Story: David Wilson
Photos: Susan J. Weiand
(Oakland,Ca) The Fox Theatre was aglow with a joyous mixture of anticipation and remembrance Friday night as family, friends and fans united to celebrate the triumphant life of Norton Buffalo.
Featuring a line-up that included Steve Miller, The Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, George Thorogood, Elvin Bishop, Roy Rogers, Charlie Musslewhite, Carlos Reyes, The Knockouts,and Wavy Gravy it might have seemed easy to have brushed off the event as your standard bay area charity affair. However, with the arrival of Steve Miller ten minutes prior to the music to welcome the crowd and say a few heartfelt words about Norton, everyone in attendance knew this was going to be a very special evening. Befittingly, having performed with Norton for over twenty-five years, The Knockouts open the show. From the smiles on their faces it was hard to tell if the band or the audience was having more fun. After running through several numbers they finish their set with the rocking ”It’s a Jungle Out There”. Up next was legendary harmonica player Charlie Musslewhite, clad in black leather and followed by blues diva Bonnie Raitt. With Charlie at full throttle, laying down some incredible tones, Bonnie announced “Buff-a-Palooza!”, “That’s what we’ve got going on!”. The crowd’s
howls rattled the ceiling as slide guitarist, Roy Rogers joined the party for the first of numerous times over the evening. Given the fact that Roy, Bonnie and Charlie are such a powerful blues trio, you have to wonder if a tour might be in the works.
howls rattled the ceiling as slide guitarist, Roy Rogers joined the party for the first of numerous times over the evening. Given the fact that Roy, Bonnie and Charlie are such a powerful blues trio, you have to wonder if a tour might be in the works.
Blending blazing guitar solos and driving rhythm,with searing harmonic vocalizations, The Doobie Brothers were without a doubt the true highlight of the evening. Notorious for their dynamic stage performances,Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons have a group today that’s arguably tighter then all prior incarnations of the band. Singing along word for word with Lara Johnston ( Tom’s daughter) during “Some Kind of Wonderful” the crowd couldn’t seem to get enough of classic hits like ”Listen to the Music”, Jesus is Just Alright”, “Blackwater”, “Rockin’ Down The Highway”, “Takin’ it to the Streets”, and “China Groove” to name just a few.
Serving as M.C. for the majority of the evening, Steve Miller went on to perform an amazing two and a half hour set of all time favorites such as ’Fly Like An Eagle”, “Serenade”, ”Rock N’ Me”. and “Dance, Dance, Dance”. George Thorogood, Dave Denny (author of the song “The Stake”) along with Carlos Reyes enhanced the festivities which also included acoustic versions of “Wild Mountain Honey” and “Winter Time”. Nearing 1:00am in the morning, with Reyes’s violin leading the way, Miller brought the tribute to a beautiful close with a version of “Amazing Grace” that began slow and tearful then transcended into a church inspired good time gospel hoedown. ”How sweet the sound, Indeed”!
DLTSP thanks Dennis McNally for reserving tickets/photo pass
Article and/or photos may not be reprinted in part or whole without express written consent of:
Article © 2010 David Wilson / Photos © 2010 Susan J. Weiand ( www.susanjweiand.com/rockpics )
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Wow what great photos. Its like watching a slideshow of all the best moments. I’m soooo jealous I couldn’t be there!
The Doobie Brothers were good but Roy Rogers and Charlie Musslewhite were the highlights of the evening for me.
Sounds like a blast!
I thought Steve Miller was going to play all night!
Charlie Musselwhite gets my vote for MVP. I hope the DVD re-mix is better than the live mix was. With all the great music being performed i thought the live mix of the show was a mess. Only the quieter moments were ‘clear’. I was standing right next to the ’sound engineer/live mixer’ who seemed sadly inept. That aside, it was an incredible show. I look forward to seeing/hearing the DVD.