Oakland days 1981-1998
On the bandstand at Eli Mile High Club with Warren Cushenberry
On stage at Eli's with James Brown and Dianne Swann (1992)
The Troyce Key Big Blues Band: Chris Daniels, T.K., Charles Banks, F.G., Bobbie Webb, Bob Spencer (1984)
Splitting the loot after a gig at Lou's. F.G., Big Walter Shufflesworth, Gary Smith, Johnny Ace
Troyce Key in all his glory. F.G. and Warren Cushenberry in the background.
The dream has come true! F.G. in 1983.
Troyce Key band promo shot, 1983
Joe Louis Walker is kicking my ass and we both know it! (1986)
With Jimmy McCracklin band (1984)
Sitting in with Duke Robillard at Larry Blake's. On the other guitar is Tim Kaihatsu (1985)
Backing up the truly legendary Robert Kelton, original guitarist with Jimmy McCracklin's Blues Blasters, with Charlie Banks on bass.
Jamming with my friend Norwegian guitar god Knut Reiersrud (1986)
One of my most cherished photos: on stage with my hero, Lowell Fulson (1984)
A weeknight gig at the Ivy Room, with Robbie Bean (drums) and Johnny Ace (bass). What a treat to have Freddie Roulette sitting in!
Gigging at Larry Blake's with the great Charlie Musselwhite (1985)
Troyce Key, F.G. and Elvin Bishop (1984)
Portland days 2005-2012
Sultans of Slide at the Albert Theater, Portland
With Bill Rhoades
Rick Estrin and West Coast guitar great Rick Welter relaxing at my house in Portland
Portland guitar ace A.C. Porter, F.G., Rick Estrin, Kid Andersen and the late, great Rick Welter on SE 30th Ave., Portland
Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland) with the Paladins' Dave Gonzales and Rand Chortkoff
With James Harman at the Aladdin Theater in Portland
Gigging at the original Duff's Garage, Portland, Oregon
Tuning up at the Skyway, Zigzag, Oregon
My good friend Jim "Kid Rogain" Wallace, with Lloyd Jones and yours truly at the Steinhaus on 82nd Avenue in Portland. Jimi Bott is on drums.
With fellow Mannish Boy Jimi Bott at the Steinhaus
Enjoying a pint at the old Steinhaus. The guitar is a Welson in case you're wondering.
Dave Gonzales, Elsa and Franck G.
With Curtis Salgado at the Steinhaus. Don't ask what guitar that is, I've no idea.
West Coast blues heroes
Eddie Ray and Gene'O Landry after a good set at Larry Blake's (1984)
The magnificient Eddie Ray at Marin County Blues Festival (1981)
Cool Poppa at Eli Mile Hi Club.
Jimmy McCracklin at Troyce Key's house.
The most unsung hero of Oakland's blues scene, Charles Hough
The superb Frankie Lee chats with a fan outside of My Club, Oakland (1981)
A "family" portrait: Sonny Lane and girlfriend with Rod Piazza, Mississippi Johnny Waters and Rick Estrin (1981)
Mississippi Johnny Waters puts a spell on the crowd at Marin County Blues festival (1981)
Mr. Freddie Roulette with Osmin and Henry Oden on bass.
Omar Sharriff (a.k.a. Dave Alexander) with Charles Banks (bass) and Cool Poppa.
Pee Wee Crayton diggin' in (1981)
One of my favorite shots of all times, two of my heroes posing together: Lowell Fulson and Sonny Rhodes
The Brown Prince of the blues, Mr. Frankie Lee. Bobby Murray on guitar and Fred Casey on drums. More cowbell, please, Mr. Sticks!
The Bay Area's best kept treasure: the incomparable Maurice McKinnies
The Sultan of the blues, Mr. Sonny Rhodes
The Mighty Duo, J.J. Malone and Troyce Key.
Percy Mayfield and Bobby Forte. No caption necessary. Photo by Mark Sarfati I believe.
Beverly Stovall and Eddie Ray
Ron Thompson
In good company
Hash Brown, F.G. (Ventura 2022)
With R.J. Mischo, Carpinteria, CA
With Johnny Morgan and Ralph Carter, Tarzana, CA
F.G. with R.J. Mischo, Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland, OR) July 2023
With Junior Watson at the Grape, Ventura, California (July 2023)
With hornman Gene'O Landry
In Brugges with Steve Samuels (1989)
The original Down Home Super Trio, with R.J. Mischo and Steve Freund
With two of my heroes: Cool Papa and Lowell Fulson
Two gangbanger Jews in east Oakland: Steve Freund and F.G.
I feel so unnecessary standing next to the incomparable Percy Mayfield! (1983)
Bonding with Troyce Key and Bobby Murray
At home with Django (Carpinteria, CA)
KZSU'S Byrd of Paradise (Byrd Hale) compliments me on my attire at the Ivy Room, Albany (1987)
With Jimmy Rogers at the Café du Nord, San Francisco
In Chicago with Willie Kent after the Iceman Robinson recording session
With Homesick James in Switzerland
Mount Baker Blues Festival, Washington (mid 90's): Willie "Big Eye Smith", Hubert Sumlin, F.G. and Pinetop Perkins. I was the bass player on the gig, and it was the biggest thrill ever to play with Willie.
With Willie "Big Eye" Smith at Mount Baker, discussing cannabis if I remember correctly.
At Big Mama's in Pasadena with Bobby Radcliff.
In Fresno with Jimmy Dawkins during the recording of "West Side Guitar Hero".
At the Waterfront Blues Festival with my friend record producer Christian Selleron
Richard Kirch, Jimmy Dawkins and yours truly at Biscuits and Blues, San Francisco
Tony Coleman, F.G., Joe McCarthy, Chris Mercer (Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland 2021
F.G., Southside Richie, R.J. Mischo (Ventura 2020)
Ray Jaurique, Ralph Carter, F.G., Alastair Greene (Ventura 2021)
Miscellaneous stage shots
Cognac Blues Passions with Richard Innes and Leon Blue
Flanked by Kirk Fletcher and Bobby Jones at Ground Zero, Clarksdale, MS
Spring Blues Festival with Gene "Birdlegg" Pittman
Electric Flag Reunion at Full Moon Saloon, San Francisco (1989) with Tom Poole (tpt), Nick Gravenites, Harvey Brooks
F.G. with Sugar Pie De Santo at Méridien, Paris
The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise somewhere in the Caribbean Islands. L to R: Nick Moss, Joe Louis Walker, F.G., Jason Ricci (2010)
Ground Zero club in Clarksdale, MS with Kirk Fletcher, Philip Walker, James Thomas.
With Jody Williams at Waterfront Blues Fest., Portland. Tom Leavey on bass.
With Jamaican-born British bluesman Big Joe Louis at Duff's Garage, Portland.
With Kirk Fletcher. San Francisco Blues Festival.
With the great Chicago guitarist Billy Flynn at Lucerne Blues Festival (2004)
One of the worst gigs of my life: with Jimmy Dawkins in Meudon, France
With Mike Jr. Watson at Ground Zero.
With Phillip Walker at Moulin Blues Festival, Ospel, NL
With Mike Zito on Legendary Blues Cruise
Lucerne 2018
Nighthawk 2021
Nighthawk with Southside Richie (2020)
Ralph Carter, F.G. at the Red Piano, Santa Barbara (July 2021)
Legendary Blues Cruise (w. Curtis Salgado, Kid Ramos)
LBC with Steve Freund
2012 - Present
With R.J. Mischo at the Red Piano, Santa Barbara 2018
