On Friday night we played at one of my favorite places on Earth, Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace.
When we get there the owner/booker/sound person/my hero Robyn comes up to me and says, "Mick Taylor called and he's going to come and play with you tonight."
And I just laughed and said, "Are you kidding?"
And she said "No."
And I was like, "Ok, I'm gonna go take a deep breath and try to make sense of what you just said."
Often times in life people say they will be somewhere and they aren't. Even good friends. So the band and I huddled over our dinners from Pappy's delicious kitchen. (I had the catfish, but everything that I've had there is great.)
As we ate we discussed the Rolling Stones' history. And what albums Mick played on. And what songs we would try to play with him.
All this with a large portion of doubt that he would actually show up.
Niemann heard Mick had rented a guitar for the occasion. Someone else heard his reservation was for 8:30.
So that's about all we knew.
We started at 7:30 and played a long set. During the break I turn around and Mitch Marine says to me, "That's bullshit, he's not showing up. This isn't happening."
But then as I'm walking around a few minutes later, I see Robyn carrying a guitar in to her office. And then I see the fella. And Robyn brings me over and introduces me to him and we discuss what songs we're gonna play.
It was kinda a little bit totally awesome and surreal. We ended up playing a bunch of Stones tunes and some originals and a John Mayall Bluesbreakers tune. Honky Tonk Women, Beast Of Burden, That's Alright Mama, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Iko Iko, PCB songs Goin' To Hell and Wet Dog Man and a bunch more.
I mean the chills cascading down my spine when I hear the first licks to Honky Tonk Women played by the guy played it on the record. And he's standing right next to me insisting that I sing it with him!
As it happened, a friend of his saw us play at Pappy's a couple months ago and she wanted to bring him down to come play with us. What an honor. And what a great time!
Also playing were our extraordinary band members Steve Tegel, Jon Niemann and Dutch Suoninen with Mitch Marine of Dwight Yoakam's band filling in on drums. Dave Catching of the Eagles Of Death Metal and Biker Larry and Bingo Richey also came up and sat in. Along with a very voluptuous dancer named Brianna (va-va-voom).
A great magical night. It was euphoric. I was crying tears of joy for hours. I think I still am.
Thank you Robyn and Linda and all the great people at Pappy's. And to our friends who made the trek out to see us. What a wonderful treat life can be.
Here are some pics that Vavine Tahapehi took for us, and I took a few from the stage too.