BoomATX Episode #48 - "Cosmic Bob" Livingston - Viva Terlingua 50th Anniversary

BoomATX

In this special BoomATX episode, we're celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Texas music legend, Jerry Jeff Walker's "Viva Terlingua" album through the eye's of his band member and Texas music legend "Cosmic Bob" Livingston and diving headfirst into the wild and vibrant 1970s Austin music scene.

Bob, a founding member of Jerry Jeff's Lost Gonzo Band and a witness to the magic of Austin's music evolution. If you've ever wondered how Austin became the "Live Music Capital of the World," this episode is a can't-miss.

In the early '70s, Jerry Jeff Walker recorded his iconic self-titled album live in an old dry cleaning building on 6th Street. Little did he know this recording would ignite a musical revolution and inspire the likes of Willie Nelson to make Austin their home. Bob takes us on a journey back in time to the days when it all started right here in BoomATX.

Bob's personal journey through Texas music history is nothing short of incredible. From his early days performing in the basement of an ice cream parlor at Texas Tech to chasing the music bug to Los Angeles, Bob's life was already a rollercoaster. But it was when he landed in Austin during the untamed 1970s that things really took off.

Bob was not only a bass player for Jerry Jeff Walker but also for Michael Martin Murphy in the Lost Gonzo Band. He was part of the musical fabric of Austin during its transformation from a cheap, laid-back, free-spirited mecca for musicians to the Live Music Capital we know today.

This episode takes you back in time to the golden age of Austin, where the city was a sanctuary for artists and free spirits, and the music scene was like no other. Bob shares stories that offer a glimpse into the unique atmosphere and creativity of that era, where every corner of the city echoed with the sound of guitars and the dreams of musicians.

But the pinnacle of this trip back in time is the vivid description of that magical year in 1973 when a motley crew of rednecks and hippies descended upon Luckenbach for a live recording that would become one of the most important Texas music albums of all time, "Viva Terlingua." Bob Livingston's firsthand account of that historic event is a treasure trove of nostalgia and revelation.

So, join us in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of "Viva Terlingua" and revel in the musical history of Austin, the city that gave birth to a revolution. Discover how Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, and Cosmic Bob were the pioneers who laid the foundation for Austin's vibrant and enduring music legacy.

Tune in to BoomATX, and let's take a walk down memory lane through the tunes and tales that made Austin the Live Music Capital of the World.

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