On Such a Night - interviewing the Night Tripper, New Orleans Dr. John.

For years I tried to interview Dr. John. There were three artists I desperately wanted to interview, Dr. John, Gary Moore, and Mark Knopfler. In pursuit of an interview, someone gave me a number in New Orleans where he "hung out." If memory serves, it was Tsaint Recording Studios. I called the number and spoke to a guy named Allen. After I had hung-up the phone I realized I'd been speaking to Allen Toussaint. That was an opportunity missed.

In the early years of the Indigenous Jam, we had a very close working relationship with Joe Bonamassa and his manager, Roy. Pacific St Blues was one of the first two radio programs to play Joe's music. Today he’s a superstar and rightfully so. While some continue to lob criticism at Bonamassa, he earned his place as the top touring blues guitarist by being on-the-road and, this is important, helping open the door for others by producing their albums, letting them open shows, or appearing on their records. Bonamassa is nothing if not a faithful servant of the blues and those that play it. Several times over the early years we discussed putting together a music festival called, Joemaha.

Once when Joe was in town and I took him to the guitar shop in downtown Papillion. I don’t remember the name of the store but I think the owner’s name was Derek. There was a Robert Johnson era Gibson guitar on the wall that immediately attracted Joe’s discerning eye. Later we ate at Danny's on 72nd & Blondo. It was at Danny’s that we bumped into "Mouse" Strauss, the boxer and former bodyguard for Bob Dylan. 'Mouse' told us Dylan stories for about an hour including meeting the mysterious sage the first time while hitchhiking and picked up by Dylan’s bus. If nothing, it was a memorable story.

After eating we then headed over to 7777 Cass Streets to see Dr. John at The Music Box. Having met Mac several times by then, we were invited backstage where I introduced Joe to Mac. That was the first time I was able to introduce Joe to someone he wanted to meet. Years later, having interviewed the brother of the late Irish bluesman Rory Gallagher, Donal, on the phone, I arranged with Joe's manager for Donal to meet-up with Joe at Bonamassa's show at the Royal Albert Hall. The meeting was captured, albeit briefly, in the DVD of the sold-out concert.

The first time I met Mac Rebennack, a/k/a Dr. John was at a BB King show at the Devaney Center in Lincoln. As I recall, the line-up was The Muddy Waters Tribute Band, Dr. John, Little Feat, and BB King. The interview was in person and occurred in the men's locker room. Mac has just gotten out of rehab for a long term narcotics addiction. He seemed nervous and not really into being interviewed. Over in the corner, what I've always figured was BB's band, someone was smoking pot. The smell wafted over to our area and I assumed it was making Mac uncomfortable. In fact, probably having been interviewed by hundreds of unprepared college radio hosts, Dr. John was in guarded and bored interview mode. And, as the interview wore on, it was clear I was bombing...the interview was not going well.

I learned over the years you have to do your homework to conduct an interview. You have to get the artist into a conversation rather than a rote Q&A. By asking questions that the interviewee had not been asked a million times previously and, ideally, bringing up a topic of interest to them (which is NEVER their latest album, the tour, or who they'd screwed in the past).

I asked Mac how he got Red Tyler to tour again. "Motherfucker, how do YOU know about Red Tyler?" he shot back in an aggressive tone? As quick as I could, I listed the members in his band that I  had recognized and discussed some of their recordings. I shifted into discussions about Professor Longhair, Dave Bartholomew, and Art Neville. "Man, you are one cool cat" said Mac as he draped his arm over my shoulders. I adore Dr. John. Reluctantly, he discussed the Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street  sessions although it was clear he didn’t want to discuss it. After that, he talked and shared as though we were life-long friends. Oh, and if they have a book, bring the book.