I met Odetta once — in late 1964 or early '65 in Tokyo. She had done a concert and I wanted to meet her and tell her what a great job she did. I was afraid I couldn't get backstage, but decided to just walk through like I belonged there and I guess the concert hall people didn't challenge me because my date and I were the only two non-Japanese in the place and they must have thought we did belong. Anyway, I was talking to her in the hallway when her guitarist on the tour — Bruce Langhorn — came up. She introduced us and, when I reached to shake his hand, realized he was missing the index and middle fingers on his right hand. I was stunned and even more admiring of his skills after that.

We wound up showing Odetta and Bruce where to find good food and music in Rappongi — the after-hours section of Tokyo — and had a marvelous time. Both of them were wonderfully warm and friendly. Good memories whenever I hear either one.

david