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THE NEW YORK TAPES, SLUGS, NEW YORK, APRIL 1972

We are proud to bring to you the ‘TOMMY BOLIN NEW YORK TAPES’ – from ‘SLUGS’, New York, April 1972. These five recordings are from the original Reel-to-Reel, dated 4/27/72 & 4/30/72.

Exact details are scant – the dates on the reel align with comments in a radio broadcast with Jeremy Steig from 4/19/72 where Jeremy states that Tommy is flying into NYC to play live dates with the band. (link below, and also at end of Slugs #1).

Tommy had also jammed with Steig and other fusion/jazz luminaries earlier – possibly 1970, but definitely 1971.
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Andrew & Shawn Wissing (c/o Steve & Neal Woodridge) have very kindly agreed to release them to the public. Other recordings of Steig and Bolin have appeared over the years in bootleg form. One such set listed as Slugs is actually confirmed to be from Tulagi’s. The chain of custody here is known to me (AW) since I first saw this tape in Sioux City in Steve Wooldridge’s collection around 1974. Eventually Neal sent it to me for safekeeping.

As far as we know, this whole set from Slugs has been uncirculated. So it is 100% brand new to the world, and all of it is of superior quality (give or take a few glitches that are bound to happen with live recordings!).

We hope that you enjoy this rare and remarkable moment in ‘Fusion History’... Spontaneous & Raw!

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Enjoy the videos below of all five tracks. We aren't sure of exact details re what night and exact line-ups. They are possibly from different nights, SLUGS #1 - #3 appear to have all 6 musicians, while SLUGS #4 - #5 don't appear to include congas or two bassists...

There's a few glitches in places, and the sound varies in some performances – possibly from different nights, mic positioning etc.

There are times where Tommy pans the guitar from one side of the stereo sound stage to the other, quite noticeable on ‘SLUGS #3’. (Andrew Wissing) “I remember being very impressed when I saw Tommy using the same cool effect while he was playing with Energy just a few months later.”

NOT FOR REDISTRIBUTION WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANDREW WISSING (June 2026)

I am writing to share a significant recording from my personal collection of Tommy Bolin’s music: "Live at Slug's NYC."

Growing up in Sioux City, Iowa, I developed a deep appreciation for Tommy’s work, starting with the first Zephyr album and later seeing him perform with Energy in 1972. Over the years, I had the privilege of becoming a caretaker for many of his recordings, a responsibility I took very seriously. I promised Tommy’s brother, Rick Bolin, that I would not share any copies without the family's permission, and I have honored that commitment for decades.

The "Live at Slug's NYC" recording is a unique piece that has yet to be commercially released. I acquired this low-generation, high-quality copy from Neal and Steve Wooldridge. The quarter-inch reel-to-reel tape includes detailed notes naming the musicians and credits the recording to "Egoless Productions."

Given its importance as a document of fusion music, I believe it is time for this performance to be shared with music lovers everywhere. I hope that by releasing this, Tommy Bolin’s musical genius can be fully appreciated by a wider audience.

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MUSIC & INTERVIEW FROM THE “JAZZ SET” April 24, 1972

Visit the “STOMP OFF!” Blog page which includes links to an interview with Jeremy Steig and a live performance – around the time, Tommy joined them (though as Jeremy tells the interviewer, Tommy arrived too late for this particular performance)

A letter from Tommy Bolin to Jeremy Steig. Not sure of the exact date (1971 or 1972) but we think it POSSIBLY refers to the “Sister Andrea” recording that he did with Steig, Jan Hammer, Billy Cobham, Gene Perla. It may refer to these tapes or tapes from similar jam sessions...