Goin’ waaay back today my friends… all the way back to Saturday June 20th, 1987!
It turned out to be a perfect day for the season’s first Toronto Blues Society BBQ. Taking over the patio of the infamous (and now defunct) Hotel Isabella was a virtual who’s who of local blues talent, donating their time and considerable skills to help give back to the TBS. Sitting amongst the jam packed line-up was a barely twenty-one year old Jeff Healey on acoustic guitar (and vocals) accompanied by his old friend, local blues legend and fellow record collector, Steven C. Barr on harp and vocals.
This recently unearthed sixteen-and-a-half minute gem features the pair, tearing through an acoustic set that included the Robert Johnson classic ‘Phonograph Blues‘, the Tampa Red tune ‘Tight Like That‘, and an unreleased Jeff Healey original, ‘The Mean Old Low Down Blues‘ (aka ‘Worn Out Blues‘). Beer, blues and bad puns were flowin’ steadily and this vid does a beautiful job of capturing this magic moment in time…
Yet again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to JH superfan, László Kaszás for sharing with us from his great collection!
Enjoy!
Rog
It didn’t seem to matter to Jeff whether it was an acoustic or electric guitar – it still talked when he played it!
Great post Rog.
Oh by the way I have an old friend here in Spain who knew Jeff, the great blues harmonica player Juan Blas Becerra!
Cheers,
Graham.
Jeff brought something new and special to the blues. Watch them fingers! RIP.
Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed much!
Thanks for sharing, Rog – wow this is great. Quality is wonderful and is way better than what an iPhone could capture!
I’m on the Executive of the TBS, and have been active there since Day 1. I remember the event well, and was nice to see a reference to Steven C after all these years- he sure was a character.
You don’t know me, but I used to perform occasionally at these events, and if I’m not mistaken, this particular BBQ as well. Believe it or not, I too, performed with Jeff at this event – I was on piano and Jeff was on cornet, or maybe French horn. We had a singer – maybe Marva Jackson, and one of the songs we did was From Four Until Late – another Robert Johnson standard. How’s that for going to way back when. I sure remember Jeff then – he was always so supportive of our events and I loved his radio show too. Thanks again for getting this out there!
For what it’s worth, I don’t know Laszlo, but if he’s been documenting performances, I have my own Super 8 footage of blues events from the 70s, including the great blues festival on the Island – definitely the best blues event that’s ever come to town here. 🙂
Jon
Wonder what became of Steven C? I last saw him with the Red Rockets and my ex band mate Peter Novar on bass. Memories.
Hey Frank! From ’88 to ’91-ish I managed Steven C & the Red Rockets (including Peter Novar!) Apparently, Steven is living in Oshawa now and doing fine. Haven’t seen Pete in 6 years… ~Rog
I don’t know if anyone still monitors or visits this site, but I am Steve C.’s niece and my family is looking for information or to talk with people who know of him and what happened to him.
Hi Andrea.
I sent you an email.
All the best,
Rog
Hi Rog,
Thanks so much for digging this out of the archives and sharing it. I often saw Jeff and Steven C and the Red Rockets at Chicagos on Queens St. W in the 80’s. In fact, seeing them play together is one of my fondest memories. I’ve been living in Asia since 1989 (Hong Kong, Singapore and now Taiwan) and unfortunately, during one of my home moves I lost my only recording of Steven C and the Red Rockets (his 43rd and Queen cassette.) That music was part of my youth. Do you have any idea how I could locate another cassette or CD (if one was made?)
Alternatively, do you know how I could contact Steven? I’ve found some Oshawa contact details for him on the web but none of them work.
Thanks again
Harold Mandel
I sent you an email Harold. Thanks for reaching out! ~Rog
This is just Great to find out this blog , I used to go to Queen’s street and enjoy Steven’s music and Jeff’s company and then Jeff’s concerts and the far 1988 and became friends! I then I met Jeff in tournée in Milan some years later and then I list traces of both! I heard the sad needs about Jeff’s death but I don’t know anything more about Steven and the red rockets , who can give me some information about them? Is he still playing music? Where does he live?? I really would be happy to know this…
Hi Beatrice! Unfortunately, the last I heard Steven was not in the best of health. As far as I know he’s been retired from playing music for some time… I actually used to manage Steven C & the Red Rockets in the late 80s into the early 90s. Lots of great memories… ~Rog