RIP Max Roach

I could be accused of name dropping to say I knew Max Roach, the great jazz drummer who just passed away at 83. But I did. At least I met him a couple of times. It’s so long ago, it’s amazing I still remember, but then, why wouldn’t I? He was Max Roach – a legend in his time, with Kenny Clarke and Art Blakey, the man who brought bebop to the drums or vice-versa.

In those days, circa 1960, I was dabbling at the drums myself and taking lessons from a slightly older white Jewish boy named Steve Gordon who knew Max. He took me to meet Max where the drum legend was playing… I think it was Birdland, because I was way underage and they allowed early teens in then. I don’t have a vivid memory of the club… but I do have a vivid memory of Max… and of his girl friend/wife (can’t recall which she was at that point) who was with him – singer Abbey Lincoln. No way a heterosexual male would not remember her! This was a few years before the Black Power era and they were both very friendly to me as an innocent young white kid/wannabe beatnik. Steve Gordon and I bumped into them again at the club a few months later and they hailed us as old friends. I don’t think I was ever more star-struck in my life. Viva Max!