The man had a talent that was enequalled. And he was a survivor, the last of his breed.

I saw him perform 3 times in the 80's, and that is the era when he was really at his best. When I saw him at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, he had just recovered from a stomach infection that had nearly killed him. He had 2 chick's in long fur coats walk him out across the stage to the piano. The sound system was junk, and the band was drowning out the piano. When he was about midway thru the 3rd song, he stopped playing abruptly and signaled the band to stop. He said into the mike, "can y'all hear the piano?" The audience hollered no. Your could tell he was pissed. He got up and unplugged everything except his mike and the pianos mike. Then calming down, he went back to the piano and did about 3 more songs without the band, and he was awesome! The sound crew was scrambling around trying to fix things, then the band came back in. I'll never forget that show.

Then I saw him at the Carlton Celebrity Room. His wife had passed away the day before, and nobody knew if he'd show. Paul Revere and the raiders opened, and then the suspense started. When he came out on the stage, he sat down at the piano. He sat there, and the room was silent for about a minute, but it seemed like 10. Then he stood up, picked up the microphone, and in a very somber voice he said " Every body was wondering if I'd be here tonight. And people asked me why I'm here tonight. Well, I've passed a lot of caskets in my time. It seems the only thing that stays, that is always there, is you, my audience. Playing the piano for you is my therapy. I love you people." You could have heard a pin drop.
Then he sat down and put on great show. But he did forget the words in the middle of a song, it seemed like his mind was elsewhere. But he was a guy who could talk in the middle of a song and not loose a beat. So while the piano and the band kept playing, he said "I don't usually forget the words to that." The audience reminded him, he resumed singing. Another unforgettable occasion.

I also saw him at the We in 83 country music fest. I got up the the front row. (Except for the VIP seating) I have some pictures I need to find of that.