That was a very nice tribute BB. What I'm more interested in hearing now is how your own story ended up. I've got a feeling you've got a lot more to tell about your experiences, and I for one can't wait to hear them. Great article.

-Glen

Sometimes I think the experiences I had working at Sam Goody were pretty crazy. Like the time I refused to meet Bruce Springsteen during an autograph session because I had too many cassette tapes to price. He laughed because I was the only one who didn't create a scene. A reverse psychology that got more attention from him had I made an ordeal ... I was nuts ... I think the trains at my flat made me really loopy.

I will see what I can piece together in the New Year ...

If that had been me (with the opportunity to meet Springsteen that is) I no doubt would've pissed myself.

Actually all kidding aside, I did meet Springsteen backstage in '78 and we actually got on very well. What I remember most about it was that we talked about the car I was driving at the time (a '69 Chevy Malibu) and about Clarence making a run for mayor of Red Bank, NJ. Bruce was a very cool guy and quite easy to talk to, while for me it took everything I could muster to keep myself from making an ass out of myself.

I have a feeling there are quite a few paralels in our experiences coming up in the record industry. I'm really looking forward to reading more of yours.

-Glen

I live in Toronto and I knew Matt and his band from our Blues Brothers days.

I was running a restaurant on Queen Street when one evening I got a call from Matt saying their van had broken down east of Toronto and they had missed their gig at the El Mocambo a famous club in Toronto where Matt and on ocassion the Stones had played before.

Unfortunately they also missed getting paid and the rooms they had were let go.

The result was no money, no rooms, no mechanic and no gig...standard musician fare...lol

I called a mechanic friend and he fixed the truck, they came to the restaurant where I fed them, and then I sent them to my house with a blind friend who gave them directions to get them there!

He guided them to my house which was guarded by my 110 pound doberman who welcomed them with a lick...

They were amazed about Nigel, my blind friend and he made lifelong friends with the band and they reminded me many times of the moment.

I arrived home later that night to find a houseful of sleeping musicians warm and cozy and the were back on the road the next day off to the next gig.

The reason I mention this is it was Dan and I who created the original Blues Brothers movie story... because every musician we had ever met was trying to get a band together and head out on the road..and the road pictures of Hope and Crosby... that led to the Blues Brothers picture.

We pitched that premise and they bought it!!

Thats how I ended up knowing Matt.

And it was the belief in the band that brought everyone together in brotherhood. The references to "the Band" were throughout BB.

One more thing I'd like to mention was the scene where Twiggy was waiting for Elwood at the end of the gig...it was typical of all the lovers of musicians...just waiting for the players to get home!

rgg

Ron,

What a nice surprise this morning to see your comments on this post ... Thanks so much for the great story on Matt and The Blues Brothers.

I have been trying to find out more information regarding Matt and his condition. You get scared sometimes because we receive news we don't want to hear, but I think fans of Matt would like to be updated ... Do you know how he is? Any calls we can make to tell Matt his fans are thinking of him?

I have many friends in Toronto and have spent some time there. I really end up having a good time whenever I get the opportunity for a visit. So much great music out of T.O. I am reminded with a warm smile of two people I knew from there who have left us: Dianne Heatherington and Dom Troiano. So rich in talent and character ...

Thanks Again

Merry Christmas,

The Blues Blogger

I wanted to make a quick comment before this article slips off the main page and say ...

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY MATT!!!

Happy New Year,

The Blues Blogger

Matt had a vocalist named Larry Thurston in his band. When he rejoined the Blues Brothers he took Larry with him. Google has two videos of Larry performing She Caught The Katy with The BB Band, both Matt and Cropper on guitar. Akroyd is in one of them.

I know Larry had a soft spot for Matt. It was Matt that gave him his big break. Thurston mostly retired from live performance, but did make a solo record, School For Fools. He also took 5 lead vocals on Johnnie Johnsons' final recording,
Johnnie Be Eighty. And Still Bad!