Cambridge Nightlife and Bonnie Raitt

I remember meeting Bonnie Raitt many years ago in Cambridge before she was a huge star. I was playing as one half of a duo in a local tavern called Jack's, before it became strictly a jazz club. It was a tough crowd, more interested in throwing peanut shells on the floor and ordering more beer than listening to music. It was the kind of place where I could step off the stage and some guy would wave me over to his table and try to order a round of drinks. The owner happened to love us though and gave us a regular night.

Bonnie Raitt walked in carrying her guitar, introduced herself and asked us if she could do a guest set. We were only too happy to oblige. She already had a reputation as a singer and guitarist. That night she had a few drinks but got up and did a fantastic set of singing and playing. When I said to her later that I just thought she was great she looked at me in all honesty and asked, “Do you really think so?” That did it for me. The rest of the night we sat and talked and played until closing time. Since then I’ve been a lifelong fan, not just of the singer, songwriter and guitarist but of the woman.

I doubt that Jack's bar is still there. Some of the people I used to know from those days have drifted into the fog, including people like Spider John Koerner, Reeve Little, Travis and Shook and Sweet Potato Pie. Wait, that was me.