John Wackerman

I was playing with the late great Bill Watrous in his big band and combo at the time. My brother Chad recommended me for the gig when he started playing with Frank Zappa. My brother Bob was playing bass in Bill’s band and Brian Kilgore was playing percussion. Bill called us up and said Chuck Mangione is having a musician hang at his house come on up. So Bob and I drove up to Los Angeles to Chucks Mansion at the time and met Bill and Brian there. Chuck’s pool was shaped in a M which I thought was so cool. We met Chuck and ate awesome food. Lou Soloff the trumpet player who was one of the founding members of Blood,Sweet and Tears was there as well. We all played together into the night. Chuck was such a great person and awesome musician and composer. He was so complementary and easy to play music with. Such an inspiration on so many levels. He was the real deal and loved music and musicians. Thanks Chuck for showing a 16 year old kid that you can be a great musician and a great person. Rest In Peace Chuck.