I really enjoyed this piece. Few things are more fascinating to read then the stories behind the stories and Stevie's rise as told by friends and associates is so delightful. Miss him. This quote from W.C.; "I’ve seen other white boys play up close, including Eric Clapton himself, but they didn’t show me what I saw from Stevie...", reminded me of Duane Allman's return to Macon after the Layla sessions (which were mediocre jams until DA arrived and set fire to the place) to privately tell confidant brother Gregg, "I burned him (Clapton)." I note this because Clapton was the North Star of blues players to American kids in the day mostly because of the Brits' (Clapton, Stones, Animals, etc.) electrified, loud boogie of Southern Delta Blues driving and capturing US awareness of the art form. Meanwhile, home-grown devotees like Duane and Stevie were already well-immersed in the form and on the launch pad to super stardom with immeasurable rocket-fuel talent. Wonderful read today! Thanks!
Great stuff, Alan, thank you! I first became a WC fan when I started at UT in 1969 and he was playing with Joe Tex. Special thanks for the Triple Threat pics and the video from your book-signing. One thing, though, I was always told that Mike Kindred co-wrote Cold Shot with WC -- was that not true?
Did not know this, Alan! I got to see W.C. several times around town while attending the University of Texas at Austin 1987-1991. He was definitely a big player on the scene.
I really enjoyed this piece. Few things are more fascinating to read then the stories behind the stories and Stevie's rise as told by friends and associates is so delightful. Miss him. This quote from W.C.; "I’ve seen other white boys play up close, including Eric Clapton himself, but they didn’t show me what I saw from Stevie...", reminded me of Duane Allman's return to Macon after the Layla sessions (which were mediocre jams until DA arrived and set fire to the place) to privately tell confidant brother Gregg, "I burned him (Clapton)." I note this because Clapton was the North Star of blues players to American kids in the day mostly because of the Brits' (Clapton, Stones, Animals, etc.) electrified, loud boogie of Southern Delta Blues driving and capturing US awareness of the art form. Meanwhile, home-grown devotees like Duane and Stevie were already well-immersed in the form and on the launch pad to super stardom with immeasurable rocket-fuel talent. Wonderful read today! Thanks!
What a great piece Alan! I loved reading this. The Texas Music Museum will be having a Tribute to W.C. Clark on March 21st at 1 PM.
Good one, Alan. Thanks.
Great stuff, Alan, thank you! I first became a WC fan when I started at UT in 1969 and he was playing with Joe Tex. Special thanks for the Triple Threat pics and the video from your book-signing. One thing, though, I was always told that Mike Kindred co-wrote Cold Shot with WC -- was that not true?
Did not know this, Alan! I got to see W.C. several times around town while attending the University of Texas at Austin 1987-1991. He was definitely a big player on the scene.