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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.

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Peter Gabriel - The Clubhouse, Santa Ana, CA; June 17, 1980

We proudly continue our Mike Millard series with this tasty slice from what might be considered the middle years of his recording career: Peter Gabriel on opening night of the US tour in support of his third album, performing at the The Clubhouse in Santa Ana, CA. This was one of those announced at the last minute, dress-rehearsal sort of shows as Gabriel had not performed in three months. Two nights later he was headlining the considerably larger Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Millard was a major Gabriel fan, also taping him in 1977, 1978, 1982 and 1983.

The band for what Gabriel curiously called the Tour of China 1984 was John Ellis on guitar, Jerry Marotta on drums, Larry Fast on keyboards, Tony Levin on bass and John Giblin also on bass. The set learned heavily into his eponymous third album, referred to by many as the melting face album from its provocative cover photograph.

The website Genesis-The Movement refers to the Santa Ana gig as The Show That Was Interrupted and with good reason. After playing 11 songs, Gabriel was informed that the fire marshal and police were going to shutdown the show because the venue was over its legal safety capacity of 342.

Despite Gabriel’s personal attempts to negotiate a reprieve (while the crowd chanted “Clubhouse sucks”), the show ended prematurely. That meant fans and Mike missed roughly six or seven additional songs Gabriel performed at other shows on the tour, notably omitting “Games Without Frontiers,” “Biko” and “Here Comes The Flood.”

But rather than focus on what was missed, what Mike did capture is an electric Gabriel performance with he and the band in fantastic form for the opening night of a tour. Our source for this volume is a first generation cassette made by Mike himself for Rob S. Millard’s recording is outstanding, especially for such a small venue, with wide fidelity and clarity.

Genesis-The Movement lists two versions of the show in circulation, one rated a B, the other a B+. Halleyandpeter.nl is less kind, rating the recording titled The Show That Was Interrupted! only good and noting tape speed and static issues. I don’t know if these sources derive from Mike’s recording, but we can safely say this new transfer is going to be a major upgrade of a short, but very sweet Gabriel performance.

Our report from the scene this week comes from Deb, who was friends with Mike, Rob S and the Millard crew:

For perspective, this was in the days before the Internet and social media. Mike knew how much I loved Genesis with Peter and Peter solo, so he gave me a call and tipped me off to a rumor he heard about a possible show featuring solo Gabriel at a dive called the Clubhouse in Santa Ana.

I showed up very early, alone and made it in with no problem. The place was pretty empty. We waited and waited for Gabriel for hours, not sure if he was really gonna show. I did not see Mike there, but wasn’t surprised I couldn’t spot him because the place filled up FAST once word started spreading… very packed, very chaotic.

I got right up front at the stage and held my ground because it felt like you could get crushed or seriously hurt. Peter finally came out and did several songs (I remember “Humdrum”) and then the Clubhouse manager actually interrupted Peter’s set and said the show was shutting down by orders of the fire marshal.

Peter looked totally bewildered and attempted to get one more song in before the bouncers began trying to herd us out. Once they escorted Peter from the stage, many of us defied the order to leave and held our spot at the stage thinking he may come back on once enough of the folks in the back left. We kept the vigil for about an hour and were finally forced to leave.

Not long after this memorable show, Mike gifted me a Gabriel “Greatest Hits” tape he painstakingly made from all the choicest performances he recorded, which I treasure to this day. That’s the kind of person he was: so kind, so generous, a true gentleman, the consummate taping professional and all around great friend. Love and miss you Mike! He was, and still is, THE BEST.

Mike and I were fortunate to meet Gabriel and the band backstage at Long Beach, but that’s another story for another tape.

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JEMS is proud to partner with Rob, Jim R, Barry G 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.

Our thank you list this week includes Professor Goody for another spot of pitch guidance, Deb for sharing her memories, Rob S for the transfer and mjk5510 for overseeing final fit and finish.

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

BK for JEMS

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