I first met Dave in about 1967 at the Nags Head in Battersea, London. I was playing with Shakey Vicks
Big City Blues Band. He had just got back from Switzerland where he was gigging, he got up and
jammed with the band. I knew right then the man had what it took. We ran into each other along the
British Blues trail over the next few years and in 1971, I answered an ad in the Melody Maker for a
blues guitarist. We spoke for a while before I said "Dave is that you?" To which he replied "Yeah, Rod is
that you?" Sufficed to say the rest is history...We formed Foghat with Roger and Tony and dug into our blues roots. Although the band was "Blues Rock" our hearts were always in the blues. We worked together like hand in glove with this common thread and it was not at all hard to write and perform with him. We always said that the reason we were successful was our passion for the blues. All we really wanted to do was to play, success was just the icing on the cake. 
I think it's safe to say the biggest honour of our lives was that we got to
play with our heroes, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Eddie Kirkland and
Honeyboy Edwards, we also were invited to the home of Willie Dixon in Chicago
for dinner. A most precious evening with a very powerful and humble man. If
there were any disappointments along the way, it probably was years later
after Willie had passed away. We were having dinner with Shirley
Dixon (Willie's daughter) and she mentioned that Willie was always asking "Where are my boys?" Dave and I were really choked up because we didn't feel it was respectful to start calling Willie at home... we were wrong. He told us at the
time "I know what it's like to be on the road and I thought you boys would
like a home cooked meal." And believe me Marie prepared one of the most
delicious and heartwarming meals we ever had....precious moments for some
London boys trying to play the blues!I think Dave's only conundrum in life was trying to play the music that he loved and be with his family who he adored. He was married for over thirty years, quite a statement in this uncertain world. 
Dave was a very quiet man when not on stage where he let it all out. He was
honest, decent, had a great sense of humor, loyal to those around him and a
workhorse with no equal. The ongoing discussions on Big Bill Broonzy, Robert
Johnson, Elmore James and many others have now been silenced. I will miss them
but no more than the man himself.His battle with cancer was truly courageous and he did his damnedest to live life to the fullest right until the end. A lesson we should all attempt every day of our lives. It was truly an honour to work with him for so many years. I will miss him greatly. God Bless You Dave.  Back to Lonesome Dave Tribute Back to Lonesome Dave Page Back to Foghat Index Page Back to Rod Price Page |