Right before the show today, I saw most of the band hanging out near the stage door of my show. There was one person they seemed to be surrounding and talking to. As I walked towards the band members, Roger Squitero introduced me to the person who was the center of attention – Carol Steele.

She gave me a hug because she says she’s not really a handshake kind of person. Neither am I, for the most part. Roger told me how he goes way back as far as their professional relationship is concerned. He then told me that she, along with John Robinson played on Steve Windwood’a “Higher Love.” 

I had to go back in and get a second hug. That percussion/drum into is LEGENDARY! 

Of course, I had to ask how the hell they came up with that intro. I also wanted to know where the heck the “1” is. She told me that it was a mistake that Steve liked as he was messing around with a drum machine. Sometimes mistakes on recordings or rehearsals often lead to great musical ideas.

She’s played with Peter Gabriel, Tears for Fears, Eric Clapton, Jeffrey Osborne, Bette Midler, Joan Baez, Diana Ross and Angela Bofill, to name a few.

Once again, my past is coming alive in my present. I need to channel Lenny Kravitz/Ed Greene/Jonathan Moffett/Morris Day/Steve Arrington/Quincy Jones/ John Robinson/ Larry Blackmon/Matt Cameron….

It’s fun to meet people who have influenced your life. She was so nice. She’s coming to see the show tonight. I hope she likes the show.