I met Papa John at a coffee shop in San Antonio circa 1976. Was out with a photog getting pics for a newspaper I edited. He was super gracious and we posed for a pic with his arm around my shoulder with a grin as big as Texas. Jump to 1978. I was workin' in St. Louis and he was scheduled to play down on the riverfront. Went down early and sat at a table near the stage. The manager came over and said his wife and friends needed a place to sit and could they sit with me. You bet they could. I had brought that pic of us in SA, and Papa wrote a real nice message on it. Got to talk with his wife all night. I'm a lucky guy!
I’ve been to see Jorma/Hot Tuna many times, but never got to see Papa perform with them. One day, I heard Papa John was going to play a local (very rowdy!) Roadhouse, and couldn’t believe my good fortune! Papa was very old, and had to be walked onstage by 2 gentlemen. You could tell every step he took was a struggle. The crowd went NUTS as they left him at the mic, center stage. He shielded his eyes from the lights, smiled, and said “Bear with me. It’s gonna’ take a couple of songs to loosen up these sore old hands.” Let me tell you what! Truer words have never been spoken. Everyone could see the pain he was in for those 1st 2 or 3 songs, but then he said “OK. Now let’s get serious!” He played for an hour and a half.....STRAIGHT! I’ve been to a thousand shows, but have NEVER seen “audience control” like this man commanded. He had folks dancing on the tables one minute, and sitting down, whispering & crying on the very next song. Papa wasn’t just an amazing musician, but a MASTER Performer as well. Sitting there watching him, everyone felt like family, because that’s how he treated us. When the show was over, he was helped down from the stage and sat in a chair on the dance floor. He proceeded to shake hands and chat with everyone for the next 30 minutes or so, before finally tipping his hat and waving goodbye..... BEST DAMNED SHOW, EVER. Thanx Papa.
Had an experience much like that w Elizabeth Cotton at the Hotel Isabella in Toronto 1985. She was 93 I think and was helped to the stage by 2 fellows..... then charmed everyone in the place w her amazing presence and stories. So glad I skipped the Jays / Royals game that rainy night.
@@RobertCarmackchef Stuff Smith. Sugarcane Harris . Stephane Grappelli. Jean Luc Ponty. Not to deny Papa John, I saw him with Hot Tuna back in 1970 at the Bath music fest.
Cool memory. Papa John was The S**t! He held his own with those hippies! I'll never forget the first time I saw them Town Hall, NYC 10/71 (pretty sure). He was ELECTRIC... the acid might have helped a bit lol...
I got to see Papa John Creach perform in Celina, OH of all places. I'd just come home from college for a break. Went to see him with my sister and her friends. What a privilege to see this man perform!
A pivotal moment for me when Hot Tuna played at the Burl Theatre in Boulder Creek Ca. Perhaps 1972. I was 15 years and waiting to talk to Jorma when they were done. Instead Papa John came up and grabbed my elbow. He had the most magical look in his eyes shining. He then let go and walked off into the night. Not a word was said! Wow I'll never forget that.
wow, thanks for the songs and vids. Must have been early 60's, when my family met up with these professional musicians, Paul Beaver, Bernie Krause and eventually Papa John. My sister, Candi Carley, now Candi Carley Roth was about 6 -7 years old and a talented pianist. They would jam for hours with this little girl and she kept up with them. Eventually these guys decided to have several benefits and eventually buy her a Hammond B3. Candi was a cute little girl and despite her blindness she had a way about her that makes you forget she is blind, she still does! Candi thought these were just big parties at country clubs, etc. These guys would jam with her and then ask her to play some tunes. Eventually they did raise the funds to purchase the Hammond. What a joy that was. Candi went on to perform and record 3 albums. She toured around the country, Canada and Australia performing on 3,4 and 5 manual pipe organs. At the time Papa John was performing in night clubs as I recall and he looked frail then. Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause were doing the same but they also were delving into this new thing called synthesizers. They were the first on the West Coast to bring the Moog to SoCal and did much work for movies and rock groups. Check out Candi here on TH-cam! Great memories, thanks again! Bob Carley
Wow Good ducking memories..Wow Knew him hung out inthe days SF. At there recording studio , AND I think it was on Minna Street right off of South VAN Ness street near the Mel's Drive Inn ..Jack Cassidy and Jorma Wow Great fucking memories to come across this video.Im in my 70's now..Good days Good drugs...Very good music...Jackdrove around in his sports car...Great ❤❤
Who else, in the 70s or 80s, would have thought to include this wonderful man in their music??? Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna and who else of the big name groups back then? I should add, 'before or later'.
I was at this show and I also had a recording of it so I know this tune note for note. Love ya Papa! I remember hearing that the Airplane just got their royalties for Surrealistic Pillow, which were long overdue and that is why they all congregated at the Fillmore that night. They had such a good time they did an impromptu show at the Greek Theater and a free concert in Golden Gate Park the following weekend. Not sure if that is a correct fact but it sure was great having a mini reunion of the Airplane.
Saw Papa John with Jefferson Airplane around 1970, Kezar Stadium. What a privilege it was to see this old, frail lookin' fella' prove to be the most animated, inspired, creative, and just 'with it' person on stage. He was the highlight of not just the band, but the entire concert, which included the Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna and Santana.
@@jg6698 Thanks for the correction on age. He looked frail (somewhat gaunt and a little stiff movement) and much older. But he transformed playing the fiddle. I know that at least with respect to the concert in Kezar I attended (there might have been several with the same assemblage of bands), the one I attended started earlier in the day and did not last well into the night. I lost track of some friends, assumed they had returned to my car, left only to find them NOT at my car, and was denied re-entry. That did not stop me. I climbed about 25 feet up some trees, traversed some branches, climbed over the top wall, and back into the stadium to watch it to completion.
Now that is GOOD music, unlike todays! Young people today "wouldn't know good music if it came up and bit them in the ass!" Circa sometime years later, Frank Zappa
I met Papa John at a coffee shop in San Antonio circa 1976. Was out with a photog getting pics for a newspaper I edited. He was super gracious and we posed for a pic with his arm around my shoulder with a grin as big as Texas. Jump to 1978. I was workin' in St. Louis and he was scheduled to play down on the riverfront. Went down early and sat at a table near the stage. The manager came over and said his wife and friends needed a place to sit and could they sit with me. You bet they could. I had brought that pic of us in SA, and Papa wrote a real nice message on it. Got to talk with his wife all night. I'm a lucky guy!
Lucky you ✌️🎶🌞
I’ve been to see Jorma/Hot Tuna many times, but never got to see Papa perform with them.
One day, I heard Papa John was going to play a local (very rowdy!) Roadhouse, and couldn’t believe my good fortune!
Papa was very old, and had to be walked onstage by 2 gentlemen. You could tell every step he took was a struggle.
The crowd went NUTS as they left him at the mic, center stage. He shielded his eyes from the lights, smiled, and said “Bear with me. It’s gonna’ take a couple of songs to loosen up these sore old hands.”
Let me tell you what! Truer words have never been spoken. Everyone could see the pain he was in for those 1st 2 or 3 songs, but then he said “OK. Now let’s get serious!”
He played for an hour and a half.....STRAIGHT!
I’ve been to a thousand shows, but have NEVER seen “audience control” like this man commanded.
He had folks dancing on the tables one minute, and sitting down, whispering & crying on the very next song.
Papa wasn’t just an amazing musician, but a MASTER Performer as well.
Sitting there watching him, everyone felt like family, because that’s how he treated us.
When the show was over, he was helped down from the stage and sat in a chair on the dance floor.
He proceeded to shake hands and chat with everyone for the next 30 minutes or so, before finally tipping his hat and waving goodbye.....
BEST DAMNED SHOW, EVER.
Thanx Papa.
He actually wasn't that old but congestive heart failure was setting in..
Had an experience much like that w Elizabeth Cotton at the Hotel Isabella in Toronto 1985. She was 93 I think and was helped to the stage by 2 fellows..... then charmed everyone in the place w her amazing presence and stories. So glad I skipped the Jays / Royals game that rainy night.
@@spaceghost8995 You're half right...he was that old. Bless his soul!
Thanks for sharing that great story👍
Some of my favorite tunes are from this man . Would have loved to have seen him in person. Talented for sure!!!
Papa John Creach was the greatest electric fiddle player ever. Damn this guy kicks ass...
WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SEEN PAPA AND CHARLIE DANIELS JAM
Used to have that album where the front cover shows him lounging on a chair in a red suit with his violin. Great record.
You can just leave off the "Electric Fiddle " part .. Without Competition ... If So Name Them..???
@@RobertCarmackchef Stuff Smith. Sugarcane Harris . Stephane Grappelli. Jean Luc Ponty.
Not to deny Papa John, I saw him with Hot Tuna back in 1970 at the Bath music fest.
@@smkh2890 ever see Scarlett Rivera who played with Dylan ?
put her on the list
I'll never forget smoking a doob with Papa John at My Father's Place in Roslyn L.I.N.Y.!
I might have been at that concert . Wish I was with ya ...
Cool memory. Papa John was The S**t! He held his own with those hippies! I'll never forget the first time I saw them Town Hall, NYC 10/71 (pretty sure). He was ELECTRIC... the acid might have helped a bit lol...
Lucky you ✌
He was smoking hash out of a Sherlock Holmes pipe at Cowtown Ballroom, Kansas City 1972. The sun was rising when the 2nd show ended. Classic
...had a drink with Pops at The Capitol Theater, Passaic, N.J.
No one plays like Hot Tuna. They really have a feel for music.
In very loving memory of Mr. John Henry Creach (1917-1994 R.I.P. // gone but NOT forgotten).
Wish I had seen Papa John. He really had the blues feel. He was a class act and perfectly complemented Hot Tuna.
My first Concert was Hot Tuna , Canned Heat and Spencer Davis group at Winter land SF . What a memorable experience to say the least !!
I got to see Papa John Creach perform in Celina, OH of all places. I'd just come home from college for a break. Went to see him with my sister and her friends. What a privilege to see this man perform!
...This is the real deal...The real down home, sitting on the porch playing Blues!
I met him at a festival in Williamsburg 1975 so impressed. Fan for life.
A stellar lineup is this, Papa John, Jorma, Jack and Paul Kantner, Totally digging it.
A pivotal moment for me when Hot Tuna played at the Burl Theatre in Boulder Creek Ca. Perhaps 1972. I was 15 years and waiting to talk to Jorma when they were done. Instead Papa John came up and grabbed my elbow. He had the most magical look in his eyes shining. He then let go and walked off into the night. Not a word was said! Wow I'll never forget that.
When I saw Hot Tuna I bought tickets for both the early and late show and made a long night out of it ! I did this several times.
The violin seems to just be an extension of the man himself, he plays it so well. An amazing talent.
Oh mein Gott....ich bin im siebten Himmel....einfach nur GEIL ! ! !
wow, thanks for the songs and vids. Must have been early 60's, when my family met up with these professional musicians, Paul Beaver, Bernie Krause and eventually Papa John. My sister, Candi Carley, now Candi Carley Roth was about 6 -7 years old and a talented pianist. They would jam for hours with this little girl and she kept up with them. Eventually these guys decided to have several benefits and eventually buy her a Hammond B3. Candi was a cute little girl and despite her blindness she had a way about her that makes you forget she is blind, she still does!
Candi thought these were just big parties at country clubs, etc. These guys would jam with her and then ask her to play some tunes. Eventually they did raise the funds to purchase the Hammond. What a joy that was. Candi went on to perform and record 3 albums. She toured around the country, Canada and Australia performing on 3,4 and 5 manual pipe organs.
At the time Papa John was performing in night clubs as I recall and he looked frail then. Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause were doing the same but they also were delving into this new thing called synthesizers. They were the first on the West Coast to bring the Moog to SoCal and did much work for movies and rock groups.
Check out Candi here on TH-cam!
Great memories, thanks again!
Bob Carley
Cool. Inspiring
may paul and john rest in peace, may jack and jorma live forever
Amen
Wow Good ducking memories..Wow Knew him hung out inthe days SF. At there recording studio , AND I think it was on Minna Street right off of South VAN Ness street near the Mel's Drive Inn ..Jack Cassidy and Jorma Wow Great fucking memories to come across this video.Im in my 70's now..Good days Good drugs...Very good music...Jackdrove around in his sports car...Great ❤❤
Hot tuna with papa john simply awesome
So fine... mighty, almighty... Papa John was one of a kind... as are Jorma and the Dr.!!!! Oh Lordy!
The BEST !!!!
I got to see him in 78 - playin cortland college ,, little hall , his wife there, right beside this ..
He was a twinkling spark .
Lovely man.
Saw him when I was just 24 / now 70/ time flies with such great sounds😎😎😎
There has never been another like Papa John . Maybe Tex Logan but he plays bluegrass . An American classic .
And JS hasn't had anyone do _his_ parts (correct me if I'm wrong) since he departed this Earth in 1994.
Do not forget Don “Sugarcane” Harris!
Amen to that!
Great blues. No one can top Papa John.
I saw papa John and Hot Tuna at the Fillmore East in the late 1960's !! PS I want a time machine
never missed a show at the pallidum nyc hot tuna rocks.ppj amazing
Papa added so much to our spinning head!!!!
Super, j'ai un super 33 tours de ce Bulesman, enfin une vidéo..Merci
Who else, in the 70s or 80s, would have thought to include this wonderful man in their music??? Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna and who else of the big name groups back then? I should add, 'before or later'.
I was at this show and I also had a recording of it so I know this tune note for note. Love ya Papa! I remember hearing that the Airplane just got their royalties for Surrealistic Pillow, which were long overdue and that is why they all congregated at the Fillmore that night. They had such a good time they did an impromptu show at the Greek Theater and a free concert in Golden Gate Park the following weekend. Not sure if that is a correct fact but it sure was great having a mini reunion of the Airplane.
Love his playing, and his outfit too lol!
Back in the 70s up in the Santa Cruz mountains at the Château Lberte . Anyone else .., ?
I remember seeing him perform at Rockheads Paradise club in downtown Montreal in 1976. He tore the place up!
I was into Hot Tuna back in the day Papa John injected new life into the band.
Nobody can replace this guy! I know the present-day Jefferson Starship does not presently perform live any of those tunes he contributed to.
Loved you enthusiasm Popa John Creach...RIP.
Hell yeah !! PJC !! A legend !!
Saw Papa John with Jefferson Airplane around 1970, Kezar Stadium. What a privilege it was to see this old, frail lookin' fella' prove to be the most animated, inspired, creative, and just 'with it' person on stage. He was the highlight of not just the band, but the entire concert, which included the Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna and Santana.
Old and frail. Not. He was only 53 then and rocked all night.
@@jg6698 Thanks for the correction on age. He looked frail (somewhat gaunt and a little stiff movement) and much older. But he transformed playing the fiddle. I know that at least with respect to the concert in Kezar I attended (there might have been several with the same assemblage of bands), the one I attended started earlier in the day and did not last well into the night. I lost track of some friends, assumed they had returned to my car, left only to find them NOT at my car, and was denied re-entry. That did not stop me. I climbed about 25 feet up some trees, traversed some branches, climbed over the top wall, and back into the stadium to watch it to completion.
Saw PapaJohn with the Airplane at the old Civic in Albuq. Can't remember the year but the music yes.
Saw him live..amazing.....
Saw Papa John w/Hot Tuna back in the day. Great gentleman
The man. Plain and simple.
Oh my GREAT GOD!! WOW!!! YES! OH YEAH 👍😊❤!!!!
oh my GOD! he was AMAZING!
What a brilliant acustic blues ...!
I know a little music theory so guess that is a 12 bar blues. The musicians knew how to complement each other.
Saw him play at the Light House in Long Beach 1976, such an amazing performer!
Carla I saw him at Lighthouse But its Hermosa Beach Not Long Beach
He was certainly one of a kind!!!
Fantastic post- Thanks !
Papa can never be replaced....
Another National Treasure !
Whew, that's cooking. Those were the days.
COOL COOL COOL 👍♥️👏
This was a magical night at the Fillmore. It was billed as Hot Tuna, but it turned into a Jefferson Airplane reunion. I was up front in front of Jack.
Thank you so much
Saw him with Jefferson Starship in KC in the late 70's. Midland Theater, I believe.
Saw him with Hot Tuna at the Capital Theater in New Jersey. They played until 6 in the morning.
Wow , when I got out of the Marines I drove down to the Capital and it was a pile of rubble and bricks. torn down .Sad.
Now that is GOOD music, unlike todays! Young people today "wouldn't know good music if it came up and bit them in the ass!" Circa sometime years later, Frank Zappa
so amazing!
Pappa John !!!!!
Wonderful!
Freaking awesome.love this man
Poor Pagannini , Heifelt and Menuhin !!! My Papa is Joe Creach !!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Jack's eyebrows have a personality all their own.
Jack the best!!!
BEST!!! ♥
Pareil, j'ai aussi un bon vieux 33 tour de cet "excellent" bluesman, ...
HOT TUNA AT ITS BEST WITH PAPA JOHN
John was in the movie No country Richard Widmark .
Yeah, baby!!!
RIP.....Papa John
Love Country Fiddle
LOVE
Nice!!!
rest well uncle john
Shared on Google+, May 27, 2018
too much fun !
shit papa john could flat make that fiddle smoke.he was dam shure a blues man with soul.
real blues
From reserved dinner cruises to touring with the psychotic and psychedelic Airplane!!!!
Ancien Violoniste de Jefferson 👍puissant
Wow
🙏♥️🙏
I remember seeing him on his 84th birthday at the syria mosque in Pgh.
He died at age 76.
Back when men used to know how high to wear their dam pants!
Damn funny dude! Thanks. I gotta catch up. I still wear mine kinda low.
He could saw!
His story needs to be told. Ken Burns. Are you listening?
There is a happy Man
Check out Papa John on Volunteer Jam lll & lV (where do ya think Charlie Daniels got the idea for DWDTG?)
nádhera:-)
BINGO!
Who’s other guitarist
Cool? Yes.
John was ok. If only as a novelty
Have to disagree with you. He was much better than ok. A novelty? Hardly!