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Robert Lee's Discussions
Music Theory
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This is the perfect place to talk about music theory. Check out the attachment on the Voodo Blues Scale. Robert Lee
Tagged: theory, blues, guitar, fun
Started this discussion. Last reply by Robert Lee Apr. 14, 2008.
Robert Lee "Kicking Ass and Taking Names"
Profile Information
- About Me:
- Have been playing for 40 years, have studied with Joe Pass, Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli. Have played with Clarence (Gatemouth) Brown, Albert Collins, W.C. Clark, Long John Hunter, The Mighty Flyers. Currently teaching Blues and Modern Blues, Theory etc. at Cascade Community School of Music. While in Texas taught Guitar at the college level for 6 Years. Also just before moving to Bend I was on tour with the late Percy Strother we were scheduled to play at Buddy Guy's Club in Chicago later the summer Percy passed away.
Percy Strother, 58, on May 29 2005
Dear Friends, It is with great sadness that I want to inform you of the passing of the one and only Percy Strother. Percy, for my money one of the greatest blues musicians of our time, passed away Sunday, May 29 at 11:50 am. He was surrounded by his son and Roseanna, his wife of 35 years. I visited with Percy on Saturday at his home in Minneapolis. He was in quite a bit of pain but was still able to converse. When I told him that his music would last for hundreds of years he looked at me and said, “well, I ain’t done yet.” It is fitting to remember on this Memorial Day that he was a soldier until the end.
He did his last gig on April 15th at Famous Daves in Minneapolis. I was honored to sit in with him for the last few songs of his set. He arrived as usual, dressed to the nines. He looked about 35 lbs lighter than the last time I had seen him and before the set had told me that the doctors had just told him he had liver cancer. He told me before he went on, “ I can handle it and I am fine with it as well.” He played a wonderfully powerful solo set. He had his family and band in the audience. His lovely granddaughter Eboni came up to the stage during the set and said, “Grandpa play some blues, I have the blues!” Percy laughed, looked at her and said, “No, you are too young to have the blues. It is your Grandpa that has the blues.” He then went on to ask the audience if there was anything in particular they would like to hear and would be happy to dedicate a song to anyone with a birthday in the audience. He was a complete professional and powerful musician to the end.
I visited him in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. He sat up in the bed and we talked about many things, including his love of fishing. I remember when I called him a couple of years ago. He answered his cell phone and I could tell he was outside. It was in October in the evening and it was snowing and colder than hell. Percy was fishing on the shores of Lake Minnetonka waiting to get his limit of bass. I spoke with Curt Obeda (who Percy always called “OBedia”) and Curt told me a great story of running across Percy fishing by a creek in St. Paul dressed in his ever present hat, cape, and snakeskin boots. That was Percy, always looking like a million bucks.
At the hospital he was writing on a notepad. Percy had this wonderful penmanship and I noticed he was working on a blues number. He told me “I think this is one the people will really enjoy.” He was the consummate entertainer and even while bedridden was working on new material. This should be a lesson to the rest of us. Never give up and put the pleasure of others even ahead of our own pain.
He is survived by his wife Roseanna, four children (two boys and two girls), and four grandchildren. Percy was 58 years old.
Percy didn’t have health insurance. His wife took almost two months off work to care for him and, of course, he wasn’t able to do any gigs after April 15th. He was supposed to play at the Famous Dave’s Barbeque and Blues Fest on June 11th at Peavey Plaza. We will honor him by playing his music through the PA during his set. We will also be doing a Memorial gig for him on June 30th at Famous Dave’s (3001 Hennepin Av., 8pm, $5 minimum donation, show time 8pm)
We are also in the process of setting up a PO Box for donations, all of which will go to the Strother family to cover medical, funeral, and living expenses. We will have that information together tomorrow, at which time we will get all of you a formal press release. The family is in the process of making funeral arrangements.
I always told Percy he was like the big brother I never had. I loved him dearly and thought that that 900 lb voice of his was really a gift from God and truly the cat’s pajamas. He was one of the most hard working musicians I have ever met. He always arrived on time, played his ass off, gave 150%, and always looked really good while doing it.
I can honestly say, knowing Percy Strother was one of the true highlights of my life. Both as a musician and person, he was as good as it gets. I will never forget him. God Bless all of you on this Memorial Day and say a prayer for the GREAT Percy Strother.
Peace,
Paul Metsa
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Northside Bar and Grill
The Northside Bar and Grill supports the Blues!!!!!
Support the Northside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Support the Northside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on April 15, 2008 at 2:55pm — 4 Comments
Anybody Need Band Video's or DVD
Any Bands out there need professional video or dvd of their group. Let me know I own State of the Art camera's and editing equipment. Advertise your group to club owners,look professional, look like your worth more and you'll make more$$$$$$
Contact me--Robert Lee----Lets get Started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Contact me--Robert Lee----Lets get Started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 11:00pm —
Anybody like me to email a PDF file of the Voodo Blues Scale?
Send your email and I will send a copy
Robert Lee
Robert Lee
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments
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Did we kick ass last night?
Cause if we did, I forgot to take names.
I had a blast and I think we sounded pretty good.
Andy
Maggie told me she is totally into the class on Monday !!! I can't wait to get back with you in September. I'm working pretty hard on my lessons... and practicing with a new band. Hope to have a new blues song up on MySpace shortly. Where is the good jam? I'd love to show up and play a bit...
Barb
NEW! BLUES JAM
If you are not quite ready for the bar scene, here is your chance to try out your chops in a friendly environment. We'll learn a classic blues song each night, and work on solos, breaks, intros, endings and also touch on jam session etiquettte. Open to electric guitars, basses, drums, singers and keyboard players who can play "a little." Tuition $145
Instructor: Robert Lee
Mon - Fri Jul 21-25 7:30-9 pm
I know I'll make it through the gig! It's hell gettin' old.
On another note,I'd like to get with you on this symmetrical theory that Rich was talking about the other night,sounds real interesting.
Ok,take care...see you at the Northside.
bob
Like the new look on your page, Robert !
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