In the late sixties and early seventies the college circuit was regular work for many of the bands in the UK. The gigs were cheap to see as they were supported by the union entertainment body and open to the general public along with the students. The bands had chance to develop new material as well as promote their records. The progressive bands like Yes and Genesis played their way to top form before they had larger audiences and overseas success. It was a vital support to the music scene in the UK and many of the groups gained great reputations on the circuit although not always achieving commercial success.
East of Eden, led by the multi instrumentalist Dave Arbus, were a progressive rock band regularly seen at the colleges. They had a one off hit with a tune "Jig-a-Jig" but like other groups at that time never really transferred the excitement of their live sets to record. A great loss was they never recorded a live album of some of their college gigs. But they were one of many really good bands to have been part of the life blood of the music scene in the UK at the time.
The closed door policies of college/universities put an end to this by the mid eighties and the college circuit was finished. Live music in the UK took a heavy blow. The musical freedom it gave to the musicians was badly missed.
