I had the honor of playing drums for a one-off show with Cliff years ago. We had one rehearsal before the show, after which he seemed visibly impressed with my playing and paid me one of the best compliments I've ever received as a musician, saying that I served the songs, not myself. Just recently discovered that sadly he's no longer with us....great guy and an absolutely legendary band.
I can't even describe the total elation I felt when I discovered that ON was available on iTunes. My old cassette from the 80's was long since dead. Still one of my favorite albums of all time!
Saw these guys front row 1980, still have half the ticket stub. My friends sister scored us tickets. High energy, great music, totally underrated band. Brings back memories thanks for posting! Full Moon turn my head around and round......
I love that 97.1 chicago still plays broadway ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. Thats how I discovered these guys as a young RnR fan. “Full moon turn my head around” came on the air when I was working so I spent an hour trying to figure out what song it was. I eventually found that stations playlist history and found the song from there
I was there in 1979 and stood right in front of one of the speakers on your right. After concert, went outside and couldn't even here cars go by. Absolutely one of the best bands I've ever seen!
I'm from Freeport, Illinois. Moved to Iowa in 1976. Had no idea these guys were from Chicago and opened for one of my all time favorite bands.....Cheap Trick.
I was starting to get big in Rockford, Illinois when these guys came out and all of a sudden they were gone. Off like a light switch. Someone said it was management problems. But one of my favorite albums.
Their management was with Ken Adamay, CT's manager. I heard they lost their contract with the record company after they trashed a San Francisco hotel restaurant. It seems the label thought they were a risk .
These guys were great. They ruled top-40 radio in the late 70's. I saw them open for Cheap Trick a few times, and I saw them headline at College of DuPage.
Takes me back to college at ISU in Bloomington, Il., 78 and 79. They played the club I worked in often. The weekends they played were huge. Great music, great memories.
Just finished; with this video' taking a trip back thru my H.S. days watching these guys along with The Kind, M&R Rush, Enuff 'Z Nuff and Bitch. Would love to see All the bands get together; well, at least the ones still living & still can play; and put on a show
Off Broadway played at my High School several times in the 1980s and I also saw them at various auto shows at the old Amphitheater on the south side. Good times/great memories. My friends had a band and did a great rendition of Mr. Moon...
I saw these guys open for Judas Priest at the Palladium in NYC back in 1978 and they were booed off the stage. Early Judas Priest fans were a hardcore bunch.
Apparently while opening for UK, they were booed and the lead singer got into a fight with people from the audience. It was 1978 too, in Chicago. Prog fans couldn't stand them either it seems
Sooooo Awesome to see this GREAT Band again! I was at many of their shows! Cliff is always an Amazing Performer and the Band always kicked ass! Thank you for posting!
This is great, thanks for posting Don. It's unfortunate that old Chicago favorites like Off Broadway, The Hounds, Tantrum, etc. that saw decent local airplay thanks to The Loop, would never stand a chance today in the days of Corporate Radio.
I remember seeing them open for Cheap Trick back in 81 I think. They were awesome. John Ivan (guitarist on the left) was nuts :D Great guitarist. At the beginning of Full moon, the intro was extended for like 2 minutes and John did the twist the whole time :D
Epic. These guys were one of the 1st bands I saw live. They opened up for Toto during the Hydra tour. It was at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville IN, which later became the Radisson. What a great memory.
One of the best Chicago bands I've ever seen, so much fun. I was totally surprised they never became a big time touring act. They had the songs, the band and the show man, Cliff Johnson.
I was the music director at my college radio station in the early-mid 80's. Played Off Broadway to death. Never heard them on commercial radio. College radio was the only chance good bands like Off Broadway had.
I was 14 when saw them open for UFO in Oakland in 1980, we had no idea who they were, but they rocked! We were in the front row right in front of the guitar player and we kept asking for some of his beer and he kept giving us some, pretty cool.
Yea, I agree. Poor management and marketing, should have become much bigger. Saw them with Blackfoot and UFO in Chicago at the Amphitheater in 1980 and sometime a little later at College of DuPage. There were people on the roof looking through the windows at COD of which Cliff Johnson made mention of.
+walkingman No doubt. They had a whole bunch of great songs. Not a bad one in the lot. Definitely poor management. If they only had 1 video on MTV..... I cant believe they didnt. I thought they were much better than Survivor, who did infact get support from their label. I saw Off Broadway in 81, when they opened for Cheap Trick. Fantastic show. Had Off Broadway been with another label, they mightve gotten the support they deserved.
Brent Zmrhal Yes I saw that and went "whoa, what did he just do!" I had to watch it a bunch more times, he does it again later at the same part of the song. I'm gonna have to add that to my repertoire!
+Mary G. Don't recall. But do know that back then touring prior to, during an after an album release was the lifeblood of a band. ESPECIALLY, back then prior to MTV, and now all of social media. So, opening for Cheap Trick was a boon, but I do not think they toured with them or any other big name nationally--just regionally, but I could be wrong there--just don't know. That decision usually depends on how much the A&R guy or gal pushes the label. Also recall the band lamenting that they should have been paired with big names of the day.
I had the honor of playing drums for a one-off show with Cliff years ago. We had one rehearsal before the show, after which he seemed visibly impressed with my playing and paid me one of the best compliments I've ever received as a musician, saying that I served the songs, not myself. Just recently discovered that sadly he's no longer with us....great guy and an absolutely legendary band.
Such a great band. RIP Cliff.
One the finest bands to ever emerge from Chicago. Part of the soundtrack of my childhood.
I can't even describe the total elation I felt when I discovered that ON was available on iTunes. My old cassette from the 80's was long since dead. Still one of my favorite albums of all time!
I have this album on vinyl. We used to follow the band all over the chgo burbs to watch them play in the bars!!
RIP lead singer Cliff Johnson! imagine "Stay In Time" being on B-96 back on the day! Yep- it was!
Cliff Johnson should have been a superstar. What a shame.
They should have been bigger than cheap trick. And I mean no disrespect
Excellent!! I'm 19 all over again!
So many drunken nights at the Great Illinois Purchase dancing to these guys with our crew..around this time.
I would see them 4 nights in a row. And they would play 3 sets of mostly original music
Saw these guys front row 1980, still have half the ticket stub. My friends sister scored us tickets. High energy, great music, totally underrated band. Brings back memories thanks for posting! Full Moon turn my head around and round......
My god! I saw this band so many times...awesome days!
These guys were fucking gods to us. I had the honor of playing bass in the lead guitar player’s next band. This was a top top top notch band.
i worked this show B'Ginnings was so cool!off broadway was rockin this night
Great album. Great singer. Great band.
If I could only go back and do it all over again......
I had the album in high school but lost it, but I was fortunate to get it on CD a few years ago. It's still as fresh and alive as it was 44 years ago!
I love that 97.1 chicago still plays broadway ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. Thats how I discovered these guys as a young RnR fan. “Full moon turn my head around” came on the air when I was working so I spent an hour trying to figure out what song it was. I eventually found that stations playlist history and found the song from there
I was there in 1979 and stood right in front of one of the speakers on your right. After concert, went outside and couldn't even here cars go by. Absolutely one of the best bands I've ever seen!
Soundtrack of my youth!
Join us at facebook groups Power Pop Rock
I'm from Freeport, Illinois. Moved to Iowa in 1976. Had no idea these guys were from Chicago and opened for one of my all time favorite bands.....Cheap Trick.
Damn I remember this! My hometown hero's and still going, they have a new song out. Rock on Boyz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was starting to get big in Rockford, Illinois when these guys came out and all of a sudden they were gone. Off like a light switch. Someone said it was management problems. But one of my favorite albums.
Their management was with Ken Adamay, CT's manager. I heard they lost their contract with the record company after they trashed a San Francisco hotel restaurant. It seems the label thought they were a risk .
These guys were great. They ruled top-40 radio in the late 70's. I saw them open for Cheap Trick a few times, and I saw them headline at College of DuPage.
I saw them open for Cheap Trick in Madison, WI, at the Coliseum (now the Alliant Center). Loved me the Off Broadway, I did.
I seen them backup Cheap Trick @ the Amphitheater in Chicago and the Red Lion in Bloomington
Takes me back to college at ISU in Bloomington, Il., 78 and 79. They played the club I worked in often. The weekends they played were huge. Great music, great memories.
Did you work @ the Red Lion ?
I remember them well too. Was it the Red Lion? My memory is too fuzzy from all the beer I drank while at ISU from '75 to '79.
It must have been the Red Lion. I was there in 80 also
R.I.P. CLIFF JOHNSON
RIP Cliff thanks the great songs always loved your voice
Just finished; with this video' taking a trip back thru my H.S. days watching these guys along with The Kind, M&R Rush, Enuff 'Z Nuff and Bitch. Would love to see All the bands get together; well, at least the ones still living & still can play; and put on a show
Off Broadway played at my High School several times in the 1980s and I also saw them at various auto shows at the old Amphitheater on the south side. Good times/great memories. My friends had a band and did a great rendition of Mr. Moon...
Wow. Never expected footage of them from these days. Thanks so much for posting.
Great memories of a great group, was there at Beginnings for that show and so many more over the years. Hope Cliff has recovered.
I saw these guys open for Judas Priest at the Palladium in NYC back in 1978 and they were booed off the stage. Early Judas Priest fans were a hardcore bunch.
Apparently while opening for UK, they were booed and the lead singer got into a fight with people from the audience. It was 1978 too, in Chicago. Prog fans couldn't stand them either it seems
The Palms Milwaukee....loved Off Broadway
Sooooo Awesome to see this GREAT Band again!
I was at many of their shows!
Cliff is always an Amazing Performer and the Band always kicked ass!
Thank you for posting!
This is great, thanks for posting Don. It's unfortunate that old Chicago favorites like Off Broadway, The Hounds, Tantrum, etc. that saw decent local airplay thanks to The Loop, would never stand a chance today in the days of Corporate Radio.
How did this not chart high enough that I could have heard of it ?????? Major label ????
I went to HS with Johnny Ivan ............ Great guy
Cliff RIP 🙏
I remember seeing them open for Cheap Trick back in 81 I think. They were awesome. John Ivan (guitarist on the left) was nuts :D Great guitarist. At the beginning of Full moon, the intro was extended for like 2 minutes and John did the twist the whole time :D
WOW... Major fLaShBaCk... Off Broadway... ON !!!
Thanks for the upload!!!!
Awesome! I'm in a time machine! I was there.
rip cliff
Epic.
These guys were one of the 1st bands I saw live.
They opened up for Toto during the
Hydra tour.
It was at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville IN, which later became the Radisson.
What a great memory.
This is just a fabulous clip.What great energy. What a great band. Thanks for posting!
Gawd i miss ya Cliff... I miss those days..
One of the best Chicago bands I've ever seen, so much fun. I was totally surprised they never became a big time touring act. They had the songs, the band and the show man, Cliff Johnson.
Cliff, the shorts are awesome, I love me some Off Broadway. You should've have been bigger and I'm sure your sick of hearing that. ROCK ON!!
I remember your band and theatre band, haymakers, all the burbs of chiton
I never realized how much Cliff and Donnie Vie sound alike.
I was the music director at my college radio station in the early-mid 80's. Played Off Broadway to death. Never heard them on commercial radio. College radio was the only chance good bands like Off Broadway had.
oh yes they were on Commercial radio at least in the Midwest
okay let me correct myself I did listen to Chicago radio back in those days a lot so... You may be right.
but they did play live in Wisconsin quite a bit
Sometimes called me his spiritual advisor. IM A JEALOUS BOY-now I see Ivan with Rick Lindy Sometimes- great GROUP-STAY IN TIME
Saw a couple times in Passaic NJ at the Capital Theatre between 78 and 80. Great shows. Glad these videos are preserved! Brings back memories!
Thanks for posting this!!
I was 14 when saw them open for UFO in Oakland in 1980, we had no idea who they were, but they rocked! We were in the front row right in front of the guitar player and we kept asking for some of his beer and he kept giving us some, pretty cool.
Saw them live in 1979 at the ACC at Notre Dame. They warmed up for Cheap Trick.
I was at that signing and have pics .. Cool bunch of guys
Love the Super 8 film!
Absolutely remarkable.
Great vocals
Y'all should check out Cliff Johnson and the Raine his new band in the Chicago area. CZcams of course and Facebook
Yea, I agree. Poor management and marketing, should have become much bigger. Saw them with Blackfoot and UFO in Chicago at the Amphitheater in 1980 and sometime a little later at College of DuPage. There were people on the roof looking through the windows at COD of which Cliff Johnson made mention of.
+walkingman No doubt. They had a whole bunch of great songs. Not a bad one in the lot. Definitely poor management. If they only had 1 video on MTV..... I cant believe they didnt. I thought they were much better than Survivor, who did infact get support from their label. I saw Off Broadway in 81, when they opened for Cheap Trick. Fantastic show. Had Off Broadway been with another label, they mightve gotten the support they deserved.
I was there also it was called rockfest
i saw a great off broadway show in nyc called around the world in 80 days
I LOVE YOU
Linda Mullinix
Seen them in green bay,at a race track.
My uncle is the drummer
Kenny Harck?? Know him well!!
Look at that guitar move at 1:40.
Brent Zmrhal Yes I saw that and went "whoa, what did he just do!" I had to watch it a bunch more times, he does it again later at the same part of the song. I'm gonna have to add that to my repertoire!
That was his “thing”. So freaking entertaining, these guys.
WHO got splashed with Tuff cologne during Hang on for Love?
Down at Mothers a few times ! Great memories
Saw them at the thirsty whale!
So did I! Never forget😃d
In Minoqua?
@@toddschmidlkofer3753 No, in Franklin Park Ill.
I was there. We saw them dozens of times...every chance we got. Red Lion in DeKalb?
REO used to play at the Red Lion back when they were actually good with Richrath😎 in their early days
Believe ti or not, they replaced Iron Butterfly in ? downtown Appleton Wi, It was INCREDIBLE! BTW dude is a horndog!
Anyone remember when they played as USSA for a bit?
Vaguely. Somehow that seems more Pezband
Yeah, when he dove in Lake Michigan off the stage/pontoon ChicagoFest. Can’t remember if it was 1978 or 1979.
@@olddeegee I heard a story about Cliff getting fired from Pezband something about a chainsaw at Thirsty Whale.
Another victim of poor management and marketing. "Should've" been next big thing in '79.
+Judge Smails Wasn't Ken Adamany their manager?
+Mary G. Don't recall. But do know that back then touring prior to, during an after an album release was the lifeblood of a band. ESPECIALLY, back then prior to MTV, and now all of social media. So, opening for Cheap Trick was a boon, but I do not think they toured with them or any other big name nationally--just regionally, but I could be wrong there--just don't know. That decision usually depends on how much the A&R guy or gal pushes the label. Also recall the band lamenting that they should have been paired with big names of the day.
Yes
hey, its the guy that donnie vie stole his voice from from.
Off Broadway albums were a prerequisite in dorm rooms in 80/81. A great band that shoulda done better. Cliff's shorts are a little off putting though
Lederhosen!
same management as cheap trick. trick rocked. Broadway popped. rock fans preferred rock. rock won.
St. Rita rocks...
Yes they do,
GO MUSTANGS!
Yeah, they'd probably baffle the silly sh*t out of Corporate Radio, that's how pathetic it is.
just found about this band....really good.....terrible name and album art was not what they were about....shame..bad manager and marketing
Another victim of poor management and marketing. "Should've" been next big thing in '79.