The most memorable was around 1982. I was visiting a friend in Manhattan and decided to venture out to one of the active jazz clubs. There was a Jazz hotline phone number that offered all of the up to date information regarding who was playing where. I decided to see the Paul Bley Trio at the Lush Life Lounge down by Sheridan Square. While I was walking to the club, I passed a large fenced in basketball court and someone yelled ’Jaco’. So I yelled ’Jaco, Paul Bley at Lush Life Lounge’! I got to the door and the doorman told me they were sold out but he said he’d try to find me a place in the back. My being just 18 years old, likely worked in my favor.
I had a small table and chair on a step up platform in the very back. Paul Bley had a Bossendorfer grand and an electric keyboard setting on top of it. Paul Motion was on drums and bassist Steve Swallow subbed for an ill Gary Peacock. They played a set and took a break. That’s when Jaco Pastorius came in and sat on the floor to the right of me. He’d talk and leave and then come back. He did this a couple of times. Later, his girlfriend showed up with their infant in a stroller and she stood in front of us. This lasted for an hour and a half, Jaco took off again and I got so tired at 3:30, that I left for home.
While doing some academic work and living in Paris for a few months, I saw Elisabeth Leonskaja at the Theatre Champs-Elysee. She’s a contemporary of Sviatoslav Richter and while not a house hold name, she’s a giant and highly venerated by her peers. She played two Beethoven piano sonatas that night. The acoustics of that hall was warm and transparent. It’s a beautiful sounding hall with a wonderful history. This is where Igor Stravinsky premiered The Rite of Spring and the audience broke out into a riot.
Warren Zevon, solo at Bogart’s Cincinnati.
Todd Rundgren, solo at Bogart’s Cincinnati.
Utopia (opened for the Tubes) at Richfield Coliseum. I had a girlfriend with me at the time and it was as much fun as I’ve ever had.
Pussy Galore in a bar.
The Butthole Surfer’s at Bogart’s in Cincinnati.
Grateful Dead shows and the Jerry Garcia Band, mainly for the parking lot scene.
