Following Bobby Berge's departure, Tommy had a ready-made replacement available in his own brother Johnnie, while Mark Stein was once again able to help with recruitment, bringing onboard young bassist Jimmy Haslip.

The new line-up debuted at Mile High Stadium in Denver on 29th August 1976, as part of a bill supporting Peter Frampton (whose bassist Stanley Sheldon was an old band mate of Tommy's from his Energy days). New record label Columbia were keen to promote The Tommy Bolin Band by getting them support slots on other artists' tours, and it was in that position that their following two shows in Albany, New York with Blue Oyster Cult were recorded, and later released as 'Live 9/19/76' and 'Albany NY 9-20-76'. Parallel to the move into larger venues the band were adopting a more straightforward rock style, helped by the two new recruits. Johnnie Bolin however felt that he wasn't fitting in musically and decided to leave after a show in St Louis on 10th October. He was followed by Mark Stein, who felt that he was fighting a losing battle in trying to help Tommy combat his drug and alcohol use.

photo: Norma Jean Bell, Johnnie Bolin, Tommy Bolin, Mark Stein, Jimmy Haslip

Typically of the support showed by Mark Stein to Tommy, he helped audition the band's new drummer before departing. Mark Craney (fresh from playing with ex-Mahavishnu Orchestra violinist Jean-Luc Ponty) proved a superb addition to the band, as did new keyboard player Max Gronenthal (another ex-Energy player).

Selections from the band's 16th November show at Jazz City Studios, New Orleans were later released as bonus tracks on 'Albany NY 9-20-76', and showed that Tommy was still capable of putting in strong performances both on guitar and vocals, backed by his powerful new line-up. One week later Tommy visited his home town, during which time he jammed with other Sioux City musicians, including his brother Johnnie and Mark Craney. Around the same time Tommy was also beginning work on a new album with drummer Billy Cobham, and discussing the possibilities of working once again with Glenn Hughes.

The upward turn in Tommy's live performances continued with what would sadly be his last show, supporting Jeff Beck at the Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, which ended with a storming version of "Post Toastee". Backstage he and Beck posed for cameras, after which Bolin returned to the Newport Resort hotel on Miami Beach. Late that night he passed out. Fearful of adverse publicity no doctor was called and, as he seemed to recover, roadies simply put him to bed. Around 8am. on Saturday 4th December his girlfriend saw that he was looking much worse and finally an ambulance was called - he was dead before it arrived. Cause of death was multiple drug intoxication. He was 25.

Of the rest of his band, Norma Jean Bell made a name for herself in the 1990s with a very successful foray into dance music (primarily as a producer), and set up the Detroit based Pandamonium label in the noughties. Jimmy Haslip formed respected jazz rock outfit The Yellowjackets, Max Gronenthal found success as a session player and songwriter, while Mark Craney had spells with Jethro Tull and jazz singer Gino Vannelli. He died in 2005.

private eyes Nov 1976 (UK) - studio album The only post-Deep Purple album released in Tommy's life-time. Largely recorded by the Mk2 version of the Tommy Bolin Band. DPAS ONLINE STORE

Completing the collection A number of Tommy's solo demos were released posthumously by the Tommy Bolin Archive, including tracks which ended up on 'Private Eyes'. "Someday We'll Bring Our Love Home" is on "From the Archives Volume Two", "Post Toastee" is on 'Naked Vol.I', and "Sweet Burgundy" on 'Naked Vol.II'. Other 1976 demos are collected on the 'Naked Vols I & II' and 'Snapshot' compilations. The CDs are now deleted.

.... Notable post 1976 Tommy Bolin live releases ....