Happy Birthday, Jimi

James Marshall Hendrix, Nov. 27, 1942-Sept. 18, 1970

There isn't much I can say to add to what Jimi has accomplished in the world of music. I just want to pay a small tribute to the most innovative, talented rock musician of all time. Mere mortals had to invent the Synthesizer, in an attempt to catch up to him. He blew the minds of Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend, the then reigning "Kings of Guitar", when he, literally, overnight, exploded onto the scene.

A formative event for me was attending his appearance at the IMA Auditorium in Flint, Mi.

It started with Jimi's typical equipment problems. Then, with curtain drawn, Mitch Mitchell started a drum beat. Curtain opened, and there he was, cranking out a very fast, rockin' version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band". They would later perform, "Sunshine of Your Love", by Cream.

Jimi explained, "We don't think we do this song any better than them". Yeah, right.

In a previous blog, I mentioned, "The Attack". We were a trio that specialized in "Hendrix Covers".

Our Guitar player, Chris was somewhat of a young prodigy, and student of Hendrix. He could emulate and reproduce the sound, despite limited gadgets for guitars, in those days. I played the part of Noel Redding.

Sadly, all three members of "The Experience", have left us.

Thanks for reading........Rocksteady60.

The Attack at the Grande Ballroom, wtf Van?

I was the bass player in a rock group called, "The Attack". Chris on guitar, Dennis on drums. We did a lot of Hendrix covers. On February 21, 1969, a few months before Woodstock, we played the Grande Ballroom. I was nineteen years old. The oldest one in the band. And, was scared out of my mind. You see, the Grande was one of the hottest venues in the country.

You walked in, traveled up the stairs, bought your ticket from a guy sitting in a bathtub. Entering the ballroom, you were engulfed in a haze of marijuana and incense.

Headlining this evening were Van Morrison, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Backstage, Paul Butterfield walked in and set down two eight packs of Bud, and said, "Help yourself".

We went on first, and were greeted with encouraging, modest applause. I was grateful and relieved. Van Morrison was next. We all looked forward to it, until....Van went acoustic that February night.

He played Spanish guitar, accompanied by stand up bass, and drummer using brushes. Not what the crowd wanted. Instead of "Brown Eyed Girl", or " Here Comes the Night", we were treated to the sullen, introspective, Van. The people that did not boo, were silent.

We had gone over better than Van Morrison!!

Oh yeah, Paul Butterfield, "Blew the roof off."

Thanks for reading.

LIFE AMONG THE RUINS, OR YES MR. BROWN

I played bass for a band called, "Stanley Mitchell and the People's Choice". In the early seventies, we played at the Pompeii Lounge in Dearborn, Mi., on Michigan ave. near Greenfield Rd. The facade of this bar was like a very low rent Caesar's Palace. Complete with cheesy Roman columns. Now, this place was unique for many reasons. The inside was divided. On one side was a topless strip club.

The other half was set up for young people to drink, dance, socialize, etc. Our band was on this side. The music was piped in to the strip club side, as well. Where the fun began is, the dividing wall did not go to the end.The restrooms were used by both sides; and, people wandered.

The cast of characters included, Marty Green- blond, single mother, stripper, and Heroin user. "Count"- Drug dealer. So named, because he was always counting his money. Dressed very dapper, and polite.

One time Count asked where we could meet every day. I said "Why"? Seems he thought I was an addict, and would need some "Boy" supplied. "Boy", meaning Heroin. I explained that I was not a drug addict, but thanked him just the same.

Cheri was a brunette stripper who claimed she was a witch. She once asked me for a pair of my socks, so she could cast a "Spell on me". I complied. Not sure if it worked.

Part 2: The club was also open after hours. At about 2AM, on weekends, we would go across the street to eat, come back, and jam with musicians that dropped by. Yet, another different type crowd in attendance.

Among the "cats", sitting in were, Jabo, Robert, and Clyde. All former members of James Brown's Band. We would play well into the night. Probably my biggest thrill in music. Playing with these guys, was like a baseball fan throwing the ball around with big league hall of famers.

They would tell us what it was like playing with James. No matter how long you were with him, he had to be addressed as, "Mr. Brown". "Yes, Mr. Brown", " No Mr. Brown". On tour, the band would zig-zag across the country in a bus. Mr. Brown used a Lear Jet.

The real Pompeii was buried by lava from a volcano, in 83 B.C. Excavated in 1748, (pictured above).

I don't know what happened to the Pompeii Lounge.