May 3, 2004
Al Hirt
David and I were swapping stories about the Green Hornet, and Flight of the Bumblebee, and such, and it got me to thinking about Al Hirt.
Al was never considered a jazz master as a trumpet player (a little too commercial?), but I think he was. He, of course, always considered himself a pop musician. He was great, wherever you classify him.
I also remember the time in 1970 when Al was busted in the mouth with a brick while riding a Mardi Gras float. That is a cruel thing to do to a trumpet player. Irony ain't the half of it.
Big Al headlined the first Super Bowl in '67, and ended up headlining 5 of the Games. That beats Britney, and Janet, and Bono. I believe that beats the paederast Gloved One himself.
Al died in 1999. I think the big boy actually made it to 76. Not bad.