18 karat Gold
Mushroom
Pendant
& "Porkchop" Fender Jazz Bass
The
Story: Michael
Braun suggested to Gregg one night, that he should go to see
Bacchus to check out a bassplayer at a night club in St. Pete
in early 1973. And so they did! After the gig, while Gregg,
Michael and I were riding home across Gandy Bridge in his
limosine, he handed this pendant to me and asked if I'd join
his band. This is some time after Berry Oakley had died in
a motorcycle accident. Michael, Jimmy Hendrix' costume designer,
as well as Greggs' and many others, had ignited a flame! Gregg
imediately flew me to Macon, first for his wedding, where
we also colaborated on his stereo tape recorder in his living
room. The next day we flew to NYC and sat together in the
studio during sessions for his solo album, "Laid Back".
Many new experiences took place in New York City, some great
times,and some a bit alarming to me! So eventually I opted
to tour with the New Cactus Band and the Allman Brothers Band
added bassist Lamar Williams.
Some
History:
The New Cactus Band, led by Duane Hitchings, released one album (Son
Of Cactus) and featured nobody of the original Cactus. Mike Pinera,
formerly of Blues Image and Iron Butterfly, came in on guitar, along
with Roland Robinson on bass and Jerry Norris on drums. The band then
toured live in the Midwest and on the East Coast in mid 1973 with
Captain Beyond drummer Bobby Caldwell and former Gregg Allman bass
player Charlie Souza.
Wikipedia.com
Cactus did a record promo event for WKBO.(right to left) Duane Hitchings,
Charlie Souza, a somewhat bemused Todd Rundgren, Bobby Caldwell,The
WKBO staff pic – along with Rockin’ Rick Shockley (lower
left), Harry Chapin (lower right), together with son Josh and Airlift
Proprietor Micheal Ziants as John St. John, and Mike Pinera kneeling
(left) #RockinPeaceHarryChapin
