Roy Haynes, the legendary drummer, was a friend of my 1st wife Tracy. He and I stayed buddies for decades.
But when I moved to Tokyo in the 90s, he was one of the ‘cats’ I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to.
So, finally he appeared in Tokyo with his band. I went by on the 2nd night to surprise him. When I walked in, he was at the bar drinking a cognac. As I approached him with a smile, he was in the process of lifting the glass to his lips….when I said “hey Poppa”, the glass was approaching his lips, he stopped, turned to me and said “what….I’m suppose to get excited because you showed up?’ Then he took a sip ,placed the glass on the bar ,turned to me and said “Rob, how’re you doing man?” And hugged me.
Roy Haynes, the art of Hippness!!!
NOTE: You can hear Rob Crocker's "Late Nights Weekend" on Saturdays 10pm to 2am on WBGO 88.3 FM and wbgo.org.
