Col Bruce Hampton interview by Jeff Mosier, February 2012

[@MrElm5150]

I relocated to Atlanta from New Orleans in '05, on the heels of Hurricane Katrina, where I had been FOH engineer at the Maple leaf Bar. I had mixed a few shows for the the Colonel's band "the Codetalkers" and he and I hadn't really had any conversations to speak of, not even for setup/line-check up when I mostly dealt with Bobby Lee. In Atlanta, I was running sound at a club in Decatur, GA called "Jake's Toadhouse" . After the show was over and the place was cleared out, I noticed two gentlemen sitting at the bar talking. As i got closer i recognized Bruce. I bellied up about 10 feet to his left kinda behind him waiting for my nightly pay. His attention never left the conversation that he was engaged in that I can remember. I overheard him talking about Katrina to the other gentleman who i inferred hadn't experienced the storm. Col. Bruce got to a point where it sounded as if he was trying to convey how the vibe of the city had changed at that time and without skipping a beat spun halfway around and pointed his thumb at me and said to him, "if you don't believe me, just ask this guy". I was floored, touched, and flattered that he had remembered me and then referred to me so matter-of-factly, like an old friend, without either of us actually greeting each other before hand. He simply included me as someone he considered as a corroborating voice on the subject , so very nonchalantly. How he made me feel during a time that I felt very displaced is a memory I'll never forget. God Rest His Soul.

[@lingeringlead]

That’s Bruce.

[@seangogginsofficial]

These stories about him are always amazing.

[@MSeawright11]

Musical genius, the world misses this. Colonel Bruce is a legend!

[@JosephPatrickMooreMusic]

Rev. Killed it! Such an incredible interview. Honored and proud to have worked with both of these cats!

[@ChooseCompassion]

I miss you Bruce. You are one of the most unique and lovely human beings I’ve ever known. ❤️‍🩹

[@greglarry11]

I've played for 40 years and somehow missed this guy. I heard a pro musician mention the "Colonel died this week." So I decided to look him up and I watched videos including this one. I wish I would have known this man before. But better late than never. He is an amazing guy. I see why people love him.

[@letsif]

Same here. I'm ashamed that I didn't know about him until learning that he died, then looked him up.

[@oogdog8105]

Comes A Time led me here. Thanks Oteil.

[@lingeringlead]

It’s crazy how Oteil is in the Dead and Jimmy “saved” Panic.

[@paulferranti8536]

I know alot about music, very little about Col. Bruce...ive heard so many good things about him..i need to learn.

[@williamhitchcock2094]

My band opened for him at the Middle East in Cambridge Mass in the 90’s and back stage he told us this same message about a life in music. It made a huge impression on me and I can’t believe I stumbled on this video almost 30 years later. Time Is Free is still one of my favorite songs with one of the greatest guitar solos I’ve ever heard. Yeah Jimmy!!!!!!

[@scotsman6712]

I called a friend in florida,we started talking stocks,I didnt know Bruce was in the room with him .next thing I know Bruce is on the phone telling me,"buy (such and such),I dont know who you are,but I'm GIVING you money"! Next day,that stock took a bad tumble.I thought it was hilarious.

[@pauljamesnichols]

I was playing a small festival in Ohio, didn’t know much about Bruce Hampton other than he was the singer in aquarium rescue unit, this was the first time I ever seen Bruce, and was really enjoying his set, , I was digging The avant-garde storyteller style,afterwords in passing, I asked him if anybody ever told him that he reminds them of the reverend Gary Davis, he started laughing and said no but we share a birthdate, so I had to test him, and look it up on my phone, before I got the answer, he told me it was really close to my birthday, which was a day away from his, I asked him how he did that, and he said he didn’t have time to explain science.lol, blew my mind

[@JayBirdsChannel]

😂He was so damn awesome

[@hailahh]

He was shy, I remember Hampton Grease Band playing at the University of Georgia and half the time, he had his back to the audience. Man, they were weird and wonderful.

[@justuseubank9192]

How do you achieve grease?

[@mrgreanjeans]

I had an uncanny and almost spiritual connection with the Col. He stood beside me sometimes before he went on stage and we never said a word.I rode on his back one time while completely in another dimension.He has come and sat beside me before on a couch and led some ladies into believing I was in he band though we had never spoken a word to each other.When we finally did talk he unloaded so much info on me that it felt I had known him for years.I loved this man! I met Jeff in passing this past weekend and we didn’t speak other than hello but I felt the same kinship when he put his hand on my shoulder without me even approaching him.

[@jpzey4b275]

Mind Wizard 😌✌👊👍

[@neonmeate8180]

Discontinue the lithium.

[@229cbrezey]

Had a short convo with this man after a show at a local bar . Guy is amazing hands down. Inspiring. Opened my eyes a lot but my ears even more . Amazing what can acutally be heard when you really listen.

[@MehranOfChicago]

Rest In Peace Colonel. What a great musician, and what a huge loss.

[@randalclarke5487]

"The whole world is pro wrestling..." he's a prophet as well

[@JayBirdsChannel]

This interview should be played to all students once a year for the 12 years they attend public school. You would change this country, and probably the world.

[@maurakormos9416]

I just heard this wonderful asset to our lives has passed to his next adventure. Very sad news. Not to be crass, tis my nature, The Man Went Out Like a Huge Firecracker. I have this weird impulse to smile that he was playing his 70th Birthday Show at Fox and That is Where He Chose to End His Song. I would have Loved Another 20 Years with his light, but he has moved on. I Do Believe if I were an Artist/Musician this is how I would want to go. Much Love and Respect Maura PoohVille (Magfest and Springfest est. 1997-2015) (Suwannee Roots Reunion 2016-Forever)

[@noturnleftunstoned72]

nice. iko iko naked

[@lynlavalight]

We all had mixed feelings. He was having the time of his life surrounded by all the people who loved him most.

[@justuseubank9192]

Well stated

[@JayBirdsChannel]

It was perfect. I am believer that God decides when we go. But, I have zero doubt that the Col had a say in his passing. One of a kind human being.

[@Cesarpena]

Great guys, great interview.

[@Petequinn741]

Love this!

[@tuffgong41]

Love you cats. Thanks for creating & being curious.

[@randalclarke5487]

Hampton would shit about the current bullshit situation we are in today with the death of live music. He is truly an inspiration

[@kurtfoulke5130]

This is so fascinating, I'm into my 8th hour of research and haven't made it through the 58 minute interview yet.

[@harribfree7360]

i remember when i was chillin with bruce for the first time at the brandy house. and he guessed my sign.

[@jonathanboswell2336]

I got took ‘backstage’ with the Dunhams, Bruce, and some Asian guy. Life changing.

[@fiddlix]

People wonder about my fiddle playing.......whether it’s good or not is beside the point. It all goes back to two people.....Jeff Mosier and Col.Bruce. End of story.....!!

[@NPC2_4_U]

Man if I could have met the Colonel. I was a shitty musician but I understood, recognized, loved and tried to do all that he talks about on here back when I performed. I could have spoken with him for hours.

[@JayBirdsChannel]

The Col was just a genius, a prophet, a madman, insane, lovely, beautiful, flawed, and perfect all mixed together. Pure entertainment at all times. He is, not was or will become. Just is.

[@fiddlix]

May the Col. RIP

[@drdexter33]

loved this. thank you!

[@SlashinatorZ]

I only remember him as the buzzard from Sling Blade

[@MsTlambert]

Bruce mentions Charles Barkley, he is from Leeds, Alabama.....

[@mikem8117]

such wisdom and truth

[@owengrooms6016]

ROLAND KIRK 16:11

[@jeanreyes981]

What's that handshake at the end all about? is it an inside joke or something? 57:55

[@richardjansen3317]

Freemason handshake?

[@javierjalisco17]

I never understood the knowing birthdays thing but recently I saw a book about facial structures based on mineral deficiencies. The pyramid is the cornerstone which is you pie slice of astrology. The corner you're born in is the mineral salt you're deficient in and should be taking a supplement off. They have a whole science book on all the different facial features by sign. I've always thought there are general groups of faces where you see someone and think they look like this person.

[@taliesinmusic]

This sounds like a medical industry plug to boost tablet consumption.... You can't seriously think we are naturally born with deficiencies?

[@JayBirdsChannel]

This is an amazing interview.

[@dwrguitar48]

There always has to be one dislike! Really? Trolls!

[@ronfrey5327]

GREAT

[@emmoiv]

6:47 - 8:05

[@joepierecipes5432]

the bill belichek of nusic

[@letsif]

Wisdom

[@johnnycmajor]

I only know one chord , so needlessly to say I over play it.

[@seangogginsofficial]

hampton predicts taylor swift in the last 2 minutes of the video

[@JayBirdsChannel]

Man, I love what he said about the church too. As a Christian, he’s right. Hasn’t changed much in the ensuing years.

[@JanBBDavis]

He's right, You just have to write .

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

....and the 5th,"t"could've been "tempo"

[@dougspivey8396]

Someone hit dislike by mistake

[@thuhreb]

The shirt stains makes this totally bruce… saw him at nc swic once.

[@westrig180]

Bruce is outstanding in his thoughts and philosophy. Jeff well he kinda patronizes a bit too much and cuts Bruce off alot trying to complete his thought / statements. The dude needed to relax and let the interview flow more.

[@vleevision7787]

Joyful noise . FACT .

[@JayBirdsChannel]

You play Willie, you play Merle, you play Johnny Cash, and THEN you put the pencil necks on there! Damn Col, we should’ve elected you king of America. Sorry we, collectively, missed your brilliance.

[@pauljamesnichols]

Speak for yourself on missed brilliance , the Colonel had me at day one