Carl Perkins Tour

Now, this was an event I had been waiting for. In 1981 I was somewhat obsessive about NRBQ. I mean, I still love them dearly but back then, the 'Q' was my priority over just about anything. I was young, in college, childless. . . y'know, FREE!!! School was just my cover, lol, as most weeks I would take off way before friday's official start of the weekend and go to gig after gig! When it became official that the boys were gonna do this mini-tour with Carl Perkins, I knew where I was gonna be;-) Unfortunately, my memory, as far as dates and locations are concerned, is a bit rusty. I remember the opening gig taking place in a college cafeteria in Mass. 4Star Combo (Johnny Spampinato's band from way back) was the opening act. . .they used to do this smokin' rendition of "Boom, Boom. . .Out Go The Lights"!! I was seeing them pretty regularly around then and was friendly with all those guys as well. In fact, at the last 'Q' gig at the Ironhorse, I ran into one of the guys. I hadn't seen him in well over 14 years! Amazing that I've known some of the people associated with the 'Q' for nearly 20 years! Funny, I don't feel *that* much older :-)

4 Star Combo: Johnny, Phil, aka Boathead, Matt & Matt (photo: Abe Perlstein)

I was really excited over this whole little Carl Perkins tour. I had left school on a Tuesday in order to be able to see the whole thing. They played in MA.(2 Shows), CT. (New Haven and Hartford area), and another gig in I think the RI-MA. border. If anyone has a better memory than me (that would be any of you reading this:-) please feel free to correct me!! Anyway, after the first show I got to meet Mr. Perkins and his sons. Talk about down-home friendly! I got to speak with Carl Perkins each night after the shows. In Hartford he even told us about recording he had done in Monseurat (sp?) with Paul McCartney. Did that ever come out?

Needless to say, the tour was one of those great times that usually don't come around too often. The band played with Carl and he did some stuff with his band as well. It ended in New Haven at Toad's Place, where Skeeter Davis joined them on stage for a sweet rendition of "End of the World" ! Fun was had by all.



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