Woodward Cinema presents
What The Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears?
Monday, April 17, 2023
7 doors, 7:30 p.m. show
$12 advance / $15 day of show
In June 1970, hot off their spectacular Grammy win for Album of the
Year (besting The Beatles’ “Abbey Road”), Blood, Sweat & Tears becomes
the first American rock band to perform behind the Iron Curtain, doing
concerts in Yugoslavia, Romania and Poland on a tour sponsored by the
U.S. State Department.
Like much of the youth in America, band members have been outspoken
and critical of the Nixon administration and the Vietnam War. The Iron
Curtain Tour seems to be a curious decision by the band, which was at
the very height of their popularity.
Upon their return, the band becomes a victim of the significant
societal upheaval and culture wars in a polarized America, divided as
much then as it is now. Political criticism typically comes from one
side or the other. But in 1970, Blood, Sweat & Tears find themselves
in the crossfire from both the Right AND the Left and the group
suffers greatly as a result. Suddenly, they are no longer hip and cool
and lose support from fans, the media, concert bookers and the
recording industry.
In short, the Right is outraged by the U.S. government footing the
bill for an anti-war/anti-Nixon rock band to tour overseas and refer
to Blood, Sweat & Tears members as “Communists”. The Left is critical
of the band for appearing to be an instrument of the U.S. government
and/or the CIA.
Through documentary footage shot during the Iron Curtain tour (and
thought to be lost) and present-day interviews with band members and
historians, as well as the unsealing of government records, WHAT THE
HELL HAPPENED TO BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS? unravels the details of this
extraordinary year in the life of the band.