| Image from the article “Shake Rattle and Roll” by Big Joe Turner |
Now flip, flop and fly
I don’t care if I die
— Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner, dubbed the “Boss of the Blues”, hailed from Kansas City, Missouri and was a master across multiple genres including blues, jazz, and R&B. Regarding Turner, songwriter Doc Pomus stated that “Rock and roll would have never happened without him.” An all-time favorite album of mine is “The Bosses”, a marvelous 1974 release featuring Big Joe, Count Basie and an all-star band that swings like the dickens and features stunningly soulful blues and jazz.
My stepdad, Don Brooks, and I shared an abiding love for Big Joe’s music. Don, who passed away last Friday, August 7, was a consummate storyteller, and I never tired of him regaling me with the tale of how he once saw Big Joe Turner perform. A young man at the time, Don often went to musical shows and was excited to witness one of his heroes. These were the days before social media, before photos and information were ubiquitous, so all Don had to go by were the songs he heard on the radio, like “Roll ‘Em Pete” and “Goin’ Away Blues”.
Prior to the show, Don was hanging out at the bar and struck up a conversation with a gentleman who sat on the next stool. Ever affable, Don soon bought the man a drink and, after a time, the gent bought him one in return. In answer to a question about who he was there to see, Don enthusiastically sang the praises of the one and only Big Joe Turner. Eventually the man took his leave and said maybe he’d see Don later.
Properly fortified and thrilled to see the show, Don entered the venue and eagerly awaited the performers. Down went the lights, on came the headliner and, you guessed it, the man onstage was the very same Don had met and bought a drink for — none other than Big Joe Turner himself.
I’ll forever cherish Don’s stories, and will miss him terribly. All I need to feel close to him, I know, is to put Big Joe Turner on the turntable and imagine that magical night Don rubbed shoulders with a musical giant.
Dance, shout, and make your own live music memories this month and, given the chance, mambo in a payphone booth. See featured events and much more online at the Dance Calendar.
See you on the dance floor —Sean Donovan