That's sad news, indeed. I had read he was going thru treatments for some time. I own a couple of his cds, and a guy I gave lessons to many years ago introduced me to his 'bag of tricks' instructional videos, which I thought were awesome. May he rest in peace. ---------- Crescent City Harmonica Club www.myspace.com/harpboytodd www.myspace.com/crescentcityharmonicaclub www.myspace.com/am540
What a loss. Another of my harmonica idols. He was an influence on me - one of the greatest harp players who ever lived. I believe he has more Hollywood studio credits than any other harp player with the possible exception of Tommy Morgan.
I play by U-blocking, I used to think that I'd have to unlearn that technique in order to progress as a player. Then I heard Norton U-blocked too. I listened to his playing. It was both inspiring, a revelation and reassuring in equal measure.
A sad loss for the harmonica community. He's often been quoted that for many of the studio gigs, which were often jingles, he was often paid to sound like a crappy harp player. His playing had both strong blues as well as country harp influences.
I still have his first LP from the 70's, "Lovin' In The Valley Of The Moon," and my favorite tune is his 5th position chromatic piece, "Puerto De Azul."
---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Pretty sad looking over his web site. A man with plans that will not be realized. Photo gallery shows he knew and played with some greats and was obviously respected and great in his own talent. Seems a nice guy.
A few years ago Norton moved to the next ridge over from where I live.. just a couple of miles by the crow's flight. A year ago I wouldn't have dreamed it, but since I have improved my playing I thought it would be great (and I would be somewhat worthy now) to meet him, and maybe eeek out a tip or two... or just say hello, or maybe get him to autograph a harp for me.. the usual sort of fantasies that one lowly harp player would have over meeting one of the greats. The meeting was not so far-fetched as it sounds. Each year around Christmas, Norton would participate in a big fundraiser that, in part, donated funds to our county's local non-profit FireSafe Council. The council is small, with only three paid employees, and my wife is one of them. I already had the logistics put together for a backstage after-show pass. Sadly, that meeting will never happen.
I share that story for two reasons- One is to exemplify what sort of person Norton was. He was very community-oriented. He helped the community out in many ways, including iirc, to save the Performing Arts Center. Additionally, I wanted to say that time is short and great opportunities are few. Grab the ring and run with it when you get the chance. You never know. It was quite sobering when I found that he was just 24 days older than I am...
And if you have not done so, go to www.Norton-buffalo.com and check out his biography and discography as well as the photo gallery. All VERY impressive, indeed:
Wow! Bellingham! I saw Robert Cray with Curtis Salgado in 1976, at La Hacienda in Fairhaven. B'ham used to be the end of the road for many touring musicians. Saw Charlie Musselwhite at a bar called Petes. That burned down in 74
