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| Mark Sorrels | Drew Camp | Gary Grice |
| Kenny Warden Michael Lee Thomas | ||
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Blackstone was a Hard Rock group based in Amarillo, Texas. Michael Lee Thomas was the founder and sole original member throughout the existence of the band from 1972 until 1982. While other groups from the U.S. have performed under the same name and one group even released an LP under the Blackstone moniker in 1971, this Texas bunch was one of a kind. Throughout the different incarnations of the band a little bit of a legend grew. Then in 1977, it all came together. The right mix of personnel and the right mix of exceptional 100% Original music, Hard, Fast and Determined! A style they called "Red Hot Rock-n-Roll!"
Mostly resented by the local music community for not following the cliques, Blackstone became a defiant and different form of music from the Texas panhandle. The following of the band was loyal and locked, the jealous told the lies and fed the rumors. This page is dedicated as a toast to the memory of a forgotten and remembered Amarillo band, who for a brief moment in time made a reach for history as winners of the 1978 Texxas World Music Festival-Battle Of The Bands and then on July 1, 1978, performed proudly in front of over 85,000 people in the Cotton Bowl-Dallas, opening the First Texxas Jam. And for Blackstone in that defining moment, the band made a lasting statement that could never be taken away. Although the group disbanded only a few years later, that short flame of victory would forever last as an enduring memory of vindication.
| Blackstone: circa(1977-1982) | ||||
| Michael Lee Thomas - Drums (1972-1982) | Mark Sorrels - Lead Guitar (1975-1982) | Gary Grice - Rhythm Guitar (1977 - 1979) | Kenny Warden - Lead Vocals (1977 - 1981) | Drew Camp - Bass Guitar (1974 - 1982) |
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Show Time - Headed To The Stage 07.09.78 Civic Coliseum-Amarillo, Texas |
Blackstone w/Rainbow & R.E.O. Speedwagon -
07.09.78 Civic Coliseum - Amarillo, Texas |
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1st TEXXAS JAM - Cotton Bowl
-Dallas - 07.01.78 TEXXAS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL |
1st TEXXAS JAM - Cotton Bowl -Dallas - 07.01.78 TEXXAS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL |
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Amarillo Civic Auditorium -
Battle Of The Bands - 06.19.78 1978 TEXXAS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL |
Dallas Fairpark Arena - Battle
Of The Bands - 06.30.78 1978 TEXXAS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL |
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| Dallas Fairpark Arena - w/AC/DC &
Artful Dodger - 07.03.78 1978 TEXXAS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL |
Dallas Fairpark Arena - Michael
Lee Thomas / Drum Solo - 07.03.78 1978 TEXXAS WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL |
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August 24, 1978, issue of Rolling
Stone Magazine noting The Appearance by 'Blackstone'
As Battle Of The Bands Winner and Opener of the First Texxas Jam, Cotton
Bowl-Dallas, July 1, 1978.
and Event All Access Stage Pass of Drummer, Michael Lee Thomas |
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Blackstone
w/Rainbow & R.E.O. Speedwagon -
07.09.78 |
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Blackstone w/Rainbow & R.E.O. Speedwagon -
07.09.78 |
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BLACKSTONE - 1978 Promo Picture |
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| Gary Grice | Mark Sorrels | Michael Lee Thomas | Kenny Warden | Drew Camp |
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Post Show Party - Head East
Tour - August 1977 |
Pre-Tour Rehearsal Break - Summer
1977 |
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| Blackstone Tour/Stage Set-up 1977 -1979 | Load
In - Fourteen Carrot Studios - Amarillo, Texas 1978 Polydor Pre-Production Sessions |
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Blackstone Crew - Truck Load Up -
1979 (Curtis Weaver, George Slocum, Andy McDonald, Randy Tupin, Michael Lee) |
Post Show Backstage Smiles - Summer 1978 |
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Primary Photography By
Rik Andersen ( Band Staff Photographer 1977 - 1981 ) |
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Dedicated to the memory of Bruce Acord (1960 -2006),
Crew Staff 1977 - 1980
JUST PAST
TOMORROW®TM
- The Blackstone Project -
Questions or Comments: blackstone@darksilver.com
© 2012 Darksilver Records America