Being my age, and being raised in East Texas, I'm just old enough to remember separate water fountains, schools, the 'back of the bus' days.
At a very early age, I just knew that segregation was wrong. When the waves of black music washed over me, from Motown to Duck's Stax/Volt era, Muscle Shoals, etc., it was even more obvious to me that I couldn't like the music but hate the players and creators.
I once heard an interview where Smokey Robinson said that he thought 'all those white kids at Motown tour shows, buying the records, listening to us on the radio' did more to end segregation than anything else, and I'd certainly agree with him.
I was/am a huge BT/MG's fan, and when, back then, I learned it was two white guys and two black guys, I was just amazed. Soul music had a huge effect on me, and the Duck Dunns and David Hoods are a big part of who I am as a player.
Duck and Steve and Booker all tell road stories of them being on the road and having to stay in either separate hotels, or Duck and Steve would stay with them at the 'colored-only' hotels. Same problem getting into diners, using the can at the gas station, you name it. Of course, they were traveling with Sam + Dave, or Rufus Thomas, or Otis, so maybe that helped . . .
Was a hoot to see them in the BB movies, and was glad a lot of people who aren't 'record jacket readers' like me finally got to see WHO played on those records, and hopefully they got paid better than 'double scale' !
So I don't miss that world, but gee do I miss that music, and I'll sure miss Duck Dunn.
J o e y
