Two stories......
Once..........back when I had barely been playing a couple of years, mostly just for stuff i was doing on tape.
A friend of mine, both him and his wife in different bands. His wife called and asked if I could fill in or know anybody? His wife definitely has a good set of pipes, band is top notch. Music was towards the jazz side, not necessarily by milieu but my ear was already developed from playing guitar and piano.
I talked with Margo a while exhausting all the people I knew, she knew most of them and had already checked with them. I figured she had to be desperate as she knew I usually played guitar and had not played bass for that long. Basically, I had the equipment, made a reasonable appearance and there was a possibility that I could pull this off with as long I kept a poker face or at least glared at the drummer if I dropped a clunker.
I declined, mainly as I was friends with both her and her husband and didn't want awkward feelings if I "Hindenburged" the gig on her.
Always regretted that, though we are still friends to this day and 30 years on, it was never an issue.
Looking back, wished I had done it, being friends, probably would have cut me slack unless I had really screwed up. The keyboardist would have no doubt grabbed a little more left hand that night.
Second example. Friend of mine had just joined the Local. His name on file as a bassist. Gets a call to play either day before or day of a show. He asks me whether or not he should take the gig. I tell him of course, are you serious? Wood shed his tunes as much as possible beforehand. Have to keep in mind, he was about 10 years younger but that, gives you an idea of his point of reference.
Chuck Berry is playing Springfield, Mass at the Civic Center, 12,000 seats, the show....pretty much sold out.
Those of you that saw Keith Richard's movie on Chuck, Hail, Hail, Rock And Roll. That was pretty accurate.
Chuck hired local musicians in the general area. There is NO rehearsal. They are told to appear, given some basic instructions on what WILL be worn and that they will be paid $X number of dollars....union scale plus.
Mr. Berry meets the Musicians about 15 minutes before they are to go on stage. Chuck explains that he will call out the song and the key to them before they start. It will be fast paced. Last words from Chuck, "keep your eyes on me, let's go!"
My mate said it was the most scary and chaotic thing he ever did. Incurring the wrath of CB was something he did not want in his memory banks.
He also knocked it out of the park. He also mentioned it was beyond awesome. That He has THAT as an experience.
He had been playing bass for about two years, far more seriously than myself at that number of years.
There could be a third scenario, but lets just go with these two.
When I have encountered this later in life......I take the job and enjoy the ride. Its life, enjoy!
