By David McBride

Rearview Mirror

One of the all time great saxaphone players in the world died Dec. 6, 2018.

John “Ace” Cannon Jr., was born in 1934,  at Grenada. He lived most of his life in Calhoun City. Though he traveled the world over, he always kept his home in Calhoun City.  Ace began playing the sax at age 10, and soon became known  all over the South as the Best Sax Player ever.

In the early 50’s when he was about 20 years old he went to Memphis and signed with Sun Recording Studio, and soon became a member of  the famous Bill Black Combo.  As a studio musician he was in great demand for many of the early Rock-A- Billy and Rock-n-Roll recordings.

In 1961 he ventured out on his own and recorded the famous “Tuff” which went to No. 17 on the pop and country charts in 1962, assuring his fame.

I made his acquaintance in the early 60’s not long after Tuff made him a household name. I wandered into one of my favorite night spots in Hattiesburg one cold dreary Saturday afternoon just about dark. I had seen the neon sign out front announcing, that  Ace Cannon was playing there that night, and wished I could have stayed and seen him, but I needed to get on home. I stopped for one quick drink.

This was during my Scotch drinking days, and I was very fond of a certain brand of 30-year-old whiskey. I always ordered it at o this place, and as a regular customer the bartender always made sure a bottle was on hand for me. When the bartender poured my drink the guy to my left made the remark that he was not familiar with that brand, I turned and said,  “It’s good stuff, try one on me.”

I then introduced myself, and he said, “Glad to meet you,  I’m Ace Cannon.”  He was kind of a short stocky guy, very soft spoken and polite.  I told him I was a big fan of his and wished I could stay for the show, but just had to go home. We talked for a while, and when I got up to leave,  he gave name a business card, and he had written on the back “This Man is my Personal Guest. Let him in any show I am playing, his ticket is on me.” I was signed Ace Cannon.

For years after that, when I saw anywhere Ace was playing, I would make a point of seeing his show and my special pass always got me in. Usually when the band would take a break, I would hunt him up and he would introduce me around as his Scotch Drinking Buddy, and we would visit for a few minutes. He appeared to be somewhat of a loner, and always seemed glad to see me.

In the late 60’s I was living in Laurel and was invited to a dinner and dance at the Laurel Shrine Club, which was a nice, big rustic building on the side of a hill overlooking Masonite Lake, just east of town.

The band for the night was Ace Cannon which encouraged me to go, as I had not seen him in several years. The dinner was a big success, and about 9 p.m. the band started up, and as usual everyone was having a great time.  Ace played all his big hits. We made eye contact, smiled and nodded at each other. When the band took a break Ace and I shook hands, spoke, said the usual good to see you pal, etc.

Then he went outside for a breath of fresh air.  I do not know if he was very tired or had an extra sip or so, but he got on his bus (with the only key) and locked the door behind him. He stretched out and went to sleep. When the band got ready to start the second set, he was nowhere to be found. One of the band members looked through the side window and saw him stretched out sound asleep. They beat on the windows, knocked on the side of the bus, rattled the door, all to no avail. After about 20 minutes of confusion, the band just started the second set without him.

The music was good, just not quite the same without the fearless leader. After about 15 or 20 minutes of playing without him, Ace just walked in picked up his horn and joined right in as if nothing had happened. At 11 when it was time for the band to quit he announced  the band would play another 30 minutes, at no charge, to atone for his unscheduled little nap. The crowd cheered and applauded. Ace just grinned and waved to the crowd.

R.I.P., my ole pal Ace. You were a true legend in your own time.

Write to David McBride at macb714@aol.com