I started playing for money in high school. $5 for a 3 hr. dance in '58. Pizza and a coke and $2 left over.
First union job I got was as a sideman, I remember it well, it was hollowen night in a dive bar where motorcycle gangs hung out. I don't remember how much I made, maybe $40. I do remember is that I was thankful I got out of there alive!
I began teaching school in 1964 and was playing weekends. One midweek we played happy hour for 3 evenings at the Fairmont in SF. and for the first and only time I made more than playing my school salary for that month.

In the mid 60's making $75 a night on weekends. I was making more than my wife's 40 hr. a week office job so she was able to stay home with the kids.

Bob, as far as learning from other musicians, I learned Portugese songs from a trumpet player while on the bandstand. He would play his chorus and I would learn. He then would sing it to me as I played my chorus.

Learned the Chicken Dance the same way but with a beautiful Swedish young woman singing not my ear while I was playing!!

Got to run, gigging in an hour.

Last edited by jazzsax; 03/19/17 03:09 PM.