Thrilled that the Jazz Journalists Association awarded Honorable Mention to "Mahavishnu Memories" as Jazz Book of the Year!

Some great Podcast and Youtube interviews coming up with the Tommy Bolin Archives and Booked On Rock!

Walter....I have your other two MO books and one signed 🙂 Can I not order the PP format from you now and have it signed too...please?

Hi Stephen Keating. Thank you for your interest in the Picture Book. I will consider making it available as a print book as soon as the image quality in POD books meet the standards of a book that is based on pictures. Thanks again.

Nice to hear from you Greg! The KSHE concert is detailed in the new book. 🙂

I had just turned 18 when I first saw The Mahavishnu Orchestra on November 5th, 1972 in St. Louis at the large and acoustic-not so friendly Kiel Auditorium. The occasion was the first birthday concert for the local radio station KSHE, an immensely popular classic rock station. The M.O. was on the same bill as Mason Profitt, Peter Allen, and Rory Gallagher. Unlike many in the crowd, who probably had never heard the M.O. before, my friends and I knew what we were getting into. In 1970 I heard Miles Davis's Bitches Brew and spent the next two years listening to any music I could find by these incredible musicians, creating a spiraling effect. My collection grew: My Goal's Beyond, Weather Report, Mwandishi, Spaces, Light as a Feather, Hot Rats, Escalator Over the Hill, Jack Johnson, Super Nova, Emergency, Zawinul, and The Inner Mounting Flame. On the night of the concert we arrived early. We had no idea what the order of bands were. A KSHE jock introduced the bands. At one point he came out and said--and 52 years later I still remember this--"And now, the greatest guitarist in the world . . ." We leaned forward. ". . . Rory Gallagher!" We leaned back. The Mahavishnu Orchestra was last to play. What I remember most was that when they came out the lights were initially not on them. McLaughlin stepped to the microphone, just a silhouette with a double-necked guitar and softly asked for a minute of silence. And, well, you know the rest.

The link is for my live Youtube appearance with the great Bret Primack, the JazzVideoGuy and esteemed writer, on Thursday Dec 19 at 1:00 p.m. EST to discuss my new book Mahavishnu Memories. Anyone signed into Youtube can send questions or comments during the event! I hope you are able to join us as we discuss the remarkable tour history of the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra. - Walter https://tinyurl.com/MahavishnuMemories

Love your new book Mahavishnu Memories, I was at opening night Quiet Knight, Chicago IL,1971, when John got his Gibson double-neck. Got there early and met John and Jerry coming down the stairs then Billy came from a taxi and I assisted him going back in with some of his drum gear. The album was not available yet so we didn't know what to expect. What an incredible performance! Saw the band several more times. When can we see a print copy of Mahavishnu picture book.

I became aware of John McLaughlin with two Miles Davis albums, "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew". My musical tastes are pretty broad but jazz has been the cornerstone most of my adult life. So in the beginning of the '70s when I heard this wild new band on FM I realized John had expanded his musical approach, that was the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I quickly started buying their albums. Then I heard they were coming to San Diego. Again acting quickly I got tickets for my girlfriend and myself. I'd long forgotten the date but thanks to Walter I now now that was June 12, 1972. Funky Quarters was a rather small, dingy club that booked a surprising number of great musical groups. I say surprising because capacity had to be less than 200. There were two shows and I'm certain both sold out. Small tables were arrayed in front of the stage, with just chairs behind that. We lucked out with a table front-center. I began attending live performances more than 10 years earlier while in college. I've never tried to count them all, but I'll say that night was among the TOP FIVE in all my experiences. Along with the unbelievable high level of energy throughout the concert, what amazed me the most was the interplay between each of the musicians. I've attended many concerts with top level jazz stars where musical ideas were bounced back and forth, all the while being expanded, but none were better connected than the five Mahavishnu members that night. McLaughlin was amazing as expected, but the level of energy, with each musician feeding off the others was amazing and joyous. I say joyous, not only for the audience, but it was plain in the faces of all five, they were into it! That energy level was driven by Billy Cobham. He was like a coiled spring, expanding the drive as the concert raced along. Had he collapsed at the end I wouldn't have been surprised. I didn't remember the date but the experience is etched in my mind.

Simply FABULOUS site! There's so much to mine.... What a stunning labor of love! Thank you, Walter, 🙏 for the incredible efforts, and thank you to all of you involved in making this project come to fruition 🕉️

It's been a great pleasure to assist Walter on all of his Mahavishnu books ! The one thing that Walter stressed when doing all the research needed to compile a complete story is accuracy ! And that is what I and the other editors and contributors made sure to do . Every fact, every story, every quote are true and hopefully will honor the memory of "the greatest band that ever was " !

Great looking website. Looks like being a valuable source of info for all things Mahavishnu. Great job Walter.