A surprise 70th birthday party for well-known Powell River musician Sam Hurrie took place on Saturday, October 15, with round two of his birthday celebrations happening on Saturday, October 22, at Red Lion Pub. Hurrie has been playing guitar for the last 57 years and has no intention of quitting anytime soon.
Looking back on your career, what are your thoughts?
Now that I’m entering my eighth decade, I’ve had a hell of a ride. The people I’ve met and the places I’ve been, all over the US and Canada and Europe, and being paid to do it, I’ve had a great run.
Do you have a favourite time?
Being part of the scene in New York in the late 60s and all of the people I was able to meet and play with.
Did you ever run into the latest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Bob Dylan?
I never did. I ran into his mentor, a great guy named Dave Van Ronk. I got to know him a little bit because we lived close together. I never met Dylan, but I met Dave.
Why did you get off the road in 1970?
It was just getting so crazy in the States, especially with the whole drug thing. People all around me were overdosing. It was no place to raise a child, so we came out here to visit my parents and we’ve stayed here all that time.
Did you ever get involved in that scene?
Peripherally, yes. I mean, everybody had a good time in the 60s, but most people had a lot better time than I did.
If there is one, what is the highlight of your career?
The highlight would be the night we were playing at The Scene in New York, where we had a house gig for a year and a half. John Lennon and Paul McCartney came in at the beginning of the night, sat about 15 feet away from me and watched the band right until closing time.
When will you know it is time to stop performing?
I’m primarily a blues musician and B.B. King played until he was 89. Time will tell me when it’s time to hang them up. If I know I don’t have the dexterity and stamina to do it anymore, I’ll be able to hang it up and be satisfied. I don’t think it’s going to be an especially traumatic thing for me.
For more information, go to fb.com/sam.hurrie.
