One of the nicest musicians and gracious people I’ve ever known, Norton Buffalo, was a friend to many of the musicians in our community. Back in the mid ’70s when we had our annual award ceremony, The Bay Area Music awards or Bammies (Named after the magazine of the same name), the two of us were presenters. There was no script, so we made up a little banter to do on stage, right before we went up. The show had no catering back then, and the venue no food. We joked that we were paired as Lobster and Buffalo. Norton then said “Yeah, Surf and Turf” to which I said to the audience “Hey, this is the only meal you’re gonna get tonight.” His legendary work with The Steve Miller Band, The Doobie Brothers, Huey Lewis, Bonnie Raitt and many others will be his legacy. All these musicians and more will perform at a benefit will be held to help his wife Lisa pay the medical costs of his chemotherapy, etc., which ran up very quickly. During the Noon Hour on the Sunday, January 24th Lobster’s Sunday Brunch, we’ll feature a Local Catch set with Bonnie Raitt’s hit version of the Del Shannon rock classic “Runaway.” Norton’s multi-key harmonica solo on the song to me was the very thing that gave the version musical gravitas to match Bonnie’s vocal. Heaven now has one hell of a harp player.