The Rock and Roll Show

Where the Featherette’s had the “leather” look, the Cruisette’s had the demin look. Terry was supposed to be a Cruisette, but had to go back to the shore for a special show that week. The Feather men were in leather jackets and the Cruiser’s were in demin-jean jackets. I was matched with Peter again and Alton had Dominick, Rodger had Paul, the new bouncer.
None of us were looking forward to this show. It was long and boring and the numbers were strange. Sammy was supposed to do a little Richard song and with Oe’s permission cut it. He was left with a song called “Born Too Late” Rodger opened the show with “Da Do Run, Run,” None of us knew what Hank was thinking, but Rodger gave up the Screaming black woman song “Maybe”. The Feather Men did 50’s men group songs while the Cruiser’s did Huey Lewis and Bruce Springsteen songs. Casper had some number that he listened to once. He went out on stage with big hair and just bounced around. We were all nervous and excited when we found out that Big Sal, the bouncer who used me as a football, was going to bring in this machine that could videotape the show. It was a new invention. None of us believed that it was possible. Remember Video machines were still new and experimental so the idea of videotaping a show was ground breaking. Imagine taping a show and seeing it back on your TV.
The night of the show found Rodger angry with all these people coming in and out of his apartment. It has a quiet apartment complex being turned into a frat house. Everyone came to Rodgers and brought their partners and friends and everyone was touching things. Rodger was a nervous wreck. Alton and I could feel his pain and annoyance. We left for the show and the place looked like a scene from ”Animal House”. We really didn’t have much time to be nervous when we got to the bar because Oe started the show early to accommodate the extra number s in the show.
When we came out for the first number we were hit with the brightest light. I swear it was like walking into the light when you die! My eyes were blinded and Alton fell into me. Rodger was putting his hand up to his face to block the light. We were back-up on the song and just stepped to our sides, but the place was packed so it didn’t make a difference. “Where did all the people come from?” I wondered. Oh, I forgot to mention we had a prop – a cardboard jukebox. We were supposed to pretend we were in a malt shop and playing the songs on the jukebox. WE ALL GOT RIMMED for that one! None of us remembered to put our nickels in it…Just an idea of what we had to go through back then with the fake Ziegfeld.
We did the show and were thrilled when Sammy came out to close the show with his “Born Too Late” number in a MARTY DE GAYBAR original ($100.00). The show was over and we could have a drink. Alton and I ran to the bar! Rodger soaked up the compliments and found us. He told us he was going to have a chat with Hank when he got back about the number of people in the show. “We were doing fine with our shows and there is no reason to change something that works.” And he was right.
Whether it was the attitude or the power or just personalities, there was going to be an explosion and the causalities would be more than you can imagine. We had asked Big Sal if we could watch our show, but he was given strict orders that no one was to see it until Hank saw it first. Hank was coming home the next morning-I got my phone call that afternoon.
Till Tomorrow, Be kind