An Eagles concert at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California, included Neil Young on the bill. It took place on March 16, 1974, and it was a charity benefit for the Red Wind Indian tribe that lived in the area so they could buy building materials to construct a work/cultural center on 200 acres of land that the Red Wind Foundation already owned. Neither Neil Young nor the Eagles accepted any payment for this two-concert benefit. In fact, Neil Young brought along two buffaloes as a donation to the Red Wind Indians. There was both an afternoon and an evening show on that Saturday.
This was one of the first stops on the ‘On the Border’ tour, and the ‘On the Border’ album was released just a few days later on March 22, 1974. On March 23 the Eagles had a performance at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA. Then, California Jam was soon after that on April 6, 1974 in Ontario, California.
Eagles concert at Cuesta College
Neil Young on stage with the Eagles
Bernie Leadon, Glenn Frey, Neil Young, and Randy Meisner
Cuesta College Cuestonian – student newspaper (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 22, 1974
Neil Young sitting on far left listening to the Grandfather of the tribe speak
Cuesta College Cuestonian – student newspaper (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 22, 1974
Cuesta College Cuestonian – student newspaper (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 22, 1974
Eagles concert at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo
On the way to the concert – Mar. 16, 1974
Neil Young and his band on Neil’s bus on the way to the Cuesta College concert.
Cameron Crowe is sitting in first seat on the left in the bus photo below, and an excerpt from Cameron’s blog is below Neil’s pics. Seated across the aisle from Neil is his manager, Elliott Roberts.
According to the photographer, this is the bus scene that was recreated in Cameron Crowe’s movie ‘Almost Famous’.
Joel Bernstein, photographer
Eagles concert at Cuesta College – March 16, 1974
Concert posters designed by Mike Dauss
Cuesta College concert ticket for March 16, 1974
“After band expenses and gym cost, Red Wind will receive remaining proceeds to purchase building materials for their proposed work/cultural center being built on 200 acres of land on Black Mountain, North San Luis Obispo County, purchased by Red Wind.”
Santa Maria Times (Santa Maria, CA) – Mar. 4, 1974
“The Eagles, nationally famous for such hits as ‘Witchy Woman’, ‘Take It Easy’ and ‘Tequila Sunrise’, will be the featured attraction Saturday, March 16, in a benefit rock concert for the Red Wind Indians, according to Bruce Hall, ASCC commissioner of activities.”
Cuesta College Cuestonian – student newspaper (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 8, 1974
“The Red Wind Foundation, an organization of American Indians, will have a benefit concert for them at Cuesta College to help finance the building of their community.”
Cuesta College Cuestonian – student newspaper (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 8, 1974
“Part of the advance sale of tickets–priced at $4 for students from Poly, Cuesta and Hancock and $5 for general admission–may have been spurred by persistent rumors that guitarist-singer Neil Young would appear.”
Telegram-Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 9, 1974
“Young, will have in tow two of his buffaloes, a cow and a bull, from a herd on his own ranch, his manager said today. The buffaloes are a gift to the Indians of Red Wind.”
Telegram-Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 13, 1974
“The concerts, with the Red Wind group as beneficiary, had originally been billed as Eagles performances.“
“The afternoon concert got off to a late start because of the tardy delivery of a piano, FitzRandolph said.”
“Members of the audience carried cushions and sleeping bags to sit on the floor. But cushions were tossed aside as a hand-clapping, foot-stomping audience stood for most of the performance.”
Concert review in the Telegram-Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 18, 1974
“Mandolins and banjos, harmonicas and guitars, insane drums and stylish piano, the Eagles proved that their reputation has not yet caught up with their talent. Screams, shouts…Neil Young stepped into the spotlight, and two thousand people took two steps forward, pressing against the stage.”
Concert review in the Cuesta College Cuestonian – student newspaper (San Luis Obispo, CA) – Mar. 22, 1974
“The concerts featured the exciting rock sounds of the Eagles, and the extraordinary talents of rock superstar Neil Young (who had not performed in public–for money or for a benefit–in over a year).”
Times-Press-Recorder (Arroyo Grande, CA) – Mar. 27, 1974
Cuesta College Gym
Leave a Reply