FAST-RISING BLUES ROCK guitar star Jared James Nichols remembers one of the best tips he ever received from a fellow player — only it came in the form of an order, and from no less than Leslie West.
“It was about a year before Leslie died. I got booked to open for him at B.B. King’s in New York,” Nichols says. “I was so excited. I had to take a red-eye flight to get there, and with all the travel expenses I didn’t make a dime from the show, but I didn’t care. I idolized Leslie and no way was I going to miss a chance to open for him.”
Nichols made it to the venue in time for soundcheck, andinterest. “At first, Leslie was like, ‘Who are you?’ I introduced myself, and he said, ‘Keep playing.’ I played some more, and then Leslie wheeled over and strapped on his guitar. We started jamming — it was really cool. Finally, he stopped playing and looked at me, and serious as can be he said, ‘Slow the fuck down!’ He meant it.”
