I was fortunate enough to have seen him 5 times from 2007-2012. We had a place here in central California that did special events including a lot of live music. We did over a 100 shows and even had a couple of the bands that played Woodstock. I was the chef so I always had a lot of interaction with the bands that came. I was like their personal chef/ valet for the day of the shows. He played there 5 times and was a consummate gentleman. He was kind of like the rain man in that he didn't speak much but was aware of everything that was going on around him. He told us a story ( i don't know how true it was but I have to believe him) that on the way to Woodstock he got it on with Janis Joplin in the helicopter.
After the shows he would sit in his bus and sign and take pictures with anyone who wanted to. We only sat 160 people for a show so it was up close and personal. When he walked to the stage you wondered if he would make it to the stage. As soon as he picked up the guitar it was like a lightning bolt from heaven and he just exploded music. One year he asked me if I had anything to smoke so I hooked him up. The next time he came he remembered that and made sure to return the favor. I almost fell over that he remembered and even thought of a shmuck like me. At the last show he played for us according to his people he had been off all hard drugs for over a year. I remember the last time he walked off stage he shouted "that was the best fucking show we have done in the last 10 years."
Last of the old school bluesmen as far as I am concerned. RIP.....I can hear him and the Fat Man trading licks
After the shows he would sit in his bus and sign and take pictures with anyone who wanted to. We only sat 160 people for a show so it was up close and personal. When he walked to the stage you wondered if he would make it to the stage. As soon as he picked up the guitar it was like a lightning bolt from heaven and he just exploded music. One year he asked me if I had anything to smoke so I hooked him up. The next time he came he remembered that and made sure to return the favor. I almost fell over that he remembered and even thought of a shmuck like me. At the last show he played for us according to his people he had been off all hard drugs for over a year. I remember the last time he walked off stage he shouted "that was the best fucking show we have done in the last 10 years."
Last of the old school bluesmen as far as I am concerned. RIP.....I can hear him and the Fat Man trading licks
