Doug's Tubes
Platinum Supporting Member
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BS&T is one of my all time favorite bands. (My favorite BS&T song is "Go Down Gambling.")
My dad is a singer and a sax player.
He brought me up with all of the classic horn bands from this Era.
In the spring of 2000, my Dad's band opened up for BS&T. I was beyond excited.
I couldn't wait to meet David Clayton Thomas.
I didn't get a chance to meet him. But I got a chance to shake his hand. As I was shaking his hand, I was excitedly telling him how much I love his work and how he influenced my music.
He pulled his hand back and . . .
My hand got stuck on his ring as he pulled his hand back.
He gave me a look like I was trying to steal his ring.
He then got on the bus.
I was speecless. I was crestfallen.
Now I realize it is a great story.
The so-called "AK Years" (Al Kooper's time) only lasted about 4 months.Yeah, there really were 2 different BS&T bands. I favor the AK years, because it was truly innovative and clever, very creative. Me and my brother often quote dialogue from that era, or the lyrics. The later stuff, while excellent ,is a very different animal. VERY,VERY well recorded..smart charts. But imho..and its all mine,folks....it was a more standardized affair. I have spent alot of time around jazz heads (a very cliquey bunch,wherever you find them) and waxing philosophic about inversions is their hobby. I hear alot of that in later BS&T. It's music for music readers,if you follow me. It's very entertaining on paper, and Lord knows they nailed the performances.... But the emotional range is always kept close to the vest. Less risks, safer stuff. Sure, I dig "Spinning wheel" ...but is it anywhere near as risky as the AK stuff? I don't think so at all. Al went onto other really cool efforts..but I do feel he left a part of his youthful soul in that band..and some sense of innocence..in the tracks we hear. It was/is special stuff. It still speaks to me.
Steve Katz wrote a pretty good autobiography.A friend of mine worked security for one of their shows back in the mid-80's.
He described David Clayton Thomas as a "pompous prick".
Great singer though.