Good report from the hand specialist Harvey is happy about his Monday appointment with the hand specialist doctor. After new x-rays and an exam, the doctor said that the bones in his pinky finger were healing, and was optimistic after Harvey was able to slightly move his finger. He said that Harvey might be able […]
Harvey’s Funny Rolling Stones Story
At one point, guitarist Harvey Mandel appeared to be in line to join the Rolling Stones during the immediate post-Mick Taylor era. They ended up going another way, but Mandel didn’t leave empty handed. For one thing, Mandel is featured on two tracks, “Hot Stuff” and “Memory Motel,” from 1976’s Black and Blue. “At home […]
Harvey on his music
“There is a distinct difference between being a good musician and playing a good song… It takes years to get to the point where there is nothing physical left to learn, where everything is purely in the mind. There’s always the physical part. Usually that’s the technique and that’s the fine point between a lot […]
UPDATE: August 30
In a word, Harvey says he is “miserable.” In our last August 8/17 I reported that while walking downstairs, Harvey fell off the last step and broke bones in his foot and left-hand pinky finger. Harvey blames his continually blurry eyes on the loss of his tear ducts in his last cancer surgery. He says […]
Harvey & Chicago Blues Reunion
Harvey comments: “Chicago Blues Reunion (CBR) is myself, a vocalist and guitarist, Nick Gravenites (Paul Butterfield,) and on keys, Barry Goldberg (The Rides, Bob Dylan) – we’re the founders of CBR. We hooked up at the Chicago Blues Fest. We added Gary Mallaber on drums (Steve Miller, Van Morrison,) Rick Reed on bass (Paul Butterfield) and […]
UPDATE: August 17
Harvey is still very weak His eyes are constantly blurry, and of course his nose, or lack thereof, continually give him trouble. So much so, that while walking downstairs yesterday evening, he fell (crashed) off the last step. Harvey knew he was hurt bad and headed to the ER. After x-rays and exam, the doctor […]
Mandel and Mayall
With Canned Heat bassist Larry Taylor, Harvey Mandel joined John Mayall’s band for the next two years.[2] He is heard playing on the two albums from that period ‘USA Union’ and ‘Back to the Roots.’ Mayall described his technique as Harvey’s wall of sound, which aptly encompasses his early mastery of controlled feedback through his […]
UPDATE: August 11
Harvey has been feeling a little better these last few days. First off, his latest MRI shows no new cancer seen, which is totally great news. And he’s no longer taking antibiotics, ending a seven-and-a-half-week ordeal with as he calls it “weird infection.” Harvey has a new dental surgery scheduled (ouch!) and is meeting with […]
Almost a Rolling Stone
Its true, says Harvey “The Snake“ Mandel, I was almost a Rolling Stone…. “When Mick Taylor left the Stones, I know that at first, they offered the job to Jeff Back and of course he turned them down. They had a few different guys in there and then they decided to try me and I […]
UPDATE: July 28
Harvey’s MRI on Tuesday showed improvements The cancer is under control, and the infection that nearly killed him, is gone. So today his PICC will be removed from his chest and he can now start nasal reconstruction. Nasal reconstruction is a very complex surgery performed by an otolaryngologist in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. Recovery […]