EssEffChron
When Buffalo was diagnosed with lung cancer in September after getting off his summer tour with the Steve Miller Band, his longtime bandleader and close friend talked to Buffalo about putting together a benefit concert.
Three days before he died, a few short weeks later, Buffalo OKd Miller's plans to bring some of Buffalo's friends together for a pair of concerts that took place over the weekend at Oakland's recently refurbished Fox Theater.
He died knowing that friends and admirers like Miller, the Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, George Thorogood and Huey Lewis agreed to play the shows. He told Miller he wanted the proceeds to pay off his mortgage.
The five-hour concert laid out a banquet of music. Everybody played with everybody. Bishop joined the Doobie Brothers to sing his song "My Dog" and rattle off some blistering guitar. He came back to play with Miller and add still more blistering guitar. Blues harmonica virtuoso Musselwhite sat in with Raitt, the Doobies and Miller. Raitt traded molten blues guitar solos with the boys - Miller and Bishop - during the Miller band set and sang "Listen to the Music" with the Doobies.
George Thorogood played Bo Diddley with Miller, shaking Buffalo's maracas. Michael Carabello of the original Santana band took over for Buffalo on congas in Miller's set. Miller himself played the harmonica part to "Livin' in the U.S.A." - like he did before and hasn't since Buffalo joined the band in 1977.
Attorney General (and next Governor of California! - G) Jerry Brown , who as mayor oversaw the downtown Oakland development that the new Fox anchors, wandered around backstage, looking a little like he showed up at the wrong party. Of course, the entire place did reek of marijuana smoke.
Good word, reek...
Please read the rest if you're interested.
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