I saw Maynard often while attending college. Starting in 1980 and running through 1986. (I'm a slow learner...)

I caught Maynard twice in less than a month. First, in Norfolk, NE, and later in Onawa, IA. Stan Mark had moved on from the band, and Hoby Freeman was playing Lead. (hell of a player, B-T-W)

Anyway, Maynard in Norfolk was totally off. By off, I mean, not playing hardly anything well. Not in the staff, not above the staff, nothing. It was depressing. At intermission I caught up with Hoby and asked, "What the hell is up with the Boss?" He told me that he had played like a man possessed the night before -- just another highschool auditorium -- but for some reason Maynard just played and played and played like a mad man until he severely cut himself. He said that he shouldn't even be playing on his lip, but ever the Showman... Said it was the worst cut he had ever seen.

Less than a month later, in Onawa, Iowa. Small highschool auditorium... Maynard was on fire. Playing a HUGE high E in "Portugese Love," nailing absolutely everything with incredible sound and finesse. It was incredible. Again, at intermission, I hook up (well, not literately) with Hoby. He says, "so, Zank, THIS is what it was like the night before I saw you last." My response -- "Poor bastards that are coming to hear him tomorrow night!" We both had a good laugh about that...

I don't know what inspired Maynard to play some nights like it was his last concert, but I have been friends with many band members over the years and they all tell me the same thing -- it was Maynard's way. Stan has told me several time that he often, even after all those years with Maynard, was totally blown-away by something MF would do or play, seemingly out-of-the-blue and for no apparent reason.

Obviously the Boss operated on a different level (some say planet) than we mortals do. That's why there is a FORUM dedicated to him and not to us... JP