Excerpts from: Chapter 1 – Rainbow, Wicked Lester, And What Came First...

As winter 1972 approached, another opportunity to impress Don Ellis of Epic Records arose, and the trio set up showcases for November 20th and 28th, though it appears that they used only one of the two dates.  "We bought the record," recalls former Epic A&R man Tom Werman, "but Wicked Lester had broken up. The deal was dead, and everyone was a free agent by the time of this showcase.  Gene or Paul called me and wanted to audition as a three-piece for my boss Don Ellis and me.  We went up to this rehearsal loft on 23rd Street.  It was early evening, and they played a great set with Peter; they blew me away–I really loved it.  At the end of the set, Paul threw a bucket of silver confetti at us.  We all thought it was water.  It was really cool.  That was the first time I'd seen even a taste of theater in an audition.

"Unfortunately, when we got down to the sidewalk, my boss, may he rest in peace, turned to me and said, 'What was that?!'  At that point, I thought hopes were dim for this band.  I didn't argue with him. I wimped out.  I didn't have the clout or the confidence at the time to say, 'No, they're great, they're really good, they're gonna be big.'"


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