When James Taylor performed at Tanglewood in Lenox, it is obvious that the place will sell-out.
But in 1970, his appeal caught some by surprise.
The 22-year-old Taylor drew a record crowd of 9000 at Lenox Music Barn on 2 August 1970. He was only two albums under his belt, "Sweet Baby James" released earlier that year Warner Bros., and its release in 1968 of the first year of the Beatles Apple Records.
But in 1970, his appeal caught some by surprise.
The 22-year-old Taylor drew a record crowd of 9000 at Lenox Music Barn on 2 August 1970. He was only two albums under his belt, "Sweet Baby James" released earlier that year Warner Bros., and its release in 1968 of the first year of the Beatles Apple Records.
Tickets priced at $ 3.50 and $ 5. In comparison, his next show was sold out in Tanglewood tickets priced between $ 26 and $ 103.
Taylor was part of a series of summer concerts 10 weeks in the barn of music that also included BB King and Nina Simone.
Known for songs like "Carolina on My Mind" and "Fire and Rain", Taylor, born in Boston was no stranger to the area. He had played concerts at Worcester State College and Sanders Theatre in Cambridge just months earlier.
The sober RC Hammerich of The Springfield Union wrote: "Taylor has not been on TV and do the circuit supper club but he is great in records and clandestine press plus word-of-mouth has done. Well known in the long hair, tight-jean set ".
Noting that "no one has heard of James Taylor ... except a few million exchange of young couples," Hammerich praised the singer and composer to write "lyrics comments wider social and emotional scope sensible" and singing in a "light without clear effort baritone".
The following spring, Taylor would score his first No. 1 hit with the Carole King-wrote "Are you a friend."
A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.
Taylor was part of a series of summer concerts 10 weeks in the barn of music that also included BB King and Nina Simone.
Known for songs like "Carolina on My Mind" and "Fire and Rain", Taylor, born in Boston was no stranger to the area. He had played concerts at Worcester State College and Sanders Theatre in Cambridge just months earlier.
The sober RC Hammerich of The Springfield Union wrote: "Taylor has not been on TV and do the circuit supper club but he is great in records and clandestine press plus word-of-mouth has done. Well known in the long hair, tight-jean set ".
Noting that "no one has heard of James Taylor ... except a few million exchange of young couples," Hammerich praised the singer and composer to write "lyrics comments wider social and emotional scope sensible" and singing in a "light without clear effort baritone".
The following spring, Taylor would score his first No. 1 hit with the Carole King-wrote "Are you a friend."
A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.
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