Jon Butcher
During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s one of the hardest working artists in music was Jon Butcher. A flamboyant front-man, gifted singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso, his band the Jon Butcher Axis ruled the Northeastern United States. Jon virtually owned his home base of Boston Massachusetts filling any venue on any evening with rabid fans and great rock music. Despite this dominance of the Northeast, Jon could not be contained, relocating to the music mecca of Los Angeles, he took his powerful brand of electric blues-rock global. It was inevitable that all this talent and hard work would yield numerous hits such as "Saving Grace", "Holy War", "Life Takes A Life" and "Wishes" as well as prominent video rotation on MTV and even a Grammy nomination.
Considering the respective successes of Jon Butcher and the Robin Trower Band throughout this period, it is not surprising that Jon met up with Jimmy one evening in 1978. Jon has been kind enough to share the story below. Thanks Jon! CK
Quick story; Robin was playing in Boston at one of the hot concert clubs of the time [ Landsdown Street, Fall of 1978 I think] . I went to see the show and ended up talking to and hanging out with Jim Dewar for the night. We talked endlessly about gear, the state of music in general and the trials and tribulations of keeping your voice in shape while singing above several stacks of Marshall 100wt Super Lead amplifiers !
The Trower show was amazing of course[ Day of The Eagle- please... ], and Robin's guitar sound was stellar. But what stays with me all these many years is my hang with Jimmy- warm, familiar and thoroughly enjoyable. He was every bit the gentleman that others have noted and someone whom I admire- and have admired for many years. Though possessing one of rock's most recognizable voices I admired James Dewar mostly for his humanity. A really good guy.
Carl, thanks so much for thinking of me, and for jogging my memory. I'm currently on tour w/ BB King but would really be interested in following up with you when I get home for a short break, I hope to hear from you again then.
Cheers,
Jon
*Jon continues to be vital and prolific in music through touring and CD releases as well as scoring for television and film. I urge you to all to check out Jon on the Internet and stay current with his career by visiting his Official Website, MySpace page and Barefoot Servants. Thanks, Carl