Riggin' Warriors

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The Beginning of it All

This story begins in the early 1980's. I was hanging out and shooting pool at a small bar across the street from the street from the Washington Park basketball courts. Back then the bar was known as The Black Forrest 2. It was owned by a guy name of Dennis. I started going there to relieve my thirst I had worked up playing rat ball "under the bridge".

On Tuesday nights a boy would show up and play music, by himself… I remember him playing a Bo Diddley medley and thought, "This guy is awesome!" His name, James Thornbury, one of the nicest guys God ever gave Earth .He didn't do to bad on slide guitar.

A few months had passed; James had formed a band, known as James T and the Tough. With Skip Jones and Brother Zane Hefner. Jimmy was developing quite a following. People were coming out in droves to see the Kid from Cincinnati. Gossip had it that James had met some famous guitar picker in Corvallis. He was going to showing up that Tuesday. I'd usually rule the pool table while the music played and then kick James' but on the breaks. Actually James shot a pretty mean game of pool.

The Guitar player was good, very good. Even to a guy like me that didn't know about the Blues, I could tell he was something special. During a break, he came over so he could watch me give Jimmy pool lessons. He was wearing a red and white-checkered shirt, like a tablecloth. It had Pearl buttons like shirts my Grandma Pearl made. I can be an ornery kind of guy sometimes, and I ask him, "What band was it you played with before?" He replied "Canned Heat". I said; "I ain't never heard of them". I don't think he really cared weather I heard of them or not. I liked that. I said, "my name is Bob, I'm a logger from Oregon."

He said , "My name is Henry." I fell in love with him right there. He had a Southern tone; I ask him where he was from. He said "Carolina". We bonded when I told him my whole family is from Dixie. And my days with "The Sunflower" began, with many episodes of Cheers, Great times, and Awesome music. It was an all around good time in my life. Oh there was 'the blues' too.

I really hadn't heard of Canned Heat. I grew up listening to what my Momma and Daddy listened to. Country Music;
George Jones and Johnny Cash. Oh I liked the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but I really didn't even know what the Blues was. In My College years I was into the outlaw music of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

At the time I was living on River Road with My Sweetheart, a brown eyed beautiful Lady by the name of Lynda Grant. She had grown up in California (Canned Heat was from LA) and knew all about Canned Heat. She was more excited about me meeting Henry Vestine than I was. She could hardly believe it. I just didn't realize what a legend Canned Heat was. I know now.

Now I was becoming a 'James T' groupie, as I made most of his shows. Jimmy lived on North Grand Street in the Whitaker neighborhood. With Skippy, Mary and a cool egg by the name of Dave Landeau. It became 'Club Dave'. We'd have Sunday night poker games. We played for the White Bird team of Eugene's Community Softball League. James use to call me; "the kid with the major league arm". Sundays were always great. Henry would often come to the softball games. I'll always remember Henry sitting on the hillside of Washington Park. And I'll tell you for sure there are many memories of Henry at those poker games. It was a gas. As 'Club Dave' had some real characters; Spud, Phil, Denise, and Mary Womack 'Bo Bo', She's the Proprietor of Bobo's Boarding House. Mary is now Mrs. Skip Jones and mother of Skip Jones the 4th, Skip tells me he is quite the little musician, "He likes the Beatles the most." Go get 'em Little Kenny.

Henry Lived at Bobo's Boarding House. One time when Skip and Mary came home from a trip,(Henry lived down in the garage) They heard what they thought was a 'party down stairs'. Skippy went down to talk with Henry. He was surprised to find that only 2 people were down there. He explained to Henry how Mary and him were tired from a long trip and needed to get some rest. At that point Henry turned to his quest and said, in way that only Henry could say, "You Gotta Go".

I believe the "Tough was playing at playing at the Peacock in Corvallis. James did a few Canned Heat tunes, "Let's Work Together", and some others. A friend of Henry's, "Trip" was at the Peacock that night. He went and got Henry, and told him, "You won't believe how good this guy was doing Canned Heat tunes". The rest is history, I guess. I wasn't there, but I would of liked to seen James when Henry Vestine first 'sat in' with the Tough. I'll tell you one thing for sure, James T, loves Henry Vestine. The next time the Tough played up in Corvallis, I rode my 'Triumph Tiger' up 99 and caught the show.

They had been playing together for awhile when Henry told Fito, that's Fito de la Parra, drummer and manager of "Canned Heat" about James T., and how he a lot of played old 'Heat' tunes Fito booked some gigs, I believe it was in the Southwest, with James T as the 'front man', with Skip Jones on Bass, and of couse, Henry.

By now James was playing with Canned Heat a lot, and they were going to Australia. The band had always been friends with 'The Hells Angels' and a lot of moved to the Land of Down under, and the band stihl had a good following there. They were all excited about going. James was playing his last Gig before leaving at Taylor's on the U of O campus. I was feeling down because of a woman. I was driving an old beat up car cause my truck was broke down. It was just a lousy time in my life. I was in that old Datsun getting ready to leave, when Jimmy spotted me. He came out and told me goodbye. He said, "Thanks a lot for coming down, Thanks a lot man". And he meant it to. I don't know if he was trying to cheer meup or what. But he said, "you'll be getting something on your birthday," and, "we'll be back for a New Year's show at the wow hall". Sure enough, a couple of days before my birthday, I got a package in the mail. It was an awesome Black sweatshirt, with Harley wings on it. It said, "Canned Heat 20th Anniversary", and it became one of my most prized possessions. At this point things were looking up for me. I was loggin' again, with a good job, and I had met the nicest Lady I could ever hope for, 'Mariam'. Softball season was rollin' around and 'Club Dave' decided to have our own team. They were trying to decide on a name for the team. I had just changed Loggin' crews, from the "Barbarian Crew" to the "Renegade Crew". Seeing how we were Rebels from the White Bird team; 'The Club Dave Renegades' was born. I had me a cool hat that read, 'THE RENEGADE'. And I was.

Jimmy had been on tour somewhere, and had to drive from L.A. to Eugene, which is about a thousand miles. Well I guess he drove to beat hell, trying to get there by game time. He showed up in the 7th inning, so we put him in the line up, the Community League is real cool about that. He was wearing his cool 'James' shades, and for shoes, red and white-checkered deck shoes, the kind you slip on, and are very slick on the bottoms. Anyway it was the bottom of the 9th inning, I can't remember how many outs there were, but for the sake of a good story, I'll say 2 outs. James comes to the plate…He smashes one to the outer limits, one that a child could of made a homer out of. James strolls into second base, stand up double. One thing about James T., he is always thinking, and what a baseball mind. He knew I was up next, and running all those bases at once was too much for a guitar picker. I got out my wooden bat, 'Big Daddy'. I smashed one over everyone's head and knew I had a chance at a Homer. I rounded second base, there was James, he hadn't made it to third base yet, and 'the Kid from Cincinnati' dug deep for all he had, and broke into a jog. Jimmy and I crossed the plate at the same time, just as the ball got there. Two run homer and a win for 'The Gades'. What a day for James T., one for one, one run scored. What a class act. He had great athletic skills. James come big family of athletes, one of his brothers is a Bull Rider. I wish I had a picture of Jimmy in those deck shoes. Only a Rock Star could get away with something like that. The Renegades were proud to have him on our side.

Now I play for the Late for Dinner team in the Community League. In about 1996 I saw the 'Electric Fly', Randy Haines, I told him I was looking for a team and he told me about Late for Dinner. It was a long battle but in September of 1999 we made it to the Championship Game. On the Day Gavin 'Rooster' Fox was buried, I came to the plate in the 8th inning with the bases loaded. I jacked the first pitch over everyone's head. Grand Slam. You might say "I Ripped one for the Roosterman" We won our first of 3 championships in a row. The Commissioner 'Randy Haines' told me; "The Sunflower was Shinning and the Roosterman was flying around those bases with Six Crows". Long Live the Roosterman.

Late for Dinner has many very good players. In 2001 after winning our 3rd in a row, I was lucky enough to be awarded the MVP of the tournament. Not bad for a guy who started out the 'We're all Serious' on the pine (It was actually a lawn chair). Community League is Softball Heaven to me. Give Thanks to all my teammates and the players from the other teams for making it that way. Special Thanks to the Dinner Skipper 'Jeff 'Flipper' Phillips' for all the magic that made it all happen, and a salute to Jay Larsen, 'The Late for Dinner Boogieman', for his Gold Metal. And To Andy Howard, 'Flecto' he is a true Riggin' Warrior fan.

I always wanted to play right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Playing for Late for Dinner will have to do. Besides the 'Great One' Roberto Clemente will always be out in right for the Pirates.

I'll never forget the day I went to the Country Fair with James Thornbury. I went over to 'Club Dave's, and Jimmy and I took his van out to Veneta. The rest of the Band was already there. Mary had the pass to get in to the stage area. We pulled up to the gate that led to the stage, where we ran in to Oregon Country Fair Security. James told the dude, "I'm James T. of James T and The Tough, and we are suppose to start at 2 pm. (It was 5 till 2). The dude said he had to talk with some one, he couldn't get a good connection from where he was standing, He took a few steps away from us. As he did that, James gunned that Chevy down that dirt road. We went around a corner there must have been 20 Oregon Country Fair Security Guards, and they thought they had us. James told the head dude, "I 'm James T, of James T and The Tough, and we are suppose to play in 2 minuets, so if you can point us to the stage." Those Hippies didn't know what to do. They wanted to kick us out, but they couldn't, cause James is James T, of James T and the Tough.

JT once told me that he wasn't Tough, that he's James T. The Band is Tough. I Just love that guy. When he writes a letter he always signs it Blueslove. He is Mr. Blueslove. After Canned Heat played at the WOW Hall we all went over to The Butte Tavern. I got there pretty fast. When I walked in James was in the corner of the bar, there were about 12 chicks that had him surrounded. What is a man to do?

The Black Forrest Too changed to the Butte Tavern. I don't remember a lot about those times. I met a boy there by the name of Nicholes Dakakis. I was hanging out with Nick one time when Henry was playing in a duet with a guy that drove a Black Caddy. The ol' Boys name was Terry "T - Bone" Weldon. He's a true Rebel from Georgia. I didn't know him to well then. But I remember him playing some Stevie Ray Vaughn licks and thought he was awesome. He had a real powerful Southern voice. I ask Henry about him, " Who is that dude"? Henry told me he was another guitar picker. "No kidding Henry".

I've got to know T - Bone pretty good. He is one of my Friends. Another Righteous Riggin' Rebel. I call him up when I need a phone number or advise. He once stood up for me in a bar called Rumors. Not that I needed him to protect me, but it was nice to have a Bro say, "This is my friend, we are talking, you need to chill out".

T - Bone has got a lot of good stories about Henry. And does the Best Henry impersonations; "You don't understand, don't get me busted". And "I suggest you tighten it up, every chance you get".

I was giving Henry a ride home one night; he was living in downtown Eugene with a dude name Watermelon Slim. Henry invited me up to his room for a cold one. We were hanging out and he asks me if I wanted to see the Christmas present he had got for his Son, 'Jesse'. I hadn't ever heard Henry mention his Son before. Of course Hank didn't mention much about much. He went and got it, was a radio-controlled car. It had already had been opened and was running, as Henry was a kid at heart. I took the controls and took it for a spin. We played with it for a while but it developed some sort of problem and wouldn't run no more. This bummed Henry out. I told him that I would come and get him and we can take it back and get a new one. Aqula.

It was getting close to Christmas and I knew it was important to Henry so went and got him and took out to Fred Meyers in Santa Clara. He got ready to exchange it and we were looking at the other cars. There was one that looked a lot better but it was a little more expensive. I told Henry he should get the good one cause you don't want it to break down on Christmas. I handed Henry a $20 bill and told him I wasn't gonna take no for an answer. We had it rapped so we wouldn't be temped to open it. It made me feel good to help Henry out like that. He said; "Thanks a lot, this kinda makes you Uncle Bob". Right on.

I met a Beautiful Lady name JoAnne Downey. Henry Loved JoAnne. I still do. She is a Southern Belle. From Virgina. And about the most Righteous Babe I ever hung with. She was a Canned Heat Fan. She had an old 'cornbinder' International. She lived out on River Road and I don't remember a lot but I believe Henry came over for grub. She has a Beautiful daughter 'Laurie'. She had a little White dog 'Pokie' and he loved me. JoAnne was aVery bright spot in a very dark time in My Life. I have made many mistakes in My Life, Losing her was one of the biggest.

After The Black Forest 2 Changed it's name to "The Butted Tavern". It got closed down. A Cat by the name of 'Harpo' came along and got it going. Henry played there a lot, with a few Bands;
Namely Harpo's Band "The Nightcrawlers". It had Henry, Smitty, Pete "The Beat" Berger. Any band that has got those three Outlaws in the band is going to be awesome.

I was hanging out with a Beautiful Lady name Shavani, wow. We were down at Harpo's with Henry. Shavani and I were playing pool and Hank was playing video poker. Video Poker was just coming out in Oregon. Henry was, as James T would say, "Was a gambling man". We were real broke and it was almost Christmas. Henry was always good at pointing. He would often kind of bite his lower lip when he talked. He pointed at the video screen and said, "Bob, come and check it out". He had hit it for 1200 points, $300. Harpo's Bar didn't have the cash to pay. Henry said, "Give me My Damn Monies". The bartender said, "You might have to come back tomorrow ". Henry repeated, "Give me my damn monies". Now Henry had tipped a few, and I could tell The Rebel was gonna come out. So I suggested calling up Harpo up and telling him to come on down and open the machines. To quote James Bradshaw; "Well Da".
Henry was such a Brother. He knew we were broke so he spotted me some 'bread'. My Sweetheart and I enjoyed a very nice Christmas after all. Give Thanks.

I use to go visit Henry a lot. At one time he lived in the apartments behind the Red Barn store in Eugene. Henry was happy with a bed, television, smokes and beer. My brother was getting married down in Bandon By the Sea. I thought I would invite Henry. 'The Sunflower' was one of my Brother's heroes. So Mariam, Henry, Dutchess, (my Dobie), jumped into my little Datsun pickup, we were Bandon Bound. We stopped in Elkton Oregon to eat. Henry was interested in the old Loggin' pictures and Riggin' they had on the walls. Henry was a country boy and he could relate to Loggers. I told him how my Grandpa once got into the ring to wrestle with a bear, and that he was so strong that he threw the bear out of the ring. I know that may sound like hogwash, but that is a true story. Grandpa won $10. That was a lot of money back then. My Papa (as we called him) went through that Bear's legs, grabbed him by his collar and the seat of his britches and gave him a toss.

Everyone was at my Brother's wedding; Henry met my Grandpa, My Dad 'ole Wild Bill', and My Uncle Gene. Now there is some of my heroe's there Good Buddy. And Henry showed a lot of respect for them. When my Dad introduced Henry to My Grandpa, Hank looked at me, like, is this the one? (referring to the bear being tossed out of the ring) I nodded back at him, yea, this is the one. My Dad said; "Pa, this here is Willie, he's a Bluesman." I don't know why he called him Willie but he sure got the got the occupation right. Henry didn't mind being called Willie; in fact I think he kind of dug it.

Deano and Jane Henderson were married on a paddle steamer, right on the Coquille River, right in front of his house. I was the Best Man, and the Wedding was very cool. My ole Dad could really strike up a conversation. My Dad knew Henry played the Guitar, and when he found out that Henry was from Carolina, they bonded like two boys from the same scout troop. There were all kinds of alcohol at the reception, with only Henry, Rusty Johnson (one of my brother's good friends), and myself drinking. My Dad was yakking at 'Hank' "So you think you're a guitar picker hey "? "Yes Sir I am," Henry replied. My Dad asks him, "Do you know any Lefty Frizell?"

Henry replied, "I can strum along". Right…Henry Vestine strumming along is like Micheal Jordon saying he can dribble a basketball. There was no one there to sing the song, so Hank cranked her up, "I got heartaches by the number, troubles by the score". In my life I saw Henry play many, many times, that is the only time ever heard him sing. It was awesome, and I tell you Henry was having fun. He sure put a smile on my Father's face, and ole 'Wild Bill' was impressed. I wish I had a recording of that. The memory is good enough. "Thanks Buddy."

As I said 'The Sunflower' was one of my Brother Deano's heroes. When Deano was in the Marines he was stationed in South Carolina. He went to a Pop Festival in Atlanta. Canned Heat was one of the Headliners. We are talking about more than One Hundred Thousand people. It was at the Atlanta speedway. Canned Heat came in limosines and raced around the track before performing. 'The Bear' Bob Hite was bearfoot That must of been some fun.

One year I went out to check on my Dad at his house out in Thurston in Springfield. My Momma was in Alabama or Tennessee. My Dad ask me; "How is old Willie doing?" I told him that he was doing OK. "Is he batching it", My Dad ask. I told him he sure is. Ol' Wild Bill told me to go get him and bring him over for some Dinner sometime. I went and got Henry right then. My Momma had made a bunch of food for my Dad before she left. Henry loved that meal. He told me it was the best leftovers he had ever eaten. He was wearing his Hard Rock Café jacket, That Read "Henry" on it. We all listened to some George Jones. Hank had so much knowledge about Country music that My Dad was impressed. Henry wasn't really the talkative type, He filled us in all kinds of music Trivia. He had learned it the hard way. He lived it. And As Johnny Wilde 'Buffalo' once said; "Henry gave his Life to Rock n Roll."

Time went on, Henry lived in a few different places, none of them in what you would call 'uptown'. At one point he was almost homeless. He had been fired from Canned Heat, and really wasn't doing that well. I think it pissed me off more than it did Henry. James had moved to Julian California and was rolling with Canned Heat. He and I were writing each other, I told him it just wasn't right. Here Henry was broke, and they were all running around the world making money off of Canned Heat's name. "That ain't right". I said, "If my friend got me a job, then they fired my friend, I tell them to "kiss my ass". No matter what the reason. I might of said some real hateful things, but I was hurting, cause my hero was hurting.

Next thing I knew Canned Heat was going down to Mexico City, and Henry was back in the band. You got to hand it to Fido for keeping the band together for so many years. Henry did drink. I think he told me he had been fired seven times. But, even at the lowest times of his life he was Righteous, and he had Pride. Rebel Pride. He would fight you if he had to. He didn't have to when I was around. If anybody ever messed with Henry, there would have been a loggin' accident, immediately.

One night over at over at The Red Rooster they were having a Karaoke show. As we were leaving Henry was giving this guy a piece of his mind. "You guys are putting musicians out of work." Hank wasn't much of a Karaoke fan. The Dude said something rude to Henry, as some kind a challenge. We were leaving and right at the door. I told that boy if he felt froggy to leap. He looked at me and hollered for Treasa the bartender to come and rescue him. She threw us out. We were leaving anyway. Henry had the gall to be mad at me. I had to remind The Guitar Gangster that it was him that started it. "Aqula" was all He said.

Karaoke is a Japanese word for kara: empty + Oke, short for Okesutora: Orchestra.

Skip Jones, who like many bluesmen has had several names such as; Bevetti Jones, Bicycle Jones, Coach Jones, Ken, Kenny Jones and he is one of the Jones' Boys. And has a mean poker face.
When Henry was touring with Canned Heat, ole Skippy and Mary took care of Henry a lot. And Skip was smart enough to put Henry in His Band. 'The Rent Party Band' One Word for dem Boys; AWESOME. I was Blessed as I got 2 of the 45s that They produced. The Line up; Pete D Beat Berger on Drums. I always call him the 'Best Damn Drummer in the World'. Coach Byron Case On Bass. I have very Special relationship with Bryon now, I didn't know him them. He is A Logger, Where I come from; God's Country, Oregon, Loggers Are Stihl de Kings. On Piano is One of the Best Boogie Piano Players on Earth, Skip Jones. On Guitar, Henry Vestine. Need I say more. The 45 has 3 songs on it, One is called; Boogie Woogie Country Boy and it Rocks.
I Love all dem Boys.

One Night down at Doc's Pad, Skip was loading in his gear and he used one of the Monitor speakers to hold the door open. Some low down thief stole it. I could see he was bummed and told him I would help get it back. A few weeks passed and I got a call from Skippy, he had a lead on the speaker. In fact he had the address. Jamison Mishley was playing guitar for the Riggin' Warriors at the time, wanted to help to. So we jumped in his rig and went to the address we had. We had worked out a little plan that we were there with some 'dope' to trade for the speaker. A nice looking young girl came to the door, we told her we were friends with Joe (I say Joe, he is the one that gave us the address) and we were interested in the speaker they had for sale. Boy she lit up when Jamie told here we had some dope to trade. She said yes, and showed us where it was hid. I told her I got bad news. You ain't getting no dope for this speaker, it is stolen from a friend of mine and we are taking it. And your boyfriend is damn lucky he ain't here cause he has an ass whipping coming. I looked at her little daughter and told her that is not a good example to set for your Baby.

Skippy was sure glad to see his speaker. We had it back for the Monday Night Jam. Rumor had it that 'Bobby and some Loggers went over and took it back'. But it was just me and Jamie.

That Was the beginnin' of the Columbo & Crow Detective Service. As One Night Skippy was real sad as he called me and said that someone had ripped him off real good. Thousands of Dollars worth of tool and Music gear was stolen. But what had My Buddy bumped was his Tapes were gone. His personal recordings, ones with Henry were gone. I was ready to spring into action at the first tip.

I must not been paying attention as a Lady named Shannon told me she had an original Riggin' Warrior tape that was signed by when. I looked at sure enough in my hand writing the words 'To Skip & Mary'. I didn't put 2 and 2 together right yet. The next day I get a call from Professor Jones. He tells there has been a break in the case as Todd Barnes had a friend who had given him one of the stolen tapes that Todd had recorded with Skippy. He said the girls name was Shannon. I was ready to go. I knew she hung at the 4 20 Club and I would go get all the details. I seen her and she told everything she knew. She would drive by and get the address and call with the information.

The next night Skippy calls me and says 'We got a bite'. With Bobo holding down the fort and doing the dispatching, The Detectives were on the Road. The address was out on Harlow Road in Springfield. We were a little nervous as we didn't know what to expect. We hid our rig down the street and walked to the house. We were snooping around but really could find any solid evidence. There was a storage area next to the house with an old style sliding door. I pulled the door back to where there was crack I could see in. Off the reflection of the streetlight I could see a snare drum. Bingo. I was ready to kick some ass and take some names. But I had the good cop with me, Columbo, and I am not kidding. After huddling up we decided to knock on the door. A Nice looking lady answered. It was obvious that she had nothing to do with the crime. I showed her the tape. She didn't know nothing about it. I said someone needs to know something cause Skip Jones' snare drum is in your storage and it was stolen in a major burglary and that we would be calling 911 pronto. Well she called her husband and he was the in few minuets. He was a logger and was very helpful to us. He said a guy was giving this stuff to goodwill and he took it. I told him he wasn't very smart if he thought musician would give away his snare drum to goodwill. Skip Jones don't part with any of his gear.

This dude was cool, but he didn't want to give up the thief. But after several minuets of battering from the good guy, bad guy routine. Skip kept talking music with him and kept reminding him that he was an accessory to a felony, and could go to jail.

He climbed in the crummy and showed us the thief's house. We just drove by, our work was done, it was time for the Lane Sheriff Department to take over. The guy had given Skip all of his tapes back. He had one in his Corvette that he had been listening to. It was a Pink Floydd Band that Skip was in. The dude was pretty shook up over the whole deal. Skip said; "I got one more question for you" in true Columbo style. The dude was like, oh know, what now. Skippy says; "Did you really think that was Pink Floyd?"

He said 'Yes, I sure did'. I just Love Coach Jones, he is a Logger. He wears suspenders. He weighs 140 soakin' wet. But it a mean 140, as that Boy can flat boogie-woogie. Amen

The cops did a number on the bad guy. Turned out to be the painter. He got most of his stuff back. Another case solved for the Columbo & Crow Detective Service.

I played a lot of Soccer in my youth. Played on some very good teams; in High School (Churchill & Thurston), College and on local club teams. I was playing for the Eugene Ramblers and went and got Henry and took him to a game. It was at Monroe middle school, Ascot Park. It was in the spring of the year, a late afternoon game. Henry sat down in a lawn chair and enjoyed a few brews and a 'live' soccer game. I don't remember one thing about that game, not one play. However, I do remember seeing Henry having a good time and cheering us on. And after the game we went to the bar and Henry was bragging about me, He said; "Bob plays rough". I guess he was a bragging about me. Henry always showed a lot of respect for me, but after seeing me play soccer it took a step up.

The Ramblers had some really awesome teams. One year in the Eugene City league we won 10 and lost 0. We scored 45 goals and our opponents scored 1, and that was on a penalty kick. We won the State of Jefferson Championship in Grants Pass 6 or 7 times. As the Eugene All-Stars we won the Dr. Portugal Cup in Arcata California 6 times. Teams would come from all over California and Oregon to get their butts kicked by some good ole boys from Eugene. I was blessed to play with some mighty fine soccer players from all over the world.

Henry was quite the sports fan. He was from Carolina. He followed Clemson University, 'The Tigers'. I'd see Henry on Sundays and we would exchange scores. I always followed The Crimson Tide from Alabama. They both had really good football teams. He would rag me if Alabama got beat, and I'd lay it on him if Clemson took a whipping. Of course I'm from Eugene and have always been a Duck fan.

Henry use to get me into gigs for Free. I gave him a ride to see John Lee Hooker, and it was awesome. I got a free shirt that said 'The Boogieman' on it. After he was done playing, he was sitting at a desk signing autographs. Even though Henry had a platinum and Gold record with the man, he was waiting in line to talk with the man. John Lee Hooker was known as "The Godfather of the Blues'. He called Henry; "The Godfather of the Boogie Woogie". The Hookerman sure was glad to see Henry. He said, " Tell em Henry, tell them how we played the Boogie. Tell them Henry, tell them how we use to party"! Those were the days I guess. As we were sitting around, I ask John Lee, "Does it bother you that everyone rips off your licks?" He said, "That's The Blues". He likes to know that his music will live on forever. And it will. When Henry introduced me to John Lee, He said, "this is Bob, He's a logger". I told John Lee that a Hooker on a Loggin' Crew is 'The Head Honcho', What ever he says, goes. Henry laughed, and John Lee smiled. I ask John Lee; "How did you get that voice?" He told me "Whiskey and women". He actually used a different word for women.

About that time a beautiful lady about 20 years old said, "John Lee, I'll be in the room waiting Honey." I thought to myself, if I was 75 years old and I had a beautiful babe in the room waiting, I wouldn't care if people were ripping off my music either. Anyway it was a great show, thanks to John Lee. It was great to talk with one of a couple of my heroes that are legends, and realize that they are just simple folks. Simple folks, blessed with an amazing Talent. Long live the Hookerman.

One year when Canned Heat came to the Eugene to play at the Wow Hall. It was during a time when he wasn't with the Band, but he was sitting in. Henry Vestine sitting in with Canned Heat is like the Pope visiting the Catholic Church on Sunday. Henry showed 'em. The Band was awesome with James and Junior Watson. Toward the end they had a little 'Guitar off'… Sort of show me what you got. Believe me James played the Slide Guitar like a Choir Boy giving a confession, And Junior Watson rocked the Wow Hall. But Henry showed 'em all why He is 'The Godfather of the Boogie'. He showed 'em all why he is the Guitar Gangster. He showed 'em all. Henry was Awesome most of the time, but this night he slammed her into overdrive for the Big Race. He was just flat smoking on that Black Les Paul. At that time I just went Wow. I guess that is how The Wow Hall got its name.

After the show he was introducing me to the bass player, Larry Taylor, 'The Mole'. He said, "This is Bob, He's a Logger, He's the Real Thing." Larry started to say something and Henry said, "No no you don't understand. He's the REAL THING, He beats up cops." It was the Greatest compliment I ever got, considering my hero gave it to me. Not the part about beating up cops, which ain't nothing to be proud of, but the part about being the real thing. I was at a loss for words. I couldn't speak. I decided to tell Henry now what I couldn't say then, "Henry, YOU'RE the real thing". Amen.

He was telling these guys about Loggers. "They get up early in the morning, they get into a crummy and they ride up in the mountains… They work all day, then they get back in the crummy and ride home." I loved to hear Henry tell that story. He made it simple. Henry had a lot of respect for Loggers. He was a Rebel. Rebels have respect for the workingman. And just to get the story straight, I didn't beat up any cops; I ripped the badge off of one. He was a cop that looked about 16 years old, he pointed at his Badge and said; "See that Badge, That makes me the law". I reached over and snatched away his Badge and ask him; "Am I the Law now". See how rumors spread.

Henry was always an inspiration to my music and to me. I use to look Hank, and think, this guy ain't nothing but a Country Boy. Then I'd think, this is a legend, and He's my Friend. I'll never forget, one Christmas, Hank was born on Christmas; we were both Christmas babies, I being born on the 22nd. But this was one Special Christmas.

We were having a little gathering after dinner, and I was picking on the guitar. A song my Brother Deano taught me called 'The Wildwood Flower'. Henry said, "I didn't know you played", "I said I didn't know I did either." He told me, "You're a hell of a poet." I ask him. "Who are you calling a poet dude?" He said, "No poetry is a good thing, give me that guitar". He started to pick the boogie, Stating, "You can't own the Blues". I said, "You mean I can put my Poetry to your to your music?" He said, "Acula, That would be Swinging." The Riggin' Boogie was born.

One Year, it must have been around 1990 or so, my Momma had some comp tickets to see Mel McDaniel at South Eugene High School. She gave me three tickets: one for my Sweetheart, one for a friend, and one for myself. I told Henry about it a week before the gig. I saw Henry over at Harpo's. He said, "Aqula, What about Mel?" I ask him, " What do you think I'm here for? We got to go, drink up.

Momma Sue, Mariam, my Brother Deano, Henry and my self went over to South Eugene High, home of the Axmen. It was in the Auditorium, a Radio Promotion, "Thanks to the Community". It was a Rebel Family, watching a Rebel. Mel McDaniel was blessed. Henry loved him. I thought it was fitting that I brought some Rebel Yell to the gig. It was fitting that Mel was a friend of Henrys. After the show we could see Mel's tour bus. I told Henry he ought to go say Hey. Henry just wasn't that way. First, Henry had respect for the man's privacy. Second, Henry was shy in a very Sweet way. The bottom line is, he never said hello to Mel. So Mel Buddy, I'm here to tell you, Your Light shinned on the Sunflower and the Crow in God's Country, One Righteous Day. Thanks a lot man.

I had found an old Canned Heat album at a garage sale, Live at Topanga Corral. It has a picture of the band sitting around a creek. Henry is wearing Buckskin jacket and a leather hat. On the hat is a little Rebel flag, the Stars and the Bars. It is now one of my most cherished possessions, as Henry signed it; (with an arrow pointing to the Flag) "Bob, We understand such things. 'Henry Vestine'. Thanks for Mel McDaniel". All I can say is, "Yea Henry, We do understand such things. And Thank You for Mel McDaniel. You're the one that made it so special". Old Rebels never die.

What Henry was referring to that we understand about the Stars and Bars is that it is about Heritage. Not about slaves. Those Southern folks were cotton farmers. Slavery was not their idea. It was the way it was. Just like any business you got to keep up with competition. These people would put all their money into their slaves so that they could produce more cotton. Along come some people wanting to free the slaves. Conflict. If Old Abe would have just went down to the printing press, he could have printed up enough money to buy freedom for all the slaves. All the paper in the world ain't worth one human life. And a whole lot of good folks lost their lives in 'The War between the States'. And only a few who died ever owned any slaves. What they teach in schools is propaganda. What they want us to believe. No one ever wins at War.

The problem is people relate that flag to White Power and what not. Those people need to get their own flag. Notice it has Stars and Stripes and it is Red, White and Blue. Well at least Henry and I understand.

I told people I was going to record with Henry. I told 'Johnny B.' down at Lucky's, It is gonna say 'Henderson and Vestine' on the CD I knew I could do it even though I didn't know Diddley about music. They thought I was crazy, and I am. It keeps me from going insane. I started The Riggin' Crew Band, "Bobby Peru and The Riggin' Crew', and did my first tape, 'Loggers are Stihl de Kings' with a country boy name Pete 'Elvis Horse' Christie, a great singer. He had some recording equipment and he worked cheap. He sounds like George Jones, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard all rolled in to one. But Pete was and stihl is Pete. It was really cool, hearing Pete sing my songs. I did a couple of my poems. A really strange thing happen when we were recording '4-U Grandpa', I was narrating one of the verses, and I said "My Grandpa never said I love, He was I'll show you type of guy." Just at that point, a Keyboard came on, like wow. I thought Pete had done something. He said, "Nope, it wasn't me," The Organ wasn't even turned on. But you can hear it, for sure. And if anyone has some scientific explanation for, let me know.

Then I recorded the Riggin' Boogie. It was easy to get the Best in town to come and record with me. First they all Love me. Secondly, they all wanted to record with a legend. Perhaps it was more the latter.

We had an all-star cast, to say the least. Gator John Fohl who I had met many Moons ago when he was with 'The Hell Benders'. John was always one of my favorites, always a Smile from the Gator. I introduced him to my Mother one time, He said, "Oh you must be Mrs. Peru." You got to love John's wit. He had help me before with a little slide guitar on "Loggers are Stihl de Kings". He boogied on down to New Orleans. I always told John he was heir to Henry's thrown. All I can say to the Gatorman is "Thanks Buddy, for shinning your light in the direction of the Crow." Amen.

Let's see, I had; Rob Wilson, Pete 'The Beat' Berger, Sequoia, Teddy Boy Roy, Micheal Tracey, Steve Ibach, and of course A Sunflower Guitar Gangster name Henry Vestine. Johnny Wilde wanted to put his 2 cents worth in there, so I said, "sure". You can hear him Forging thru the mud on the Riggin' Boogie. It was AWESOME. I may not of known what I was doing, but I sure had a big crew. We got the job done.

"When I was a little Boy, I played in the backyard with Loggin' toys. I played in the Sand, dreaming of being like my Grandpa, a loggin'man. One night I heard my Momma talking to my Daddy, she said, "That Boy ain't gonna be no fool, we're gonna send him to college school". My Dad said, "Shit Sue, That boy is a HENDERSON, he's got the blood, he gonna love crawling around in that logging mud, sides you cain't tell that boy nothing." (My Mom ask him) "Where did he get that from Billy". I got old enough, I knew what to do, I went to Alaska, and joined Me a Riggin' Crew. And we did the Boogie. That 4-20 Riggin' Warrior Boogie, and it goes like this."

I want to Thank All who helped me with the Riggin' Boogie; Including Gary Bratton of Ecletic Tracks and Shavani for the Vocals and for her Love.

A couple of months after we recorded The Riggin' Boogie, (I had given Henry a copy of the tape earlier) I saw Henry over at J Js bar over on Roosevelt. I ask him "Henry, what do you think of the Riggin' Boogie?"

He said; "That is Plagerism".

I said "but Hank, I gave you 50 bucks", to which He replied, "Well that's the important Thing." You got to love Henry for telling it like it is.

I had Molly with me, She is my Black Washburn Guitar that James Bradshaw named for me. I started picking the Boogie, telling Henry how he had taught it to me. He said; " Give me that Guitar". He proceeded to show what folks that were at J Js why he was called the 'Godfather of the Boogie Woogie'. Henry has Country Roots and could really jam on an acoustic Gitfiddle. When he was done, an older fellow came up to me and said, "That fellow (referring to Henry) is a better Guitar Picker than you". It was another great compliment in that I've heard comparisons between Henry and Jimi Hendrix. Between Henry and Stevie Ray. Vestine and Clapton. At that moment however, this dude was comparing Henry Vestine to Bobby Henderson. I was a close 2nd; Henry laughed.

We had put a few tracks down on the Cherokee Blues. Cherokee Blues is a song that Johnny Wilde and I wrote together while waiting for Pete Chritie. I wrote the words and Johnny bootlegged the music, "You can't own the Blues". Pete never did show up. Again I had an all-star cast, some that missed out on The Riggin' Boogie wanted to make sure they got in on this song; Like Doctor J on flute, John Avril on Mandolin. I wanted to put Henry on it. It took me a couple of weeks to talk Hank into it. I told him He owe me. On top of that I didn't have any cash on me when we picked up Hank. The Guitar Gangster doesn't leave his house to play music with out any Cash. I had some Rebel Yell Whiskey from Dixie, I guess that was good of euough. We had to wait at the studio, some kind of techicnal problem. And Henry got lit. It was al good. He said; "Bob, get me a Guitar that is in tune."

I said, "Do you want a Les Paul or a Strat?" He said, "Give me a Guitar that is in tune."

I turned to Claudette, and said, "Give the Man a guitar that is in tune." She got him a Yellow Fender Stratacaster and tuned it up. Henry told her to "put it on ten". Meaning his amplifier. George Boughey was in the Recording area, and Henry was yelling "PUT IT ON TEN", George walked out, not wanting to get his ears blasted. Nobody was paying him. Well we got 'er going. Henry was looking at me waiting for me to give him the nod to start playing. I thought that was pretty funny. Here was one of the best guitar pickers in the world waiting for me to give him the go ahead. The song has a buildup; giving one the feeling that we were walking along. I gave Hank the nod. It was if Chief Henry came riding it up on a White Horse. AWESOME. The Cherokee Blues is from my Heritage, not Henry Vestine's. We did it, and I thought it was Magic. Henry is about as 'white as you can get'.

When I paid Henry I said, "Henry, you played for 32 seconds and I 'm giving you 50 Bucks. That's 600 bones an Hour. That's not enough. I'm giving you $75 next time Mr. Acula.

With a big smile Henry said, "That'll be swingin".

One time this Lady asks me, "Who are your favorite Musicians?" I said, " Henry Vestine, James 'Supe' Bradshaw, Skip Jones, John Fohl, Roger McConnell, Johnny Wilde Buffalo, Bryan Case, Tony Rae, The Boogie Woogie Kid' Bryan Wollen, Mike Mayer and all the Righteous Awesome pickers that are my friends.. Don't get me wrong, I love Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, George Jones, and many other performers. But I don't know them. And I know my friends. And in My book, the one you're reading, Henry Vestine is the GUITAR KING.

And I do Know Mickey Newbury, and as far as I'm concerned, One of the best songwriters ever to walk the Planet. Boy how he can sing. He is Awesome. He is a Rebel Boy.

When Henry moved out of LA and came to Oregon, He lived in Corvallis. I don't know if he had a Drivers licence or not but he was driving around in Corvallis and got pulled over by a Benton County Sheriff. Now I mind you Canned Heat wasn't exactly loved by the Police. Their song "Going up the Country" was an anti war song about draft dodging. Henry must have been a little lit, cause when he was lit he wasn't at all bashful about letting you know who He was. "Do you know who I am?" He asks the Cop. "I'm Henry Vestine". "Yea I know who you are", the Cop said, "Looks like you have been where the water taste like wine, now you're going up the country alright, To the Linn-Benton Country Jail".

His driving record finally caught up with the 'Guitar Gangster', That old Judge must not of been much of a Blues fan, he gave Henry 6 months in the County Jail. It almost killed Henry. He told me he was too old to be doing time Oregon.

"And I suggest you Tighten it up, Every Chance You Get."
-Henry Vestine-

I ran into Steve Ibach down at John Henry's one night, He turn me on to an article that John Hyatt had wrote about Henry. I believe it was in the 'What's Happening'.

Henry was playing in a three piece band in LA. He was playing six nights a week at the same club. About every night a black kid would show up and stand about three feet from Henry. He was like me in awe of the 'Guitar Gangster'. He was there every night. He never said a word. It was kind of pissing Henry off., but the kid disappeared and never saw him again. Then one day, they were on the Road somewhere in a hotel room, they were watching television, and they saw that black kid playing with Little Richard. That kid turned out to be Jimi Henrix. I asked Henry, "So Jimi loved you to?" Hank just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. You can hear Henry in Jimi's style, the way you can hear it in Stevie Ray Vaughan. Oh yea Henry spent some time in Texas, and showed Stevie a lick or two. Henry sure has His style. He was to quote T-Bone Weldon, " A Picasso, a work of art".

George Thoroghood came to Eugene, to Harpo's Blue Note looking for Henry to open for him at the Hult Center. George loves Henry too. George and James T. have a few things in common. They both can play a pretty mean slide guitar, and they both got their ass kicked by me at pool. 'Mr. Bad to The Bone', and 'Mr. Tough' had better practice if they come looking for a game of 8 Ball here in 'God's Country'. Amen

One night down at the Good Times I ran into an old friend 'Billy'. I met him years earlier at The Butte Tavern. I gave him some of my OFLA propaganda on it. It had a picture of Henry on it. (Billy was a friend of Hank's) He said to me; "You won't let Henry die will you?" I said; "You damn right I won't. I loved Henry Vestine, and I won't let any of those that I love, die. We don't die. And one day soon we will get together again. In a place where there is no pain, no disease, a place where Righteousness is the only thing."

Back to Henry; the last words I said to Henry on this Earth was; "Who Loves you Henry?" He pointed his finger at me and said without hesitation; "You do Bob." There you go. That is why my hero will never die. As long as Six Crows Flys, the Light of The Sunflower shall be respected and reflected.

The first gig we ever did was in 1990, at Hack's in Veneta. They wanted Rock n Roll, that's how I booked the gig; Henry, Mac Singleton, Rick Turner and Myself. We played Blues much to the disgust of the Club owner. So I got real drunk with Henry and just did the gig. People out there in Veneta had no idea who he was and kept asking me to play stuff like the Doors, which at the time I did a lot. Except when Henry played with me. I didn't want to insult the man by asking him to play one of his contemporaries. Hell, Henry told me when I first met him that he and Jim Morrison use to get drunk together, a lot.

A Year or so later he did play 'Love me two times', (a Door's staple) With Harpo and the Nightcrawlers. He was one of the first guitar players I played with in Eugene, and one of a whole lot of guitar players who played in the Good Clean Fun Band. One serious Gentlemen Jim. I did two other gigs with the man the next year or so. Both not too memorable as far as any kind of crowd goes. We played at La Salsa, which is now the Rock n Rodeo. We played a couple of sets to two people outside the bar.

I am gonna tell ya a story, a true story to the best of my memory, and I am getting old and my memory ain't that good. Henry was a friend of mine.

I was playing at the Rooster's Blues Jam down at Taylor's Bar on the U of O campus. It was the basic Monday Night Blues Jam and I played the first set. I was carrying my gear of the stage an older gentlemen, with a gray beard, was walking on stage. He said; "Nice set". I said 'Thanks' and took my rig out to my van. I smoked a big doobie in celebration of the first set. As I was going back in I heard a guitar that was 'peeling the wood off the walls, and I wondered who was this. I made my way thru the crowed college bar so I could get a look see. I'll be damn if it wuddin the old dude with the beard. I didn't know who this gentleman was but I knew he was 'Somebody' and I was gonna meet him.

Well after he blew everybody away and the set was over, he was mopped by the crowd of blues fans. He sat down. It took some time but everybody left him, so I sat down and talked to him. I told him I wanted to learn from him. He said "You got any Money?" I said ya. He said; "Buy Me a Budweiser". After I got him a cold one we mad arrangements for me to go to house for a lesson. He said "You got $20?" I told him that would be no problem.

So, the next day I go over to his house. It was like a flop house. After knocking on the door several time finally someone came to the door. Henry was still in bed. He got up and said; You got that Twenty Bucks?" I said 'I sure do'. He said good; "Go to the store and get me a six pack of budweiser and a pack of Marlboros".

I got back from the store and Henry opened up a bottle of Bud and fired up a smoke. Then he looked at me and said: 'What the Hell do you want?" I told him I wanted to learn how to play guitar. He said; " I can't teach you. I don't know what I am doing. I just do it." We went to the other room and started jamming. I knew who he was and I wanted to hear the boogie. I played the way I knew from the song 'Spirit in the Sky'

Henry in an Angry tone said; 'No that is the punk way to play the boogie'. He started picking the boogie and I got real close so I could see what is going on, to my astonishment he was using his left hand to pick. I never saw nothing like it. I ask him how he did that. He said he didn't know, that he just did it. 'It is just a thing I do'.

We jammed on, drank up the 6 pack and I told him I wanted another lesson. He said; 'You got another $20?' I said I did, Aqula he responded.

I had the enjoyment to be in Eugene for the 12 years or so Henry lived here. I was Homeless livin in My car with My Dog, and Henry loved My Dog. He told me 'to always take care of My dog first'. And I did up till she passed on.

One time I was partying with Henry out in Loraine, and it was real late, like 4 am. We are messed up but Henry need some cigs, so I braved it and drove all the way to 7-11 on West 11th and Burleson in Eugene. It was a miracle that we made it too and from without getting busted.

I feel Honored and Privileged to Have known Henry Vestine, I think of Him every time I hear or play de boogie. Long Live the SunFlower. Henry was a Friend of Mine.

Henry Vestine is a Legend....Jimi Hendrix went to see him for like 12 nights in a row, stood 2 feet from Henry and watched a learned. You can Hear Henry in Hendrix...U can Hear Henry in Billy Gibbons the ZZ Top guitar player,,,,,,Dudes like Stevie Ray Vaughn idolized the Man. George Thourogood came looking for him whem he played in Eugene....He found me, I beat his ass three times in a row. (He ain't so Bad to the Bone after all) Then I took him to Henry's House. Henry opened that night at the Hult.....

John Lee Hooker , de Boogie Man (Who Henry has a Gold (Hooker and Heat) and Platium Record (The Healer) called Henry the 'Godfather of the Boogie-Woogie'

I was down at Old Taylors on the University of Oregon campus in the mid 1980s. I saw Henry Vestine at that bar. I had been a great fan of his for years. I saw Skip Jones and told him that Henry Vestine was in the bar. Skip said; "no kidding". He told me to follow him. He led me all around the bar in a circle and right back to booth next to where we were before. And said; "Jerry, meet my friend Henry. Henry this is my friend Jerry". That is how I met Henry Vestine.

One of My favorite stories was in about 1993, when this one musician was playing Norman Greenbaum's song; "Spirit In The Sky" at a Good Times 'Rooster's Blues Jam'. Henry grabs the guitar from the guy and says; "That is the coward's way to play the boogie." He always hated that song.

I became good friends with him the last few year and half of his life. I first saw him, though I remember very little, at the Monterrey Pop Festival (June 16 - 18 of 1967). I didn't realize it at the time, Hell I was only 3 years old. I'll always miss the man. He was cool.

I was at the Rooster Blues jam at Old Taylors. Henry came in and looked around and said; "I'll play with Todd'. I really felt good after that. "I'll play with Todd". This is Henry Vestine saying this.

I was down in LA, I ran into Albert Collins. I told him I was from Eugene. He asks me about Henry Vestine. I told him I had just done some recording with Henry and that he was a friend of mine. Abert told me

" Anything you want man". It was obvious that any friend of Henry Vestine was a friend of Albert Collins.