I wouldn't go as far to say that I was an expert on Alvin, Joe, but certainly the elements you mention did attract me to listening to more of TYA's music, and closely following his solo career.

I was 14 at the time of Woodstock, my voice was making it's first tentative steps towards lower octaves, and I was just beginning to realise that there was more to music than the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

There is a certain kudos of being able to say that you were a fan before TYA hit the bigtime, I cannot truthfully join that 'elite' club....a) because geographically, I might as well have been on Mars when they were building a following in the East Midlands and London...b) the radio shows that played their music were either on when I was at football or karate practice, or fast asleep before a schoolday....and finally c) Bill Graham hoiked them off to America before they really got themselves strongly established up and down the UK.

The charting of Love Like a Man, combined with the release of Woodstock were my catalysts in 1970 to search for, and listen to, everything I possibly could, and I've been hooked ever since. Somewhat sadly, with my musical maturity coming late in terms of listening to TYA, I missed the raw exitement of the band's early days, and as an Alvin and TYA fan it will always be a regret, but hell, 36 years ain't bad going, and it's good to listen to the likes of the debut album and Undead and at least pretend 'you were there'

UH!! Joe who??

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Yeah, around here, we need to know our Joes!

It's so hard to put into words but try this - a while back, I was lucky enough to visit Zimbabwe, before the present difficulties, and a group of us went on a trip to Victoria Falls. You walk through a fairly dense rainforest and then it opens out completely to leave you standing in front of a mile wide waterfall. We just stood there open mouthed and kind of speechless. I can't describe it to you, it was just so awesome. So Alvin is like a waterfall then!

As Alan says, the early days of TYA did have raw excitement. Don't think I feel kudos about being there but I do feel grateful. I have stood 10 feet from the front of the stage at the Marquee in London and concentrate as I did, still wasn't able to figure out how Alvin plays those licks.

My first trip to the Marquee in 67 was on the off-chance and TYA, who were unknown to me then, were the main act. Gosh, I thought, these bands in London are bloody brilliant, especially that guy with the woolly hair on lead guitar. It was only after a few more visits to see other bands that I realised that the first trip put me in the presence of greatness and the rest weren't all brilliant after all.

Sorry for rambling. I reckon that for legends you just know when you see/hear them.

Ive never heard about Alvins voice !! his voice reflects his guitar!!Wonderful tone

My God, someone who saw TYA at the Marquee? I am truly impressed. On my first trip to London in August 1967, that was the only place I was sure I wanted to go, having heard about all the wonderful blues rockers that played there (I saw Jethro Tull). I didn't know TYA then, and when I began the gig list and saw all those TYA gigs at the Marquee in August 1967, I was retroactively mad at myself for missing them! How wonderful to have seen them so early in their career, when they were still evolving. Les, you are truly my new hero.

Joe Satriani....

Toni, I am unworthy. But very lucky. I also saw Rory Gallagher's first gig in the UK there with Taste, supporting John Mayall, and Rory set the place alight. Also fortunate to see the debut of The New Yardbirds, who soon changed their name to Led Zeppelin. They weren't bad.

The Marquee was a magic place in those days. Here's a fine web page about it: http://www.themarqueeclub.net/content/view/358/22/ and it does mention TYA, although the date for the appearance of this "progressive rock" band is a bit out.