Random Rock Encounters, Part 2: The O'Jays and Me.

O.K., technically not a rock encounter, but an R & B/Pop encounter nonetheless. My late best friend Jigger and I were heading to Vegas back in the early '90's. You've got to remember that back in the day I went through quite the Motown/Philly Sound phase and was pretty knowledgable about a lot of the groups of that genre. I'm still an unabashed fan. Anyway, Jiggs and I had a few Bloody Marys while waiting for our flight out of C-Bus (it was an early flight, so breakfast was in order) and I was feeling quite chipper if you will. We'd been in the air for about half an hour when I thought I recognized a guy a couple of rows in front of me as one of the O'Jays. Eddie Levert, in fact. What the hell, I thought. I went up and sat by him (keep in mind there were only about 30-people on the plane). Sure enough, it was Levert and the rest of the group along with about eight roadies sitting here and there. Being a tad tipsy (and by tipsy I mean smashed) I started singing "Love Train" and begging the guys to join in. Long story short, in a few minutes all three O'Jays were singing backup to yours truly on lead vocal. One of the guys (Walter Williams possibly) actually got up in the aisle and was doing the dance moves as I stood and sang beside him. Surreal. About halfway through I forgot the words and Levert took over. I then attempted to join the guy dancing but failed miserably to the delight of the crowd. Anyway, I then took a theatrical bow with the O'Jays as the crowd went wild (at least in my mind). I believe I even followed up by trying to start a rousing rendition of "Backstabbers" but my moment had passed. The group got off at our stopover in Minneapolis, we shook hands all around, and they went on their way. To this day I can't watch that Coors commercial and hear "Love Train" without getting a big grin on my face. If only camera phones were in existence back then. Damn.

By the way, my buddies The O'Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. I wonder if they remember me . . .

True story.