The Tubes lead singer Fee Waybill sings at Cal Poly in a 1978 concert. ©2010 The Tribune/Thom Halls
Over a quarter century before Lady Gaga, the Tubes brought spectacle on a grand scale to the rock and roll stage.
In 1975 the band released a self-titled debut album including the hit single White Punks on Dope.
They won’t be appearing in a DARE commercial any time soon. At their peak the band had a stage show that featured a cast that included choreographed tap dancers and acrobats.
Other hits included: Don’t Touch Me There, Talk to Ya Later, She’s a Beauty, and What Do You Want From Life?
Based in San Francisco, they fit a concert appearance at Cal Poly into their touring schedule February 16, 1978. An estimated 2,200 fans saw a show unlike any other. Here is the story:
Tubes rock Poly gym
Featuring smoke, fire and dancing girls, the Tubes, a one-band rock and roll extravaganza performed at Cal Poly’s gymnasium Thursday night to a sea of pulsating fans.
From the antics of a video tape lean-in to songs to the elaborate skits and dancing routines, the Tubes held the audience’s rapt attention for over two hours.
Fee Waldo Waybill, the lead singer, donned everything from punk rock attire to Sam Spade overcoat and hat during a performance liberally laced with references to sex and four-letter words.
With a finale of their most popular song, “White Punks on Dope,” the Tubes left the gym to a thundering ovation.
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Fee Waybill and the boys put on a pretty good show these daze! They’ve played Paso several times including the California Mid-State Fair where I remember a lot of middle aged men and women singing along to the tune “White Punks on Dope.” Unfortunately, a lot of their albums are out of print. But I bought a copy of The Tubes at Amoeba in The City this summer. What do you Want from Life? I’ll tell you:
What do you want from life
To kidnap an heiress
or threaten her with a knife
What do you want from life
To get cable TV
and watch it every night
There you sit
a lump in your chair
Where do you sleep
and what do you wear
when you’re sleeping
What do you want from life
An Indian guru
to show you the inner light
What do you want from life
a meaningless love affair
with a girl that you met tonight
How can you tell when you’re doin’ alright
Does your bank account swell
While you’re dreaming at night
How do know when you’re really in love
Do violins play when you’re touching the one
That you’re loving
What do you want from life
Someone to love
and somebody that you can trust
What do you want from life
To try and be happy
while you do the nasty things you must
Well, you can’t have that, but if you’re an American citizen you are entitled to:
a heated kidney shaped pool,
a microwave oven–don’t watch the food cook,
a Dyna-Gym–I’ll personally demonstrate it in the privacy of your own home,
a king-size Titanic unsinkable Molly Brown waterbed with polybendum,
a foolproof plan and an airtight alibi,
real simulated Indian jewelry,
a Gucci shoetree,
a year’s supply of antibiotics,
a personally autographed picture of Randy Mantooth
and Bob Dylan’s new unlisted phone number,
a beautifully restored 3rd Reich swizzle stick,
Rosemary’s baby,
a dream date in kneepads with Paul Williams,
a new Matador, a new mastodon,
a Maverick, a Mustang, a Montego,
a Merc Montclair, a Mark IV, a meteor,
a Mercedes, an MG, or a Malibu,
a Mort Moriarty, a Maserati, a Mac truck,
a Mazda, a new Monza, or a moped,
a Winnebago–Hell, a herd of Winnebago’s we’re giving ‘em away,
or how about a McCulloch chainsaw,
a Las Vegas wedding,
a Mexican divorce,
a solid gold Kama Sutra coffee pot,
or a baby’s arm holding an apple?
Little wonder I’ve never heard of them!
Saw them premiere at the Roxy. Dr Fee, Report to the Rock and Roll Hosipital…a chain saw operation was then performed upon a inflatable doll afterwhich Fee plunged into the audience with the chain saw roaring. The front rows clears and panic mixed with chainsaw smoke started to spread.
All in all it was pretty great show. Impressive at the time. Like seeing the first Bowie Video after watching the Monkees on a Saturday.
…And who can forget that quaalude guitar and Plexiglas platform shoes?
I was at this Tubes concert. Phenomenal show which I believe started with Mondo Bondage. I still love listening to White Punks!!!!