I have a friend who was a doctor at Stanford. One day, he goes in to see a patient, and sitting there is John Lee Hooker. My friend says, “Hi, I’m Mark. I’ll be your doctor today”. John Lee says, “Hi. I’m the Boogie Man”. Worth the cost of medical school right there.
Man, you are blessed to have had this moment. As I read it, I envisioned myself watching the interview, literally five feet away. I never moved. Never blinked. Totally in awe of you. Of him. Of you, Stephie, him ... Even the trick or treaters.
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Going to read it to Roy Jeans of Martinez, Cali while he builds his new Armando's. Poor guy is too busy to read these days. I love hearing my voice read out loud, so ... Well, you know.
Cheers, Chuck. Love ya. Admire you.
P.S. speaking of kids ...
Our 6 year old Grandson August loves your song Wish me Luck. As I opened the blinds after he stayed the night with me by himself for his first time, he shouted Wish me Luck. He said, Oma! Just like the song.
I looooooved this post! I used to get drunk at Jack’s after work…it was on my way home and I always kept my eyes wide open, hoping to see JLH. The recording is so much fun, Stephanie giggles at the doorbell, so cinematic and glowing.
It's not Halloween, it's Christmas! Thanks for letting me hear what his voice sounded like. I never did see him, but I always wondered about him. I wanted to know too, if he knew all those blues greats! So thanks for that! And thank you, Chuck for all the great music.!
Wow!! Great read! I saw John Lee Hooker when I was about 15 at SUNY New Paltz or maybe Hunter College. Christ a long time ago I was young, I remember his eyes, young eyes in an old face. Wild time a big field lots of blues bands. Wish I had a better memory. I worked for Albert Grossman in Bearsville NY maybe 1974/75 Weird wild time. I drive across country to SF in the next few months.
What a beautiful missive this is, thank you so much for sharing it with us all. Us her in Asheville hope you give us a show when you cna fit it in. The Grey Eagle is open and awaiting your arrival after your jaunt overseas. We do need cheering up and a fun dance band on our agenda. Thanks again Chuck.
What a great story!! I grew up in Belmont and in high school, worked in a little mom and pop grocery store right on San Carlos Ave. I was quite the blues fan and had Rod's Used Records right across the street to help with my habit. Anyway, imagine my surprise when along about 1980, who walks into the store, but John Lee Hooker with two very young women he called is nieces. We chatted a bit, I told him what a fan I was and there he went. I only had that job for about a year, but I used to see John about once a month all decked out, strolling down San Carlos Ave. swingin his cane. This really brought back some memories Chuck and what an awesome interview!!
Love this story! I don't recall The Hot Spot. Gonna watch that tonight. Look forward to the soundtrack. Just found this article with quotes from Roy Rogers about it. Man, I used to love the Roy Rogers gigs @ The Saloon in North Beach. Also remember seeing JLH with Roy Rogers @ the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1983. https://crimereads.com/hot-spot-neo-noir-soundtrack/
I'm very much looking forward to reading through the entirety of this piece, but at the moment, finding it difficult to move beyond the words "Green On Red box set."
Didn't see that one coming! Pure Trip in the Country; what a treat! Thanks, Chuck. 😎
is the green on red box set coming out soon?
Well, that interview and the memories are the whole bag of candy! Thanks.
I have a friend who was a doctor at Stanford. One day, he goes in to see a patient, and sitting there is John Lee Hooker. My friend says, “Hi, I’m Mark. I’ll be your doctor today”. John Lee says, “Hi. I’m the Boogie Man”. Worth the cost of medical school right there.
Great story!
Man, you are blessed to have had this moment. As I read it, I envisioned myself watching the interview, literally five feet away. I never moved. Never blinked. Totally in awe of you. Of him. Of you, Stephie, him ... Even the trick or treaters.
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Going to read it to Roy Jeans of Martinez, Cali while he builds his new Armando's. Poor guy is too busy to read these days. I love hearing my voice read out loud, so ... Well, you know.
Cheers, Chuck. Love ya. Admire you.
P.S. speaking of kids ...
Our 6 year old Grandson August loves your song Wish me Luck. As I opened the blinds after he stayed the night with me by himself for his first time, he shouted Wish me Luck. He said, Oma! Just like the song.
XO!
What an incredible JLH interview!!!
I looooooved this post! I used to get drunk at Jack’s after work…it was on my way home and I always kept my eyes wide open, hoping to see JLH. The recording is so much fun, Stephanie giggles at the doorbell, so cinematic and glowing.
Heh heh, yeah. Memory and full lives and what leaves a mark.
It's pretty surreal. Because I remember so many specifics about the conversation and the evening. I was shocked when the tape didn't lie.
This was a super fun read and listen. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
It's not Halloween, it's Christmas! Thanks for letting me hear what his voice sounded like. I never did see him, but I always wondered about him. I wanted to know too, if he knew all those blues greats! So thanks for that! And thank you, Chuck for all the great music.!
Wow!! Great read! I saw John Lee Hooker when I was about 15 at SUNY New Paltz or maybe Hunter College. Christ a long time ago I was young, I remember his eyes, young eyes in an old face. Wild time a big field lots of blues bands. Wish I had a better memory. I worked for Albert Grossman in Bearsville NY maybe 1974/75 Weird wild time. I drive across country to SF in the next few months.
I still love driving across the US. Not as desolate as it once was.
Told you and then I
Fascinating musical history, straight from a man directly in touch with the mother lode. Brilliant interview. Thanks for sharing, Chuck.
What a beautiful missive this is, thank you so much for sharing it with us all. Us her in Asheville hope you give us a show when you cna fit it in. The Grey Eagle is open and awaiting your arrival after your jaunt overseas. We do need cheering up and a fun dance band on our agenda. Thanks again Chuck.
What a great story!! I grew up in Belmont and in high school, worked in a little mom and pop grocery store right on San Carlos Ave. I was quite the blues fan and had Rod's Used Records right across the street to help with my habit. Anyway, imagine my surprise when along about 1980, who walks into the store, but John Lee Hooker with two very young women he called is nieces. We chatted a bit, I told him what a fan I was and there he went. I only had that job for about a year, but I used to see John about once a month all decked out, strolling down San Carlos Ave. swingin his cane. This really brought back some memories Chuck and what an awesome interview!!
Magical. A proper treat!
Love this story! I don't recall The Hot Spot. Gonna watch that tonight. Look forward to the soundtrack. Just found this article with quotes from Roy Rogers about it. Man, I used to love the Roy Rogers gigs @ The Saloon in North Beach. Also remember seeing JLH with Roy Rogers @ the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1983. https://crimereads.com/hot-spot-neo-noir-soundtrack/
I'm very much looking forward to reading through the entirety of this piece, but at the moment, finding it difficult to move beyond the words "Green On Red box set."