House was a contemporary of Charley Patton and Tommy Johnson. Robert Johnson was a few years younger and learned to play from these older guys. I saw Son House live in 1969. I was only 17 and I had trouble fully appreciating this old dude with highly percussive guitar style and deep -- almost indecipherable -- voice. I've got almost all his original stuff from 1930. I'd give anything to see him again today when I'd fully appreciate him.
A couple of years ago I had a chance meeting with a semi-famous guy in the blues world who was House's manager when he was rediscovered during the early 60s folk revival. He told me a great story:
The Rolling Stones were on TV (Shindig?) in 64 or 65. They refused to play unless Howlin' Wolf was also on the bill. My acquaintance heard that Wolf was filming the show in New York and took House to the studio. It was the first time Wolf and House had seen each other in many (20?) years. They embraced and entered into a long talk about old times. One of the Stones noticed the two talking and asked someone about the old guy talking to Wolf. He was told it was Son House. The Stone's eyes grew wide and he said "Wow, man, that's the guy who taught Robert Johnson to play the guitar."
At this point, the storyteller turned to me and said: "And do you know which Stone it was?" He was somewhat surprised when I said "Brian." He looked at me a little more closely and said "Nobody gets that right. You know your stuff." I don't mean to brag by repeating this, but this guy is someone for whom I have tremendous respect and I admit that made my day.
Spike
