from chapter11
The Impacts became more and more popular with the troops on base, and the word was starting to spread to other military bases in the area, like fort Devens in Ayer Massachusetts, which was about thirty miles north of Boston. Some one had made arrangements for us to play a gig there for the first time. We were very happy about the gig because we would be playing for our fellow soldiers, and this made us feel special somehow. Our first gig was successful and we were invited back a few more times. On our third time playing there really brought the crowd out to party. We had become accustom to the routine of loading and unloading and everyone was comfortable with us being there. It was just another routine night for us until the third set, which was about to start. We had been jamming hard that night playing tunes by James Brown, Donny Hathaway, and I did Stevie Wonder’s Superstition for the first time. We always had such a great time playing together that it was amazing.
This night would be one of those nights that we would not forget for a long time. John was a funny little high ass Negro with a pimply face. He thought he was God’s gift to saxophone players. He knew he was cute and took great pride in talking on the microphone, and sometimes he would make me sick with his cute ass. When we were on break he had told the band members to check out the babe in the green dress that was sitting in front of the stage with her legs spread apart. This was the topic of conversation when we were off the stage, so of course when we returned to the stage we were all gawking at the babe sitting there with her underwear blazing for the entire band to see. Of course we were all giggling and trying not to be conspicuous. When Mr. high and mighty John got on the mike to announce the next song, which should have been “ Philly Dog”. He was so focused on the girl sitting in front of him, that he accidentally blurted out, “Now ladies and gentlemen we’re going to do a song called,” “Philly Drawers”
When he blasted those words, Philly Drawers over the mike, the whole band came apart, because we were all gawking and was just as distracted as he, except there was something morbidly nice about seeing him screw up like that. The band had totally cracked up and the girl knew that we were laughing at her when she brought both of her legs together with such force, that they gave off a slapping sound that reverberated throughout the room. John had lost it at this time and was not able to play his horn. He was embarrassed, and was unable to speak a word. The young lady was not happy at all, but she knew that it was not our fault, since she precipitated the incident with her careless posture. It took a few minutes for us to get our act back together, but we did continue with the show as planned. The people in the club were unaware of what was really happening. They thought we were just goofing off and having a good time, and in effect we were.