MEETING MUSIC ROYALITY

Every year a organized HIPPIEFEST comes to town with several musicians usually from the 70's to entertain and bring flashbacks to many who lived the culture and others who only wished they did. 2015 was no different but the headliners were someone I have never met but knew all their music. Inducted to the ROCK N ROLL Hall of Fame in 1993 SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE one of the first Soul and Psychedelic bands were to play their hits that helped gain their fame. Now if You do not know, Sly of course is not with the band due to so many reasons most of all a drug addiction that shorten his magical talent. Three remaining original members still tour along with Slys daughter and due to illness one Cynthia Robinson did not make the trip. But two mainstays did, GREG ERRICO and JERRY MARTINI were to lead the band as they have though neither showing their age of 73. Meeting them was so delightful due mainly to their demeanor of being so friendly and sharing moments from Woodstock to missing Sly who was Jerrys best friend for years.

MITCH RYDER of famed Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels was pleasant in signing a few autographs but no picture. I remember the first time seeing his act was in 1970 at a roller skate venue where he played with Canned Heat and Poco. Some singers will age physically but still have the drive that they had when they were 20. So be it with Mitch. RICK DERRINGER also was on the billing and was one of the nicest he has been and I believe it must be at least 6 times I have met him over the years. He signed for my friends and graciously took a picture with me and truthfully looked the best that I can remember in many years.

In every lineup like this there usually is one kicker and in this case it was JOEY MOLLAND who is the surviving member of the group BADFINGER. He came out into the area where we were sitting and in a flash told us I can't sign as I am in a hurry. He is the least famous and acted like his autograph was worth a pot of gold. My friend walked with him pleading nicely and with curse word after curse word he finally said I will do one. He did apologize for his language but as I approached " OH NO not another one" and off into the bus he went. For some reason he came back before the show and did stop and sign for myself and another but stated only one each and again he was off with my friend again pleading nicely but this time to no avail.Joey forgot he was only the 4th billing and not the headliner. Though the above are not household names like McCartney or Jagger they are all part of the Royal Class of Musicians that have left a mark in our every day listening and in some our lives. Meeting those that leave a good feeling makes some of us grab a record, play it on the old phonograph and will bring a smile with reflections that those were the days.