Seldom can employees boast 40 years’ company seniority. Both Rick Haynes and Terry Clements can.

Not only that, bassist Rick and lead guitarist Terry have worked for the same boss – Mr. Gordon Lightfoot – for a combined 81 years’ tenure. Both were instrumental (pun intended) in polishing the legendary troubadour’s signature sound during the peak of his career.

Gordon knows, accept no substitutes. These stringbending siamese twins are still backing their boss and don’t show any signs of calling it quits. As long as an unstoppable Lightfoot keeps their fingers nimble by taking his show on the road, it’s likely we’ll see Rick and Terry performing at their respective diamond jubilees.

Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall 2011

Footnote: We got word late yesterday about Terry Clements’ untimely passing on Sunday, February 20. On behalf of Don and myself, our heartfelt condolences to the Clements family, Gordon Lightfoot and band, and all who loved him. May he rest peacefully.
– Mary Bieler, Webmaster

Like Alice says, he just “went through the Rolodex,” called some friends, and along with his wife Sheryl assembled a great batch of entertainment for tonight’s Christmas Pudding Show at the Comerica Theater in Phoenix. The event benefits the Solid Rock Foundation, which supports community educational, artistic and social programs for the area’s youth.

Have a listen to the interview to find out why every year the Christmas Pudding is cooked to perfection. Last minute tickets are still available via Live Nation.

Danny Seraphine’s autobiography comes out next week, his reflections on a twenty-some-odd-year career with Chicago back when they were “horny.”

We haven’t read the book yet, so we can’t influence your decision to do so by offering some obscure, snobby and abstract literary criticism nobody really understands but pretends to.

We’re going to read it solely based on our observation that in vintage band footage Danny always looks like he’s cranking on a toy drum kit. Cool guys don’t need to hide behind their equipment.

Would you buy a vintage mandolin from a Banana? How about one from a multi-instrumentalist and original member of an American band responsible for generations “Get(ting) Together?”

If you answered yes to either of the above, then read no further and head over to Players Vintage Instruments to place your order.

If you want to be sure where your heading before you click, rest assured it’s to Lowell Levinger, a.k.a. Banana, known for his association with the seminal folk band “The Youngbloods.” The group, fronted by singer/songwriter Jesse Colin Young, scored playlist favorites with “Get Together,” “Sunlight” and “Darkness, Darkness” between 1967-69. If you still don’t recall Banana, play the accompanying video and just look for the hair.

Original Buffalo Springfield members Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Richie Furay will re-unite to perform on both days of Young’s annual Bridge School Benefit Event at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA on October 23 + 24. It will be the first time the surviving original members (Dewey Martin †2009, Bruce Palmer †2004) perform together in public since 1968.

Tickets go on sale this Sunday via Livenation. Line-up and details at the Bridge School Site.