Steve Miller Band Member Norton Buffalo Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

You should all quit whinning and listen to some of Nortons jams and appreciate life. Like in his song "Nobody Want's Me" the lyrics "Thank you Lord for giving me another day" stands. He left us too soon.

I cannot believe the rude comments regarding my friend. Guess what? HE DIDN'T SMOKE! So, there...and he lost his life. The world was a better place with him in it. He was one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I can't say the same for some of you.

Norton, God Bless you. I just learned of your passing. Wish I had seen you and Roy in concert. Your harp playing is what got me to really get into learning it. I've been 'fiddling' with the harp since I was a child. Because of your sound I've picked up and am learning more from your teaching CD's. I wish I could tell you thank you. But the good Lord will be listening to your beautiful harp now. Thank you Norton. God Bless you Lisa and your family. My best wishes go out to you and yours.
William propsner1@hotmai.com

Looking back over the events of this summer I cannot help but wonder what caused me to make the reconnection with Norton after not having spoken with him personally for more then 7 years and even then it was only in passing.
I had added him as a friend on myspace over a year ago. Just learning about all the Social media pages, I would occassionally spend hours experimenting, learning and rediscovering friends, artists and even musical gems.
Frankly the only reason I got a page was so I could keep tabs of my now grown son as well as a watchful eye on my nieces who use the medium for chat and sometimes to pretend they are older then they are.
So it was for me when I first met Norton at the Whole Earth Festival in Davis back in 78'. I was not quite 17, but I am sure I introduced myself as someone who was older. I cannot even remember who he was performing with. I do remember his smile, his pony tail and his hermonica playing. Over the next thirty years I would see him perform with Steve Miller, Charlie Musselwhite, Bonnie Raitte, the Doobie Bros. and at several events, fundraisers and protests- when we would, by chance, run into each other he would always offer a smile and a hug.
Last spring a friend of mine said you ought to check out Facebook. I did and soon discovered Norton had a page and I asked to be his "friend".
Every once in a while I would catch him on the live chat and he was always open to talk and answer a question about his life on the road.
During one of our conversations he had mentioned he was hoping to do some fundraising for the Paradise, CA Performing Arts Center. I gave him my phone # and said let me know if there was anything I could do with planning an event as well helping to set up a fundraising site as I had attended Chico State a couple of decades back and had fallen in love with the Paradise community. He said he would give me a call when he got back from what has turned out to be his last tour with Steve Miller.
We talked agian the evening Les Paul passed-he shared a video of them performing together.
He mentioned he was not feeling well, but classic Norton, he always stayed positive.
I then spoke with him, and he said he was at the hospital-pnemonia-next time he was starting chemo-still positive-Then we talked about the Sonora and Twain Harte area were I was visiting and I asked if he was going to make it to the music festival there-he just said he could not make it this year because of the chemo. I mentioned my son was comming to visit ( I had written the Horner Company about releasing a signature "Norton Buffalo Harmonica") and that I wanted to buy my son the same harmonica he had played (my father had also been a hamonica player and I had given him the one Norton had given me years ago but I could never find it after my father passed) again he was very giving with his time. By the way, Norton played a Huang.
Last time I spoke with Norton was about a week before he passed-I said I would see him at the Art Center in November. He just said, "Hopefully" but he knew we would never meet agian-death came too soon.
I may have just been a fan, but I will never forget how Norton always made me feel like I was one of his best friends.
I want to express my great appreciation to Norton's wife, Lisa, his father, Ken as well as Norton's sons for sharing with us a truelly dear and compassionate soul.

Norton, You were an Icon, playingwith Steve for 34 years, being his partner in Harmony, and of course, those unmistakeable harmonica licks, you will be missed, and can never be replaced. Cancer took another great musician, it has been a pleasure to have worked with you, and may you Rest in Peace, a Tribute concert has been scheduled in Nortons Name for January 2010 with all proceeds gong to the Buffalo family....See ya there !

thank you norton for providing magical nights and some damn fine music up at the soda springs tavern on donner summit. some fun times from the mid '70's. fly high...fly high and free, norton. may you rest in peace.

I have had over 20 surgeries. I love God and I know he loves me. I think he gives it to those who can take it. Some call it Destiny. Like now, he is gone, but God chose him because he knows he can take him to the light where he must be need him.

Norton...
You are one of the most musical people I have ever met. I have a better ear because of you. Get well soon.
Mike.

Randal E Ahlswede sent a message to the members of Benefit for Norton Buffalo.

"I am very sad to report to all friends of Norton Buffalo, that he passed away today, ...he was a great human being and will long be loved and missed by many....this benefit will now be a tribute to him for all he's done for others...thats all for now, R.I.P. Norton...."

Another reason to put down that cigarette, NOW!

God Bless Norton, Pray for his healing

Charles Ted Oliphant
www.myspace.com/neworleansphotography