Earl Klugh Late Night Guitar

[Karriem Drewery]

Ifirst met guitarist Earl Klugh about 35 years ago, when he was standing by himself outside a nightclub in Seattle. Klugh was probably in his late teens at the time, and was performing with guitarist George Benson. The reason he was standing out in front of the place was that, in those days, Washington State liquor laws allowed musicians under the age of 21 to play in venues that served liquor, but would not allow them to remain in the club when they were not actually onstage, performing. So every time Benson's band took a break, Klugh had to either sit in the dressing room or go outside. It was my good fortune that, this time, he chose to go outside.

He was surprised to be recognized by a passerby, and seemed pleased to have someone to talk to during his momentary exile. We walked around the block while Klugh talked about how fortunate he felt to be working with a musician of Benson's caliber, and how much he was learning. All in all, Klugh struck me as an earnest, good-natured and humble person, especially considering the fact that he was having so much success at such an early age.

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