For a while in the 1990s, Pee Wee Ellis and his wife, Charlotte, lived in my village of Beckington, Somerset. I used to put together a band for the annual village fete, consisting mainly of youngsters; we managed a pretty good musical quality and varied repertoire.
One year, Charlotte suggested to the organisers that Pee Wee might play with us. When my wife told me I was awestruck. I suggested he might come and hear us practise, and then decide whether it was feasible. He came and was immensely kind and gracious: the kids loved him.
During the gig, I suggested we do our version of Johnny B Goode, in a minor key, and asked Pee Wee if he would do the (guitar) intro for us on tenor sax. His surprised smile lit up the stage and he immediately played it with extraordinary zeal. Later, when we did Summertime, the audience was mesmerised.
