Blues in the '80s

So that means the blues has a place in the '80s - if anyone doubted it, that is. The ZM guy has been shouldering his way in front of the rest of us. "And in ten minutes, after this ad for more music, less commercials, we'll have an exclusive interview with John Mayall, Father of the Blues."

It is near the end of the 48-gig tour, and Mayall is getting sick of repeating facts which should be in the press release. At the conference, our job is to show you're interested in him beyond the handouts - "Tell us about your time in the Korean War, John" - without being too dumb - "Is it true you posed nude for Hustler magazine, John?"

We moved on to the other members of the band, Maggie Parker, backing vocalist, was sitting beside Soko Richardson, the drummer, and Larry Taylor, Mayall's longtime bassist.

Maggie is a slim, blonde, classic Californian. Her conversation perked up when she heard James Quill-Smith, the lead guitarist, talking about Marilyn Monroe. Maggie has been with Mayall for 2½ years, after meeting him through Harvey Mandel. Both she and Mandel, who played guitar for Mayall in the early '70s, come from Chicago.

Soko Richardson, the black drummer in the band, comes from Louisiana. Resting in a panama hat and beautiful leather jacket and boots, he seems nostalgic for the South - "yeah, I miss Louisiana.... and Alabama. I like going back there, you know? Mississippi, Georgia ..."

"Always on your mind, huh?" I say.