Bob Egan

One of my favourite Canadian musicians isn't Canadian at all. I met Bob Egan when he was a member of Wilco during the Being There years. He lives in Kitchener now and plays with Blue Rodeo. Here is the beginning of Bob's bio:

It officially started backstage at the Irving Plaza in New York City when Johnny Cash shook my hand and asked if I was the new steel guitar player in Wilco. "Well, I'm not sure Mr. Cash. I've never played full-time in a band and I have this business back in Chicago. I mean they asked me to join but that's a pretty big step, it is a tough business."

He nodded and looked me in the eye, "It can be a hard road but if your heart's in it, it can be a good life."

An hour later as I watched Johnny from side stage I had tears in my eyes from the power of his music. Jeff Tweedy turned to me and said "Are you gonna join this fuckin' band now?"

A month later I sold my business and got on a tour bus for a 2-year ride. That was a decade ago.

Led Zeppelin Kasmir London 02 Arena

Led Zeppelin at London's O2 Arena

The hoi paloi were out that night. For the record, I am not a part of the hoi paloi. A colleague of mine watched the concert from the Ertegun box and had this story to tell me.

Mick jagger and his girlfriend were also in the ox that night. Like most of the crown, jagger spent a majority of the concert on his feet dancing the night away. Near the end of the concert, Jagger's assistant suggested that he should leave early to miss the crowds coming out of the arena. he agreed and said his good-byes to everyone he knew in the box. he gathered his coat and headed out the door.

But before the door closed Zeppelin went into "Kashmir" and the door burst open again. Jagger ran back in, threw down his jacket and reclaimed his position in the box to dance to one more tune. I understand it was a terrific night for everyone.