King James and the Special Men have a regular gig each Monday night at BJ’s Bar in the Bywater.  As we know from time to time the regular performer can’t make the gig and a fill-in band takes their slot. Last night was one of those nights when a scheduling conflict required a back-up band to fill in. Monday, July 15 would in fact prove to be a very special occasion of this circumstance.

Julie Kelley, a longtime bartender at BJ’s, said patrons were arriving early including actor Craig Robinson (The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine) announcing they were there to see Robert Plant.  She shrugged it off as rumor and didn’t think much of it.  Sure enough around 11:00 p.m, Plant showed up.  BJ’s, whose VIP amenities are suspect at best, opened the side gate of the back yard to let him come through the back. The iconic star refused and said he wanted to go through the front door because he “wanted to see his people.”

Robert Plant joins New Orleans' Guitar Lightnin' Lee at BJ's Bar July 15 (Photo: Cyrous Ardalan)

He was greeted with some nods and smiles and not surprisingly an enthusiastic fan who greeted him with a huge hug.  He took the stage around 11:30 p.m. with Guitar Lightin’ Lee and his band. Lee accompanied Plant in a few songs, including a mini-version of “I Can’t Quit You Babe,” which Plant had sung with Led Zeppelin.

Then the singer took center stage until around 1:30 a.m. playing blues standards and playfully quipping that it was the “worst PA ever.” Again, all in fun.  It was a spirited set with 75 lucky music lovers crammed into a space for 50 near the “stage.” (BJ’s has no elevated stage just an “area” where the bands play so unless you were in the first three rows the enjoyment was in the sound, not so much the sights).  Julie Kelley says her new claim to fame is the fact that due to respect for the neighbors, the neighborhood bar does not play music past 1:30 a.m. and she was forced to hold up a “wrap it up sign” to Robert Plant.

With his show (accompanied by current tour mates and New Orleans collaborators, Lil’ Band O’ Gold) tomorrow night at the Mahalia Jackson Theater sold out, you can go to Stub Hub and shell out $120 for a ticket, or if you live in the Bywater you just walk to the local watering hole and see him for free.  Vive La Nouvelle Orleans Vie!

Check out a BJ’s patron video from the night by Travis Cleaver here:

http://youtu.be/MX-3wNW-Y3I

More snaps from the set courtesy of Travis Cleaver:

Robert Plant and Guitar Lightnin' Lee at BJ's Bar

Robert Plant Singing at BJ's Bar in the Bywater on July 15

Robert Plant hanging out at BJ's Bar on July 15