Montreal in the spring of 1968 was a wonderful place and time for a 12 year old boy to be growing up. There were long rides
on motorcycles (no helmet laws back then). There was Belmont Park where for $2.00 you could spend the afternoon
on rides like the Wild Mouse, and there were lots of girls.
But the memory I treasure the most was my first rock concert. My older brother and my uncle took me to the Paul
Sauve Arena to see a band which they told me would "blow my mind".
The venue was crowded and filled with the sweet smell of weed. There were freaks everywhere. We arrived late and
the opening band had just finished their set. My brother told me to head for the front of the stage while everyone was standing
around waiting for the main event. I got a great spot right in front of the stage and that was the last I saw of my brother until
after the end of the show.
After a while the lights went down and this guy came onto the stage playing the loudest guitar I'd ever heard. I could not
see either the bass player or the drummer. I guess being 4'9" had something to do with it.
During the show the guitar player threw the guitar pick that he had been using into the crowd directly in front of me.
Everyone around me was pushing to get the pick and the closest thing to the floor got it ...me.
I've had that guitar pick for 27 years and not a day has gone by since that I don't thank Jimi Hendrix for the Experience
he gave me one chilly night in April 1968.
-Danny Perkins.
