Saturday, March 8, 2003 - Canned Heat & Peter Green Splinter Group at Rudolph's

Rudolph's an der Rennbahn
Krefeld, Germany
Saturday, March 8, 2003

I was sitting on the sidelines on this rare Saturday night off! But the vantage point from the sidelines was pretty damn amazing! Rob Orlemans and I, accompanied by Rob's tour manager Ton de Blank, took a short drive from Tiel, Nederland to Krefeld, Germany to catch Canned Heat and The Peter Green Splinter Group.

What an amazing evening! The guys from Canned Heat graciously invited us backstage. I had a great opportunity to hear first hand about harp player Stan Behrens' years touring with Ruth Brown.

To see Peter Green perform has long been a dear aspiration of mine, but to actually meet him and be able to talk to him backstage was a thrill beyond words. I'm still grinning from ear to ear.

For those of you who might not have grown up addicted to the blues, as I was, Peter Green is commonly hailed as one of England's greatest blues guitarists. He replaced Eric Clapton in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac in 1967. He authored Fleetwood Mac's first hits, including Albatross, Oh Well, and Black Magic Woman, later to become a signature track for Santana. Following his departure from Fleetwood Mac in 1970, he lived through many challenges. It's a powerful blessing that he is touring and performing today, again giving pleasure to so many fans throughout the world.

The view of Canned Heat from the back of Rudolph's. From the side of the stage. Canned Heat's Dallas Hodge, Stan Behrens and me. I'm still wearin' that smile! Me and "Doctor" John Paulus of Canned Heat. John is a dangerous Strat slinger! The second hardest working man in show business (second only to James Brown)... Canned Heat crew member Andy Wendorff.

Peter Green, founding member of Fleetwood Mac, with Rob Orlemans, the feisty guitarist for Dutch blues-rockers Half Past Midnight. Me with Peter Green and Hans Zabienski, Half Past Midnight's agent in Germany. The view from behind Peter's rack of guitars. Damn! Where's that telephoto lens!

Peter Green coming off stage after a great show at Rudolph's in Krefeld, Germany. Dallas Hodge of Canned Heat talking to Peter Green, obscured by Peter's guitar technician. Ton, Rob, me, Dallas and Larry Tolfree, drummer for Peter Green Splinter Group. Me with Regi holding up her new Chicago Mike CD. Regi was the on site representative from Ruf Records, Canned Heat's European label. A great view of the entire Peter Green Splinter Group signing autographs after the show. From left to right, drummer Larry Tolfree, guitarist and vocalist Nigel Watson, bassplayer Pete Stroud, keyboardist Roger Cotton, and Peter Green.

Peter, flanked by keyboardist Roger Cotton on his right and a dangerous lookin' big guy on his left.


The view of Canned Heat from the back of Rudolph's.	From the side of the stage.	Canned Heat's Dallas Hodge, Stan Behrens and me. I'm still wearin' that smile!	Me and "Doctor" John Paulus of Canned Heat. John is a dangerous Strat slinger!	The second hardest working man in show business (second only to James Brown)... Canned Heat crew member Andy Wendorff.

Peter Green, founding member of Fleetwood Mac, with Rob Orlemans, the feisty guitarist for Dutch blues-rockers Half Past Midnight.	Me with Peter Green and Hans Zabienski, Half Past Midnight's agent in Germany.	The view from behind Peter's rack of guitars.		Damn! Where's that telephoto lens!

Peter Green coming off stage after a great show at Rudolph's in Krefeld, Germany.	Dallas Hodge of Canned Heat talking to Peter Green, obscured by Peter's guitar technician.	Ton, Rob, me, Dallas and Larry Tolfree, drummer for Peter Green Splinter Group.	Me with Regi holding up her new Chicago Mike CD. Regi was the on site representative from Ruf Records, Canned Heat's European label.	A great view of the entire Peter Green Splinter Group signing autographs after the show. From left to right, drummer Larry Tolfree, guitarist and vocalist Nigel Watson, bassplayer Pete Stroud, keyboardist Roger Cotton, and Peter Green.

Peter, flanked by keyboardist Roger Cotton on his right and a dangerous lookin' big guy on his left.