What is cool I heard all these band live too. I'm still a Bay Area person. Of all the great guitar players I've heard live. Carlos always was the smoothest. Never TOO loud, BUT loud enough. Stanly Clark/Jeff Beck/Tony Williams Sr was a close second.
Earlier on, Tower of Power, War, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stones, Gram Central Station... Dude I was a Pan Dragger.. LOL
Montrose was LOUD too.
The worst I ever heard was Journey, they ran half the people out of Winterland (I think) behind playing so loud. Deep Purple did the same thing. Two times ear plugs did not work. :-)