Memphis Deville
I used to run into Al in the Annex about two decades ago and around that time I ran into and hung out extensively with Doug who had a place just south of Queen and Bathurst. I haven't seen either of them since.
Among other things Al did for me is he introduced me to John Paul Hammond. I remember one night Al was playing The Place a place across the street from the other place, The Purple Onion. The place called The Place was owned by Werner Graeber. I was hanging out with Shawn Phillips later to play sitar on Sunshine Superman who had a contract with the Purple Onion and so he couldn't legally play The Place Al got offstage and came to our table and it was agreed that Shawn would play a set under an assumed name. Al got up to fiddle with the sound and "Joe Schmitt" got up to play a set. I was left at table with one Rick Danko of The Hawks to whom I'd just been introduced and he turns to me and says "There's just one thing I want out of this life" I said "What's that?" He said "I'd like to play just one night with Bob Dylan" Imagine my surprise when he ended up playing with Bob every night for years. Hell, imagine his surprise. Maybe more people should tell me their fondest dreams. I'm truly sorry to hear about Al. I didn't know he was gone.