[Slowhand] My thoughts on Lee Dickson

[Jeff Elliott]

Simon,
	Great comments regarding Lee.  I think you gave a perfect
explanation as to why Lee was grumpy: " Lee had a very responsible job in
looking after all that kit ensuring EC's sound was perfect and caring for
£'000's worth of equipment.(how many of us wouldn't have jumped on stage and
had a little strum after the show given even the tiniest opportunity ?)"
	I know I tried to get a couple of Eric's plectrums (or as us Yanks
call them, picks) the last time we saw him at the Albert Hall but Lee would
have nothing of that!  I should have shoved my wife up there!
	But yeah, what an awesome job, and responsibility.  Speaking of ZZ
Top, here's a pretty cool video of an interview with Elwood Francis, Billy
Gibbons' guitar tech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6DrxfrbbF8
 
Cheers,
Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon George [mailto:simon.george5 at ntlworld.com] 
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 5:32 AM
To: slowhand at planet-torque.com
Subject: [Slowhand] My thoughts on Lee Dickson


I too noticed the absence of Lee on the last tour. At first I was taken by
the fact that the new guy (shoot me down I didn't get his name) was smiling.
Then I was saddened, Lee had a reputation as the grumpy guy who flicked out
a couple of plectrums but didn't bother with fans. But this I feel was
unfair. I met him at the first auction preview and found him to be a really
nice guy with a deep affection for both Eric and guitars. On several
occasions in the 90's I found myself in 'bad' seats in gigs with a better
view of Lee's workstation than of the band and found it absolutely
fascinating to watch him work - especially on one occasion which I read his
account of later, at the     joint headliner with Joe Cocker where Lee had
to fix some frets on Billy gibbons guitar during EC's set. (zz top were the
'support act')
Also bear in mind that Lee had a very responsible job in looking after all
that kit ensuring EC's sound was perfect and caring for £'000's worth of
equipment.(how many of us wouldn't have jumped on stage and had a little
strum after the show given even the tiniest opportunity ?)
In short I think Lee did his job for the love of the music and the
instrument and didn't care for the reflected glory. So good luck to him
wherever he may be. I for one would be glad to see him back at the edge of
that stage.
Simon