This past Thursday I pretty much decided on my blog topic; even discussed it briefly with Nancy at the Gotham LI Legal/ LI/ LI Women Cocktail Party that eve.

As when I would scope out column topics weeks in advance, even have submissions for an upcoming The Public Ought to Know draft, events induce a change; I suspect a revisit to consideration of a new “one strike/ one swing” rule in the near future.

But a concert we attended this weekend certainly provided an interesting contrast for me in terms of what constitutes an original band/ original artists. Many folks know my preference to see originals; I posted a commentary on my website, "It really is the material, stupid."

I posed then, “What matters most? The music played live and fresh or the original artist(s) or some combination thereof playing and singing the stuff?...Should it be about the music even more so than who sings?”

I concluded, “So maybe it is the music that matters.”

No disagreement but while originals still sing and play well, you experience something very special. I suggested hosting a barbecue the prior weekend; maybe that induced Shelly to agree when our friends Abbe and Ira suggested seeing Mark Farner at B.B. King's in Times Square. The former leader singer, lead guitarist and primary song writer for Grand Funk Railroad, Mark sounded as his did in 1970 when “I'm Your Captain” from “Closer To Home” first graced my turntable; it remains one of my all time faves. We really enjoyed the show, both the music and Mark's story telling.

Grand Funk tours without Mark; makes no sense but Mark explains it in an interview posted on YouTube.

Not expecting to catch Farner last week, I bought tickets for a Legends of Rock show at Westbury this weekend that included Mark, Rick Derringer, Mitch Ryder and Starship.  Friends Annamarie and Brian (and I learned later, Curt and Bobbie) also caught this show.

With the passing earlier this year of Jefferson Starship founder Paul Kantner, I remained curious about who would perform in that formation; I seriously doubted the presence of Marty Balin who wrote and sang lead on “Miracles” and “Caroline” and many a Jefferson Airplane classic (including “3/5 of A Mile In 10 Seconds”, “Today” and “Plastic Fantastic Lover”); Grace Slick retired long ago.

Rick Derringer who as 17-year-old Rick Zehringer fronted The McCoys, led off the show with “Guitars and Women”, before his band backed Mitch Ryder; anyone unfamiliar with Ryder certainly knows the “Detroit Medley” that Bruce Springsteen performs.

Well Mitch performed those songs (“Jenny Take A Ride” and “Devil With a Blue Dress” and “Sock It To Me.” Maybe it was the sound mix but the otherwise energetic vocals did not march the originals in quality.

A Derringer set followed featuring the 1966 classic, “Hang On Sloopy.”

Derringer who later played with and produced Johnny Winter and the Edgar Winter Band, also performed songs he wrote that were big for Johnny Winter, “Still Alive and Well” and “Rock 'n' Roll Hoochie Koo” (which was also a hit for Rick) and Edgar Winter, “Free Ride” and the instrumental “Frankenstein”.

Rich then introduced Farner while criticizing Mark's former bandmates who still tour as Grand Funk Railroad; Rick said Mark's former mates need three people to cover his vocals and playing.

Playing fewer songs then the week before and backed by Rick's bassist and drummer Mark still matching the energy, playing and vocal excellence he demonstrated six eves earlier, leading off with “Are You Ready” and “Footstompin' Music” and closing with another spirited rendition of “I'm Your Captain/ Closer To Home” dedicated to our veterans and servicemen and women.

Then came Jefferson Starship. For me that band worked best when it included Balin and Slick with Kantner. Seven years earlier in a “Heroes of Woodstock” show the band only included Kantner as well as those who remained in the band to perform at Westbury.

While David Frieberg got a cup of coffee with the Airplane after being a founding member of Quicksilver Messinger Service (Fresh Air” and “What About Me”), I never saw him as an integral member.

Now he fronts the Kantner-less formation with vocalist Cathy Richardson who sang the Grace Slick, Marty Balin and Mickey Thomas vocals with one exception – “Jane” which co-writer Frieberg handled. I enjoyed hearing “Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit” but the vocals (was I the mix) lacked Grace's power; never cared for the Mickey Thomas era band and material such as “We Built This City” and “Find Your Way Back.” Only the ensemble singing for the “Volunteers” finale clicked for me. I really only stayed for Jefferson Starship for the curiosity. Farner and Derringer made the show work.

And here I circle back to a point about the material. In terms of Starship a cover band might have worked better (at least in terms of the vocals).

The songs deserve to be played live, often.

But what to do when no more originals (players and singers) remain to carry on and ensure the playing and singing still ring true?