My favorite memory of the Violinaire was in Oakland in the early 70s. Lil shot got a jaywalking ticket right across the street from the Police Station. He had on this long fur coat and he wore a process, and the cops thought he was a pimp. It was him, Paul Beasley, and Tommy Ellison's group, and we laughed for hours.
this was a bad group. i was 14 years old and was back stage with these guys at least 3 times. that was over 30 years ago. no picttures, no souvenirs, just the memory of listening at blair give instructions back stage before they went on and everybody listening attentively.
Tight back ground vocals, Jesse playing awesome chords on keys, Tito layng down fat bass runs, Bobo doing what he do with a thunderous sound on the drums and the awesome story telling and lead singing of one the greatest lead singers of all time can only mean, it is the Violionaires!!!
