Just Goddamnit to Hell. This one smarts, as I was a fan and literal hanger-on to Wayne since I first learned about him back in 1974.
Wayne Perkins. Do I have to explain to y'all exactly who he was? This was the guy who could've been a Rolling Stone, a member of Lynnyrd Skynard (which I'll never be able to spell), a Bob Marley sideman, a sideman (musically and romantically) with Joni Mitchell. Keith Richards WANTED Wayne for the 'Stones, but lost a semi-democratic argument with Mick who wanted the band to remain 100% British. Go into any bookstore - find ANY book about the Rolling Stones and search the Index for his name. He will be mentioned.
Wayne was actually offered a position in Skynnard, but turned them down. I believe that the Stones gig was still a possibility at this point and he played his cards in his best interest. That's Wayne with Ronnie Van Zandt and and Swamper/engineer Jimmy Johnson at Muscle Shoals sound. Wayne said he was swimming in the nearby Tennessee River when Jimmy sent someone to find him to lay down a track on a Skynard demo. Wayne obliged. He and Ronnie were good friends.
Wayne's band use to play on Friday and Saturdays at a local Birmingham club. I can't say that I KNEW Wayne, but I got to be a fly on the wall when he told several of his stories.
Wayne and another American player, Harvey Mandell were considered for the spot vacated by Mick Taylor. The Stones used their Black and Blue album as sort of an audition for guitarists vying for the spot. Wayne ended up on three tracks on the album, including adding a blazing solo to a song called Hand of Fate.
Wayne was a locl hero to me. If I had a dollar for every time I entered a bar under-age to hear him ... I'd have $hitload of dollars.
I wish I could lookk Wayne in the eye and tell him thanks for all the musical thrills and good times. Rest, Brother.
Yeah, this one smarts.
