Originally Posted by: LordathestringsYou have to understand that 35 years ago, arenas did not have the kind of PA systems that are standard fare now. If you look at pix of any band playing a large venu back then, you'll see a massive wall of amps and speakers ranged behind the band. The cable from the guitar, or bass, or keyboard went to a junction box that parallel-connected that cord to each of the amp inputs. It can get..... intense.

This really reminds me of the state of things back in the day. One of the first concerts I ever went to was the first Boston show that they headlined at the Boston Garden. The first thing I noticed was the WALL of 4x12 cabs at each side of the stage, with that massive Conn organ on a riser behind and above the drum kit. Wireless was nonexistant. Another thing I remember was that as soon as the opening act went offstage, Boston's roadies went in and started flipping on the power switches for the different amps so they could get nice and hot.

One point that hasn't been made yet is that PA systems in these big venues tended to suck. They were more suited to speech rather than music and singing. Bands carried their own gear simply because they knew that more often than not, using the house PA for anything except the announcer was an invitation to sonic disaster.