BTO’s Harpo’s set has always circulated with the incorrect July 1, 1984 date. Why? You would think that, with this being FM-sourced, a correct date for at least the broadcast of the show would have been attached to this collection. Somewhere in this file set’s history a guess was made as to its date. 1984 makes sense, as it was the year the band’s “reunion” album on Compleat Records was released. July 1, if you’re guessing anyway, is halfway through that year, though misguided. July 1, Canada Day, would have prompted some onstage mention of the holiday for a Canadian band playing across the border from Windsor, Ontario - a key WLLZ market and of historical significance for BTO. All that aside, however, the reunited BTO didn’t play outside Canada until 1985. Their first “show” wouldn’t happen until August 17, 1984 at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitoba in the Winnipeg ward of St. Boniface (see the misdated/mis-venued Misty Moon Halifax recording), and their first ticketed show was two days later, Sunday August 19, at Assiniboia Downs, Winnipeg.

Another indication of the Harpo’s date inaccuracy is the set list. Compare the set for the August 17, 1984 show (again, mislabelled as Misty Moon Halifax) - with the new album out the 1984 show (as did the other Canadian dates on the summer of 1984 tour) included four new songs, while a longer set at Harpo’s included just two as the push was off new product and back on the catalog hits.

So, when did the Harpo’s show take place? April 30, 1985. BTO played Harpo’s February 23, 1985, the earlier visit alluded to by radio host Jim Kelly/Pemberton on the broadcast. On April 29 the band checked into the Parkcrest Hotel in Harper Woods, MI for two nights, corresponding with their two shows at Harpo’s. The first night was a warmup/setup show with the live broadcast happening April 03, 1984.

 

BTO’s Harpo’s set has always circulated with the incorrect July 1, 1984 date. Why? You would think that, with this being FM-sourced, a correct date for at least the broadcast of the show would have been attached to this collection. Somewhere in this file set’s history a guess was made as to its date. 1984 makes sense, as it was the year the band’s “reunion” album on Compleat Records was released. July 1, if you’re guessing anyway, is halfway through that year, though misguided. July 1, Canada Day, would have prompted some onstage mention of the holiday for a Canadian band playing across the border from Windsor, Ontario - a key WLLZ market and of historical significance for BTO. All that aside, however, the reunited BTO didn’t play outside Canada until 1985. Their first “show” wouldn’t happen until August 17, 1984 at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitoba in the Winnipeg ward of St. Boniface (see the misdated/mis-venued Misty Moon Halifax recording), and their first ticketed show was two days later, Sunday August 19, at Assiniboia Downs, Winnipeg.

Another indication of the Harpo’s date inaccuracy is the set list. Compare the set for the August 17, 1984 show (again, mislabelled as Misty Moon Halifax) - with the new album out the 1984 show (as did the other Canadian dates on the summer of 1984 tour) included four new songs, while a longer set at Harpo’s included just two as the push was off new product and back on the catalog hits.

So, when did the Harpo’s show take place? April 30, 1985. BTO played Harpo’s February 23, 1985, the earlier visit alluded to by radio host Jim Kelly/Pemberton on the broadcast. On April 29 the band checked into the Parkcrest Hotel in Harper Woods, MI for two nights, corresponding with their two shows at Harpo’s. The first night was a warmup/setup show with the live broadcast happening April 30, 1984.

 

Thank you very much!