I’m sort of at a loss for how to classify today’s entry. Is it an original? A cover? A team-up?<\/p>\n
It’s kind of all of the above.<\/p>\n
In early 1969, a Virginia Commonwealth University student named Robbin Thompson and a few of his schoolmates formed a band called Mercy Flight. Over the course of the year, Mercy Flight developed a loyal, avid, and growing following in the Richmond area.<\/p>\n
On June 1st, a band called Child played a gig at Richmond’s Monroe Park. Mercy Flight drummer Dave Hazlett was in the audience that day, and 19-year-old Bruce Springsteen was on stage, his first appearance in the state of Virginia. Hazlett was impressed with the New Jersey band, but it would be almost six months before they visited Richmond again.<\/p>\n
When Bruce’s band returned to Richmond in November, they had changed their name to Steel Mill. And when their scheduled opening band cancelled on them, Steel Mill enlisted local heroes Mercy Flight to open for them.<\/p>\n
The Mercy Flight\/Steel Mill pairing proved potent, and by mid-1970 Steel Mill was a frequent and popular fixture in Richmond, with Mercy Flight as their trusty opening act.\u00a0The two bands played together often, first in Richmond and later in Steel Mill’s New Jersey stomping grounds.<\/p>\n
Bruce was increasingly impressed by Robbin’s vocals and songwriting and grappling with trying to be too many things at once (electrifying frontman, hot-shot guitar hero, and powerful songwriter). After a Richmond gig in August 1970, Bruce asked Robbin to switch bands and join Steel Mill as a lead vocalist. Robbin accepted the offer and made his Steel Mill debut before the end of the month, a move that alarmed both bands at time.<\/p>\n
But Robbin brought more than just his vocal talents to the band–he also brought material. One of the songs to make the leap from Mercy Flight to Steel Mill was Robbin’s “Train Ride,” his former band’s most popular song. Here’s a vintage recording of Mercy Flight performing it:<\/p>\n