Yes, folks, we’re back with the latest news about fellow Gold Coaster and Man of The Blues, Harmonica Jack. The last time we devoted some (well-deserved) space to Jack was after he’d been told to report to the hospital because things were looking up and they expected to have a transplantable heart for him soon. How that determination was made I had no idea, nor did Jack. And neither did anyone in the hospital. The plan, if it could be called that, was for Jack to be kept under wraps under the anytime-now pump became available. Now, the cut-off age for heart transplants is 70. Jack’s 70th birthday took place on a Tuesday, which the hospital was aware of when they told him not to worry about it and to check in on the Friday after. Which he did. He spent that Saturday being tested and scanned, and shortly after breakfast Sunday he was told to hit the road. There would be no heart for him, his blood type was too rare, and he was now too old, anyway. But hey, he should keep himself available for further tests for research purposes. “Yeah, well,” this stalwart son of Gold Coast replied, “later.” Jack went home, took a nap, then refilled his prescriptions, gassed up his car, and the following morning put on his Blues hat and took it down the road. So, he's been back in Mississippi helping with the on-going tornado relief effort, buying and delivering supplies, and providing transportation to those who need it.
While taking time out for lunch one day, Jack was approached by the Mayor of Glendora, Mississippi who asked if he would be interested in organizing a one-day Blues festival to help with the relief effort. Jack, of course, said he would be happy to do it, and set about tracking down local musicians he'd met during his previous trips to The Delta. He found enough to make up a day’s worth of music, and the festival took place two weeks later. Attendance could have been better, but in such circumstances, you take what you can get, and Jack says everyone who was there had a good time. You can’t ask for more than that.
And this: Jack has been approached to give his blessing to a biography centered on his trips to the Delta over the past fifteen years. Jack has given a tentative “yes” but wants it done before he’s carried off to The Great Gig in the Sky. That way, he can make sure his two grandsons get to see it. We spoke for about an hour a week ago, and with all he’s been through, he still sounds pretty good. He’s not ready to fold up just yet.
And that’s the latest on my pal Harmonica Jack.
I realize harmonica Jack probably has other health issues that his doctor say disqualify him. However, in the past decade, there have been over 800 septuagenarian heart transplants in the US. Medical journals say there’s no set age limit on heart transplants here. Glad to hear he’s staying active.
Sooo good to know he's hanging in there! We are a tough breed, us musicians!