Roy and a rain storm 1988

Another tale from my past this week, 1988 I was working at a club called My Fathers Place's located in Roslyn, NY the home to 100s of gig's by music's top entertainer's thru it's 15 yr history. It was a friday night and it was absolutely POURING OUT ! You couldn't see the other side of the street it was raining that hard.

I was at the front door at about 7 PM, it was just me two bartenders, the manager and Roy Buchanan's band. I see a guy walking up the street in the rain, small guy he gets up close he has a case in his hands. Hi !I am Roy I think I am playing here tonight and hands me "the" case.

We walk in the club, he is soaked, he takes off his jacket. He tells open the case, can you tune it ? Ahh I think ? I'm shaking now...its freakin Roy Buchanon. The freakin Tele, it's in my hands ! I plug it in tune it. As he pulls his sweater off he yells "Play some music". I start playing a blues progression mid tempo. Next thing the drummer starts joining in, ok not bad. I look over and Roy is grabbing the bass WTF !!!!

Next thing I know I'm in a full out jam with the drummer and Roy on bass and he is solo'ing I am solo'ing...CRAZY ! This goes on for about 5 mins when the manager (my boss) comes and yells at me etc. We end I hand Roy the tele and he says "wow that got me dry !" Got you dry ? I think I just wet myself !

He then takes the tele and starts playing Hey Joe by himself. Talk about surreal ! The guys walks out of a hurricane, into the club, hands me his guitar, jams with me, and then plays Hendrix. With 4 people present ! He was a pure gentleman, just a very sweet guy. A month or so later he would commit suicide which till this day I wonder how such a great musician and gentle soul could go out that way.

One guy at the club said it was because he played with me that night, that was his pain.

I hope not Roy !