They were so high in the business, I saw a lot of people trying to hang onto them, to get favors from them, and it turned me off. So I just played wherever I could around town.

Lou came down to perform there, part of his military tour.

When I saw them leave a black ghetto and become international superstars, in my mind there was no other way to go. That was it. I had to be a musician - that's how I got into music.

He asked me what in the world I was doing in the Marines and I told him I'd be out in a few years and was wondering if I could get another shot at a gig with him when I got out.

I started studying some music, trying to grow as a musician in Hollywood.

I actually had a little R&B group, and Tito performed with me once.

They were poor. Everybody was poor. They didn't even have professional instrumentation, but they were making great music - they were actually on a professional level.

I just got tired of the business.

He told me Lou might be looking for a bass player.