Sunrise at the Arch

Sunrise at the Arch

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Nessa and I headed to St. Louis to Lyle Tuttle’s Old School Tattoo Convention with some inking in mind. Even though over the years I have collected a number of artist’s work, Lyle gave me my first tattoo at his studio over the old Greyhound Station in downtown San Francisco almost half a century ago.

Old School indeed...

Old School indeed...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Convention was in the Holiday Inn and the venue was packed with Tattooists and ‘art lovers,’ aka tattooed humans. Nessa and I were there with an appointment to see Bridget Punsalang. Bridget normally holds court at the Needlewurks studio in Saratoga Springs, but we had made arrangements to meet her in St. Louis.

I wanted a skull, but I wanted a little some more artistic than just a skull… for in death there is also life. Here is the beginning of the work. It is finished for now… but there is more to come.

In death, there is also the circle of life...

In death, there is also the circle of life...

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Bridget is more than awesome… her artistic vision is off the charts.

Artist, and canvas... me.

Artist, and canvas... me.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

This is my first new tattoo in over twenty years, but I’m fired up again. Inking done, we beat feet back to Ohio so i could get on the bus and head to New York City and Hot Tuna’s gig at the City Winery. After unloading at the hotel, Phil and I cabbed over to Chinatown for dinner at Wo Hop.

Another Old School adventure

Another Old School adventure

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It’s been way more than twenty years since I ate here… it was just what I needed.

As for tonight… City Winery here we come!


Comments

  1. Comment made on December 4, 2017 by Rick Murphy

    Great show in Boston -11-30 — another continuous example of why I’ve been listening to you since 67

  2. Comment made on November 26, 2017 by gregg

    hey let lieing dogs lie g

  3. Comment made on November 26, 2017 by patty l.

    Can’t wait to see you and Jack at the City Winery this coming Tuesday!

  4. Comment made on November 26, 2017 by carey georgas

    C’mon guys, no need to state the obvious. Peace speaks for itself.@Dead Head

  5. Comment made on November 25, 2017 by johno

    Sure is…so nice.
    @Dead Head

  6. Comment made on November 25, 2017 by Dead Head

    Sure is peaceful in there…………..

  7. Comment made on November 25, 2017 by Richie K

    Incredible show tonight @ At The Tabernacle in Mt Tabor NJ! Absolutely awesome, spine-tingling, spontaneous sing-a-long to “White Rabbit” – loved Jorma’s comment “I gotta tell Grace”. One of the greatest moments in a live show that I’ve seen in a while! To paraphrase a former governor – New Jersey and Hot Tuna – perfect together.

  8. Comment made on November 24, 2017 by Ham n Eggs

    For the Tuesday show I was sitting with three Tuna First Timers, though two had seen Jorma before.
    My first time friend was incredibly impressed.
    I also noticed that while ten or so songs were the same the second night ,with the exception of water songs they were played on a different guitar from the first night.
    on the second night two of my friends at different times asked if I was alright because my eyes were closed and I was just carried away. I told em both I was just blissing. Go Ride the Music indeed.
    As always thanks Jack and Jorma and every body involved. My
    My only complaint is the sound guys “screwed up” both nights on Jack’s vocal mike so the band was forced to cut White Rabbit short. Unfortunately I’m not going next week but if I was I’d bring a sax player,
    Looking forward to Funky # Ringo at Portchester
    Peace
    Love All Ways
    @Andriy

  9. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Jim Hitchcock

    🙂

  10. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Jack Blind

    Get place in town while in town of Parsippany for real Afgani food, Kabob Paradise, just like a Wo Hop enviroment…mix ed gyro platter, chicken & lamb $10…can’t be beat

  11. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Jim Hitchcock

    @Andriy Happy Thanksgiving, Barbara

  12. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Jack Blind

    I proposed to my wife at Wo Hops in 1980, spent many a late nite after closing time there in the 70’s, came from Jersey…live rite down the road now in Whippany, a stone’s throw from the Tabernacle…do well and enjoy the music..now ya got me thinking of getting the sugar skull tattoo I’ve been wanting..gave thanx for another beautiful Thanksgivng
    jack

  13. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by carlo pagliano

    Peace be the Happy Thanksgiving all the rollin’ way.

  14. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Greg martelli

    Happy Thanksgiving
    Our Thanksgiving schedule precluded this weekends NYC trip.We will be in the Apple in two weeks for Christmastide.
    On to Jamaica for Island Gigs,just wish the billing was inverted.
    Tuna on top of Dark Star.
    Hot tuna

    Significance of the lunar moth in the tattoo?

  15. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Andriy

    We have American customers at this restaurant where I work . A good guy goes to see jorma and the show he tells us is very good. I give my thanks to jorma this day. He gives each person a way to be happy with his music. Maybe they can not go to concerts many times because are new to this country but they love jorma and hot tuna songs and the music. We have to work six days every week we don’t have money or time for concerts but jorma give me the place here to be equals with other people. I am thankful for being in America. This year most recent in weeks, thanks for women now they don’t need to be afraid of bad men. No more for them to listen to other tell them ” ignore and they will lose interest “. Worst they don’t need to listen to other women tell them ” don’t start”. No woman can tell another because the defending and enabling is now over.

  16. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Dan

    You killed it at the Winery last night. Loved it when Jack played his bass part to Funky#7. Maybe next time you will join in lol.

  17. Comment made on November 23, 2017 by Walt Hetfield

    John B – There were a lot of problems with that elevator in the original construction. My dad worked for a contractor that helped straighten out problems on government projects that the original contractor had screwed up. I can recall him being out there when the two Gemini 9 astronauts were killed at Lambert airport. I also recall him saying that had some sort of moisture problem with the elevator. Funny the things you remember – and what triggers those memories.

  18. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Fillmore SF Audio

    Jorma,

    I’ve been getting tattooed my entire adult life (Ed Hardy, Bob Roberts, Horiyoshi III, etc), but haven’t been doing much in the last few years. You just inspired me to ring the legendary Shotsie Gorman, and set up an appointment. Not sure if you’re familiar with Shotsie. He was in New Jersey for decades. Fortunately he’s now in Sonoma, Ca. I saw a photo of you with Ed Hardy. Looks like he’s doing well in Honolulu. Very glad to know Lyle Tuttle is still on the scene! Curious what he tattooed on you and when? That shop above the Greyhound Station burned down, correct?

    – Keith (FOH audio Fillmore SF)

  19. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by carlo pagliano

    Rerock Them All High Tonight Jorma.

  20. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by John B

    In 1974 or 75 I drove cross country and along the way we stopped at the Arch in Saint Louis. We were able to go to the top via an elevator system that transported you and maybe three or four others in these tiny podlike capsules. We shared our pod with an older gentlemen and his granddaughter. The gentlemen said that he had worked as an engineer on the design and implementation on the pod system.

    Just thought I would share that with the group.

  21. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Steve

    Guys I was stationed with in the Navy at Treasure Island used to go to Tuttle’s in town…

  22. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Bake

    That’s some real nice ink Jorma, you must be proud! I had some work done at Needlewurks myself, being so close and all. However I didn’t get the pleasure of meeting Bridget. Sounds like things are as they should be in your world, my best to you and yours.

  23. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Richu

    Happy t day jorma….

  24. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by eaglesteve

    Because tomorrow I’m helping the wife in the kitchen and won’t have the time:
    Happy Thanksgiving to Tuna Nation
    G_d Bless the USA and all mankind

  25. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Andy K

    @willy
    My pleasure indeed to meet another Tunaman. On to the Capitol Theatre 12/8!

  26. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by johno

    It was great last night. First time to the City Winery – much more intimate than the Beacon Theater. Perfect for Acoustic Hot Tuna. Just love you and Jack up there belting out tune after tune. Or should I say tuna after tuna. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

  27. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Dan

    Going tonight. Can’t wait.

  28. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by willy

    Acoustic half of my double dose of Jack and Jorma last night at City Winery was a fantastic start to the fall tour of the northeast, now looking forward to electric in Portchester. And I think I heard it right, but did anybody else note that the boys’ first gig in DC all those years ago paid less than Jorma’s piece of breakfast bacon yesterday morning? So glad you guys stuck with it to give us all so many years of great music.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.

    (@AndyK – nice meeting you and talking during the set break)

  29. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Andy K

    Awesome show last night!
    The boyz got better as the night went on. Sleep Song, Barbeque King, Water Song, I Know You Rider……
    And a lidbit of White Rabbit – if only an audience member volunteered to do the vocals!
    Thank you!!!

  30. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Eric L

    It was really interesting to follow that link and read about Lyle Tuttle. Great history!

  31. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Richard

    Seen Jorma 3 times at The City Winery but not HT..Stella show for sure..The guys as always give 100%..Thanks for all you guys do for us. After 40 years seeing HT it never gets old..Now looking forward to the LI show..Electric yeah!!!

  32. Comment made on November 22, 2017 by Greg martelli

    Take Izzie to Lion King,The “He Lives in Me” scene is one of best circle of life moments that I’ve seen.
    Hot Tuna!

  33. Comment made on November 21, 2017 by johno

    Love the new tattoo! “In death, there is also the circle of life” Exactly right. We will each live on forever after this life. Whatever level of consciousness and spirituality we attain while we are here on Earth, we will take with us into eternity. Leaving for the show tonite in an hour. Can’t wait to see you and Jack again!

  34. Comment made on November 21, 2017 by Mark K

    Nice Ink! I still have my signed Jorma back tattoo poster somewhere.. I was just talking about about getting some ink for the new year…Its been about 15 years or more and I guess at 62 its never too late. I am leaning towards a Hamsa [eye in the hand], but cant go wrong with a good HT Tat.. any suggestions?

  35. Comment made on November 21, 2017 by Andy K

    Wo Hop is pretty good.
    Near the Beacon, try Sevens (on West 72nd St.), a Mediterranean restaurant.
    Friendly and delicious. http://www.seventurkishgrill.com/

  36. Comment made on November 21, 2017 by Richard

    I am about to leave for the big city with the Long Island Railroad for a great HT show I am sure!!! The boys always give their all..Been looking forward to this for a while..Wo Hop a great NYC institution Hope you enjoyed Jorma and Phil..

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