“In Their Own Words” Bob Perry

South Florida Concert Memories

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

As a sales rep and record promoter for Henry Stone as well as Warner Elektra and Atlantic Records and owner of Blue Note Records Miami, I’ve seen some great shows in my 57-year career in the music business. Picking one, it must be Eric Clapton at the Hollywood Sportatorium 6~30~1982. I was a record promoter for WB and distributed Clapton’s Duck label and was comped a pair of tickets through Warner Bros. Knowing Clapton does not do any backstage meet and greets, I was there as a pure fan.

Billed as Eric Clapton and friends who turned out to be Gary Brooker (Procol Harum) Chris Stainton (Joe Cocker Grease Band) and Albert Lee (Chris Farlowe~Heads Hand & Feet) They performed all the chestnuts you would expect Lay Down Sally, Tulsa Time, Cocaine, Key to the Highway, Have You Ever Loved a Woman and Layla, which I had the privilege of hearing Duane and Eric record at Criteria as a guest of Tom Dowd in 1970 as the promotion rep for Atlantic/Atco my office on the second floor of Mac Emmerman’s Criteria Studios.

Halfway through the concert on stage who should appear unannounced but Muddy Waters. As they dove into Muddy’s “Blow Wind Blow”, it was nirvana for me. Next Muddy performed a soulful rendition of ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ then closed with ‘Further On Up The Road.’ I later found out firsthand from Scott Cameron (Muddy’s Manager) that this was his last performance. When Eric started the tour knowing Muddy had cancer, he just wanted Muddy to come along as his guest, not expecting Muddy to perform, but Muddy being Muddy deep down in Florida had other ideas. Having seen Muddy thru the 60’s at Newport as well the Agora in Hallandale December 8th, 1980, the night John Lennon died.

This Hollywood Sportatorium show is one I will never forget.

From Portland Maine: Started working for RCA records in 1968 in Portland warehouse pulling orders delivering and buying. Came to Miami to visit friend in 69 stayed and started working for Tone Distributors Hialeah (Henry Stone) Selling distribution buying and promotion working with Betty Wright Clarence Reid (Blowfly) Little Beaver Latimore George and Gwen McRae~ and Willie Clarke (Deep City~Alston Records). Left to become the 1st WEA promotional rep out of Miami’s Criteria studios (72) (Warner Bros. Elektra and Atlantic Records). Did weekends on the Magic Bus as Boston Bob WBUS. Worked as an indi record promoter for Heilicher Brothers in Opa Locka repping 60 independent labels. In 76 Clive Davis tapped me for his start up Arista label and i went back home to handle all of New England promotion out of Boston.Came back to Miami in 78 to set up my own independent record promotion firm. In 1984 i opened Blue Note Records in North Miami Beach, for the next 25 years with an amazing crew from Michael Dean (Yardbird) Leslie Wimmer (Open Books and Records) Lindell Trocard (Indi artist promoter) Turned 75, two weeks ago loving life in Hollywood Beach. Still buying collecting and spinning…’Follow your dreams’
Bob Perry