Photos by Arnie Goodman
The Blackfoot train rolled into B.B. King’s on this fall night not only to promote a new release on their own Loud ‘N Proud Records label but to give a retrospective of their 40-year career as well. There was no better way to do that than to bring out the one and only Rickey Medlocke, who founded the Florida-based band back in the 1970s (Medlocke has been a member of that other Florida group, Lynyrd Skynyrd, for years, and no longer actively tours with Blackfoot). Make no mistake—this night belonged to Medlocke as he steered the young Blackfoot (no original members other than he) through an impressive set featuring not only new material (“Southern Native”) and classic foot-stompers (“Spendin’ Cabbage”) but all-time classic rockers (Free’s “Wishing Well” and “Whiskey Train” by Robin Trower-era Procol Harum).
Medlocke was great on Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” and dedicated “Highway Song” to his original Blackfoot mates, who were one of the first Native American bands on the ´70s scene. By the time they encored with “Train, Train” the packed house was on their feet, screaming for more. They’ll just have to wait for the young and ever-improving Blackfoot to hit next time around…
-Paul Aaronson
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