This thread got me to thinking .... back several years. 1962. I was attending the local college (Morris Harvey) in Charleston WV. There was a small bar that, somehow, created a tolerant attitude between the college kids and the locals. One of the guys I knew at school let me know that he was bringing a Delta Blues man to the Mantiki, and that it should be good.
So, several of us took him up on his recommendation. It cost us the princely sum of $2.00 apiece cover charge.
So, for the kind of money that, back then, would buy you 4-5 beers, what'd we get?
John Lee Hooker.
JLH sat on a folding chair .... there was no bandstand. The overflow crowd, including us, sat on the floor in a semi circle around 'the man.'
It was a solo act. Guitar by JLH. Vocals by JLH. Bass by JLH .... his foot thumping on the floor.
Went back Night Two for another round of delta blues sound. I would have robbed a bank for the $2 bucks admission.
I noticed the Caddy when we left the bar. There it sat with Louisiana tags. Damn ... JLH and his road manager had driven from Louisiana to get to this gig. Of course, there may have been some events between us and their starting point.
And here I sit, tonight, in 2015, listening to an old album I bought in 1969, 1970. "John Lee Hooker ... That's Where It's At." On a 36 year old Pioneer entry level stereo. Have to say, maybe Stax records (and Pioneer) should have made motorcycles, This old album still plays beautifully. And a new power supply and a speaker rebuild brought the Pioneer back to life. Rugged stuff!
Damn ..... life is good!
Bob
