I posted this story earlier on the other Elvin thread... In case you haven't read it here it is...
One of the first times I heard Elvin was at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago... It was back in 1977 and a drummer I knew was there and half in the bag and grumpy because his old friend Ira Sullivan hired Wilbur Campbell instead of him to open for Elvin....So my grumpy friend just keeps getting drunker and grumpier... So by the time Elvin comes on, my friend becomes rather vocal.... Elvin starts the set with a 5 minute drum solo, followed by a slow burning blues. The next tune is another slow burner that goes on for about 10 - 15 minutes with another 5 minute drum solo.... When the tune is finally ended, my drunken friend yells up to Elvin, "Come on Elvin, stop bullshittin and take it upstairs ".... With the timing of Jack Benny, Elvin comes back with, "He's right,,,, it's time to take it to the mezzanine" . The room exploded in a roar of laughter and applause..... Then Elvin kicks off a blistering 8 bar intro and just burns for the rest of the set! That was an unforgettable night for me! And drummer Wilbur Campbell also played his ass off that night! I'll never forget that night!