I first saw Russell with the "return" of the Meters that debuted at the Last Day Saloon (as the Funky Meters) on Clememt St in SF in Oct 1989. We knew the drummer had to be good if he was replacing Zigaboo Modeliste. People flew in from all over the country to see these two (then three) shows at this small neighborhood bar. Tickets were near impossible to get but since we were local and regulars we managed to score. We were suitably impressed to be standing next to Jack Cassady for two nights (It was a rare to see him around that time and he didn't talk to us). Since Russell was younger than the other guys in the band (and us) and liked to party, he was quite approachable.
In addition to being a drummer for other bands, Russell was a multi instrumentalist and directed his own bands. One of the last pre-gentrified New Orleans players that still played regularly.
I was at the Last Day Saloon shows in 1989. If I remember correctly, it was the same weekend of the September GD Shoreline shows, and we left the Sunday show early to go to the Last Day. Maybe it was after the June 90 Shoreline shows?
That was my first Meters type show, and have gone to see any configuration of the Meters and/or George since then.
The Fox Theater in Boulder re-opened in 1992, and the owners flew in The Meters to open the venue. Leo was exceptional that weekend. Drove down from Breckenridge for both of those shows.
Jam Cruise ‘06 or ‘07 - I remember sitting in the jam room late night watching from the outside as a bunch of the jam A-listers were playing. I was feeling shy and intimidated. Russell came over and saw me watching and was like “why don’t you get up there?” I sheepishly replied with some sort of “well, uh, you know…they’re all of them are up there already, and uh, I don’t know…” Russell said to me, “listen bruh, I don’t wanna hear about them. You’re Cris Fucking Jacobs, and sometimes you gotta go up and unplug a mother fucker and let ‘em know you in the house!” I still think about that advice often. Sometimes if I’m about to get on stage and I feel nerves or feel the impostor syndrome kick in, I hear Russell’s pep talk and it snaps me out of it. He was as bad as they come, but also a kind hearted soul. Meeting him when I was a young dude who didn’t know shit about New Orleans music, or carrying that kind of swag and attitude, he taught me more than he knew. He was so generous to me and gave me confidence in myself just by the sheer fact that a dude that bad ass believed in me. I’ll miss him.
nedb - It was definitely October-ish and the Sunday Meters show was added at the last minute after the owners saw the overwhelming demand for tickets. I lived nearby (and the Last Day Saloon was our frequent go-to for Zero shows, along with North Beach) so we were able to get early info and thus tickets for the run.
The Dead played Shoreline the weekend of Sept 29-Oct 1 and I also have a GD ticket stub only for the Oct 1st so maybe I did the same as you or skipped Sunday Meters. I don't remember.
Playing music now, but they had Papa John Gros, Brian Stoltz, Eric Bolivar, Billy Iuso, Eddie Christmas, and a few others in the studio, along with a call in from Cyril Neville, all with stories about playing and living with Russ. 57 is too damn young.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
A very funky dude indeed
A very funky dude indeed
I always enjoyed his drumming
rip mr batiste
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
RIP.
RIP.
I first saw Russell with the "return" of the Meters that debuted at the Last Day Saloon (as the Funky Meters) on Clememt St in SF in Oct 1989. We knew the drummer had to be good if he was replacing Zigaboo Modeliste. People flew in from all over the country to see these two (then three) shows at this small neighborhood bar. Tickets were near impossible to get but since we were local and regulars we managed to score. We were suitably impressed to be standing next to Jack Cassady for two nights (It was a rare to see him around that time and he didn't talk to us). Since Russell was younger than the other guys in the band (and us) and liked to party, he was quite approachable.
In addition to being a drummer for other bands, Russell was a multi instrumentalist and directed his own bands. One of the last pre-gentrified New Orleans players that still played regularly.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
What a terrible loss!
What a terrible loss!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GratefulTed
Damn he was slated to play
Damn he was slated to play the Nola Funk Fest where I'm headed in a couple of weeks. I did catch him once with the Funky Meters.
RIP Russell.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
I have a Vida Blue show
I have a Vida Blue show around here somewhere.
{{{PZ Vines}}}
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: New & Improved
I was at the Last Day Saloon
I was at the Last Day Saloon shows in 1989. If I remember correctly, it was the same weekend of the September GD Shoreline shows, and we left the Sunday show early to go to the Last Day. Maybe it was after the June 90 Shoreline shows?
That was my first Meters type show, and have gone to see any configuration of the Meters and/or George since then.
The Fox Theater in Boulder re-opened in 1992, and the owners flew in The Meters to open the venue. Leo was exceptional that weekend. Drove down from Breckenridge for both of those shows.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
from Cris Jacobs, Baltimore
from Cris Jacobs, Baltimore musician:
RUSSELL BATISTE
Jam Cruise ‘06 or ‘07 - I remember sitting in the jam room late night watching from the outside as a bunch of the jam A-listers were playing. I was feeling shy and intimidated. Russell came over and saw me watching and was like “why don’t you get up there?” I sheepishly replied with some sort of “well, uh, you know…they’re all of them are up there already, and uh, I don’t know…” Russell said to me, “listen bruh, I don’t wanna hear about them. You’re Cris Fucking Jacobs, and sometimes you gotta go up and unplug a mother fucker and let ‘em know you in the house!” I still think about that advice often. Sometimes if I’m about to get on stage and I feel nerves or feel the impostor syndrome kick in, I hear Russell’s pep talk and it snaps me out of it. He was as bad as they come, but also a kind hearted soul. Meeting him when I was a young dude who didn’t know shit about New Orleans music, or carrying that kind of swag and attitude, he taught me more than he knew. He was so generous to me and gave me confidence in myself just by the sheer fact that a dude that bad ass believed in me. I’ll miss him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
^^
^^
nedb - It was definitely October-ish and the Sunday Meters show was added at the last minute after the owners saw the overwhelming demand for tickets. I lived nearby (and the Last Day Saloon was our frequent go-to for Zero shows, along with North Beach) so we were able to get early info and thus tickets for the run.
The Dead played Shoreline the weekend of Sept 29-Oct 1 and I also have a GD ticket stub only for the Oct 1st so maybe I did the same as you or skipped Sunday Meters. I don't remember.
Good Meters article I ran across:
https://www.waxpoetics.com/article/a-message-from-the-meters/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lasher Von Zekenstein
Listening to a tribute show
Listening to a tribute show on WWOZ as we speak.
Playing music now, but they had Papa John Gros, Brian Stoltz, Eric Bolivar, Billy Iuso, Eddie Christmas, and a few others in the studio, along with a call in from Cyril Neville, all with stories about playing and living with Russ. 57 is too damn young.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Faye Dunaway
Page did a song in his honor
Page did a song in his honor this past weekend in Chicago
(((((RIP)))))