Cottage Views Classic Rock News

Ten Years After captured live

PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ

September 1, 1999

Photos courtesy of the Michael Cimino Archives

Use without permission punishable by law

Cottage Views Interviews

Alvin Lee of Ten Years After

Cottage Views: Every Year I do a poll as to what readers would like to see reissued on CD and every year On the Road to Freedom is requested. I recently read it was finally going to come out. What's happening with that?

Alvin Lee: I'm trying to get it out. I was about to put out On the Road to Freedom and then I found out that I'm not allowed to give permission to do it, and there's a six month jail sentence, so I've got to start dealing with these corporate people. The trouble is it's owned by Sony in America and it's difficult. It was originally on Crysalis in England and CBS in America and then Sony took over CBS and they don't even know they've got it. I rang them up and said, 'You've got this On the Road to Freedom. I'd like to put it out,' and they said, 'What's that?' It's a bit disheartening, but I'm going to keep trying. We'll get there one day.

I just put out Pump Iron, Free Fall, RX5, and In Flight on CD with bonus tracks.

C.V.: How come you don't play your biggest hit, "I'd Love to Change the World," in concert?

A.L.: It's got acoustic and electric guitar, and that makes it difficult. I can't switch from one to another. And it's the same with me. I'm a bit of a rebel. Because it's a hit I don't want to play it. I remember one time we were doing this gig and the record company was there and they said, 'When are you going to play your hit?' And I said, 'Oh, we don't play that. What's the point? It's a hit already!' (laughs)

C.V.: Have you ever played it live?

A.L.: No. Never. (laughs) l