My old musical friends and heroes seem to be dropping like flies these days. In addition to playing in a lot of really good local bands, Rick was Delbert's go-to guy for many years. The article mentions a benefit show for him that featured his friends, Scott Boyer, Tommy Talton and others. That was an awesome show - made better by the fact that it raised some medical funds for "Kurtzy". Check the link to a live version of Delbert's. "Every Time I Roll" featuring Rick.
Sad, sad, cloudy day.
This Rick on the red guitar playing slide.
Delbert would play at the Casablanca club in my area about twice a year 80's and 90's.
Oh I hate that. He was always kind to those of us who were nonprofessional guitar players. I heard him playing one night sitting in with Topper. Magic.
I think he had been in poor health for a while, am I right?
@linus I guess in most every medium sized burg there's a player or two who are as good as any of those rich and famous guys. Rick Kurtz was one of several of those guys in Birmingham. He was every bit of "all that". Apparently he had serious health issues for the past few years.
@linus Mark Kimbrell, Tim Boykin, Johnny Kulinich, BA Bodiford ... a whole list of others. For a medium sized city, Birmingham is certainly blessed with some truly fine guitar players! I saw an interview with Sam Phillips once. The interviewer asked Sam, "where do the best guitar players come from?" Sam replied, "I don't know, but there's a BUNCH of 'em in Alabama."
