MAYNARD FERGUSON
One of my favorite stories was when Tim Leary came down to my opening show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. He was always into interpersonal relationships, expanding your consciousness and learning how to “play someone else’s game.” When he got there, I was telling him that we had just lost one of our roadies, so he decided that he would be the roadie that night. Tim knew that none of the guys in the band knew what he looked like. Nobody knew this was the infamous (or famous, as you would have it) Dr. Timothy Leary. He worked all night backstage and after the first show asked all the guys, “Does anyone need a sandwich or anything?” Really doing the job! Back then after each show there would be a full-length movie in between, then you hit it again. Tim acted just like the new roadie. It was beautiful!
Thanks for the trip, Tim—
with love,
Maynard