Boogie Chillin, Whiskey and Women And a Lil Bit of Boom Boom Boom
The first time I saw John Lee Hooker in person, I was about 18 years old. Even though I was so young, I knew what kind of experience I had signed up for. We met him after the show. I shook his hands, looked him in the eye and just smiled. He had the roughest, strongest hands I?ve ever touched. He smiled back and pulled me a bit closer. He smelled good, like a man. He spoke differently than he sang, but that primal growl was always evident. He leaned in even closer and thanked me. Thanked me? Hmmmm. It was one of those moments you hold onto until your mind fades into oblivion for the rest of eternity.
I am always surprised when I find out other people are fans of John Lee. Silly, right? We?re talking about a man who sold millions of records, wrote over 600 songs and lived to a very ripe old age. But I never thought about it like that. I always held his music, his essence, so close, that it felt like he was all mine. Funny. I suppose I always will.