Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 80 Location: California
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject:
Here are few stories:
The first time I met Robben was at the Villa Montalvo in Los Gatos on June 18th 2006. After the show me and my dad went around to this courtyard behind the stage and a few seconds later Robben walked out, with a glass of a dark red wine. My dad and I got to say hello and that I was taking guitar lessons at the School of the Blues and how I was a huge fan of his music. A few seconds later a mass of people came out of nowhere and everybody wanted to take pictures and say hello but a few people seemed to overwhelm him (trying to take pictures/over-extend thier welcome). He was probably only out there for around ten minutes then he went backstage.
Second time was the clinic at his house, if you want to know more I posted a thread called October 14th 2006 Clinic.
The third time was when the Ford Blues Band was playing at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz on February 17th 2007. My dad and I had arrived at Moe's Alley at around 3:00 and while we were walking up to the building the entire band was walking out! I almost fell over when Robben said, "Hey Phillip". I also brought my original 1972 Arhoolie Charles Ford Band album and got that signed. Robben as soon as he saw it started yelling,"Patrick, Patrick, you gotta see this!" and so then Robben signed it and I went around and in the van where the rest of the band was and Patrick asked me if I was sure I wanted him to sign it! Of course I said yes, thanked him and Robben and let them go wherever they were going.
(On a side note Robben was wearing these really awesome sunglasses they went from dark green on the top and then faded to a yellowish color on the bottom).
The fourth time was at the Santa Cruz Blues Festival on May 27th 2007. Me and my dad went backstage and sat down at a table and then Robben came out of some trailer and I got to say hello to him but I knew he had to get ready to play so I didn't bother him too long. Before Robben went on I saw Patrick and said hi, I was surprised that he remembered me from Moe's Alley (when he signed my album). I had bought a hat at the festival and asked him if he would sign it and he did. We then talked for at least an hour or so about the Charles Ford Band! He said there could be a possible reunion in the future!
The fifth time was before the show at Yoshi's in Oakland on November 26th 2007. Before the show me and my dad went over to Tony Romas and got something to eat and just as I finished my dad says,"Hey thats Robben!" so I got up and went outside to go say hello. Robben was walking with Anne and he seemed to be carrying what I think was a Dumble head and so I said,"Hey Robben." and he said, "You look framiliar whats your name again?" and I said Phillip and that I was at the clinic in his house, he then said," Oh thats right! Phillip you remember my wife Anne?" so I said hello to Anne and then he asked me,"Did you get anything out of the clinic?" and I said," Yeah Im still working on that stuff!" and he laughed and I said,"See you at the show" and he said ,"Bye". I then walked back to Tony Roma's smiling from ear to ear. I think that it was at this show that I met David Henderson and he told me about the Robben Ford Forum!
The sixth time was at Yoshi's in Oakland on November 30th 2007. After the first show of the night he was next to the bar at the booth that had all of his merchandise and was signing stuff for the people from the first show. I got in line and quickly got out my poster and my sharpie. I said,"Hello Robben" then I asked him if he would sign my poster and he looked at it and said,"Where did you get this?". I answered,"On eBay, why?" and he said," The Soiled Dove? I've never played there. What a funny name!" and laughed and signed my poster. After the second show I waited for him between the stage and the exit doors and when he was wakling towards the bar I asked him if he would sign my hat and he did. This was the night that I got to meet Taku Sakashta also! Oh and before the show/before I got in line to have my poster signed I saw Dewayne Pate and said hello to him as well!
All of the times that I have been able to meet Robben he has always been really cool and has always answered my questions if I had any!
Last edited by Phill_B on Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Ashton under Lyne, Manchester, UK
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:00 am Post subject:
Hi all,
I was lucky enough (priviledged, really) to be part of the support to Robben on the 2006 UK leg. I've got to say that prior to this I'd never even heard of Robben let alone met him. Though Gary Novak had always been something of a hero of mine.
So, as a brash, Mancunian drummer, I realised I would probably have to curb my gung-ho approach whilst in the company of real-life professionals.
Well, I have to say that at first me and the rest of the Samuel C Lees band (well, me, Sam and Adam) felt a little, erm, under-appreciated by Robben - Gary and Daved were very welcoming - especially given that we'd ended up as support band, tour-guides, roadies, drivers, first-round-buyers, navigators, go-fors, etc etc etc. And, to be honest, we all thought him a bit weird.
However, after the second night (Birkenhead Pacific Road Arts) we retired to the bar in the hotel and it was then that Robben started to open up. I'd mistaken him for a bit of a prima-donna, when actually Robben is a very thoughtful, kind, sensitive (if a little introvert) gem of a bloke. We shared some good whisky, some great anecdotes, and a couple of hours of excellent post-gig winding down.
As the tour progressed we found Robben to be a genuinely bloody nice chap - he has his ups and downs for sure (who doesn't), but despite the traumas of the tour (stuff goes wrong when you least expect it, best laid plans of mice and men, etc etc etc) he never had a cross word for us (even when we deserved it!).
Never throughout the tour did I see him upset by anyone coming to meet him, never did he shun anyone (even when absolutely knackered straight after a gig), and never a negative comment for anyone who had taken the time and spent the money to come see him play.
Before we started the tour I had no idea who this bloke was - or what his music was about. A short way through the tour, at the Glasgow Renfrew Ferry, we'd played what we thought was a great set and then stood in the audience to take the opportunity to watch the full Robben set. Adam and I were stood together watching and almost simultaneously we looked at each other and said 'I get it now'. It was like a light-bulb moment, the second that the penny drops, that time when the switch is flicked over. Since then, I've become a fan - not as big a fan as the vast majority of people on this site, but given that my music was largely Spock's Beard, Dream Theater, Platypus (I guess I thought I was clever) Robben had suddenly introduced me to some real, proper, heartfelt music. Anyway, I'm rambling a bit here!
The upshot is that I'm sure Robben would have appreciated the acknowledgement you made, and that he would understand your 'indecision' in what was the appropriate level of conversation!
I consider myself very lucky to have worked reasonably closely with Robben, Daved (absolute Diamond Geezer!) and Gary - There were times when we were frustrated, over-tired, felt 'taken advantage of' by the situation but that's part of the support slot. But what I remember most is what a gentle, honest, kind, delicate, appreciative bloke he is, even though he sometimes hides it.
Anyway, looking forward to the Manchester gig - this time without having to pack all the gear up!
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 262 Location: Las Vegas
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:02 am Post subject:
Yes great first hand account, great story. Gary Novak seems like a great guy, I spoke with him once at a Landau show.
I have watched the new DVD ohm filter "tiger walk" stuff and I think its the best! I watched it for the second time last night and Gary N. burns! This is my favorite right now out of all his DVDs and I have them all.
I will talk more about it when I get time, I am one of those deep obsessed fans of R.F.s. Reading his bio was bringing back big memories, every release since Talk To Y. D. I can picture what was going on in my life because I worship and dissect every release.
Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Ashton under Lyne, Manchester, UK
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject:
Couldn't agree more!
Funny how different musical 'experiences' lead you to others - apologies, because no doubt this is seriously off thread and frowned upon, but here goes..
First musical memories were the mighty (if often forgotten) 10cc - my Dad (God Bless 'im), knew a couple of the guys in the band, old drinking buddies when they were recording in Stockport in the early 70s. Rumour has it my first ever drum-sticks were donated from this avenue. For anyone who hasn't had time to experience 10cc, may I recommend the album How Dare You... bloody weird but bloody fantastic.
From then, as I began to get more intersted in drums, guitars and 'proper' music, The Police were my favourites. I still reckon Andy Stewart is a very underestimated player.
After that - I WAS in my teens by this time - AC/DC, KISS, Rainbow et al - but was also introduced to proper music like Deep Purple, Led Zep, early Van Halen, Crosby Stills Nash and Young - and awful nonsence like WASP, Ratt, Poison and God knows what!
Anyway, after that and growing from my early twenties to now, I guess I've grown up a bit. Or so I thought. I got into the nice progressive stuff, be it metal or otherwise - Dream Theater (who I thought would never disappoint me but increasingly, as I grow older, they do), Satch, Vai, all the shredders, Stevie Salas, then the lighter (but perhaps more clever stuff) Spock's Beard (if you've never checked them out then I implore you to do so - Alan Morse is a very interesting player), Dixie Dregs (Rod Morgenstein RULES!) and any spin-off that happened along.
To be honest, blues never really featured in my collection, nor did Jazz (I ain't that profficient a drummer) until I got the support gig with Robben. Now, stuff in my car would not be recognised by old pals from years ago. I've even opened my somewhat blinkered eyes to some reasonable pop music like The Feeling, The Fray, The Kooks (too much Radio 2?) and become much more intersted in feel, lyrics and 'songs' rather than out and out playing for the sake of it.
This is not to say that competency is not good - merely to say that I think I'm getting old enough to recognise that talent is not just demonstrated by the amount of notes you can play, but also by the way a whole song is constructed and executed, live or recorded.
Right - stop that - it started off as a nice little muse about Robben Ford, then it got silly.
I'm off for a beer - sorry to go overboard on the typing but nice to get it off my chest.
If anyone on here is going to Manchester in May, let me know and perhaps we can grab a beer.
I'm coming over from Huddersfield for the May gig and there is another chap from the forum joining me. A beer sounds like a remarkably good idea to me.
If you ever fancy knocking out a few tunes, that would be cool too.
By the way, I'm a long time fan of 10cc (and Sad Cafe!!) - Eric Stewart is a major guitar influence. I also liked a lot of what Godley and Creme did later on as well.
PS Rob, I recently discovered Porcupine Tree - fabulous band and they inspired my latest prog fumbling ('Breakfast in Barnsley' - spot the reference....). Modern approach and a throwback to Supertramp and a few others all at the same time. Right up my street, superb guitar from Kevin Wilson too.....
Oh, to be young again and know what I know now - Ronnie Wood was right!
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 262 Location: Las Vegas
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:32 am Post subject:
I'm checking out your music Mr. Bobs right now and its nice stuff. We have some crossover influences like RF Gary Moore and Joe Walsh. Mike Campbell is an interesting influence, I learned the solo from "Tax man" after watching him on the tribute to George Harrison DVD. I saw Lindsey Buckingham last year and he blows me away with his tone and intensity, he just released a new live DVD/CD recorded last year.
My band is planning on recording in the next few months I will post some of our stuff and see if I can get some destructive criticism some time.
you guy's seem real cool over their across the water.
Cool? I think not - I asked one of my kids if she thought I was cool and this triggered a massive outbreak of hysterical laughter.
My son's friend was round last night and I was testing an amp in the garage. I was messing around with a cheapo Epiphone 56 Goldtop and running it through a Marshall Vintage Modern combo. He's a keen guitar head and after a few turns each on the guitar, he definitely put me in his cool category. In return, I was similarly impressed with his ability to play the riff from Sweet Child of Mine and Hey Joe - seems like all today's youngsters are dipping in the same old pond! I blame the tutors..........
Let me know when you've recorded that new stuff Rob - hope all you guys and gals have a great weekend
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 262 Location: Las Vegas
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:
we print News Papers to post cards. saddle stitch (stapled) Magazines, tabloids, flyer's, folding, convention stuff, cold web and sheet fed. We stay clear of business cards and letter head.
the company I'm with has been printing in Las Vegas since 1963.
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 145 Location: Sandy Eggo
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:44 am Post subject:
Haha no, you didn't blow Robben off.
There. Thread back on track. _________________ "Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
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