damn, saw this last night before going to bed. it was hard to see. lonnie smith has always been one of my favorites. the first time i heard him was in a record store where they were playing a live record of his. bought it on the spot. his feel, mastery of the b3, and joy for music will be missed.
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He’s been a huge influence on me. I met him once and he was super sweet. RIP.
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Lonnie confided to Jazz Times on the rarely broached topic of his turban. “I used to wear turbans when I was young, way before I first recorded…I started wearing turbans early; I don’t know why. And I didn’t know that this was gonna be it for me when I started wearing them, but I’ve never given it up. I have taken it off and played without it. But at this point the turban has become so much of me that the people expect it; it’s what they recognize. Sometimes I do think, ‘Well, what if I just don’t wear it anymore?’ But that’s me. Taking it off at this point is like pulling the mask off the Lone Ranger. Some people just love that mystery. I mean, why does Michael Jackson wear one glove?”
also, it seems he didn’t know how to read music, just improvised. truly incredible.
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Not only great music, but a funny guy, too. Lucky enough to have met him once after a gig. Will be missed, definitely.
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A virtuoso has died. Let us be thankful that we have his recording to experience over and over.
This man could play a Moog like few others
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