Special tribute for Drake
Posted by EP in Friends Speak on October 1, 2011
Howard Posnick shared these memories
My dear friend “Drake “Maxwell” Levin…
Drake was like a big brother to me as we met close to twenty years back playing poker. Most people do not realize that the game of poker was just as important to Drake as his music. “Mind game in the first order” A few selected friends, as well as myself were considered “Poker Brothers” from Drake & Sandra Levin, Drake’s wife.
I feel very fortunate and honored to have been considered a “Poker Brother” and made that transition from poker brother to life long brother for the few remaining years.
When Drake & I realized that we were both musicians, we instantly bonded as buds. This was before I knew that he was a famous cat, and one of the original guitarists of “Paul Revere & the Raiders”
You see, Drake was a very humble man, and if your were fortunate enough as I was, to be able to get into his circle, he’d do anything for you as a friend. With this being said, he was also a very complicated man, and could also be somewhat cantankerous at times too.
I can remember so many fascinating stories that Drake would share with me from his experiences on the road with the Raiders & Brotherhood, as we’d sometimes sit for hours on end drinking fine wine and chatting the night away.
I was always amazed with his story telling, and I always pushed him to write a book. This is when he asked me if I would spend some time with Sandra and teach her piano/keyboard theory. I was honored, and we continuously fought over the money, as I wouldn’t take a dime.
Drake & nephew Chip Romero jammin’
Posted by Sandra in Family Memories, Sandra's Stories on March 9, 2010
Drake and Chip Romero (nephew). They played hours even though Drake was in pain and tired. Music is an amazing healer. As soon as he heard music he could go to a place that was pain free. Playing Music. Greatest healer of all time. It always amazed me that he had this turn off and turn on pain switch. We lived in Hollywood on Laurel Cayon back in the 70’s. We were headed down the bottom of the hill which is a busy stop light on Hollywood Blvd and Service Station on the corner but you need to turn left are not hit anyone coming, we’re swerving and blowing the horn using the emergency brake and the floor brake was flat to the floor. When we got near the bottom, he swerved around the back of the Service Station and headed back up hill, rolled back a little and parked on a embankment. As we are going down the winding and narrow Laurel Canyon road he said open the door drag your foot and he did the same thing on the drivers side. I’m not kidding. On the website you will hear more Drake Levin driving stories to come that will blow your mind. Most all his friends have told me the riding stories about Drake over the years. You are in for a lot of fun. Come back often and write a story will you please. Thanks.
True story ….Sandra Levin
Is anyone laughing at this. This s… really happened and all the time right up to the day he died. Drake Levin was a kick.
Drake opened the hot radiators cap too soon and burnt his wrist. He automatically turned off the pain instantly because he was on the way to a gig. After the gig was over he was hurting because of the blisters. That story gives you an idea of the commitments Drake made to live through his pain, he had a great life inspite of everything. This behavior saved him for many wonderful years and taught me to to be a giver unconditionally.
The Truck was working and ready to roll, we had extra cans of break fluid…..if needed. His Band was opening for Elton John that night at a school Prom in South LA.
Ridding down Laurel Canyon with out breaks is terrifin. I said something….his reply….were you hurt baby…..no??? lets go makes some music. Beautiful Music, that what I’m sayin.
Drake’s Epiphone Sheraton guitar
Posted by Sandra in Sandra's Stories on March 9, 2010
This picture is a rare diamond. We will never see the likes of Drake Levin again or his guitar. His original and a back up Epiphone Sheraton were lost in the Nashville flood. They were recently aquired by the Musicians Hall of Fame. I hestiate to mention this loss as there were so many people that lost their homes and lives. This picture is now part of history.
Mark Lindsay on Drake
Posted by EP in Paul Revere & the Raiders on February 27, 2010
Here’s a comment Mark Lindsay shared on the guestbook…
Sandra –
Hearing the Raiders’ new singles collection makes me realize once again how important Drake was to the musical legacy and history of the Raiders. Although we didn’t hang out offstage as much as I wish we had, looking back at the hours and days we spent crowded together in a car kicking around musical ideas, I realize that onstage, Drake was my closest ally. Nobody plays guitar like Drake, and his driving rhythm pushed my performances way past where they would have been otherwise. Our guitar and sax duets are something I haven’t experienced since. I miss him more now than I ever did, and I’m sure everyone feels the same way. Thanks for putting together this wonderful site in tribute to him.
Love, Mark
Tuesday, February 9th 2010
http://marklindsay.com/intribute.html
Greg Martin of Kentucky Headhunters on Drake
Posted by Sandra in Friends Speak on February 14, 2010
Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters shared these words on Drake:
Drake Levin was one of my first guitar heroes. I remember watching Drake & The Raiders perform on “Where The Action Is” many times, and being mesmerized by Drake’s playing. Remember, Drake was doing some amazing things on guitar before Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page & Jeff Beck burst on the scene around 1967. I’ve always said that Drake was the missing link to the blues/rock guitar style that was popularized by Jimi and the others. Paul Revere & The raiders as a band were all amazing musicians, Drake, Mike, Phil, Mark & Paul set a high standard for us all. I hate that The HeadHunters and me never got to meet Drake, we have had the pleasure of sharing the bill with Paul Revere a couple times over the years. I’ve also had the pleasure of having “Fang” on my radio show, what an honor! Thanks to Drake & The Raiders for all the inspiration, we’re still trying to learn what you guys were doing so well many years ago. Play on brothers….
Band of Brothers Story #2
Posted by Sandra in Friends Speak on February 13, 2010
Howard Posnick shared these memories:
My dear friend “Drake “Maxwell” Levin…
Drake was like a big brother to me as we met close to twenty years back playing poker. Most people don’t realize that the game of poker was just as important to Drake as his music. “Mind game in the first order” A few selected friends, as well as myself were considered “Poker Brothers” from Drake & Sandra Levin, Drake’s wife.
I feel very fortunate and honored to have been considered a “Poker Brother” and made that transition from poker brother to life long brother for the few remaining years.
When Drake & I realized that we were both musicians, we instantly bonded as buds. This was before I knew that he was a famous cat, and one of the original guitarists of “Paul Revere & the Raiders”
You see, Drake was a very humble man, and if your were fortunate enough as I was, to be able to get into his circle, he’d do anything for you as a friend. With this being said, he was also a very complicated man, and could also be somewhat cantankerous at times too.
I can remember so many fascinating stories that Drake would share with me from his experiences on the road with the Raiders & Brotherhood, as we’d sometimes sit for hours on end drinking fine wine and chatting the night away.
Read the rest of this entry »
Band of Brothers by Howie Keys
Posted by Sandra in Friends Speak on February 11, 2010
Years back, I just sat down in the 15,30 limit game at AJ’s and decided to take the big blind instead of posting. I was in the 9 seat and Drake was in the 8 seat stuck about $700.00. Of course I pick up A,Q suited, diamonds, so when it went two bets, I called and became the monkey in the middle when we capped it off 5 bets ($75.00) 7-way action…Ouch! I flop the nut flush draw, the 1 seat flops a straight, the 3 seat flops second flush draw with K,2 diamonds, 6 seat flops a set of 5’s & Drake flop’s a set of 6’s. We capped again for another $75.00. Bingo! I turn the nut flush and we cap again not losing anyone $150.00…Bingo! The board hits a 6 on the river. When this happened, Drake kicked me in the shins so hard when I led out betting out of frustration, that I could barely walk and had a bruise on my leg for two weeks…. LOL!!! Not only did I walk out of AJ’s with barely any chips, but had to hop out of there on one leg too…LOL!!!
In one hand, a #1 Flush, a #2 Flush, a flopped straight, 5’s full of 6’s and quad 6’s for our buddy!
I remember calling Drake on my cell phone on the ride home telling him quote; If I was going to lose this pot, I’m glad I lost it to you pallie!
Howie!
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