He didn’t howl like Wolf, nor honk like Little Walter. As a bassist he posed no threat to Willie Dixon. And yet, the late, great Clifford Antone (1949-2006) now sits like royalty among the hallowed six-stringers, sidemen, and big brassy belters crowding 'round Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters at eternity’s music festival. Without Antone’s undying enthusiasm, generosity, and namesake club, Austin wouldn’t have become a Southwestern capital of the blues, birthing the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and now Gary Clark, Jr. Cliffy’s back home now, but Susan Antone keeps the flame alive. Save us a seat.
