I consider myself fortunate to have seen Link several times in recent years.... It's funny how so many of the people I admire are getting up there in years, but that doesn't slow any of them down.  Link was about 69 when these pics were snapped, and he still rocked harder than anyone I've ever seen.... And, I've seen a BUNCH... If you don't already know the story, it goes something like this:  Link was already playing in the Virginia/DC area in the late '40s in a hillbilly band, (some terrific early stuff IS available on the Norton label), but later suffered from Tuberculosis after serving in Korea. As a result, he lost a lung.  Well, I suppose not wanting to sing as much at that point, his guitar playing began to replace his singing... And, as an expressive instrument, it was awesome.... Simple chord progressions marked all of his early work, but it was very effective.  Even now, you can hear a few chords of something being played, even if by another band, and you instinctively KNOW it's a Link Wray tune.... Well, years passed, and Link continued to record, but in the 70s he moved to an island off of Belgium (I think).... After that, he refused to tour, in part because he had a young son.... Well, in 1997 he returned to the US for his first tour in about 14 years, and I actually flew to Austin, TX to see him, thinking I might never have another chance.  I was wrong.... Ole Link has been touring heavily ever since, and I've seen him in Austin, Memphis, and Chicago for a total of 5 shows.... These pics were snapped at a place called "Automatic Slim's" in Memphis....

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