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Recollections of Jimi Hendrix and so much more!
Introduction: In a period spanning the early '60's to the late '70's, he was involved with a virtual who's who of giants in Rock and Folk music. Folks like Fred Neil, Jimi Hendrix and John Sebastian he counted as close, personal friends and musical collaborators. From those musical and personal associations have arisen some CLASSIC songs ("Friends", "The Love's Still Growing")and recordings ("Drifting", where Buzzy's brilliant vibraphone playing is featured). Buzzy has a soon to be released documentary in the works, and is currently writing his autobiography ("Doctor's Orders"). Due to health problems (glaucoma and degeneration of both knees, aggravated by TWO auto accidents) he has been primarily home-bound for the last several years. Nonetheless, he remains an active force: creating an internet company ("Buzzart") and in the last several years has been a high profile lobbyist for the right to medical use of marijuana in California. He graciously took time from his busy schedule to allow me the pleasure-no, the DELIGHT-of interviewing him from his home in Berkeley, California. This is part I of a three-part interview.
Shirley: So Buzzy, how would you best describe yourself? Buzzy: I used to be funny and that has it's own quiet effect. I'm a guy who USED to be funny, and tries to do it! It's kinda quaintly, hysterically charming! Shirley: Ha! So tell me about how you met Jimi! Buzzy: The meeting of the Hendrix! Ta da ta da da! It was more just how did I first EXPERIENCE Jimi! And it's very, very beautiful and indicative of this guy and the excitement that he caused EVERYWHERE he went when he played! My bass player and I were headed to the Cafe Au Go Go – as we ALL are still of course in life really, aren't we — were headed there to pick up our drum and cymbal stands. At that time my band "The Seventh Sons" would play there quite often-perhaps several times a month-opening for these other great acts! At this time, Jimi Hendrix had a band-we're talking about 1966 or so. But because Jimi had NOT yet gone to England to record in order to return and be "discovered" in his own country of origin, he wasn't yet famous. So as we approached the Cafe Au Go Go on Bleeker Street(in Greenwich Village)a person came RUNNING out of the club, as EXCITED as I think I've ever seen anybody! He was looking to grab the first person he could find, and insist that they go downstairs and hear this guy (Jimi) playing guitar! Of course NONE of us had heard of him at the time. So this guy turned out to be one of the more important drummers in the history of Rock and Jazz-a fella called "Muruga". Muruga, whose name originally was Stevie Bookfitch. He was named "Muruga" – which means "The Swan"-by one of the more famous gurus who came from India to this country, I forget WHICH one! This guru named him "Muruga" at Woodstock, when he played hand drums behind Tim Hardin. He (Muruga) turned out to be a fella that YEARS later I co-formed and executed a group with for about 2 1/2 years, during which we wrote and recorded about 260 songs-some of which we're beginning to release RIGHT NOW! (Buzzy takes a pause, then speaks off in the distance) Are you saying something to me, Stan? (inaudible voice responds). Are you calling me? What are you telling Kirk Douglas now? Okay, be STILL Kirk! Be still my beating Kirk! Shirley: (laughs) Buzzy: We've been watching AMC! Shirley: Aren't they GREAT! Buzzy: Yeah, EXCEPT that it used to be one that DIDN'T have commercials! NOW they can take a 2½ hour movie and make it a FIVE! Now if you wanna just clean the house you have PLENTY of time! Shirley: (laughs) |
