Eric Clapton sat in with John Mayall
after playing the Olympia with Cream:

"my most memorable night at the Grande was a show where I went to see John Mayall. Mayall was legendary for his blues style, and for the amazing selection of musicians he chose for his bands, such as Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, John McVie, Peter Green, Jack Bruce...the list goes on. That night I don't remember who played warm-up, but Mick Taylor was lead guitar.

I was at the show partly because I thought Mayall was so great, and partly because I could not afford to go see the Cream, who were at the Olympia that night. As I remember, the Mayall ticket was $3.00. Mayall and the group played for hours, and he lost much of the audience. He was a little tame for what attendees at the Grande were fortunate to have heard over the years.

You used to have to enter the stage from a stairs off to the side. Around midnight a guy came about halfway up the stairs and started talking to Mayall in the middle of the set, and Mayall looked down at him and kept playing the whole time, but also talking to him. I thought "how incredibly rude"!

Then the visitor came a few steps up further, and I recognized (Eric) Clapton. I jumped up and started poking the people around me saying, "Look its Clapton, its Clapton!" A number of people told me to shut up, sit down, and go back to sleep, which unfortunately a lot of them were. Clapton then came up and stood in the middle of the stage, and Mick Taylor got down on his knees, raising and lowering his head and arms, doing his best version of "I am not worthy, I am not worthy". He handed his guitar to Clapton from the floor. By this time, everyone was on their feet clapping and cheering.

I don't remember what they played other than that the first piece...ran on for about 45 minutes. I believe they played one other tune for a few minutes, and then Clapton exited off the stage as magically as he came in. We all stood there awestruck.

THAT WAS THE KIND OF EVENT THAT DEFINED THE GRANDE BALLROOM.." - Glenn Spencer

Benefit for Senator Roger Craig

Cancelled??