I was thinking about the first time I actually had contact with Miles Davis. The time was, I think, 1966 in Washington, DC at the Bohemian Caverns. The Caverns was located where it has been since about 1926 (11th & U St. N.NW). All of the jazz greats came there to include, Diz, Max Roach, John Coltrane, and many others.
A friend and I went to see Miles but was short of money to pay cover charge. Cover charges were raised when big talent came into the club. My friend and I talked about what to do when Miles came outside to take a smoke. My friend got very excited and said to me in a quiet voice, Bob, there is Miles Davis. I turned around and there he was. He had bandages on his head where he had been beaten by the Baltimore, Maryland police when he came out of a club there to take a smoke. At any rate, my friend and I quickly decided to approach Miles to tell him how much we enjoyed his music and that we had every LP he made. While sharing this with him, I decided to ask if he could get us into the club for half price. To my surprised Miles reached in his pocket and pulled out 23 one dollar bills and gave them to us. This along with what we had permitted us to get into the club easily. Not only that, but back then, you could sit through 2 sets if you wished as long as you purchased a drink or two or three. I sure wish that were the case today, but then, I am living in Georgia now :).
People talked about how mean and aloof Miles was, but here was a great musician who gave 2 strangers enough money to get in to see him play. Needless to say, my friend and I were overjoyed. I fell more in love with Miles and his music from that point on than I had prior to this experience. Sorry to take up so much time, but I just wanted to share this bit of history. Thanks for listening all.
Bob W.