Tommy Bolin was touring with his solo band after the break-up of Deep Purple following the recording of, what was at the time, a much under-rated record Come Taste The Band, a record that he had shaped with some stellar guitar work.
He had just finished his second album Private Eyes. The last date of the tour was in support of Jeff Beck at the Jai-Alai Fronton in Miami on 4th December 1976. It had been a great gig, rounded off with Tommy playing 'Post Toastee' as an encore.
The band adjourned to the Newport Hotel for the traditional 70s rock n roll refreshment activities. The details of the drugs taken are all on record and needn't trouble us here, but Tommy died in his sleep. We lost a genuine genius and he left a musical legacy of amazingly high quality.
