Linda Ronstadt
Universal Amphitheatre
Los Angeles, CA
October 1, 1977
Mike Millard Master Tapes via JEMS
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 72

Recording Gear: AKG 451E Microphones (CK-1 cardioid capsules) > Nakamichi 550 Cassette Recorder

Transfer: Mike Millard Master Cassettes > Yamaha KX-W592 Cassette Deck > Sony R-500 DAT > Analog Master DAT Clone > Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 > Sound Forge Audio Studio 13.0 capture > Adobe Audition > iZotope RX8 > iZotope Ozone 8 > Audacity > TLH > FLAC

01 When Will I Be Loved? (joined in progress)
02 Crazy
03 Poor Poor Pitiful Me
04 Desperado
05 Love Me Tender
06 Simple Man, Simple Dream
07 Love Is A Rose
08 Someone To Lay Down Beside Me
09 Band Introductions
10 Tumbling Dice
11 You're No Good
12 Heart Like A Wheel
13 Heatwave

Known Issues:
-First seven songs missing
-When Will I Be Loved?: joined in progress

Introduction to the Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Series

Welcome to JEMS’ Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone series presenting recordings made by legendary taper Mike Millard, AKA Mike the MICrophone, best known for his masters of Led Zeppelin done in and around Los Angeles circa 1975-77. For the complete details on how tapes in this series came to be lost and found again, as well as JEMS' long history with Mike Millard, please refer to the notes in Vol. One: http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=500680.

Until 2020, the Lost and Found series presented fresh transfers of previously unavailable first-generation copies made by Mike himself for friends like Stan Gutoski of JEMS, Jim R, Bill C. and Barry G. These sources were upgrades to circulating copies and in most instances marked the only time verified first generation Millard sources had been directly digitized in the torrent era.

That all changed with the discovery of many of Mike Millard’s original master tapes.

Yes, you read that correctly, Mike Millard’s master cassettes, long rumored to be destroyed or lost, have been found. Not all of them but many, and with them a much more complete picture has emerged of what Millard recorded between his first show in late 1973 and his last in early 1992.

The reason the rediscovery of his master tapes is such a revelation is that we’ve been told for decades they were gone. Internet myths suggest Millard destroyed his master tapes before taking his own life, an imprudent detail likely concocted based on the assumption that because his master tapes never surfaced and Mike’s mental state was troubled he would do something rash WITH HIS LIFE’S WORK. There’s also a version of the story where Mike’s family dumps the tapes after he dies. Why would they do that?

The truth is Mike’s masters remained in his bedroom for many years after his death in 1994. We know at least a few of Millard’s friends and acquaintances contacted his mother Lia inquiring about the tapes at the time to no avail. But in the early 2000s, longtime Millard friend Rob S was the one she knew and trusted enough to preserve Mike’s work.

The full back story on how Mike’s master tapes were saved can be found in the notes for Vol. 18 Pink Floyd, which was the first release in our series transferred from Millard’s original master tapes:

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=667745&hit=1
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=667750&hit=1

Linda Ronstadt, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA, October 1, 1977

This week's title is a shorter, but no less sweet sequel to one of the most popular entries in our Lost and Found series: Mike the Mike's recording of Linda Ronstadt on October 3, 1977, released on Vol. 11. That show has been grabbed over 3,000 times on DIME alone, making it the most downloaded Millard Lost and Found release of all, if you don't count releases in dual resolutions.

That Ronstadt recording was also the first tape we released after meeting Jim R. which rekindled our series and ultimately opened the door to finding the majority of Mike's tapes which we've been posting once a week ever since.

Mike adored Ronstadt and who could blame him? The October 3 show offers a flawless, peak performance captured in fantastic quality by Millard. But it turns out Mike recorded Linda twice during her epic 12-show Universal Amphitheatre residency. The bad news is Millard's October 1 recording isn't complete, missing the first seven songs of the show before he gets the deck up and running. The good news is what Mike did grab is as good as any master tape he ever made. This one in particular is uncannily soundboard-like, so close and so clear, I'm not sure how it could be any better other than to be complete. Samples provided.

Linda herself is again in outstanding form. Surely her voice has never sounded better than this and Mike's recording captures every nuance. The versions of songs like "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," "Desperado" and "Tumbling Dice" might be considered definitive. Yes, the setlist is identical, but who doesn't want another Millard recording of Ronstadt at the top of her game? Jim's photos from the night aren't too shabby either.

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JEMS is proud to join with Rob, Jim R, Barry G, Ed F and others to release Millard's historic recordings and to help set the record straight about the man himself.

We can’t thank Rob enough for reconnecting with Jim and putting his trust in our Millard reissue campaign. He kept Mike’s precious tapes under wraps for two decades, but once Rob learned of our methods and stewardship, he agreed to contribute the Millard DATs and cassettes to the program. Our releases would not be nearly as compelling without Jim’s memories, photos and other background contributions. As many of you have noted, the stories offer an entertaining complement to Mike’s incredible audio documents.

It takes a village to keep the Millard train rolling. Thanks again to Professor Goody for his pitch guidance and to mjk5510, who absorbs my delivery delays with nary a complaint.

A word about the late, great Chick Corea, who passed away this week. He was a Millard favorite too and an artist Mike recorded on multiple occasions. Next week we'll pay tribute to him with a fantastic Millard recording of Corea and Herbie Hancock from the Greek Theatre.

Finally, cheers to the late, great Mike the MICrophone. His work never ceases to impress. May he rest in peace.

BK for JEMS

Images for all shows as well as full size images for this show.

Images for this show: