live recordings because it was one of the first live LPs in which all outputs from the vocal microphones, guitar amps and other instruments (except the drums) were fed directly to the mobile studio mixing desk, rather than being recorded via microphones and/or signals fed out the front-of-house PA mixer. This so-called "Direct Injection" (DI) method had been used for years in the studio, but this was one of the first instances of the method being successfully used to record a live album. 801 Live became a significant cult success in many countries, notably in Australia, where it was heavily promoted by the ABC's new 24-hour rock station Double Jay (2JJ), which had opened in January 1975. Although based in Sydney, the station could be heard widely around New South Wales and was relayed nationally after midnight via the ABC's national AM network. It is notable that 801 Live received virtually no commercial radio airplay, it had no music video to promote it, and it was originally not even locally released in Australia. Despite this, the album became the highest-selling import album of the year in Australia in 1976, and demand for it as an import item eventually forced the Australian distributors to release it locally. In 1977, hoping to capitalise on the success of 801 Live, a revised line-up of the band (now officially billed as "Phil Manzanera/801") recorded and released Listen Now. This was a studio album with additional collaborating musicians including Tim Finn of Split Enz, but without Lloyd Watson. In late 1977, 801 reformed as another live group around Manzanera and MacCormick for a promotion tour for the album, Listen Now. Their concert at Manchester University was finally released as the album 801 Manchester in 1997. Members Phil Manzanera – Lead guitar (1976-77) Bill MacCormick – Bass guitar, lead vocals (1976-77) Brian Eno – Keyboards, backing vocals (1976) Lloyd Watson – Slide guitar, lead vocals (1976) Simon Phillips – Drums, percussion (1976) Francis Monkman – Piano (1976) Paul Thompson - Drums (1977) Dave Skinner - Keyboards (1977) Simon Ainley - Guitar, vocals (1977) Discography Studio album Listen Now (1977) - AUS #91 Live albums 801 Live (1976) - AUS #28 801 Manchester (1997) (recorded 1977) 801 Latino (2001) (recorded 1999) Live at Hull (2001) (recorded 1977) See also Triple J References External links [ 801 on AllMusic.com] Live Double CD Nears Completion https://web.archive.org/web/20060104175952/http://www.manzanera.com/801LivePR.htm#Press - 801 Live: