India Import 1971

The First National Band in Muziek Parade magazine, 1971

Michael Nesmith

rare pic of Mike Nesmith from April 1970

Extremely rare transcription disc from "Armed Forces Radio & Television Service"

“‘Listen To The Band’ was the architecture for Country Rock. I guess it was the same embryo beating in me that was somewhere in Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Linda Ronstadt, and Neil Young." Michael Nesmith

Here’s a photo of Mike Nesmith and Felton Jarvis, the man who signed Michael to RCA and is credited as producer for several recording dates with The First National Band. Although he played a significant role in kicking off Michael’s solo career, the producer credit was more of a courtesy. “Felton came out to L.A. once during the sessions, on his way to Las Vegas with Elvis. He stayed for about an hour and did not provide any production work. I saw him as more of a liaison with RCA, I talked to him about money and such. I liked him quite a bit, but he didn’t ‘produce’ Magnetic South.” Michael Nesmith

magazine ad from 1971 for "Texas Morning"

"As an extra-added surprise, WVOK deejay Johnny David introduced former Monkee Mike Nesmith, who brought along his new group- The First National Band. Mike and TFNB performed their RCA smash single Joanne--and the crowd loved it!"

“Mike Nesmith never even made a reference to his former role as a Monkee. For me and the predominantly under-25 audience, the 35 minute act was far too short. Everyone appeared to be spellbound by Mike’s creative country sound with The First National Band. Mike opened with ‘Listen to the Band’ followed by ‘Little Red Rider’ and then Red Rhodes performed his first solo, ‘Rose City Chimes.’ Next Mike, in a very Jim Reeves type of manner, worked his way through ‘One Rose.’ He continued with his recent U.S. chart success, ‘Joanne,’ and this was followed by another instrumental spot featuring Red Rhodes - ‘Steel Guitar Rag.’ Then to conclude the act the pace dramatically increased for the only rock number included in the set, Chuck Berry’s ‘Nadine.’” Ray Nortrop / NME Magazine Review / Sheffield’s Baily Club 10.10.1970

"Nevada Fighter" television advertisement from 1972

Billboard Magazine 1971 - "Nevada Fighter" counter display

Michael Nesmith

The First National Band’s debut single was released in May of 1970- “Little Red Rider”, a song Michael had been re-recording for The Monkees. This version is different from the previous ones, dropping the horn section, more stripped down and raw. It features some impressive steel guitar work from Red Rhodes, whose sound is processed through a Leslie rotating speaker cabinet.

“Hank Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmie Rodgers are to me something of a musical triumvirate. Somehow I always get back to them. They, like Dylan, Presley, Cash and The Beatles, had, and have, a clearly defined musical position - A pure approach to what they have sung and written - free from euphemisms and alive with their own emotions.” Michael Nesmith 1970

1971 RCA japanese promo compilation that featured The First National Band, Waylon Jennings and The Guess Who. Extremely rare. It sold on ebay for $250 a couple of months ago. There isn't much info on this package, but I assume RCA were trying to figure out how to publicize the band in Japan.

“My group, The First National Band, are really fine musicians. Our steel guitarist Red Rhodes has won the CMA award for best musician for six of the last eight years.” Michael Nesmith 1970

Silver Moon hits #1 in St. Louis 1970

RCA promoted a string of free concerts in 1971 at colleges around Southern California. Two bands- String Cheese and Swampwater would tour with Michael. Traveling by bus, they performed at about 10 colleges in the month of December.

Joanne / One Rose 7" alternate sleeve

Michael with Ringo Starr during a press party for The First National Band in London, 1970. Jimi Hendrix was also there days before he died.

'Papa Nes' & The First National Band

Nesmith played under the pseudonym Mick Mesmit in Ireland

Red Rhodes' Velvet Hammer guitar pick up advertisement

This priceless artifact belongs to a friend of mine, a business card from Red's shop!

Michael's first appearance in London since 1967 with The First National Band. UK Tour 1970

This is another photo of Red Rhodes at his 'Royal Amplifier Service' shop in Hollywood, CA where he designed his custom made 'Velvet Hammer' guitar pickups for musicians like James Burton, Clarence White and other seminal guitarists of the Country Rock genre.

Here's a fantastic photo of Red Rhodes in his repair shop. Hollywood, CA

The Sun - News article - June 19th 1970

"My music is kinda doped-up L.B.J., kinda acid country" Michael Nesmith 1970

This is a very rare photo of Mike Nesmith and John Ware on tour with The First National Band in Europe, 1970. I delicately restored as best as possible.

FNB compilation album from 1999

Nevada Fighter sheet music

Live photo from the UK First National Band tour

UK Compilation from 1975 entitled "Silver Moon"

"Silver Moon" was the third FNB single. The song reached #42 on the U.S. charts and #13 in Canada. The quadraphonic 8-track tape release of "Loose Salute" features the full, extended version.

Michael Nesmith circa 1970, now a member of The First National Band (Henry Diltz)

The First National Band Rolling Stone review of "Loose Salute" 1971

Japan Release of Nevada Fighter

This is another release after the breakup of The First National Band from Holland!

First National Band with The Bob Seger System Show Poster

The First National Band taking a break for lunch 1971 (Henry Diltz)

Live at The Troubadour 1970

The First National Band Live...

Nez during sessions for "Nevada Fighter"

Red Rhodes and John London

Nez

“What made Red truly great was just his touch, the subtlety of it. He understood you didn’t need to do much to make the instrument sing. Even with a flurry of strings, or those magical converging chords, he really didn’t work at it too hard, the instrument did a lot of the work. He just barely moved, but the sound was magical. The effort was like the effort of a hummingbird to fly.”

Michael Nesmith