By Shawn Perry
One concert I’ll always remember seeing is Foghat with Ambrosia and Rick Derringer. The year was 1977 and the venue was the Long Beach Arena. My buddy Tim Harper scored fifth row center seats and he had an extra. Was I interested? Hell yes I was interested. I’d never sat this close at a major arena show before, so I spent the $25 and my obsession with Foghat’s live album, which had just come out a few months before, got a swift kick in the ass. Sitting that close, I marveled at Lonesome Dave Peverett stirring up the audience, Rod Price sliding over his fretboard like a butcher sharpening his knives, and the slick, in-the-pocket rhythm section of bassist Craig MacGregor and drummer Roger Earl.
That year would go down as THE year of Foghat in my neighborhood, and arguably, the peak period of the band’s career. Foghat has had a high turnover in personnel over the years, although at least one original member or another has been in the mix to keep it real. In the early 90s, Peverett, Price, Earl and original bassist Tony Stevens reunited for an album and tour. Peverett and Earl kept going until the singer fell ill and passed away in 2000. Price, who had already left after the reunion, died in 2005. With Stevens long gone, Earl and guitarist Bryan Bassett (who’d replaced Price) brought back MacGregor and hired singer Charlie Huhn.
Since 2005, a rejuvenation of sorts has sparked all kinds of activity in the world of Foghat. With Earl and his wife and manager Linda at the helm, new records, touring and even a little wine have all kept the Foghat name in the public eye. Of course, being a fan from the 70s, when I was offered the opportunity to chat with Roger Earl, I immediately flashed back to Long Beach in 1977. But, as anyone who’s ever talked with Roger Earl can tell you, there’s more than just a little history behind Foghat. With the enthusiasm of a man half his age, he regaled me with tales of playing with blues greats, being signed to Bob Dylan’s manager’s record label, his relationship with Lonesome Dave Peverett, and his continued dedication to keeping the Foghat flame burning.
After our chat, I mentioned to Earl that I’d be attending Foghat’s show with Blue Oyster Cult at the Pacific Amphitheater and would love to meet him. We agreed to make arrangements as the date neared, and it looked like it was a go until I received a message from his publicist. He told me Roger Earl had minor surgery on his back a few days ago and was told by doctors he couldn’t fly or bounce up and down. That meant he wouldn’t be playing at the Pacific Amphitheater show. While I’m torn about going to see them with Bobby Rondinelli on drums, I’m still holding out for tasting some Foghat Chardonnay at some point. No doubt, it will be better than the Boone’s Farm I was swigging outside the Long Beach Arena in 1977.
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