From MRK7421@aol.com Sun Mar 18 08:00:17 2012
Subject:Bill Champlin ( was Chicago etc.etc.)

During the late 60's, The Sons of Champlin were certainly one of the most
musically progressive bands on the west coast or anywhere else. Bill
Champlin's song writing talent was on par with anyone and he was also a
great singer, B-3 player and guitarist who took many solos on the Son's
recordings.

A lot of musicians I knew idolized these guys. They were taking the game to
a new level as there were many jazz influences in their music. I personally
dreamed about playing with musicians of this caliber and in 1974, I got my
chance.

The Sons of Champlin had just played a gig in Eugene Oregon where I lived.
I had been hired to play an after gig party for them, in a band that was
led by a legendary jazz saxophonist who lived in Eugene named Sonny King.

As our jazz group was playing their set, some of the Sons members wandered
in to the party and were shooting pool and mixing with various people in
the room.I spotted Bill Champlin and Terry Haggerty (guitarist in the
group) and wondered if we might be able to get them to play a little bit.

I approached Bill after our set and asked if he and some of the other band
members might like to join us. He said yes without hesitation, and I was
really excited about finally being able to play with this guys.

Anyway Bill and Terry sat down to join us when we went back up to play.
About a minute into the music we heard " BAM BAM BAM " at the front door.
Police! Oh my god..... there must have been a ton of drugs in that house!
Naive as I was, I tried BEGGING with the police to let us keep playing.

Bill grabbed me immediately and told me to chill, and we would wait for the
cops to leave and then play more softly. Which is exactly what happened. We
started back up 20 minutes later and our jam session lasted into the wee
hours.

Later in 1989 I had the pleasure of working with Bill and guitarist Buzzy
Feiten at The Monterey Aquarium at a private party for California Attorneys
for Criminal Justice. They had the funds to hand pick the band and I was
lucky to be on that gig .... those were the days!

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