Gone Too Soon

I was thinking the other day, about all the musicians I've seen play, who are not with us anymore. I feel treasured to have witnessed their brilliance, yet sad that they were silenced, especially so young. Little Feat, with the late Lowell George for example. One of the best shows I ever saw. I was in college and went with Mike Harbin and Chuck Zumwalt. (What ever happened to those guys?) I never saw Little Feat after he died. Had no desire to. Someone pointed out to me later,"he always sung with his eyes closed, just like you." I never noticed:

Another was Bill Chase, a great trumpet player, a one hit wonder, who probably would have done so much more had he not died in a plane crash. I saw him at Dyersburg, TN, of all places. He wore it out. He left too soon.

I never went to see AC/DC after Bon Scott's passing. I wasn't that much of a fan of the band, until I saw them live in the 70s, and realized that they were as much Rock n Roll as Jerry Lee, Chuck Berry, The Stones, etc. They "got it" and Scott was the perfect front man to guitarist Angus Young's frenetic character on the side. I wonder if they ever would have become as big as they did had Scott lived. Death seems to spur sales and interest (see Elvis). BTW, I always thought Angus was a great guitar player, very underrated, and I never heard this song the same after Scott's passing. Strangely prophetic.

I never saw Stevie Ray Vaughan. One of my biggest regrets. He toured so much, I always thought, "I'll catch him next time..." When he died, it shook me.

After his death, I made up my mine. I'm going to see everybody I ever wanted to see, first chance I get. I don't want to miss them, in case they are taken away. I went to see Clapton, The Who, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Todd Rundgren, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Gatemouth Brown, Santanna, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Bill Monroe, Dr. John, Porter Waggoner and many more. Bill Monroe, Porter Waggoner, Kim Wilson, and others signed my guitar....how cool is that!

I saw Bonnie in Mississippi, not long after Katrina, with Jon Cleary on keys. You could have heard a pin drop in the hall several times. Bridget and I were breathless.

I stood through the rain, outdoors to hear Gatemouth play. I knew he was suffering from cancer, but Katrina finished him off. He "killed" the night I saw him though.

A perfect spring night, a glass of wine, and Steely Dan.

I always wanted to see Carlos play. He exceeded my expectations. He had just released "Supernatural," but it hadn't hit big yet. The best 20 dollar concert ticket I ever bought. We worked our way up to the front row. A must see...

I was on the front row for Isley's! Ernie threw me about a half dozen picks!

Bridget and I saw Todd Rundgren in Memphis. We had it all planned to catch Todd's show at the New Daisy, and then head across the street to a bar to hear Shawn Lane with the Willys. Unfortunately, Lane had hurt his leg the night before, and didn't show up! Dang!

It was Christmas in New Orleans, Briggy and I went to see Dr. John. What a precious memory.

Some of those have left us since. There are sitll a few on my lists, such as Loretta Lynn (Damn I love her) and The Kinks....but I'll see them 1st chance I get too. I don't want to miss any of them. I had already missed Jimi, Janis, Jim and so many others years earlier through the curse of 27 or earlier, or later. To me.....80 years old is young now!