"Don't mind dyin' but I hate to see my children cry"

My first introduction to the jam band scene was through Col Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit. I think I had it on cassette, which was a review copy sent to my student paper.

I think.

Later I tried Phish and Blues Traveler and such, but I am sure it started with ARU. Certainly some great players came up through them, including Oteil Burbridge and Jimmy Herring.

Jam scene patriarch Col. Bruce Hampton died on stage during the final moments of a benefit concert honoring his 70th birthday at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on Monday night. Hampton passed out with nearly the entire all-star lineup for Hampton 70: A Celebration Of Col. Bruce Hampton surrounding him as the “Turn On Your Lovelight” finale was nearing a conclusion. 

 I'm saddened, of course, but, as Alex Scolnick tweeted, what a way to go.

The One Album

From Premier Guitar:

Most of us have a crystal-clear picture imprinted in our psyches—a stark moment of when our younger, more impressionable selves first heard a recording that blew our minds, and from that point forward, everything would be different. In those moments of discovery, turned obsession, worship, and deep learning, a bold appreciation and respect emerges for someone else’s expression. It’s the personal joy of experiencing art that moves you. In a human existence riddled with many uncertainties, inspiration is something to hold onto. The possibilities are endless with music, and the journey never ends. We hope you enjoy going down memory lane.

Made me think. Reading the article, I'm left thinking "Luther is right about Sacred Steel. Reeves Gabriels is right about Rock n Roll Animal. Warren Haynes is right about At Fillmore East. Bill Janovitz is right about Remain in Light. John Jorgenson is right (and surprising, knowing is other work) about Fragile. Rick Nielsen is right about Are You Experienced? Alex Skolnick is right about Van Halen I. I don't see how Robbie Basho leads to Savages, but I'm willing to trust and follow."

So, I'm thinking.

And I'm thinking Who's Next.

My connection to Robert Randolph, to Eddie Van Halen, to Jimi Hendrix, to Angus and Malcolm Young, to Steve Howe and Chris Squire, to Dickey Betts and Duane Allman, to Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner (the dual-guitar attack behind Aerosmith's "Train Kept A-Rollin'", as well as Lou Reed), and dozens if not hundreds of others: it all came after I learned to play guitar.

But back in my early teens, I heard a lot of music, but it was the Who that made me think "Hey, I could do it." Unlike Eddie Van Halen (who I knew mostly through "Beat It" at that time), and the guitar heroes of the 60s and 70s, it seemed approachable, that guitar and music, while not easy, were doable.

I think, considering what I was listening to, it was "Goin' Mobile", more than any of the other great tracks on what I think of as their best album, that made me want to pick up the instrument.