6/4/1978 Waylon's Midwest Jamboree, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League, Heartsfield, Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL

 43 years ago today...

June 4, 1978 - Rockford, IL

Outlaw country and southern rock performed loudly was on the bill for Waylon's Midwest Jamboree at Rockford Speedway.

Waylon Jennings headlined this one-day festival that rocked from noon until dusk. Joining Waylon on the bill were his wife Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League and Heartsfield. This show and all of these bands were squarely in my wheelhouse at the time, and we played their 8-track tapes in my El Camino on the drive there.

This concert was only a couple years following the release of the album titled "Wanted: The Outlaws," a release featuring Waylon, Jessi, Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser that is credited for launching the Outlaw Country musical genre.

Hank Jr. had just ditched the rhinestone suits and playing his father's lovesick blues in favor of turning up the amps and blasting electric guitars.

NGDB renamed themselves "Dirt Band," in an attempt to sound less backwoods. It backfired, as the band lost popularity and name recognition. They admitted it was a mistake and changed it back.

The was the version of PPL post- Craig Fuller and pre-Vince Gill, featuring a more rock based sound; not their best era.

Chicago-based Heartsfield opened the festival with songs from each of their first four albums. In my view their show was superior to PPL and NGDB but they never reached the popularity of these other acts.

It was a very hot day on the infield of a motor race track. Beer was cheap and flowed freely regardless of age eligibility. The combo of alcohol and the baking sun sent many revelers down for the count. Some women were willing to participate in wet T-shirt drenching or just ripping the top off all together to combat the heat and earn cheers from dudes in the crowd. It was a great and memorable day.