April 2006 Re-Vue Chicago

Fling Records-Bobby Robinson

Buck Owens

Re-Vues: Roller Derby ‘06 Music Cherry Casino & the GambLers The Mad Men Movie Ferry Across the mersey Event pre-Vues: Rockabilly Rebel As always News, reviews, Event Notices, Calendar And morE Inside this issue Weekend and Ponderosa Stomp Re-Vue DIG THAT CRAZY RABBIT! It’s Spring-time everybody!

We made it through the winter. And to me, that’s an accomplishment in itself. Spring has sprung, flung… however you want to put it… it’s HERE!

Many of you are headed to Viva Las Vegas. Best of luck to you. Hope you win big!

This month Matt Strickland treats our readers to reviews of two European acts. He picked up the disks (I’m sure) during his trip to the Rave last month. In any case, the acts in review for this issue are Cherry Casino from Germany and the Mad Men from Croatia.

Tony “Mr. Exotica” Cambio rolls-on-in this month to bring us what’s fresh and new in the heart-stopping world of Roller Derby. Chicago is starting to get more active in roller derby and he’s right there—literally) rink-side—well, for that matter—on the rink, giving you the blow-by-blow as a referee.

Doug Freedman was so inspired by last month’s Kaiser George, Hi-Risers and Eddie Angel show that he went out an got a copy of Ferry Across the Mercey with Gerry and the Pacemakers.

We just keep having to report on closing after closing of famous and formerly fabulous Chicago vintage institutions. This month we report the closings of the Velvet Lounge and Victory Lanes. We have some event pre-vues for you this You can call him sentimental if you like, and I’m sure he month. This month is Viva Las Vegas, and we wouldn’t mind, Ken Mottet writes a truly touching know most folks are already kicking it way into account of his father and about growing up a farm kid in gear for that almost week-long party so there’s Iowa. He also made time to write a review of the recent no need to beat a dead horse this month by Ray Price show at the Old Town School of Folk Music. giving it more press time; we hope to have some reviews when it is finished. We give you To celebrate that old cliché, the Spring Fling, we are plenty of warning for the upcoming Rockabilly covering the super small independent label Fling, which Rebel Weekend which will be taking place in was out of New York in the mid 50s. Covered in that Indianapolis in June. Finally, the Ponderosa article are Bobby Robinson, his other labels (briefly!) Stomp takes place in Memphis next month. Fury, Fire, Whirlin’ Disk, and some others. Additionally, we highlight some of the roster of talent that recorded for Coming in May, we are going to try to get in his labels. the “swing” of things… have a favorite baseball team? Then speak-up! We’re looking to hear Another sad passing to report on this month. People from you. round the world have a reason for that tear in their beer. Buck Owens passed away. Soon-to-be-graduated Drew Covering all the angles all the time… Schadegg stepped forward this month and in his Re- Vue debut, he chronicles the life and times of Buck Susan E. Funk Owens. Re-Vue Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You Matt Strickland Coming Soon….

Ken Mottet See the calendar on the back page for April 2006 dates.

May 2006 3 MAD SIN (UK. People Like You Records) THE MASSACRES @ Logan Square Audito- rium 6PM doors / $12 adv. all ages.

4 Drew Schadegg Doug Freedman 15th Anniversary Big"C"Jamboree with Nick Willett @ Martyrs’

6 Everett Dean and the Reckless Abandon @ Dan “D” Jac’s 9:30 - 1:30 Orland Hills, IL

10 Neverly Brothers @ MURPHY'S PUB 7:30PM Tony “Mr. 12 Exotica” Cambio 7 SHOT SCREAMERS, THE ROSEDALES Desiree Kiss KOFFIN DRAGGER @ Nite Cap Lounge

20 Everett Dean and the Reckless Abandon @ Outpost Bar and Grill Lockport, IL 9-1

24 Neverly Brothers @ MURPHY'S PUB 7:30PM

Deke Dickerson. @ The Abbey Pub 8pm Tickets $8 in advance & $10 @ door Susan E. Funk April 2006 Matt StrickLaND Re-Wind Cherry Casino & the Gamblers (Demo) "Let's Play Around!" (Rhythm Bomb Records)

Originally formed to back American artist Rayburn Anthony, Cherry Casino & the Gamblers is a hot German R&B act that features Axel The Mad Men – Praefke on vocals/guitar (Ike & the Capers, Round Up Boys), Ike Stoye on saxophone (Ike & the Capers), Humpty Kirscht on guitar "Rhythm and Sin" (Round Up Boys), Lucky Lehmann on upright bass and (Rhythm Bomb Records) Torsten Peukert o-n drums. Their debut CD was recorded at top Croatia's wildest (and as far as I know European studio Lightning o-nly) traditional rockabilly quartet is Recording Services in Berlin, back with a brand new CD that is Germany and has that killer guaranteed to make you get up out of sound we've come to expect! your seat With the same line-up as

the first CD: Branko on rhythm guitar/ The CD is short but sweet and vocals, Darko on lead guitar, Gorgo features 8 songs of pure listening enjoyment…not a plunker or any on upright bass and Marko on drums filler on this o-ne!! All the songs o-n the CD are great, but I particularly they recorded this latest set music at enjoyed their originals "Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down", "All Night Lightning Recording Service in Berlin Long" and "Let's Play Around". All great R&B jivers! What you get is an Germany. early 50's R&B combo done in a refreshing, yet traditional style! Super

all around! Dig these cats at the Rhythm Riot in 2006. Following in the tradition of European

acts like Wildfire Willie & the NOTE: This is the demo version! There is a Ramblers and Jack Baymoore & the 15 song full release available (expect a Bandits, the Mad Men have begun complete review soon!). carving their own niche in the

worldwide rockin' scene. What does Track List: this mean? Wild, frantic rockabilly and Huh Baby ue rock n' roll of course! The CD contains Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down -V 15 songs of pure rockin' enjoyment. Did You Hear That Door Slam?e Standouts o-n the record are "Dig Plans Without Me R This Action" (frantic bopper w/killer All Night Long guitar breaks!), Breaking Hearts and Baby Please Come Back Promises of Love" (rockin' boogie Night Train perfect for jiving), "Long About Let's Play Around Midnight" (rockin' jiver with wild guitar

and piano) and their blistering cover

of Dale Hawkin's "Baby, Baby"! I was www.cherry-casino.de lucky enough to have caught their www.rhythmbomb.com show at the Rave…very wild! Be not to miss their show Sunday night at Viva Las Vegas 06! STRICKLAND SCALE 4.5 Fezes (Continued Next Page) April Re-Wind 2006

The Mad Men – "Rhythm and Bobby Robinson owned a record store (a familiar refrain for several of Sin"(Rhythm Bomb Records) the label executives we’ve written STRICKLAND SCALE 4 Fezes about in previous issues!) called Bobby’s Happy House Records. www.geocites.com/band_mad_men www.rhythmbomb.com

Track List:

Dig This Action Early Next Morning Bop Disease Breaking Hearts and Promises of Love Little Franny Long About Midnight Mary Rhythm and Sin Only You Saturday Night Rich I had a heck of a time finding out Snap Your Little Fingers whether Bobby’s record shop still Baby Baby exists. And, in fact, it still does. Big Mama When you try to research where the Intoxicated Matt Strickland record store is/was you get tons of Time to Howl different addresses. But then again, for a business that has been around for over 60 years…I guess they might have moved around a bit. Fling Records— Most addresses place the store in Harlem. And the most recent Bobby Robinson address from Goggle is: Bobby's Happy House, 2335 8th Avenue,

Corner of 125th Street, (212) 663- There were hundreds of small time 5240. independent record labels that sprung-up nationwide during the late 40s through the Let’s take a look back at Bobby’s early 60s. Most of them were short lived life. He lived in South Carolina but and few had significant hits to report. The e u left it to join the efforts for WWII. He genres of music that we tend to seekV out – e- did a lot of entertainment related rockabilly, jump-blues, rhythm and blues R work during the war, putting doo-wop, hillbilly bop, western swing – most together entertainment and shows of the groups and songs we listen to— to boost servicemen morale. When weren’t exactly top ten artists. So, as far as he got out of the service, he had the I’m concerned, the more obscure the better, taste for the entertainment world. right? Realizing his chances of a career in

music would be better in New York, Well, you don’t get much more obscure than he decided to relocate there rather the Fling record label. I searched for a label than head back to his native South. that would somehow tie-in with “Spring”. Like many record producers of his Spring “Fling” huh? Well-alright! So… here’s time though, he still visited the a short story on the Fling Record label out Photos by: south later looking for talent. of New York City. T. Gordon (Continued Next Page) Susan E. Funk April 2006 Susan E. Funk Re-Wind

As we’ve heard of so many record Fling Records— labels in the 50s, this label didn’t have any problems until their first really big hit. It was in 1958 when Robinson (cont.) recorded William Harrison doing a version of the Leiber Stoller tune From what I can gather, the initial location for “Kansas City”. It was his version that Bobby’s record store was on 125th Street in shot up the charts. According to Mike Harlem. It used to be an old hat shop and he Calahan from Both Sides Now, took over the space for $2500—hats not “Robinson was sued by Savoy included. He was one of the first African- Records who, unknown to Bobby, had American business owners in Harlem. Wilbert Harrison under a 5-year contract that was to expire in August Now he claims that at the time he hadn’t the 1959, the "Kansas City" record came first idea how to run a record store. But the out in March 1959. Because Fury was timing was perfect. Hot new sounds were tied up in litigation, Robinson began starting to take off: rhythm and blues, jazz releasing material on the Fire Record combos… and soon enough, doo wop vocal label. The litigation lasted until groups and eventually rock n’ roll. September 1959 and prevented Robinson from issuing any follow-up Robinson jumped right in. It was soon known Wilbert Harrison records while he was ‘round town that a there was a black record so hot.” store owner and he would get all kinds of calls from the many independent R&B labels Additionally, there were problems with and dee-jays in town. In a June 2005 New distribution. He didn’t have the York Daily News article, David Hinkley resources to handle the traffic the hit wrote that, “The first night Alan Freed caused. Instead of doing what most broadcast live from New York, Robinson was indies did at the time, and join with a in the studio helping answer his phones.” larger national label, he decided to handle it all himself. After providing counsel and advice to other

label owners for a while, Robinson finally And he managed. He managed decided to make the leap and start his own alright! He managed to tick off most label. The label started out as Robin of the other artists, including one of Records, but changed to Red Robin. The his biggest groups, the Channels label recorded some down south style blues because he had no time to help and some hot sax combos and vocal groups. promote them and their records! About 40 records were released. Probably

one of the most notable acts, “The Scarlets”, ue would later become known ase the- FiveV Satins Some of the labels were his and record “In theR Still of the Night”. By the own—Whirlin' Disc, Fury, mid-50s he was at the top of his game. The Fire, Fling—and some he ran record store was booming and as a producer, he was in demand. in partnership with his brother Danny—Red Robin, Then the shift to rock n’ roll started to Everlast, Enjoy happen. He followed that trend too, starting

new labels for that type of music: Whirlin In 1961, he had another hit-maker on Disk, then later Fire, Fury and Fling. Whirlin' his hands. He picked up Gladys Disc recorded sides by Earl Lewis and the Knight after she sang at the Apollo Channels, and the Fire and Fury labels one night. She recorded an old recorded tunes by Frankie Lymon’s brother, Midnighters Lewis Lymon’s band, the Teenchords. (Continued Next Page)

April 2006 Susan E. Funk Re-Wind

sides, but one of them, “I’ll stop Fling Records— Crying” with its mellow harmonies and sappy slow (cont.) ballad style somehow made it’s way onto a rockabilly compilation song, “Every Beat of my Heart”. But called “Teen Scene, Vol 2”. she didn’t really take off until she left for a larger label. Another label that is usually not grouped with his other labels Another big hit, this time on Bobby’s when people do discographies is Everlast label, “The Wobble” by Les the American SUE label, which Cooper, a piano playing ex doo-wop was formed by Henry "Juggy" singer. That one sold over a million Murray and Bobby Robinson in copies. New York City in January 1957. Established in 1957, the Fury and Fire As two most successful black (established in 1959), became known record label proprietors in that as some of the fiercest blues/and R n new York, it wasn’t long before B labels ever. American SUE had its first regional hit, "Vengeance" by The Now the Fling record label was Matadors in 1957 and then in SMALL. They released (at best 1958 "Itchy Twitchy Feeling," by guess) about 20 records. The Fling Bobby Hendricks, which made label was started late 50s. Most likely the top 25 on the national pop 1959. It was trying to capitalize on charts. the white market. It was white artists recording black music, as many other Ike and Tina Turner established labels attempted around the same themselves on American SUE time. when in 1960 they hit the pop charts with "A Fool In Love" , Now it is interesting to me, because they also had a string of about 5 the sides recorded by Fling ended up more hits on the label. on a few good rockabilly compilations The Rock-Itts were within the last decade. Dennis Volk Robinson also broke ground in has two sides one is an upbeat rocker formerly Billy Quad the 80s when he gave a new called ”You are the One” and the and The Ravens (top) genre of music a chance and other was “Dennis Boogie”. These started recording it: RAP. I know were the ONLY two sides he e none of us really want to hear recorded. You can find them on Wild u V about that, but you have to give Rock N’ Roll Instrumentalse- a guy credit for being on the CLCD4418 or NastyR Rockabilly, Vol 2. cutting edge for 30+ years when Jerry Dorn recorded two sides as well, many other small independent “Rockin Chair Rock” which has hokey labels went by the wayside. lyrics referring to a granda and grandpa rockin in their rockin chairs. It is, in my opinion, nowhere near as As I said in the beginning of the strong and rockin’ as Skeets article, as far as I can tell, the MacDonald’s “You Oughta See record store, Bobby’s Happy Grandma Rock”. I can’t so much as House Records, is still open FIND a picture of Jerry Dorn either. somewhere in Harlem. Next (Anyone out there have one? Send it time you’re in the Big Apple, let in!) Billy Quad was another artist on me know if you manage to find it. the label that only recorded a couple

April Doug Freedman Re-Wind 2006 I was put in the mood to write about this motion picture after seeing They start out on Eddie Angel, Kaiser George, and The Hi-Risers perform at Fitzgeralds the ferry that is last month. Anyone that works at a place that pipes in Muzak or some going to service like that, has probably heard the song "Ferry Across The Liverpool, and Mersey" by Gerry and the Pacemakers one hundred thousand times conveniently, by now. It is either that or "Don't Let The Sun Catch You there happens to Crying" (luckily we are spared from this song in this movie). You be a piano on the are probably sick of it by ferry. This is now. Unfortunately, if the public is only where they play exposed to those two songs, then they that dreaded won't be able to know what a vibrant and Ferr "Ferry energetic group that Gerry and the y Pacemakers was. In Britain, their Ac popularity rivaled The Beatles. ros The s Across the Mersey". Once Gerry and the Pacemakers was made M they get into that song it is up of Gerry Marsden on guitar and ers not so "dreaded". In fact it is vocals, his brother Freddy Masden (19 ey pretty good. The combination on drums, Les Chadwick on Bass, and Les 65 of seeing it being performed, Maguire on keyboards. If you have never heard ) and not being at work while you them do anything else other than "Ferry Across the are hearing it, makes it a very Mersey" and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying", than this DVD enjoyable experience. From the will be an eye-opener for you. ferry they go to art school. At the art school they draw nude figure models The film starts off with them doing the theme song "It's Gonna Be with a live model posing. As soon as Alright". This is a great rocker, and when I heard this I knew that this the teacher leaves the room (why would group was more than a bunch of lame balladeers. The opening scene anyone want to leave the room?) they shows them exiting an airplane to a bunch of screaming fans, and conveniently find a piano and perform recording in the recording studio. This has nothing to do with the the rockin' "Fall in Love" while everyone story, but this is a british beat film and that means that it is not dances around. grounded in reality. This film really doesn't have much of a plot until Once art class is over, the Pacemakers the last half-hour. In the world of british beat films, bands carry their go to their favorite chinese restaurant, instruments wherever they go, and play upon request no matter where find a piano and rock out with "This they are at. Fans seem to hear their music from great distances, drop Thing Called Love" (not the Queen whatever they are doing, and run to be where the music is. That is song) while the drummer is drumming basically what this film is all on the table with about. There is also a chopsticks. The owner likes scene at the Cavern Club in e their performance so much, Liverpool where the Vu he gives them their meal for Pacemakers do Larry e- free. I wonder if this ever Williams "Slow Down"R and happens to our favorite "Why Oh Why". This is the rockabilly bands. From the place that all the great restaurant, they go to British beat groups work. Conveniently, they all performed before they got work at the same factory famous.Basically, this film is which manufactures about Gerry and The bathroom fixtures. Yes, you Pacemakers riding their guessed it. They find a motorscooters around piano there and do a song Liverpool and playing at the called "Think about Love." different places they happen to be at. (Continued Next Page)

April Doug Freedman Re-Wind 2006 The girls here this from great distances and come running to the factory to see the band. It is at this point that Gerry's girlfriend Ferr Dodie Dawson (no y relation to Dudley Acr Dawson), played T os by Julie he s Samual, shows M up with a ers manager who (co ey signs them on the nt spot, and gives them a re- .) This DVD is available from The Video Beat at cording contract. www.videobeat.com. If this isn't enough as a bonus, they have included Gerry and the This Pacemakers Performing "I Like It", "You'll leads Never Walk Alone", "Pretend"(the Carl Mann up to version) on a british show called "Beat the bat- City". You also get them performing tle of "Ferry Across the Mersey" on the Ed Sullivan the Show (it will take me a whole other article to bands explain the coolness of Ed Sullivan). You con- also get Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas per- test, forming "Little Children", "Bad to Me", "I'll and Keep You Satisfied", and "From A Window" this is on the T.A.M.I. show. That is two whole where hours of beat entertainment that you can't we afford to miss. start to get a plot. The Pacemakers arrive at the contest and leave their Wanted: instruments by the entrance, while they go watch the con- test. As they are are watching the contest a taxi service picks up the instruments by mistake to take them to the air- Your stories port. This leads to a silent movie chase scene. Like I said the british beat movie is not grounded in any type of reality, as the Pacemakers chase the taxi in a hearse borrowed from and photos. Gerry's mortician uncle. The police see this chase and get involved causing the movie to be a Keystone Kops imitation. This allows for the We want to hear band to show their silent movie pantimime (or lack of) skills. The band recovers their instruments, gets back in time to be the last act on, and wins the battle of the bands by sing- from you! Submit ing for a second time "It's Gonna Be Alright", becoming big stars in the process. This may not be very realistic, but it is story ideas and great fun. Like the old saying goes, if you want to see a good movie, go see "Gone With the Wind". Also, included in this photographs to: movie are groups such as The Fourmost, Earl Royce and the Olympics doing "Shake a Tailfeather, and the incomparable Cilla Black doing her big hit "Is It Love". [email protected]

April Drew Schadegg Re-Wind 2006 On March 25, 2006, just a few announced that his name was hours after giving his final musical also Buck. That was fine with the performance at the famed Crystal Buck Owens family; the boy was Buck from Palace Theater in Bakersfield, CA, then on.” (I guess with a name country music legend Buck Owens like Alvis, you can’t really blame died at the age of 76. Owens’ (1929-2006): the kid for wantin’ a new one!) spokesman and band member, Jim Shaw told the Los Angeles Times When Buck was eight years old, that Buck “had come to the club The LegendÊs the family was hit hard by the early and had a chicken-fried steak effects of the Depression and dinner and bragged about how it they fled the Dust Bowl in search was his favorite meal.” After his List Gets of farm work out west. When the dinner, Owens wasn’t feeling well car brokedown in Mesa, Arizona, and told his band members that he Buck and his family had found was going to skip the performance Shorter their new home. At about ten that night (something that he rarely years old, Buck walked out of a did). However, after heading into movie theater showing the the lobby of the theater on his way “Grapes of Wrath.” He later ex- home, Owens ran into a group of claimed, “I wasn't going to watch devoted fans that had driven all the that movie, I'd lived the damn way from Bend, Oregon to hear him thing!" perform. Owens abruptly changed his mind, turned around and did the Buck’s musical career began in show anyway. the bars of Mesa, where he would play for tips each night as At one point in the evening, Shaw a teenager. After working as a recalled Owens telling the audience, trucker and marrying singer “If somebody’s come all that way, Bonnie Campbell in 1948, Buck I’m gonna do the show and give it settled in Bakersfield, California. my best shot. I might groan and It wasn’t long before Buck’s mu- squeak, but I’ll see what I can do.” sic began to turn a profit for him Shaw added, “He died in his sleep – and his new family. Soon, they figure it was about 4:30 – Owens was frequently traveling probably of heart failure. So he had to Hollywood for session re- his favorite meal, played a show cording jobs at Capitol Records, and died in his sleep. We thought, playing backup guitar for Ten- that’s not too bad.” nessee Ernie Ford, Sonny James, Wanda Jackson, Del Reeves, Buck Owens was born Alvis Edgar Owens Tommy Sands, Tommy Collins, Faron on August 12, 1929 in the small town of Young and Gene Vincent among others. Sherman, Texas. When Owens was a young boy he gave himself the name “Buck” This exposure to early rockabilly led after a mule on the family farm. Owens’ offi- Owens to seek out the recording of his cial biography About Buck says that “When own rock and roll record under the pseu- Alvis, Jr., was three or four years old, he donym Corky Jones with the small Pep walked into the house and Record Label. Just like George Jones who had gone by “Thumper” for his rock- abilly tracks, Owens chose the pseudo- nym in order not to alienate a country 1 Lewis, Randy, "Singer Found Gold and Inspiration in California", Los Angeles (Continued Next Page) Times, 26 March 2006.

April Drew Schadegg Re-Wind 2006 audience that had not taken kindly to rock and roll. In 1956, Buck re- leased the rockabilly tracks “Hot Buck Owens Dog” and “Rhythm and Booze” as Corky Jones, both still available on many rockabilly compilations (1929-2006): (including Starday-Dixie Rockabilly, Vol. 2 on Ace!). (Cont. From Prev Page)

After his brief endeavor as Corky Jones, he signed with Capitol Records and broke out wife, Katie, how urgent in 1959 with his hit “Second Fiddle” that went to num- it was that we get out to ber 24 on the country charts. From 1963 to 1988, California to see Buck Buck had 21 country singles reach #1. Some of his in concert cause “we don’t know how much longer biggest hits included “Act Naturally” (later recorded these legends will be around.” Now with Buck Owens by The Beatles), “I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail,” and gone the legend’s list gets ever shorter. So next time “Streets of Bakersfield.” In 1969, Buck’s career you see George Jones, Ray Price, Wanda Jackson, shifted when he and fellow country singer Roy Clark Jerry Lee Lewis, or Hank Thompson stopping by your teamed up to start the country variety show “Hee city you better be first in line to get your tickets. Haw.” For better or worse, “Hee Haw” brought Buck Owens into living rooms across America for nearly 20 RHYTHM AND BOOZE years. CORKY JONES a.k.a Buck Owens (PEP 107, 1956) Buck’s music defined a genre of country Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh music that came to be called the Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh “Bakersfield Sound.” Much of this sound Well, it was rock 'n' roll rhytm and a bottle came from Buck’s backup guitarist Don of booze Rich, who brought the music alive with a And a wild wild woman that was hot on the Cali-Hispanic rhythm that harkened people loose to the central valley of California. Buck and Well, she warned me once and then she Don were best friends and when Don was warned me twice killed in a motorcycle accident in 1974, he was dev- But that woman found out that I don't take advice astated. In an interview Owens said that Don Rich It was rhythm rhythm rhythm and booze “was like a brother, a son and a best friend, some- Rhythm rhythm rhythm and booze thing I never said before, maybe I couldn't, but I think To tell the truth baby, it was rhythm and booze my music life ended when he did. Oh yeah, I carried If I'd listened to my mama, if I'd listened to my dad on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real I'd be a-sleepin' on a soft feathered bed lightning and thunder is gone forever." But there's just some things that a man can't be told And it's me for one, and I just had to be showed It is hard to measure Rhythm rhythm rhythm and booze the influence of Rhythm rhythm rhythm and booze Buck Owens and To tell the truth baby, it was rhythm and booze the musical legacy I lost my baby and then I lost my stack that will live on after I didn't mind so much until I lost my Cadillac him. With his pass- I'll give up my dancin' and I'll give up my booze ing, one more leg- If you come home honey, I'll even throw away my blue end is gone forever. suede shoes Just a couple of Rhythm rhythm rhythm and booze days before he died Rhythm rhythm rhythm and booze (after seeing Ray To tell the truth baby, it was rhythm and booze Price in concert) I Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh had been telling my Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Tony “Mr. April Exotica” Cambio Re-Wind 2006 Back about ’80, I used to take the bus learned how a derby jam works, to roller skate at The Axle roller rink in about the makeup of the teams, & Niles. I was a freshman in high school. I Was a that these girls have GUTS! (And I had a girlfriend who was in 8th grade. that they are a LOT more flexible Back then, one year was a big age & in a LOT better shape than I gap. I had a cool pair of gym shoe Teenage am!) Oh, and I got a whistle! skates, that were really slow due to big, fat wheels – but they looked I started getting the swing of COOL! The Axle closed in the late Roller things & learned a few girls’ 80’s & it’s now a Sym’s men’s ware- names (having a Derby Name house. AND a real name just adds to the challenge of learning who’s who!) Skip forward about 15 years. I was Derby All this excitement took its toll on living in Columbia, MO. I started skat- my old skates (I was also getting ing again with the girl I was dating at heckled for the noise that was the time. I was actually driving at this Referee coming from my wheel time. We were skating al- bearings…”RrrrRRRRrRrrrRrrrr!”) most every weekend. One so, instead of replacing night a girl, MAYBE 15, the bearings & fixing the came up to us “Um sir? skates, I put off fixing my Um… myfriendlikesyou. daily-driver & got some Heeheeheehee” Well… sparkly new skates! My Even in Missouri, that’s a car broke a couple weeks BIT young… later.

We made so many requests Did I mention that I joined to the DJ that she let us the derby with bring in CDs for her to play. approximately ONE I splurged for some low end MONTH until our first speed skates. I eventually bout? In the last weeks met my future ex-wife, we approaching the bout, skated some, then moved duties were delegated, back to Chicago about 5 details were ironed out, years ago & the skates our operations were fine- gathered dust. tuned, and we increased the frequency of the practices. We even had a few practices & a dress Valentine’s Day 2006. I forget from whom I heard rehearsal at the rink the girls bout at. (I should this from, but there was some sort of roller skating interrupt. We practice at Fleetwood, but it’s not big event at Fleetwood Roller Rink, just out of the city enough to fit spectators, so we bout at The Lynwood limits in Summit. What the hell. Sounds like fun. I Sports Center in lovely Lynwood, Illiana.) I was cleaned the cat hair & dust out of the bearings on my amazed at how much these people accomplished in skates & went skating! such a short time.

Turns out this was sponsored by an upstart roller The girls all had their uniforms in the works, but it derby league, The Chi-Town Sirens, based on the was up to us refs to deal with our own. I found a Sout’ Side. As it also turns out, a friend of mine is place that would put our names on the back. Cool. the head referee. She saw that I could keep rela- Unfortunately, a week & a half later, the letters were tively upright on skates & asked me to be a ref. Wait still not on my jersey. “It’s more than just sticking a minute – I’ve never even SEEN a roller derby bout! some letters on it.” Oh really? So, I got impatient, I thought I’d give it a shot anyway. told them what they could do with my jersey (another ref was more patient that I.) & ordered one from So I showed up at the next practice. I was given a another place to be delivered via 3-Day Select laminated set of mini rules & told to memorize them. shipping (Continued Next Page)

April Tony Cambio Re-Wind 2006 from California. That would get it to me TWO days Keep in mind the before the bout. Unfortunately, they didn’t two of us have to I Was a personalize. That would be up to me. skate FASTER than the pack. The Saturday before the bout, I went over to a fabric (There is NO WAY Teenage store to deal with the personalization process on my in HELL we could own. I need to look Exotic, due to my continuing as skate faster than Roller Derby Mr. Exotica for my Derby Ref Name. (I have a ‘thing’ the jammers!) Not about giving myself a nickname – my boss gave me too big a deal. We Referee the Mr. Exotica…) Against suggestions that “Mr. did our best to (Cont from Prev. Page) Exotica sounded like a stripper name & that I should make our trips (no wear a “Banana Hammock”, I settled on strips of fake pun intended) over leopard, with some appliqué letters spelling “Mr. the cord as safe as possible. Exotica” vertically down one of the stripes (on the crowd side, of The girls started coming course!)& I would out with their uniforms on. have to hand sewed Wow! I suppose I should the stripes down the let you in on some details sides of my ref shorts now… myself. The Chi-Town Sirens After taking two hours have two teams, The to hand sew the Candystripe Killers & The letters on the stripe Thunderdames. We also crooked, I made a cry have a “Farm Team” out for help & I was called The Brat Pack. As rescued. I drove for uniforms, The across town; she Candystripe Killers wore sewed the stripes on – you guessed it – (Thanks Dawn!)& I candystriper outfits! Little was set. white dresses (with one exception) & red & white The day was Sunday, candy-striped aprons. the 19th of March. The Thunderdames had Derby Day. My Barbarian-like uniforms carpool arrived as the similar to what might have skaters for the regular been worn by Tina Turner skate session were in that Mad Max flick. It leaving, keeping my was accused that I would ’56 from a prime be siding with The parking spot. (Damn!) Thunderdames due to We entered the rink both our uniforms having to see an incredible fake fur, but no, I am the transformation voice of unbiased reason underway. There & the fur was a were bleachers! BIG coincidence. Last, but lights! A platform not least, The Brat Pack was made for dressed in camouflage. timekeeping & Each girl, of course, was statistics. Cool. The able to do a bit of track was laid out in rope lights! Very Cool! personalizing & some even chose a bit of dramatic Eventually, we realized that we (the 2 refs that skate makeup. (Continued Next Page) outside track would be skating over a cord. Hmmm.

April Tony Cambio Re-Wind 2006 The rules state that each girl has her Just in case you read the whole number on her back & her derby I Was a thing & now are hooked, you’re in name is also there too. Some of the luck! Our next bout April Showers derby names? Donna D’Apocalypse, of BLOOD is THIS Sunday, April 9, Raiza Blade, Ivanna Riot on the CS Teenage 2006 at 7:00pm (Doors at 6:30) Killers, Busty Thrustalot, Althea N Lynwood Sport Center, 2030 Hell, Strawberry Sharpshank on The Roller Derby Glenwood-Dyer Road, Lynwood, Thunderdames, Taryn Stitches, Patsy Illinois. Online ticket sales end on Blue Ribbon (I know you’ll never catch Referee Saturday April 8 at 5:00pm. THAT tie-in!), Holly Ween on The Brat (Cont from Prev. Page) pack. “Mr. Exotica” is somewhat You can also get tickets from your tamer & for good reason! favorite roller girl or REF (if you don't have one, pick one The doors were opened, the already!) or at any of the crowds rushed in, & we were following awesome Sirens- on! We had chartered three supporting businesses: busses to safely haul Derby Our bout space: Lynwood Fans to & from the rink, as we Roller Rink, 2050 Glenwood- got an alcohol license & were Dyer Road in Lynwood serving beer! The busses (708) 474-5900 arrived. Milio's Hair Salon, 939 W. Belmont Ave in Chicago (773) The ladies were introduced with 549-1461 much music & fanfare. The Uprise Skateboard Shop, 1820 Refs were introduced as a side N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago note, to occasional boos… The (773) 342-7763 announcers, with the help of The Brat Pack, Lelia Jane's, 1008 W. Armitage explained exactly what goes on Ave in Chicago (773) 665- in a derby for the virgin derby- 7883 goers, they cleared the floor, Blumgarten & Co., 2444 N. the first ladies to bout lined up, Clark Street in Chicago (773) the ref’s lined up & we we’re off! 388-2444

Everything went smoothly. The Beauty Skool Dropout 2200 W. occasional penalty was called & Chicago Ave in Chicago (773) the rare (!) fight was broken up 661-0310 with minimal bloodshed. I nearly Atomix Coffee Shop 1957 W. caught an errant helmet in Chicago Ave in Chicago (773) the… Keep in mind this is 666-2649 completely real – just like Algo Mellow Smoke Shop wrestling… 1610 W 18th ST 773-410-8797

As the bout went on, the ladies Visit www.chitownsirens.com & the ref’s did line up a little for more info! I do recommend slower each time… I don’t really riding the party bus & avoid the remember who won, just how traffic on the Dan Ryan. much fun was had by all. And then, we headed to the after See you all on Sunday! We party at Exit! start the mayhem at 7 SHARP! After party at Exit again – I For our first bout, we packed hear they’re playing metal! over 300 crazy derby fans into The Lynwood Sport center & sold $1500 of beer! Wheee!

KeN “The April Mayor” Mottet Re-Wind 2006 A Ray is a very secure performer. He stepped quietly to the Ray person side of the stage while his band swept through a jazzy Price would reading of "Fly Me to the Moon." He closed his show with T be hard the evergreen "For the Good Times" and encored with a he Old To pressed song for his old roommate, "Mansion on the Hill." wn to find a Scho better Like the old guard trooper that he is, Ray was in the lobby ol of venue after the show signing autographs and posing for photos Folk for major with his many fans. The crowd was a blend of Music league rockabillies, folkies, record geeks and grandmas and Marc musical grandpas. They were all there for a once-in-a-lifetime h 19, 200 show by their hero, Ray Price. 6 performers than the main theatre at the Old Town School of Folk Music. On top of that, a person would be truly hard pressed to find a country music singer more legend-y than Mr. Ray Price. The opportunity to see such a great singer in such a warm and personal space almost never happens. Chicago was truly blessed by two shows from this country and western giant.

Ray Price is just about as good as it gets. For those who only know his 1970s countrypolitan sound("Danny Boy," "For the Good Times") his early recordings might come as quite a shock. Ray Price got to Nashville at the end of the forties and shared a home and band with Hank Williams in the last year of his life. After Williams' sad death, the Drifting Cowboys became the Cherokee Cowboys and propelled Price to stardom on the strength of songs like "Crazy Arms" and "Heartaches by the Numbers." Along the way, he invented the Ray Price shuffle(a country beat that's just right for dancing) and employed the talents of such future stars as Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush and Roger Miller for his band. Is your band playing next Now eighty-years-old, Ray Price took the stage in Chicago and started the fight with three fiddlers sawing out the Bob Wills chestnut "San Antonio month? Send us the show Rose"(Price did an entire album of Wills tunes in 1962). He followed that with an equal mix of tunes date! And if you want from both parts of his career--"City Lights," "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," your CD reviewed, send "Release Me"). He and his son Cliff (who is part of his band) exchanged knowing grins when the elder Price fumbled a lyric. And Ray got a big an e-mail for the mailing laugh out of himself and his musicians when he sang the heartfelt lyric "I'm in love with the rubber address: [email protected] woman."

KeN “The April Mayor” Mottet Repartee 2006 Let's set the How much you've spent. Wayback Cash let's you pay for ‘Ol Machine for something one time only ear some time in (none of this waiting D the early around for the credit card seventies. I bill bullsh*t). If it isn't in ad was a mere your wallet it can't be spent. D slip of a lad living with my My father and mother are both children of the Great folks on that Depression, that black period in the 1930s when much fabled America's economy just plain collapsed. And it only hog farm in takes a little prodding to get him to talk about that time southeast when a whole lot of families wondered where their next Iowa. I was meal was coming from. Dad talks about hunting with his too young to father--not for sport but to absolutely put food on the have a job. family table. My mom talks about suffering through the Thanks to the summer of 1938 in a house with no electricity (not generosity of because they didn't pay the bill but because the power my parents, lines hadn't reached her family's farm yet). Living from however, I did day to day was a struggle. And when you got a dollar have a weekly you squeezed it until the eagle grinned! allowance (it wasn't much Dad's wallet was always a silent badge of his success. but it kept me in Marvel comics and colored Magic He had cash in that pocket--so much that he used to Markers, I can assure you). On top of all that, the drive the car kind of hunched to one side (the kids today ATM had yet to be invented(and if it had been would call it a gangsta lean).

invented by then, I don't think the banks would have Recently we paid a visit to Ma and Pa Kettle down on mounted one on the side of my dad's barn). When it the farm. And years have left their mark on my father. was time for my weekly pay dad would send me off to He is now eighty-eight. And I will admit that it is a frail retrieve his wallet. It was usually propped up on his eighty-eight. His hands aren't as agile as they used to dresser along with his watch, his pocket comb and a be. And when he wants to get up from the couch he has handful of chewed kitchen matches. If it wasn't there it to get kind of a running head start at the proposition. But was in the basement in the back pocket of his worn he is still up for a good conversation and most striped overalls which hung on a nail underneath the everything Washington does still makes him mad. steps. The Sunday morning of our visit Mom and Dad were That wallet was an amazing sight. It was dark brown headed off to church. Dad was resting on the couch, leather, shiny as a mirror from travelling in the old saving up his energy for a few precious hours out of the man's pocket. And it was always stuffed. Stuffed full of house. He asked me to get his wallet for him. I found it notes and reminders and plenty of cash. As a kid it right where it was supposed to be---sitting on his always seemed to me that dad never walked around dresser. It was a whole lot different than it had been with less than a million dollars in his pocket. And there thirty years ago. It was faded and worn. And it appeared was plenty more where that came from...the top right to be almost empty. It probably held little more than hand drawer in his dresser. That's where money came several ID and insurance cards. The posture crippling from. I was still too young to make the connection wad of twenty dollar bills was long gone. I proudly between the cash in the dresser and Dad beating his handed him the wafer-thin piece of leather. He put it in brains out every day and night on that farm. his pocket one more time and he was ready to take on

My father dealt in cash whenever possible. And he that world! I pert-neart cried. taught his youngest boy to work that way as well. Credit cards and IOUs are fine for emergencies. But I am not joking around when I say I have the best damn when it comes to the day to day expenses, cash is father in the business. And somewhere down the line I'm king! Cash feels real in the hand. Cash lets you see going to miss him for the rest of my life. April Rendezvous 2006 The 14th Annual ALL of the events this year The Seventh Annual Road will take place right at the Rockets Rumble ROCKABILLY REBEL Hotel. Shows, Vendors Saturday June 24th, 2006 (vendor room locks at night 9am to ? WEEKEND for safety), Car Show, etc. Pre ’65 Hot Rods & Customs The hotel is really nice and Only the air conditioning works June 22, 23 & 24, 2006 In the parking lot good! For Info: Tom (317) 244-8271 Clarion Hotel & Conference Most of the rooms have a Center [email protected] refrigerator and microwave 2930 Waterfront Parkway W. too. Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46214 www.RoadRocketsIndy.com

(317 )299-8400 There is also a bar and a Hot Rod Car Show! Prizes ! restaurant at the Hotel. This Pin Up Girl Contest ! will be a Great one!!! Live Music By Thursday June 22nd The Cowtown Playboys, Hot Rod Buck Stevens, Pat Cupp, Hucksters, The Freightliners, The Thommy Burns & His Sterling Knuckletones Cowboys Ace Brown & His Helldivers, Vintage and Retro Clothing, The Knuckletones Jewelry, Records, CD’s, Novelties, Collectibles and More Friday June 23rd inside the Hotel on all three The Gin Palace Jesters, Art days! For Vendor info: (765) 998- Adams. The Star Devils 2080 or (765) 948-3326 The Freightliners, The Swimming, Sunbathing & Jam Cowtown Playboys Sessions by the Indoor Pool and Jacuzzi under a clear bubble Saturday June 24th dome. Twistin’ Tarantulas, Wanda Jackson, The Lustre Tones The entire Clarion Hotel is The Buzzards, Hot Rod reserved for RRW#14 Guests Hucksters with a special room rate of $70. per night. When making your Tickets: Thursday $25, Friday reservations you must mention $30, Saturday $35. Rockabilly Rebel Weekend or you Checks or Money Orders will be told that it is sold out! Payable to: JADE Productions, PO Box For Reservations Call: (317) 787- 55, Fairmount, IN 46928 8341 VISA, Mastercard, American Express & Discover The Clarion Hotel is just minutes Above; Wanda Jackson (765) 998-2080 or (765) 948- away from The Indianapolis Below: Pat Cupp 3326 Motor Speedway and Speedway Paypal Payments to Museum. [email protected] April Rendezvous 2006

Ponderosa Stomp #5 Tickets May 9th and 10th, 2006, at the Gibson Factory, Memphis Tickets for the Fifth Annual Tennessee, from 5 P.M. till 2 Ponderosa Stomp are still A.M Nightly, Admission $40 per available. All tickets are $40 per Night ... Celebrating the Unsung night and are general admission Heroes of the Blues, Soul, - re-entry is allowed. Rockabilly, Swamp Pop and New Orleans R&B Advance tickets will be available online on January 20, Artists slated to play include: 2006. Tickets will be available at the door the night of the Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Joe show. Clay, Jay Chevalier, Rebirth Brass Band, Willie Tee, Eddie The Gibson Factory, Bo, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Memphis Rockie Charles, Tammy Lynn, Alvis Wayne, Warren Storm, The annual New Orleans roots Lazy Lester, The Bad Roads, music romp that draws music Barbara Lynn, Roy Head, Lil fans from all over the world, will Buck Sinegal, Archie Bell, find a temporary home in Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Memphis in 2006. The festival Sonny Burgess, Hayden will take place May 9 & May 10 Thompson, Ace Cannon, Hi at the city's multi-level Gibson Rhythm Section, Travis Factory. Wammack, Willie Cobbs, Kenny Brown, The Bo Keys, The Hotel Accommodations Nightcaps, Kenny & the Kasuals, ? & the Mysterians, Special discount rate for Lady Bo, Billy Boy Arnold, Jody Ponderosa Stomp attendees at Williams, Deke Dickerson & the Wyndham Garden hotel, 300 N Eccofonics, Johnny Jones, Second St, Memphis, TN. Chick Willis, Little Freddie King, Rooms for 5/7,8,9,and 10 are Clifton James, James Blood $150 per night inclusive of all Ulmer, Betty Harris, Dale taxes. To make reservation call Hawkins, Dennis Coffey, hotel 901-525-1800 and tell Wiliiam Bell, Fillmore Slim, The then you are attending the Tennessee Three featuting Ponderosa Stomp. To get the W.S. Holland and Bob Wootten, special rate, rooms have to be Wiley and the Checkmates, Syl booked by 4/2. Johnson, Herb Remington, and The Fabulous Wailers. More to www.wyndhamgardenmemph come. is.com

Early sponsors onboard for the Website for the Ponderosa event include Gibson Guitars, Stomp is: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Blues Foundation. http://www.knights- maumau.com/stomp_5.php

April 2006 Re-Late End of the Lane: Historic Victory Lanes bowling alley in Riverside to close April 5 Gina Kenny, March 29, 2006

The area will soon lose a historic building where people and families have bowled for decades.

Victory Lanes, 7312 W. Ogden Ave., Riverside, will close its doors for good Wednesday, April 5. The building has housed a bowling Closing time alley since 1939 and is about 80 years old. for historic The building was constructed between 1925 and 1927, said Susie Bartholomew, president of the Riverside Historical Commission. The Velvet Lounge building was owned by Gus and Ann Stahle and was originally used Howard Reich, March 22, 2006 for mill working, Bartholomew said.

If all goes as planned, the last show Elizabeth Duenas, owner of Victory Lanes, said several things at the historic Velvet Lounge -- on factored into her decision to sell the building. the Near South Side -- will start about 10 p.m. April 1 and go into the "It is a combination of the fact that I am the sole owner; the ongoing wee hours. threat of the increased property taxes, which just makes it completely unfeasible to run the business; and just general business Scheduled to be razed to make way fluctuation," she said. for a condominium development, the club -- a nexus for avant-garde jazz When Duenas and her partners bought the property in 2003, the in Chicago -- will go out with a roar, property taxes were $16,000, she said. Last year, the taxes rose to featuring the mighty Chicago tenor $36,000, Duenas said. saxophonist Edward Wilkerson Jr., guitarist Jeff Parker and drummer "I spent 16 months fighting Cook County to get the property taxes Avreeayl Ra. reduced," she said. (Continued Next Page)

"Right now, I don't think the club will go any longer than that night," says owner and saxophonist Fred Anderson, who will be moving his ue celebrated venue a couple ofe blocks- V away, to 67 E. CermakR Rd.

A fundraiser for the move will feature Anderson, Harrison Bankhead and Hamid Drake at 10 p.m. Saturday in the current location, 2128 1/2 S. Indiana Ave., with admission at $20.

The new quarters have been completed, said Anderson, who hopes to reopen in late April or early May. April 2006 Re-Late early 1940s. LeGant would have to be careful to stay out of the End of the Lane way of the flying pins when the men's league bowled, he said. (Continued from Prev Page) Luckily for him and his fellow pin setters, the women playing often Duenas said she hired a lawyer who did not send the ball flying down the lane with as much force. He succeeded in having the taxes reduced. and his friend Jake "each took two lanes when the women But she recently found out the taxes bowled," he said. would be increased again this year, she said. LeGant recently toured the alley where he had not been in about six decades. Duenas was unable to sell to someone who would continue to run the bowling "I have not been here since I worked here," he said. "Pretty much alley, she said. nothing has changed."

"My desire would have been to sell this to The six original bowling lanes are still in place, Duenas said. In someone who was going to continue to about 1950, Brunswick automatic pin setting machines were own and operate the business. But when installed, which still remain, she said. you look at the numbers and you factor in the proposed increase in property taxes, it "There are automatic pin setters, but we still maintain manual just does not work," she said. "The scoring," she said. numbers do not support the ongoing operation of the business." Until 1998, the bowling alley with six lanes occupied the first floor of the building while a residence occupied part of the second floor, A developer will tear down the building she said. and construct townhomes, she said. Demolition is expected to begin soon after "For years, families operated this as their business for income the April 5 closing, Duenas said. Regency purposes and they all lived upstairs," Duenas said. Development of Des Plaines will construct eight townhouses, she said. The second floor also had a Club Room in the back, she said.

An urban legend about the building had it "The Club Room, back in the day, was the place where people -- as a site where planes were built during mostly men -- would come, hang out, play cards and suck back a World War II, said Al Raskevicz Jr., who few," Duenas said. services the pin machines and who used to live in the building. The last family to live in the building was the Raskeviczes. Al and Lucy Raskevicz bought the bowling alley in 1972, and Al "Supposedly they flew them down Ogden Raskevicz Jr. moved in to the building with the rest of his family Avenue to get them out of here," he said. when ehe was 10, uhe said. His living V e- arrangements For a time, the building also was used for R made him lumber storage, Raskevicz said. popular with area In 1939, a remodeling permit was issued children at for an addition to allow for a bowling alley, school. Bartholomew said. Joel Wirtz was the first owner of the bowling alley followed by "It was the place Ann and Lynn York in 1948, Raskevicz to come with all said. the kids," he said. "It was a lot of Countryside Mayor Carl LeGant worked fun." as a pin spotter in the bowling alley in the (Cont. Next Page) April 2006 Re-Late "It is a part of my life, but it is progress (and) things go on," he said. End of the Lane (Continued from Prev Page) People still have a chance to reminisce and visit the bowling alley -- and even walk off with a piece of it. Raskevicz said he has fond memories of family holidays, like Christmas, at the From 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 1, there will be a going-out- bowling alley. The family would gather in of-business sale at Victory Lanes. Everything will be for sale from the Club Room and eat and then bowling pins, bowling balls and shoes to the bowling lanes everyone would go downstairs and bowl, themselves, an antique billiard table and even the pine paneling, he said. Duenas said. For more information on the sale, call the bowling alley at (708) 447-4000. He helped his parents with running the bowling alley and with repairs, Raskevicz said. The alley was open primarily for National paint line honors open bowl but also had between 24 and 36 people for league nights, he said. Chicago bungalows The Raskeviczes decided to sell the BILL CUNNIFF, Homelife Reporter, March 24, 2006 business so they could retire in 1998, he said. Raskevicz still repairs the pin A national manufacturer of household paints has adopted a local setting machines at bowling alleys in the traditional favorite -- the Chicago bungalow -- for a new line of area, he said. colors.

Nine couples from the area, popularly Homeowners from all across the U.S.A. now can choose from the known as the Riverside 9, bought the Chicago bungalow hues, from Pittsburgh Paints. There are nine building and renovated the upstairs living exterior and interior paint colors, reflecting the earth-toned hues of area into more banquet space and a the historic Chicago residences. billiards room. They opened the alley for special events, and Duenas bought the Since Mayor Daley announced the Historic Chicago Bungalow business with two other partners in April Initiative in 2000, thousands of Chicagoans have taken advantage 2003, she said. of the loans and grants provided by the city. The program gives homeowners the financial and technical resources for preservation "There were three of us involved at the or renovations. The agency encourages the buying and rehabbing time that all had different areas of of Chicago's 80,000 architecturally significant historic bungalows. expertise. We all had an entrepreneurial spirit," she said. Duenas' expertise was "We approached the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association to sales, marketing and accounting while collaborate on the creation of the paints after learning about the the other partners had expertise in bungalow program," said Dee Schlotter, marketing communications managere of PPG, the parent company of Pittsburgh Paints. "These restaurant management and catering, u -Vcolors provide customers with confidence and a guide to the colors she said. e R they should use. The earth-toned colors, complemented by bold The alley has primarily been open for trim hues, represent the Historic Chicago bungalow," she said. "The private events but has also been open colors also complement the homes representative of the Arts and for open bowl when events were not Crafts Movement." scheduled. Last fall, the alley had a league for the first time since Duenas The hues are inspired primarily by the shades found in the bricks, owned it, she said. clay-tile roofs and limestone details that characterize the Chicago bungalow. Pittsburgh Paints has more than 2,000 independent Raskevicz said it will be depressing to dealers in the United States and Canada, so the new Chicago see the building he grew up in torn down, Bungalow line is broadly available. Altogether, the company has but he can understand why it's being about 1,800 colors. done. April 2006 Re-Late National paint line honors Chicago Houses of Steel: bungalows What it Takes to Save One of Quantico's (Continued From Previous Page) Lustrons Jennie Phipps, Jan. 27, 2006 Pittsburgh Paints exterior paints are designed to handle Chicago's bitter Houses with a history—and a powder blue, pink, or mint-green winters as well as humid summers, tint—are available free for the taking.

Schlotter said. The interior paints, The Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Va., is giving away 58 100 percent acrylic latex, are prefabricated, porcelain-enameled steel, ranch-style houses with available in three sheens -- flat, two or three bedrooms, originally erected nearly 60 years ago to eggshell and semi-gloss. provide homes for returning World War II soldiers.

"The HCBA and the city's It's the largest collection anywhere of these steel houses, known as Department of Housing are thrilled Lustrons, reflecting their sheen. Designed by Carl Standlund and with the Pittsburgh Paints' Chicago manufactured assembly-line style, they are part of the base that is Bungalow line," said Charles listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is why the Shanabruch, executive director of Marines are searching for takers rather than just tearing them the HCBA. down. The tree-lined, on-base neighborhood will be redeveloped with 1,800-square-foot houses. The Lustrons, all of which are "Homeowners and preservationists occupied now, range from 800 to 1,200 square feet—too small to have been thrilled with our winning satisfy today's military families. placement of the historic Chicago bungalows on the National Register "When we and the military put together this [development] project, of Historic Places. And there is we signed a document agreeing to make a good-faith effort in something equally thrilling about marketing these before we applied for permission to demolish having a paint line named in your them," says Bereket M. Selassie, development executive for Clark honor," he said. Realty Capital, the developer with a contract to build the new houses. Historic Chicago Bungalow The Marines, in partnership with the Navy and developers, prefer Association, (312) 642-9900, or applicants who can figure out an efficient plan for dismantling and www.chicagobungalow.org. For a removing the 11-ton dwellings by the end of this summer. Special Pittsburgh Paints retailer, visit consideration will be given to those who can take more than one or www.ppg.com or e whou have a charitable use for these homes. Clark has received 150 www.voiceofcolor.com e-Ve-mails expressing interest, Selassie

R says. Editors note: I tried to access these links to find Don't suppose you can jack one up, put out more about these colors some wheels under it, and drag it away. "It doesn't work that way," says 88-year- and see some swatches, but old Alex James, who is selling copies of couldn’t do much online. I’d his original, 193-page Lustron Erection suggest a phone call to their Manual for $41 to help potential movers 800 number or a visit to one understand the problems and of their retailers. possibilities. According to the manual, each house has about 3,300 parts and 4,000 nuts and bolts. (Continued Next Page)

April 2006 Re-Late specializes in moving old diners, whose construction is similar—but Houses of Steel simpler—than Lustrons.

James was one of 3,000 workers Strayer has dismantled a couple of who built the Lustrons in the original Lustrons and thinks that anyone who Columbus, Ohio, Lustron Corp. takes a house off the base at Quantico, factory, built in 1947 with $37.5 relocates and reassembles it should be million in federal loans. The houses prepared for lots of work and were constructed for five years until considerable expense—a minimum of the operation went bust. In all, $80,000 to $100,000, not including the about 2,500 homes were built and erected in cost of a new site. communities east of the Rockies. Two were sent to Alaska as an experiment in cold-weather housing. "It's a seriously over-engineered piece of American ingenuity. There's no way to get into the system unless "The walls were pre-wired, pre-plumbed, and then you start at the beginning. And it doesn't tolerate any loaded on the special Freuhauf trailer as it slowly variance. Packing and moving is easiest. From there moved along on tracks embedded in the floor. every part has to be analyzed. Worn parts have to be Parts were loaded in sequential order," James fabricated. "You can't go to Home Depot and buy one recalls. single thing," he says.

Lustrons came originally in a Restoring a Quantico Lustron half-dozen pastel colors and will be more difficult than floor plans. Interiors included restoring one that has had built-in shelves, storage fewer residents in the last cabinets, and other design half century, Strayer believes. features to make the most of For one thing, Lustrons were the small spaces. To move never meant to be painted. one of these houses requires Painting one is like painting the patience to dismantle the your bathtub: Even with parts, number them, and excellent preparation, the reassemble them just as paint chips. Nevertheless, the painstakingly. Quantico Lustrons have been painted dozens of times, When the houses reached inside and out. their destinations, they were erected on slab foundations poured with precision "These houses have had 40 tenants and 25 or 30 sets so that "L" bolts in the bottom channel of the outer eof children. They aren't the perfect antiques," Strayer u says. frame of the house could be bolted toV the - foundation. There are no interiore load-bearing walls. The roof trussesR span the width of the house Strayer is concerned about the asbestos insulation and and must be bolted down after being spaced flooring that was part of the original design, but Jim equally on top of the frame. The next step is Harris, privatization project manager for the Naval cladding the house with porcelainized-enamel roof Facilities Engineering Command, based at Naval and side panels, James says. Station Norfolk, who is overseeing the technical aspects of the project, says asbestos isn't a problem. A "Restoring a Lustron is like restoring an old Chevy. private contractor, Environmental Resources You buy it because it looks great on the outside, Management's Annapolis, Md., office, sampled 39 then you get under the hood and you find out Lustrons and reported that only two contained a small there's lots of work to do," says Calvin Strayer, a amount of asbestos in the flooring. Toronto-based preservationist who (Continued Next Page) April 2006 Re-Late 2006 Blues Hall of Fame Houses of Inductees

The Blues Foundation will induct 15 to the Blues Hall of Steel Fame, including James Cotton and Bobby Rush, at Enthusiasts urge would-be its annual Charter Members’ Dinner at the Memphis owners not to be Marriott Downtown on May 10 in Memphis, Tennessee. discouraged by the size or The Blues Foundation will pay tribute to esteemed the configuration of the individuals, literature, and recordings that have been Lustrons because they are selected by a committee of Blues music authorities. very adaptable. Strayer The event occurs the night before the 2006 Blues suggests that since the houses have no bearing Music Awards, which will be presented at the Cook walls that they would make excellent artist studios or Convention Center on May 11. The presenting sponsor workshops. Or even summer homes. for the 2006 Blues Music Awards is the Gibson family of products. "A lot of these houses have had additions," says Thomas Fetters, Chicago-area author of Lustron The 2006 inductees include performers James Cotton Homes: The History of a Postwar Prefabricated and Bobby Rush, both currently very active as Housing Experiment. "There's one in Des Moines evidenced by their 2006 Blues Music Award that is actually three Lustrons bolted together—with nominations, as well as deceased legends Paul an indoor swimming pool in one of them." Butterfield and Roy Milton. Legendary record Jennie Phipps is a freelance writer living in producers Bobby Robinson and Jerry Wexler and Michigan. record label executives the Bihari Brothers – Joe,

How to Apply: The procedures by which bids will Jules, Les, and Saul - will also be honored. The be taken for the Quantico houses are available at classic book Chasin' That Devil Music by Gayle Dean http://www.lustronsatquantico.com. Applicants Wardlow and edited by Edward Komara and British should expect to provide a plan, proof of financial magazine Blues & Rhythm will be inducted for their ability, and evidence that they've done something noteworthy contributions to Blues literature. Honored like this before. Deadline for proposals is April 12. singles are "Devil Got My Woman" by Skip James on Residents are expected to vacate the homes by Paramount, "Honky Tonk, Parts 1 & 2" by Bill June 30, and the developers would like at least half Doggett on King, and "Hound Dog" by Big Mama the homes to be dismantled and removed by Aug. 1. Thornton on Peacock. In addition, three classic albums have been selected: Screamin’ and Hollerin’ Need Help? Lustron enthusiasts with a plan for 0a the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton on Quantico property can get help from the Recent Revenant, Tell Mama by Etta James on Cadet, and I Past Preservation Network (www.recentpast.org), Do Not Play No Rock ‘N’ Roll by Mississippi Fred an organization that celebrates architecture, McDowell on Capitol. landscape architecture, and urbanism in the U.S. after World War II. The president, Christine Madrid The 2006 Blues Music Awards are also sponsored by French, offers a nonprofit umbrella for those who FedEx, the Greater Memphis Arts Council, Memphis might need such assistance. Convention and Visitors Bureau, Blues Revue, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and the Stanford Financial Coming Soon: The National Trust's Midwest Office Group. is developing a Web site for Lustron owners and admirers. The site will include history of the houses, Editor’s note: It’s good to see Re-Vue has an interactive timeline, technical information for been on the ball as far as our coverage of homeowners, repair instructions and these music industry innovators. We’ve demonstrations, a "Lustron Library" of photos and written articles about Bobby Robinson, the online manuals, a marketplace, and a Google Map- Bihari brothers, and Big Mama Thorton. linked database of all the surviving houses. The site is scheduled to launch in April.

April Regarding 2006

Gene Pitney's songs have been recorded nature by some of the world's biggest stars herbs - Roy Orbison recorded Today's that Pitney: RIP Teardrops as the B-side to his GOD million-selling single, Blue Angel. led me to take The son of a mill worker, Pitney said happy. April childhood ambitions of becoming a My 5, performer could not have been Doctor 2006 further from his mind. He once went Gene recalled how his first solo my Pit- performance at school degenerated progress sence the operation with ney into an embarrassing whimper as a smile. My white blood count was has Pitney was petrified by the back to normal and all of the other been expectant audience. charts that he showed me were found beautiful. I have not had any bad dead Overcoming his nerves over the side effects from the CHEMO. I aged next few years, Pitney learned to am starting to get my strength 65 in play the guitar and piano and back and my attitude is still on it's his bed in a Cardiff (Wales) hotel. formed a schoolboy band. It was positive KIK-ASS mode. I am Pitney - who found fame with during one of their gigs that his continuing with the treatment and Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa - distinctive voice was discovered by with your prayers & by the grace was pronounced dead at the Hilton the "the proverbial fat man with a of GOD will win. Thank You!!" hotel at 1000 BST. He was on a UK cigar" who took him off to New R&R, Dale Hawkins tour and had shown no signs of ill- York. ness. He had nine dates left on his . . . ANOTHER LANDMARK 23-date UK tour and was due to He is survived by his wife Lynne BITES THE DUST appear at Bristol's Colston Hall on and three sons who live in his native NASHVILLE, Jan. 19, 2006 - The Wednesday. Connecticut. Nashville recording studio where Elvis Presley cut the RCA hit Born in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 17, . . . FOR SALE - A MEMPHIS MU- Heartbreak Hotel, the King's first 1941, Pitney had his first success SIC LANDMARK breakout hit, is being torn down to as a songwriter with "Rubber Ball," World Famous Hernando's Hide- make way for that unmistakable a Top 10 hit for Bobby Vee in 1961. away, 3210 Hernando Road, Mem- sign of urban progress: A parking Later that year, Ricky Nelson had a phis, TN. 901-398-7496. Great com- lot. The studio, wedged between hit with Pitney's "Hello Mary Lou." mercial investment. 8200 total sq. Broadway and Demonbreun at ft., 1450 sq. ft. 3 br. apartment up- 1525 McGavock St. and As a performer, Pitney had his first stairs. Bar, dance floor, seating for purchased by auto-dealership success that same year with "Love 150 or more. Kitchen and down- magnate Lee Beaman in 1999, My Life Away." stairs, on a 1 acre lot. Motivated was the longtime home of the seller, bring all offers. Seller will United Methodist Television, But Burt Bacharach and Hal David assist with closing, plus $1000 bi- Radio and Film Commission. provided the songs that put Pitney nus to selling agent. Contact Caro- in the Top 10: "The Man Who Shot lyn Kent at 901-345-1600 or 901- During Presley's Heartbreak Hotel Liberty Valance" and "Only Love 650-6673. MLS #2614863 $450,000 session "which lasted only three Can Break a Heart." "Only Love hours and took place on Jan. 10, Can Break a Heart" was Pitney's . . . DALE HAWKINS HEALTH UP- 1956, almost 50 years ago to the biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 2 on DATE from Rockabilly Hall of day". Presley also recorded Ray the charts in 1962. The No. 1 song Fame web site "Hello Friends, I left Charles' I Got A Woman, at the time was The Crystals' "He's the hospital yesterday after my 4th according to John Rumble, senior a Rebel," written by Pitney. CHEMO treatment, many historian at the Country Music

PRAYERS and all the natural over Hall of Fame and Museum. ue April 2006 Re-V Sun Mo Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat go 1 hica 2 3 4 5 6 Big C Jam- 7 Git Gone Boys w/ Dave Loe 8 Mercury Express @ Cali- C boree Reluc- Duke's Bar 6920 N. Glenwood Ave. fornia Clipper; The Crown tant 9-12; Vics @ The Sandbar; Ful- Aquanauts Chicago Blues Angels, Hacienda ton County Line, Janesville, @ Martyrs’ Brothers with Dave Gonzalez, Bill rue Historians @ Gun- Kerchin @ Fitzgerald’s ther Murphys ; Everett Dean and the Reckless Abandon10 A.M. - 1 P.M. Comcast Digital Cable

9 10 11 12 13 14 Chicago Blues Angels @ The 15 Chicago Blues Angels Empress Casino Joliet, IL @ The Fieldhouse Sports Bar in Crest Hill, IL

16 17 18 19 Big John Bates 20 Neverly 21 22 Chicago Blues Angels and the Voodoo Brothers @ @ Good Time Charlies in Dollz!! @ The HACKNEY'S Manhattan, IL Abbey Pub RESTAU-

23 Bobby 24 25 26 Neverly Broth- 27 28 The Screamin' End @ Landmark 29 Rivera and ers @ MUR- Inn Bar & Grill, 1352 Shermer Rd. the Rivi- PHY'S PUB Northbrook, IL - www. thescreami- eras @ 7:30PM nend.com Luckystar MIDNIGHT CREEPS THE SLEA- Gal- ZIES THE GRAVETONES ROT- lery,12:00 TEN FRUITS @ Nite Cap Lounge pm Devil in a Woodpile At Side bar at Fitzgeralds

30 Sundays- Honky Tonk Bingo 7 Fulton County Line 9 @ Pontiac Cafe Noon - 2pm Casey McDonough @ MoJoe's Hot House Tuesdays- DJ Pete spins rockabilly, doo-wop, blues, 50's, R & B, & Trash Rock @ Street- side Bar & Grill 10- 2 $3 wells Devil In A Woodpile (roots) @Hideout Wednesdays- The Rhythm Rockets @ Frankie's Blue Room Be sure to check with venues before Shows. Most Thursdays- The Sidewinders @ Green Dolphin Schedule subject to change. Dates are compiled Thursdays - Psychobilly DJ Kevin Massacre @ Exit through several Sources: Susie Gomez's Open Mic Nite @ InnerTown Urban's Hog Wranglers at the Smoke Daddy gunthermurphys.com, beatkitchen.com, abbey- Fridays - The Hoyle Brothers @ The Empty Bottle (5:30-7:30) pub.com, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com, schubas.com, True Historians @ Betty's Bluestar Lounge 7-9 pm No Cover metromix.com, martyrslive.com, Every other Friday- Susie Gomez and Her Multiple Cats at Caifornia Clipper [email protected], chicagorockabillycom Saturdays - Roots and Blues at Cal. Clipper (Amy Ott), Desiree Kiss, and yeproc.com. Noon-2pm Matt Schnieder & Friends @ MoJoe's Hot House