandstand. Although mostly a cover band, the Rovin’ Kind records some original tunes and released ‘Bound to Roam’/ ‘Everybody’ on Contrapoint Records during the year.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
January 7	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL		New show added!
February 19	Curry Hicks Cage, University of Massachusetts	Amherst, MA	Four Seasons, Simon and Garfunkel	Question whether this is Paul’s band. They didn’t emerge from the midwest until later in the year.
April 22-May 1	International Amphitheatre	Chicago, IL		Dick Clark’s Young World’s Fair – Rovin’ Kind wins the Battle of the Bands competition over 185 other bands. Dick Clark was impressed and signed them for an appearance on his show, American Bandstand.
May 4-14	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL	Beef Trust
May 18-June 4	Whisky a Go Go	Chicago, IL
July 26-August 20	Tiger Club, Hilton Inn, SF International Airport	San Francisco, CA		The Rovin’ Kind get a big gig outside their home territory, performing in a lounge in San Francisco. The gig was originally for two weeks, but they are extended at one point. During this residency, they fly down to Los Angeles to film their appearance on American Bandstand.
August 6	American Bandstand airs		James Brown	Rovin’ Kind perform ‘Right on Time’ and ‘Night People.’
August 26	The Losers North	San Jose, CA	The Blues Project	New show added!
September 21-28	Club Laurel	Chicago, IL		New show added!
October 12-16	Club Laurel	Chicago, IL		New shows added!
October 26-November 25	The Pussy Cat in the Happy Medium	Chicago, IL		New shows added! The Rovin’ Kind were booked for a four-week residency.
October 30	United Presbyterian Church	Milroy, IL	Steve Bailey	UNICEF fund raiser
November 26	Star Lounge	Calumet City, IL		One night only
November 27	Melody Music Mart	Chicago, IL		A promotional appearance at a local Chicago music store at 3:00 p.m.
December 2	Hammond Technical High School	Hammond, IN	The Kritters	One show at 7:00 p.m.
December 3	Balkan Music Shop	Berwyn, IL		A promotional appearance to demonstrate Baldwin instruments
December 18	Wayne’s a Go Go	Galesburg, IL		New show added! Two shows at 5;00 & 8:30 p.m.
December 25	Club Laurel	Chicago, IL

1967

A crucial year where the Rovin’ Kind solidify themselves as a solid club band in Chicago. Their attempts at a hit record, however, don’t bear fruit.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
January 29	The Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Saturday’s Children	New show added! On show at 2:30 p.m.
February 5-17	The Pussycat in the Happy Medium	Chicago, IL		Two-week residency
February 12	The Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Knaves	New show added! One show at 2:30 p.m.
February 19	The Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Saturday’s Children	New show added! One show at 2:30 p.m.
February 24-25	The Barn	Michigan City, IN
February 26	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Detroit Wheels (headliner)	One show at 2:30 p.m.
March 12	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Little Boy Blues	New show added! One show at 2:30 p.m.
March 15-19	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Chamber Brothers (headliner)
March 27	American Legion Hall	Riverdale, IL
April 16	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Seeds (headliner)	New show added! One show at 2:30 p.m.
April 19-May 13	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Dave Mitchell and the Thunderballs	During this two-week run, the Rovin’ Kind also appear on Channel 26, WCIU’s Marty Faye Show on April 22.
May 5	Garrett Theological Seminary	Chicago, IL		Rovin’ Kind performs rock versions of Christian hymns and songs.
June 10	Top Deck Club	South Bend, IN		New show added! One show at 8:30 p.m.
June 11	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Exceptions (headliner)	New show added! One show at 2:30 p.m. The Rovin’ Kind backs Barney Pip, MC also
June 14-17	Club Laurel	Chicago, IL	B.G. Ramblers	New shows added!
June 21-25	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Players	One show each night at 8:00 p.m.
June 30-July 2	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Scott Brothers
July 5-6	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	Scott Brothers
July 7	McCormick Place	Chicago, IL		WCFL World Teenage Show
July 26-August 10	The Pussycat in the Happy Medium	Chicago, IL
September 1-3	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Exceptions, Baby Huey
September 4	Club Laurel	Chicago, IL		New show added!
September 8	Purple Heart South	Chicago Heights, IL	Revised Edition
September 23	Cheetah Club	Chicago, IL	The Young Breed	Three shows at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 & 3:00 p.m. WCFL fashion show
October 5-7	Cheetah Club	New York City, NY
October 16	67 Supper Club	Muncie, IN		New show added! A review reported that a wealthy (and inebriated) patron paid cash for the band to repeat their cover of ‘California Dreamin” seven times before the group took a break.
October 30	City Hall	Washington, IA
November 4	YMCA	Washington, IA
December 26	First Methodist Church	Berwyn, IL		New show added! The Rovin’ Kind perform two rock n roll church services at 6:00 & 8:00 p.m.
December 29	The Cheetah	Chicago, IL	Baby Huey (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
December 30	The Cheetah	Chicago, IL	King James Version (headliners)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
December 31	The Cheetah	Chicago, IL	Baby Huey (headliner)	One show at 9:00 p.m.

1968

Jim Guercio spots the band at the Cheetah and convinces them to move to California in February, where he signs them to Columbia Records. They change their name to Illinois Speed Press and start working the LA club circuit. Guercio produces their first album in the early part of the year, and Cotton’s ‘Get in the Wind’ is released as their first single in June. Sadly, Guercio began destroying the band before the release of the first album when he insisted that Keith Anderson be let go and that Rob Lewine join on bass.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
February 1-4	Star Lounge	Calumet City, IL		New shows added!
February 23-26	67 Supper Club	Muncie, IN		New shows added!
April 2-6	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	James Cotton	Now signed by Jim Guercio, the band is in California, performing under the name Illinois Speed Press…although they aren’t in the ads.
April 19	Bakersfield College	Bakersfield, CA	The Standells
April 28	Valley Music Theater	Woodland Hills, CA	Buffalo Springfield, Hamilton Street Car	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 3-5	The Cheetah	Venice, CA	Hamilton Camp (headliner), The Hook,
May 29-June 5	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Spirit
June 20	The Kaleidoscope	Hollywood, CA		Start of a summer residency. Corrected the date.
June 27-30	Wrigley Field	Los Angeles, CA	Johnny Rivers, The Grassroots, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Pacific Gas & Electric, Family Tree, Lee Michaels, Alice Cooper, Sweetwater, Tim Buckley, Bo Diddley, The Chamber Brothers, The Collectors	Benefit for Black Congress, Free Press and Free Clinic, Phantasmagoria III One show each day at 7:00 p.m. (27th & 28th) and 4:00 p.m. on 29th & 30th) Illinois Speed Press likely performs only one date.
June 28-29	The Kaleidoscope	Hollywood, CA	Electric Flag (headliner), Smokestack Lightning	Three shows each night at 9:00, 11:00 p.m. & 1:00 a.m.
July 3-7	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Tim Buckley
July 14	The Cheetah + outdoor stage	Venice, CA	Pacific Gas & Electric (headline), Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chicago Transit Authority, The Collectors, The Mothers of Invention, Sons of Synanon, Black Pearl, Alice Cooper, Holy Modal Rounders, Euclid Avenue	New show added! 4th Free Press Birthday Bash. 25,000 people attend outdoor stage show next to Cheetah. Acts performed both outdoor and indoor sets. Outdoor show ended during the Speed Press’s set.
July 16-18	Fillmore West	San Francisco, CA	Big Brother & Holding Company (headliner), Richie Havens,	One show each night at 9:00 p.m.
July 22-26	End of Cole Avenue	Dallas, TX
July 26	Hi Corbett Field	Tucson, AZ	Country Joe & The Fish (headliner), Fox & The Floating Opera	New show added! One show at 8:00 p.m.
July 27	Exhibit Hall, State Fairgrounds	Phoenix, AZ	Country Joe & The Fish	One show at 8:00 p.m.
August 3	Civic Auditorium	Pasadena, CA	The Electric Chair, Chicago Transit Authority	One show at 8:00 p.m. A rare headlining show.
August 3-4	Newport Pop Festival, Orange County Fairground	Costa Mesa, CA	The Byrds, The Turtles, The Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Lovin’ Spoonful, Sonny & Cher, Tiny Tim, The Electric Flag, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Blue Cheer	One show each day at 10:00 a.m.
August 9-11	The Bank	Torrence, CA	Pacific, Gas & Electric, Sons of Champlin, Freedom Highway	One show at 8:30 p.m. with a 3:00 p.m. matinee show on 11th
August 18	The Cheetah Pier	Venice, CA	Chicago Transit Authority, Pacific, Gas & Electric, Mt. Rushmore, Gypsy Wizard Band, Sherwood, Fields, Sweetwater, Black Pearl, The Outlaw Blues Band – Murray Roman MC	“Brucemas” – celebrating Lenny Bruce One show at noon
September 13-14	Kinetic Playground	Chicago, IL	Pride (formerly Lemon Pipers)	One show each night
September 22	Chain Reaction	Chicago, IL
October 13-16	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Initial Shock
October 17-20	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Lee Michaels (headliner)
October 25	Commons, California State University	Fullerton, CA	The Stack, Great Train Robbery
November 6	Teen-Age Pavilion, State Fairgrounds	Phoenix, AZ	Sunshine Company (headliner), 20th Century Zoo	Three shows at 4:00, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.
November 7	Teen-Age Pavilion, State Fairgrounds	Phoenix, AZ	October Country (headliner), 20th Century Zoo	Three shows at 4:00, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.
November 7	Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum	Phoenix, AZ	Sweetwater, Albert King, The Doors
November 9	Gym, Tustin High School	Tustin, CA	The Stack	One show at 8:00 p.m.
November 16	McKenna Auditorium, Claremont College	Claremont, CA	Dust
December 13	Women’s Gym, LA Valley College	Van Nuys, CA	Electric Chair
December 17-22	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Terry Reid
December 31	Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum	Phoenix, AZ	Steppenwolf (headliner), Blood, Sweat & Tears, Three Dog Night	One show at 8:00 p.m.

1969

The Speed Press continues to fall apart as Guercio keeps monkeying with the band. He convinces Cotton and David to get rid of Freddy Page and Michael Anthony as well. By the summer tour, the Illinois Speed Press that left Chicago was down to just Cotton and David from the original band, along with Rob Lewine and Vern Johnson. The spring finally saw the release of their long-overdue debut album. In October, Mike Curb absorbed James Guercio Enterprises.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
January 9-19	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Tim Hardin (headliner)
January 10-11	Shrine Auditorium	Los Angeles, CA	Vanilla Fudge (headliner), The Collectors, Richie Havens, A.B. Skhy	One show each night at 8:00 p.m. ISP and A.B. Skhy replace Spirit
January 22-26	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Lothar & Hand People (headliner), Bob Seger System	Possible that Lothar canceled and were replaced by Bob Seger.
January 25	KERO TV-Studio	Bakersfield, CA	Merle Haggard, Bonnie Owens	March of Dimes telethon appearance during the day before a return to LA and the Whisky tonight.
January 28-February 2	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Delaney & Bonnie (headliner)	ISP replaced Taj Mahal
February 6	The White Room	Buena Park, CA	The Stack
February 23	Gym, California State University	Fullerton, CA	Spirit (headliner)	One show at 7:30 p.m.
February 26-March 2	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	It’s a Beautiful Day (headliner)
February 28-29	The White Room	Buena Park, CA	Black Pearl
March 5-9	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Slim Harpo (headliner. 1910 Fruitgum Company (9th only)
March 14	The Fig	Los Angeles, CA	The Electric Prunes, Fury, Southwind
March 15	Valley Music Theater	Woodland Hills, CA	Taj Mahal, Dillard & Clark	One show at 8:00 p.m.
March 22	Convention Center	Anaheim, CA	Smokestack Lightnin’ (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m. The concert includes a showing of the final Cream show at Royal Albert Hall on film.
March 23	Civic Auditorium	Santa Monica, CA	Smokestack Lightnin’ (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m. The concert includes a showing of the final Cream show at Royal Albert Hall on film.
March 31	Aquarius Theater	Hollywood, CA	Chicago Transit Authority, Red Beans & Rice, Mothers of Invention, Captain Beefheart, Linda Ronstadt, Jethro Tull, Buddy Miles, Southwind, Dillard & Clark	One show at 8:00 p.m. Benefit for LA Free Clinic. The show was held at the former Kaleidoscope.
April 11-12	The White Room	Buena Park, CA	Poco (headliner)	One show each night at 8:00 p.m. Paul Cotton meets his future bandmates today.
April 20	The Cheetah Pier	Venice, CA	Black Pearl, Melanie, Blues Image, Fields, Fraternity of Man, Buffington Rhodes, Rockin’ Foo, Littlejohn Farm	Chicago promoter and owner of the Kinetic Playground, Aaron Russo has leased the Cheetah for the summer.
April 25	Claremont College	Claremont, CA	Albert Collins, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Roxy
April 26	Labor Temple	Minneapolis, MN	Tony Williams Lifetime with Jack Bruce (headliner)	Two shows at 6:30 & 9:30 p.m.
May 2-3	The White Room	Buena Park, CA		One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 8-11	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Hugh Masakela & Big Black (headliner)	Although originally advertised as opener through May 18, Chicago Transit Authority opened from 12th to 18th.
May 15	Thee Experience	West Hollywood, CA	Linn County, C.K. Strong
May 16	Olympia Stadium	Detroit, MI	Led Zeppelin (headliner), Spirit	Show was moved to Grande Ballroom
May 18	Labor Temple	Minneapolis, MN	Deep Purple (headliner), The Serfs	ISP replaced by Deep Purple. ISP booked a headline gig in June to replace this appearance
May 23-24	Kinetic Ballroom	Chicago, IL	Led Zeppelin (headliner), Pacific Gas & Electric	One show at 7:30 p.m.
May 25	Kinetic Ballroom	Chicago, IL		One show at 7:30 p.m.
May 29-31	The Ark	Boston, MA	Freddie King (headliner)
June 6	Eastown Theater	Detroit, MI	MC5 (headliner), The Stooges
June 7	Eastown Theater	Detroit, MI	MC5 (headliner), The Up
June 8	Labor Temple	Minneapolis, MN		This show was to replace the show they canceled in May.
June 27-28	The White Room	Buena Park, CA	K.B.E.	New show added! One show each night at 8:00 p.m.
July 2	The White Room	Buena Park, CA		New show added! One show at 8:00 p.m.
July 4-5	Rose Palace	Pasadena, CA	Ike & Tina Turner, Dragonwick	One show each night at 7:15 p.m.
July 10	Thee Experience	West Hollywood, CA	Charity
July 11-12	Thee Experience	West Hollywood, CA	Charity, Murray Roman
July 18	The Third Eye	Palos Verdes, CA	Fusion, The Glass Family	Benefit for LA Free Clinic
July 19	Santa Ana Stadium	Santa Ana, CA	Lee Michaels (headliner), Rainbow, Big Foot	One show at 8:30 p.m. Also in today’s edition of the LA Times, is a want-ad stating “Gibson ’61 Les Paul SG. On tour. Must sell by Tuesday. Illinois Speed Press.”
July 22-27	End of Cole Avenue	Dallas, TX
August 7	Sports Arena	Northbrook, IL	Conqueror Worm, Friends of Distinction	One show at 7:30 p.m.
August 8	The Cellar	Arlington Heights, IL	Mason Proffit	New show added! One show at 8:15 p.m.
August 10	Valley View	Frankfort, IL		New show added! One show at 8:00 p.m.
August 13	Evansville Pop Festival, Mesker Amphitheatre	Evansville, IN	Canned Heat (headliner), Butterfield Blues Band, Elvin Bishop, Cat Mother, The Flock, the Litter	One show at 6:00 p.m. Road manager John Kelly claims the band was not paid for this appearance.
August 16	The Tuna Fish	Evanston, IL	Little Charlie Wonder Lick	New show added!
August 18	Cheetah Pier	Venice, CA	Chicago Transit Authority, Pacific Gas & Electric, Black Pearl, Sherwood, Fields, The Outlaw Blues Band	Brucemass, The 2nd Free Press Summer Celebration
August 19	Rainy Daze	St. Louis, MO		Newspaper notes this is a return engagement, but we haven’t found the first engagement yet.
August 30	Midwest Rock Festival, Milwaukee County Stadium	Milwaukee, WI	Chuck Berry (headliner) Taj Mahal, Howlin’ Wolf, Cat Mother, Mother Earth, People, Clayton Fletcher, Elyse Weinberg, Soup	One show at 2:00 p.m. 3,000 people attended the festival. Chuck Berry refused to perform until he was paid cash. Mother Earth backed him.
September 5-6	The Catacombs	Houston, TX		New show added! One show each night at 8:30 p.m.
September 18-19	The Pusi-Kat	San Antonio, TX	The Laughing Kind (18) Plymouth Rock (19)	New show added! One show each night at 8:30 p.m.
September 18	Amphitheatre, Santa Monica City College	Santa Monica, CA
September 25-28	End of Cole Avenue	Dallas, TX	Treeks, Nazz
October 3	Pilot Stadium	Tempe, AZ	Janis Joplin (headliner), James Cotton	ISP is removed from the bill a week before the show.

1970

The band falls apart late in 1969 when Jim Guercio tells Vern Johnson and Rob Lewine they will not be needed for the upcoming second-album sessions. Both choose to leave the group, and Johnson returned to his previous band, Country Funk. David and Cotton continue on with session players Joe Osborn, Hal Blaine, and Mike Lloyd to record a second album for Columbia Records. DUET was released in March. They put together a touring band using Jimmy Rogers on bass and Rick Allen on drums, and hit the road. When the second album flopped, the band continued through the summer, thanks largely to a support slot on two Chicago tours.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
February 20-22	The Golden Bear	Huntington Beach, CA	Bernie Pearl Blues Band	The newly revamped ISP does some club gigs in preparation for opening for Chicago
February 24-March 1	The Brass Ring	Sherman Oaks, CA	Blues Image
March 12	PNE Agrodome	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m. Paul and the ISP get a life-saving gig opening for Chicago twice during the year.
March 13-14	Eagles Auditorium	Seattle, WA	Chicago (headliner)	Two shows at 8;30 & 10:30 p.m.
March 15	Sports Arena	San Diego, CA	Paul Butterfield, (headliner), Savoy Brown, Fever Tree	One show at 8:00 p.m.
March 20	TravelLodge Theater	Phoenix, AZ	Chicago (headliner)	Two shows at 7:00 & 10:00 p.m.
March 28-29	A Warehouse	New Orleans, LA	Grand Funk Railroad (headliner)
April 3-4	Five Stages	Chicago, IL	The Litter, Wilderness Road	One show each night at 8:00 p.m.
April 10-11	Beaver’s	Chicago, IL		One show each night at 8:00 p.m.
April 12	The Scene	Milwaukee, WI	Rastus	Sunday matinee show
April 19-21	Beaver’s	Chicago, IL		One show each night at 8:00 p.m.
April 24	University of Missouri	Kansas City, MO	Steve Miller Band (headliner)	A free show during the day, ISP then head for Poynette for an evening set.
April 24	Sound Storm, York Farm	Poynette, WI	Grateful Dead (headliner), Baby Huey, Rotary Connection, Bliss, Ox, Galactic Vision, Tayles, Mother Blues, Captain Billy’s Whiz Band, U.S. Pure,	One show at 10:00 a.m.
April 26	Labor Temple	Minneapolis, MN	Tony Williams “Lifetime” with Jack Bruce	Two shows at 6:30 & 9:30 p.m.
May 3	Brewer Fieldhouse, University of Missouri	Columbia, MO	Phil Ochs (headliner), Melanie	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 4	The Music Palace	St. Louis, MO	Pax	Two shows at 7:30 & 10:00 p.m.
May 9	Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse, Bradley University	Peoria, IL	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 10	Auditorium	Minneapolis, MN	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:30 p.m.
May 11	KRNT Theater	Des Moines, IA	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 13	Slagle Auditorium, University of South Dakota	Vermillion, SD	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 14	Hallenbeck Hall, St. Cloud State College	St. Cloud, MN	Chicago (headliner)
May 16	Coliseum, Nebraska University	Lincoln, NE	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 17	Dane County Coliseum	Madison, WI	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 7:30 p.m.
May 19	Fairgrounds Coliseum	Springfield, IL	Chicago (headliner), Pax	One show at 7:30 p.m.
May 20	State Fairgrounds Coliseum	Indianapolis, IN	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
May 21	Platteville State College	Platteville, WI	Frijid Pink (headliner), Capt. Billy’s Whiz Band, REO Speedwagon, One-Eyed Jacks, Liquid Smoke	One show at 3:00 p.m.
May 22	Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium	Columbus, OH	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:30 p.m.
May 23	Masonic Temple Auditorium	Detroit, MI	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:30 p.m.
June 9-14	The Brass Ring	Sherman Oaks, CA	Blue Rose
June 13-14	Portland Music & Art Fair, Civic Stadium	Portland, OR	Ravi Shankar, Country Joe & Fish, Delaney & Bonnie, BB King, Little Richard, Flying Burrito Brothers, Roxy, Love, Buddy Miles Express
June 24-25	Fillmore East	New York City, NY	Ten Years After (headliner) , Catfish
July 1-4	Ungano’s	New York City, NY	Punch, Third Eye
July 16	Cashman Field	Las Vegas, NV	Janis Joplin, BB King. Youngbloods, Joe & The Fish	City cancels show
July 17	Commons, University of Texas	El Paso, TX
July 18	Soldier Field	Chicago, IL	Chicago, The Band, Leon Russell, Stooges, Pig Iron, Illusion, Mason Proffit, MC5, Funkadelics, Bush, Happy Day, Dreams	One show at sunrise
July 19	Parade Stadium	Minneapolis, MN	Sly & Family Stone, Johnny Winter, Richie Havens	One show at 2:00 p.m.
July 31		Galena, IL	Poco, Flying Burrito Brothers, Youngbloods, Hot Tuna, Everly Brothers, Grateful Dead
August 1	The Rectry	Abuquerque, NM	Crow, Rotton Apples, Lemon
August 5-9	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Little Richard (headliner)
August 12	Loretto-Hilton Theatre, Webster College	St. Louis, MO		One show at 8:00 p.m.
August 13	State Farm Arena	Harrisburg, PA	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
August 14	Panther Hall	Ft. Worth, TX	Heaven & Earth	One show at 8:00 p.m.
August 15		Dallas, TX	Heaven & Earth
August 17-23	Whisky a Go Go	West Hollywood, CA	Little Richard (headliner)
September 11-12	The Brass Ring	Sherman Oaks, CA	Pollution
September 19	Memorial Auditorium	Sacramento, CA	Chicago (headliner)	One show at 8:00 p.m.
October 1	C.U. Fieldhouse, Colorado University	Denver, CO		One show at 8:30 p.m.

Ever since seeing Pogo at the Troubadour and then opening for the quartet version of Poco in April 1969, Paul Cotton often thought about finding a way to join them. The long-awaited call finally comes from Richie Furay in September 1970 and Paul joins them in early October 1970, replacing Jimmy Messina. (See Poco Pages)

1990

The reunion of the original Poco allows Cotton to finally focus on a solo career. He records a solo album for Sisapa Records; however, the label goes under shortly after the release of CHANGING HORSES. Without label support, Cotton can only mount a few gigs to promote the album. His band included his son Chris on drums, Charles Dufrene on guitar, Kim Cuda on sax, Joe Sublette on keyboards, along with female vocalist Portia Griffin.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
April 22	Whetstone Park	Columbus, OH	Lou Gramm, Dan Baird, Zero One	One show at 4:00 p.m. Earth Day celebration
June 16	Jacksonville Landing	Jacksonville, FL	The Marshall Tucker Band (headliner), The Philters	New show added! One show at 7:00 p.m.
July 13	Ventura Concert Theatre	Ventura, CA	Poco	Cotton appears as a guest
August 3	Blak Bloo Club	Hollywood, CA		New show added!
August 5	The Roxy	North Hollywood, CA
August 19	Ventura Concert Theatre	Ventura, CA	Michael McDonald	Benefit show for Primary Purpose
September	China Club	Hollywood, CA	Kal David	An ad hoc Illinois Speed Press reunion as Kal David’s band perform two songs with Cotton as part of the club’s Pro-Am Jams
October 18	The Coach House	San Juan Capistrano, CA		Show postponed ten days.
October 19	Ventura Concert Theatre	Ventura, CA	Leo Downey Band	One show at 8:00 p.m.
October 28	The Coach House	San Juan Capistrano, CA		Delayed from October 18

1991

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
July 20	Miramar Theatre	San Clemente, CA	Biloxi	One show at 8:00 p.m. A very small crowd (60 people) shows up for this renovated venue.
August 1	De La Guerra Plaza	Santa Barbara, CA	Toad the Wet Sprocket (headliner), Spencer the Gardener	One show at 7:30 p.m.
October 31	Ventura Concert Theatre	Ventura, CA		Paul attends Kenny Loggins show.

1992

Poco reforms in 1992 around Paul and Rusty Young (See Poco Concert Pages)

2010

Tired of the grind, Paul leaves Poco in the spring to focus on laying low in Florida with an occasional solo gig.

Date	Venue/City	Location	Also performing	Notes
February (UD)	Boondocks Bar & Grill	Key West, FL
March 3	Schooner Wharf Bar, Key West, FL	Key West, FL	Michael McCloud, The Doerfels
March 20	Lazy Lakes RV Resort	Sugarloaf Key, FL

2011

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
July 30	Schooner Wharf Bar,	Key West, FL	Bill McGee Blues Band	Paul sits in with Bill McGee
August 30	Oregon State Fair Fairgrounds,	Salem, OR
September 9	Gravity Ballroom,	Renton, WA	Justyn Case

2012

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
February 16	Keystock Music Festival, Truman Waterfront	Key West, FL	Three Dog Night (headliners) The Doerfels, Howard Livingston & The Mile Marker 24 Band, Monk Burris, The Bubba System, Reverand Hambone Band, Scotty Emerick, Paul Overstreet	New show added!
March 3	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL	The Doerfels, Michael McCloud
March 22	Women’s Hope Concert, Tennessee Williams Cabaret Theatre	Stock Island, FL		New show added! One show at 8:00 p.m.
March 24	Keys Stock, Lazy Lakes RV Park	Sugarloaf Key, FL	Blood, Sweat & Tears (headliner), Howard Livingston & The Mile Marker 24 Band, C.W. Colt, The Bubba System, The Doerfels	New show added!
April 1,2,8,9	Red Barn Theater	Key West, FL		Made in Key West Band gig – Cotton, George Halloran, Gary McDonald, Tom Murtha, John Wells.
April 16-20	Conchs, Cowboys and Tales of the Old West, Red Barn Theater	Key West, FL		New show added! Made in Key West Band gig
May 16	SoHo Restaurant & Music Club,	Santa Barbara, CA		Thom Landt on guitar and pedal steel, Tommy Neel on drums, Tom on bass and son Chris Cotton on drums back Paul for this appearance.
August 31	Schooner Wharf Bar, Key West, FL	Key West, FL

2013

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
February 2	Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea School	Key West, FL	Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24, Bubba System	Fund raising event
February 16	Keystock Music Festival	Key West, FL	Three Dog Night, Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24, Monk Burris
March 22	Tennessee Williams Theatre, Women’s Club	Key West, FL	Kathleen Peace, Kim Gordon, Melody Cooper, Deb Hudson	Women’s Hope Concert
June 16	South Orange Performing Arts Center	South Orange, NJ	Richie Furay Band
July 4	Casa Marina	Key West, FL		Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice benefit
October 4-5	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
December 6-7	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL

2014 

Cotton releases his fifth solo album in December. Entitled “100% PAUL COTTON,” Paul revisits 11 of his classic tunes and provided a new interpretation for them.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
January 3-4	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
January 31	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
February 1	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
March 29		Islamorada, FL
April 6-7	Red Barn Theatre	Key West, FL		Made in Key West Band gig
April 16-20	Red Barn Theatre	Key West, FL		Made in Key West Band gig
May 1	Thornton High School	Thornton, IL		Hall of Fame ceremony
May 3	City Auditorium	Waupun, WI
August 2	Southernmost Beach Bar & Restaurant	Key West, FL	C.W. Colt
August 8	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
November 14-15	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL		CD release party
December (UD)	Boca Raton Resort and Club	Boca Raton, FL		Private party

2015

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
January 9	Paramount Theatre,	Denver, CO		Colorado Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony reunites Poco
January 15-19		Havana, Cuba
January 23-24	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
January 31	St. Mary’s Basilica	Key West, FL		Rock and Roast concert
February 5-12		Havana, Cuba
February 20-21	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
February 27-March 2	Paul Cotton Cruise
March 28	Two Friends Bar	Key West, FL		Cotton does solo acoustic lunchtime set.
April 21	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
May 14-18		Havana, Cuba		One date Paul plays at the historic Tropicana Hotel
May 22-23	Schooner Wharf Bar, Key West, FL	Key West, FL
July 3-4	Schooner Wharf Bar, Key West, FL	Key West, FL
September 12	House Concert	Seattle, WA
October 3	Wayland Academy	Beaver Dam, WI
October 8-10	Wildwood Springs Lodge	Steelville, MO		Poco Reunion with Richie Furay
October 16-17	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
October 24	Fantasy Fest
October 30	Masquerade
October 31	Fantasy Fest
November 20-21	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
December 18-19	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL		Christmas by the Sea

2016

This year is highlighted by Paul Cotton Day held in Key West in November.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
January 15-17	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
January 31	Key West Theatre	Key West, FL
February 19-20	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
February 21-22	Red Barn Theatre	Key West, FL
March 6-7	Red Barn Theatre	Key West, FL		Conchs, Cowboys & Tales of Key West
April 1	Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center	Key West, FL
April 2	Outdoor Venue, Keystock	Key West, FL	Huey Lewis & News
April 8-9	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
May 13-14	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
May 21	Boca Raton Resort & Club	Boca Raton, FL		Private event
June 9	Hard Rock Cafe	Key West, FL		Les Paul Day
June 10-11	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
July 1-2	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
September 23-24	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
October 25-30	Fantasy Fest
November 15	Paul Cotton Day	Key West, FL
November 18-19	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL
December 16-17	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West, FL

2017

Paul says goodbye to Florida in the spring and moves to Oregon to be closer to family. He shares the stage with the Richie Furay Band for a brief Colorado tour in the late summer.

Date	Venue	Location	Also performing	Notes
February 24-25	Schooner Wharf Bar	Key West FL		Paul Cotton birthday Bash
July 9	Rio Grade Railroad Excursion	Fort Garland, CO	Richie Furay Band
August 25	Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts	Palmer Lake, CO	Richie Furay Band
August 26	Broomfield Auditorium	Broomfield, CO	Richie Furay Band
September 15	Nissi’s	Denver, CO	Richie Furay Band	Paul sits in with Richie’s group

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