September 18, 1970, The Day Jimi Hendrix Died

Hey Fellas; I had a wonderful phone call this evening, topping off a wonderful night. It was from a fella Named Brad, he was the guitar player in a lot of bands I played drums in during my high school to college days. I am still being the brunt of the joke, as I was the only fella in all these bands who was not African American, they went from soul , to blues to some great dance bands.

We have separately found our way to recovery, and sad to say , many of our band mates are no longer around.

He reminded me of the day Jimi Hendrix Died. We were playing an early gig at a block party, and were on the campus of LIU, Downtown Brooklyn( Correction we were on the stairs of Brooklyn College of Pharmacy, of LIU, on DeKalb ave ) our friend and another drummer Donnie C. told us "Hey Jimi died" he did not even have to say Jimi who, as if we knew him on a friendly level; his music had changed and affected our lives in ways i am still understanding and feeling.

After the gig we went to the Village to Electric Lady Studios; Jimi's Studio on 8th street , right off 6th Ave. It was strange lots of sad folks, subdued and muffled conversations and people weeping all over the street. Pain shared was pained lessened that night

It is so hard to comprehend that 39 years have passed, I am grateful to have found my way into recovery and I am so much more elated Brad did also, as he was there, on all those gigs and during all those rehearsals and there was magic in those bands.

Muddy,

I can only imagine the life you've lived, and I'm glad you're here too pal.