Fred and his wife Mary were always writing jokes backstage at every show we played with him! I loved the guy! His middle name Fred "funny" Willard! Early in 1978, I was playing with the James Quill Smith Band. ( James was a former guitarist for John Mayall. Christian Mostert played keys, sax and flute with Dewayne Querico on drums )

Later that year, we performed on ABC's Midnight Special, played in L.A. and toured California, Chicago and the Midwest.
We were paid to open the show, back him up on a few songs and laugh at his jokes! What a special time!