• From: Indiana
  • Registered: 2008-01-08
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Great Joe Memories

My buddies and I are huge Joe fans. Once we heard about his show coming to Muncie we hit the road gathering friends from Indiana State University, University of Indianapolis, and Ball State University. We arrived at the show late and additionally took the long way around Emens Auditorium to find ourselves outside Joe’s bus. Inside Joe was talking with his guest harmonica player for the night (I believe he’s from the Clayton Miller Band), and outside we were jumping with excitement and waving at one of our favorite musicians. Inside the bus they looked up to see a herd of goofy college guys flaring their arms and acting like fools. My guitarist began to try and lift his sweater to show his Joe Bonamassa t-shirt underneath. To Joe it must have looked like a group of excited dudes with a tall goofy guy struggling to lift his shirt over his head. Joe and his friend didn’t move – they only stared. They eventually waved to us and we continued our walk to the turnstile. We may have missed the opening act but picked up a great memory. I can only imagine what they were thinking when they saw us crazy kids outside their bus, “We locked the door, right?”

I invite others to post their memorable stories about Joe. I know I’ve got a few…

Experience the blues

onesidelater's Website

  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Great Joe Memories

Hi onesidelater..Thanks for the story..I could really see it....I can't begin to tell you how pleased we "old folk" are to hear about a group of college guys into Joe. Since you mentioned being a band that may explain why..We know Joe is a musician's musician!! I'm sure Joe has seen lots worse, lol, and had it been after the show you may well have had a chance to meet him! Welcome to Joe world, You're going to have fun..Read the show reviews and get ready for the reviews to begin anew at the end of the month. YEAH!!!! Cathy

  • From: Heading west on 80....
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 864

Re: Great Joe Memories

Been racking my brain on this one since the topic was posted. Seriously hard to narrow down to something small enough to post, and that won't embarrass any of the involved parties. We literally have dozens of these. Most are not fit to be mentioned in the forum, out of respect to all the people involved. It would be hard to change the names to protect the innocent....lol.

One memory that made me smile when I was thinking back to the first Joe show that we promoted. It was in November, and Joe was to do a couple of Blues in the School presentations, then load in, soundcheck, & show.

After I picked him up at the hotel, I asked him if he was hungry and he said yes he was. When I asked him what he would enjoy, he told me to take him to McDonald's for some chicken nuggets. Sure enough we went in and Joe had some nuggets while I sat there thinking that I couldn't believe that I was treating JB to chicken nuggets. We laughed about it, and I swore him to secrecy as I didn't want anyone to think that it was my idea to feed JB chicken nuggets.......

Happy Meal!

PC

cool

“A friend is someone that will help you move............a TRUE friend will help you move the bodies." -- anon
  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Great Joe Memories

A couple of memories I still get a chuckle out of:



Surf Ballroom 09/08/07

I had made Joe his own personalized "Sloe Gin" bottle.  After examining the label, he inquired if it was a real bottle of Sloe Gin and had it already been opened.  Yes, it was real and no it hadn't been opened.  So he twists the cap off, takes a swig, and PUCKERS!!!!!!!
And exclaims, "My God, that is awful, tastes like medicine."   



Elgin,IL  05/05/07


My pal Photogal (Rhonda) & I had had previous conversations about Joe boxer shorts with hot peppers on them.  Well, while we're tailgating with Michael Lynch, Bill S, Nancy & hubby, Melissa & Nico& my sister prior to the show in the parking lot, Rhonda gives me a pair of Joe boxer shorts with hot peppers on them.  I was "encouraged" to try them on so I put them on over my jeans.  I was dared to wear them inside, but I did not.  So after the show I had my sister holding some of my stuff, while I was talking to Joe.  In the meantime, someone (I think my sister) tosses the Joe boxers at Joe.  He catches and says, "Oh lovely." and then someone says, "Patty had those on earlier!"  Joe's jaw dropped and he laughed and I was able to say, "Over my jeans."  It was a good chuckle.

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184
  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: Great Joe Memories

I got one for you all. Last memorial Day weekend a good friend of mine went with me to see Joe @ The Nugget in Sparks, Nv. This was my first meeting with Shred who came with his brother and two other buddies. We had seats right at Joe's feet at the edge of the stage, I literally had to move my elbow so Joe could teeter right on the edge as he ripped some of his solo's. As he was doing this at one point Shred's buddy, who was pretty well lubricated, yells out Johnny B. Johnny B. and Joe who couldn't help but hear him looks down with a rather perplexed look, like you talkin' to me??? I look over at Shred and he's about to crawl under the table as I lean over to his friend and tell him it's Joe B. to which he replies OH!. After the show Shred and his brother got to meet and greet with Joe and Shred tried to apologize for his friend and all Joe said was aw, don't sweat it. I guess he understands in his line of work it takes all kinds.

                                                                                             Thinkin' Jan. 31st

                                                                                             J Dawg

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint

6 Reply by Jaci (edited by Jaci 2008-01-10 15:15:25)

  • Jaci
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Re: Great Joe Memories

The slap on the butt was really all Roy's fault - if he hadn't given Joe that gorgeous
Packer jersey two nights before  I never would have reacted to the Yankees jersey -
I just though Joe should have it on, being in Wisconsin and all. So Roy I only have
you to blame for this.  Not asking Joe to eat with us however is my fault - I usually
have better manners - guess I was just star struck.  But I did apologize to him later
that night.  Don't worry - I will be on my best behavior in California- ya right !
Gee's Brett is always slapping people on the butt - no one yells at him !
Jaci

Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind.  Mick Jagger

7 Reply by dknight16 (edited by dknight16 2008-01-10 18:28:31)

  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: Great Joe Memories

My favorite memory is from the Cleveland HOB show from 2007.  Joe was doing his typical aftershow meet and greet.  Despite the long line, he took delight in talking to my 2 teenage children I brought to the show.  He spent a full 5 minutes talking to them about the show, their musical interests, and other outside interests (my daughter is a skilled violinist, and my son is an accomplished martial artist).  I think he made them fans for life.  He made me proud to be a fan too.

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster
  • Jaci
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Re: Great Joe Memories

My favorite Joe moment was June 14th, 2003 in Manitowoc WI.
A whole day of music outside in a beautiful park with Joe headlining.
I only wish I had recorded that show..... but at least I got some pictures.
Jaci

Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind.  Mick Jagger
  • From: Connecticut
  • Registered: 2007-11-19
  • Posts: 254

Re: Great Joe Memories

I HAVE A COUPLE. IT WAS 2 YEARS AGO AND ME AND MY GFRIEND  PAM WERE DOING ONE OF THOSE 3 SHOWS IN 4 NIGHT ROAD TRIPS. (new haven,boston,wawrick)WE ATE DINNER IN NEW HAVEN AND TOOK A WALK TO CUTLER'S MUSIC.WE WALK IN AND PAM SAYS "HEY THERES JOE." I START LOOKING FOR HIS CD AND SHE SAYS "NO OVER THERE." HE WAS AT THE COUNTER AND WE ASKED WHAT HE BOUGHT. HE SAID HE GOT JETHRO TULL etc. SO IN BOSTON WE WERE SITTING IN HOTEL LOBBY AND HE WALKED BY LOOKED OVER STOPPED AND WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO COME OVER AND TALK TO US. SAD NEVER SEE HIM IN A PLACE THAT SMALL AGAIN! LITERALLY 2 FEET AWAY!

"Is it the new blues mobile or what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                     "Fix the cigarette lighter."

10 Reply by Shredit (edited by Shredit 2008-01-12 02:03:38)

  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 3,742

Re: Great Joe Memories

ohiodawg13 wrote:

I got one for you all. Last memorial Day weekend a good friend of mine went with me to see Joe @ The Nugget in Sparks, Nv. This was my first meeting with Shred who came with his brother and two other buddies. We had seats right at Joe's feet at the edge of the stage, I literally had to move my elbow so Joe could teeter right on the edge as he ripped some of his solo's. As he was doing this at one point Shred's buddy, who was pretty well lubricated, yells out Johnny B. Johnny B. and Joe who couldn't help but hear him looks down with a rather perplexed look, like you talkin' to me??? I look over at Shred and he's about to crawl under the table as I lean over to his friend and tell him it's Joe B. to which he replies OH!. After the show Shred and his brother got to meet and greet with Joe and Shred tried to apologize for his friend and all Joe said was aw, don't sweat it. I guess he understands in his line of work it takes all kinds.

                                                                                             Thinkin' Jan. 31st

                                                                                             J Dawg

Yeah...man I wanted to crawl in a hole and die...I knew I would be introduced after the show to Joe for the first time...here i got this friend acting the fool...on top of that i had this big black shiner where I was in an automobile accident the day before...did someone say first impressions are important?...well I'm sure Joe was not very happy about the whole situation. Once again Joe..." I apologize for that and any other grief I may have caused"....wheres that hole at sad ?

Dave

  • From: Heading west on 80....
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 864

Re: Great Joe Memories

bump.

More of you have to have great Joe memories to share. This is a neat topic and we'd love to hear more.

“A friend is someone that will help you move............a TRUE friend will help you move the bodies." -- anon
  • jim m
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: Great Joe Memories

Reading Joe's recent NAMM report triggered a memory from the first show I had in OKC with Joe and spawned marked the first time I heard this often used Joe quote.

It was November 2003 and Joe had just finished his tour opening for Peter Frampton. I believe the tour finished in Seatle on a Thursday. The Friday show was canceled because Peter was Ill. They were driving a rental van and deadheaded it in straight through to Oklahoma. I had some appearances scheduled over the weekend including a radio show broadcast on Sunday. Four Blues in the schools on Monday and Tuesday and a show Tuesday night.

I think we had gotten about five hours sleep total in five days and the last BITS peformance was for 8:00am day of show. I picked up Joe at the hotel who was looking like I felt. I said somthing about I hope you can make it to the show tonight to which he replied. "oh don't worry about me I'll sleep when I'm dead."

That has been a typical response through the years whenever there has been a tight promotional schedule. Always willing to go the extra mile to help promote the shows. That is when I realized Joe is not only an exceptional talent but a driven individual who would no doubt succeed in whatever career path he would of chosen. He just happens to love to play the guitar.

jim m's Website

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Great Joe Memories

Yes Jim.  I felt that just from the first show I ever saw in West Palm Beach.

http://bigjeffjones.wordpress.com/2007/ … ick-bogie/

I wasn't even sure what it was but I called it professionalism.  Hope was the emotion.

Muchlove
Jeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Great Joe Memories

Wow! There are quite a few for me. The one that stands out in my mind happened at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake, IL. in May of 2006.
For a while, Joe's live version of Walk in My Shadow included an ending where Joe would sing "when I get you in my shadow baby..." and then he would pause and ask the audience if anyone knew the ending. First off, I am barely able to carry a tune. Second, I am certainly not comfortable singing in front of 500 people.
That said, Joe was in MY home town and was asking for the third time without any response. Let's just say that the something took over my body and I sang out ..."I'm gonna give you what's in store"! I guess I couldn't let Joe leave town thinking nobody here even knows the words to a song that had been a staple of his shows for a long time.
Anyway, Joe chuckled and said "That's not bad, but that guy's gonna have a sore throat for a week! That's how he did it, now here's how I do it". Then Joe sang his version (which was slightly better than mine).
My wife swears that I sang in perfect pitch that night.
After the show, I was getting my ticket stub signed and told Joe that I thought my throat was gonna be just fine. Joe just grinned and said "That was you?!" and "Not bad" or something to that effect.
It's a memory I'll never forget...the night Joe Bonamassa and I sang a song together in front of 500 people.
It reminds of a quote from former Chicago Bull Stacy King: "I will forever remember this game as the night that Michael Jordan and I combined to score 64 points". (Jordan had 63 points and Stacy scored 1).

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

15 Reply by susan (edited by susan 2008-01-20 20:50:01)

  • susan
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  • From: Lake Mary, FL/USA
  • Registered: 2006-11-08
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Re: Great Joe Memories

This is a cool topic.  I've seen Joe 5 times and met hime 3.  Each of the 3 times I've talked to him are nice memories for me.  But, I honestly can't decide my favorite Joe memory.  Jacksonville was the first time I met Joe.  Ken and I were there with another couple.  I am usually very shy.  Honestly, I am.  But, my girlfriend isn't and  she insisted we kiss Joe, Mark & Bogie on the cheek that night, which we did.  Sorry guys, that was not my idea.

Then in San Luis Obispo, CA, Joe had posted to me on this forum that he would get my friend's underage son into the Downtown Brewery (a 21+ club) to see him play. He told me to come by the bus and someone would walk us in.  Joe was at dinner when we came by, but his guitar tech (Dave, I think... so nice!!!) took my cell number and someone called me back  a little later.  Didn't hear the phone (missed call) , but Ken(my boyfriend) and I had already managed to get him in the club. Joe asked me after the show how it went and went on to say that he believed a 19 year old that could serve our country had a right to be in that club. (or something to that effect).  I was really touched by his concern.

Then, in Tampa, I brought a brown envelope to the show containing a couple of cd covers and a photo taken of Joe and me sitting on the stage after the San Luis Obispo show. I was hoping to get it signed.  Before the show, I ran into Roy Weisman (Joe's manager and a great guy).  He volunteered to take the envelope to Joe and gave it back to me after the show.  Roy also told me to come out and say  Hello to Joe after the show. So, we did and Ken and I had another photo taken with him.  When I got back to the hotel room, I opened the envelope and Joe had signed everything.  He signed the photo.  "Hi Susan, You Rock!!!  Joe Bonamassa".  That photo is now framed and sitting in our music room.

Anyway, there you go.  Those are some of my Great Joe Memories, so far...

C'mon, keep this thread going. I want to know your great "Joe" memory.  Who's next? 

Susan cool

"Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding"