After Bebop A Lula: Utica Bands 50's 60's

[Clipper]

RE in the telephone number was "Redwood". Utica had "redwood, randolph, swift, and others back when a telephone number started with two letters and a numeral, followed by 4 more numerals.

[frankcor]

Thanks, Clipper! I don't think I ever knew any of Utica's exchange names.

[bobbbiez]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, the Hacienda! Many a great, long night at that place on the hill. ;D


Clipper, I let you answer Frank's question about the "re" in our old phone numbers to show your true age. See everyone, I told you he's just as old as me. Not too many people alive who remember that.

[Clipper]

I am 61, and you are 64! To me, the math tells the story!

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! only three freakin years! ;D

Still old enough to remember what I do and you're still classified as an antique.

[Clipper]

[dgriffin]

The RE and RA and SW were mnemonics or memory aids. The telephone company, when forced to go to 7 digits (in larger cities before it happened in Utica), were concerned that people would not remember 7 digit numbers. They felt that REdwood 2-5704 (my home number as a kid) would be more easily remembered than 732 5704. Even after WW II there were 4 digit numbers and I barely remember my mother speaking them into an old style phone in response to an Operator's "number, please?" before dials appeard on phones. I more easily remember the 5 digit numbers in use until I think around 1957 or so when the 7 digit numbers began to be used.

[Clipper]

Anyone remember when you simply told Ruth Buzzy to put you through to so and so??? Just wondering. I remember my mom's aunt in Bouckville had a specific ring pattern. If it rang twice and then once, or whatever, you answered it. If it rang a different series of rings, it was not for you.

[Clipper]

Frank, I will be sending you the telephone installation kit for communications between you and bobbbiez this summer at the lake. It will include two Campbells cans, two buttons, and as much strong string as necessary to cover the distance between the two camps. If the noise and static gets too bad, all ya do is cut the string, hhahahaha.

[dan]

That ring was for a party line, which I'll bet only about 1/3rd of us remember. My aunt had one and I remember getting yelled at for answering someone elses call. I also remember the RE prefixes, so its not THAT old.

[jon hynes]

The Jaguars Phil Nicotera-Guitar Jim Amusa-Guitar

Jon Hynes-Bass Louie Sportello-Drums

[bobbbiez]

I do remember party lines. We had them for a long time because it was much cheaper for all to afford, but you always wondered who was listening to your conversations.

HAHAHAHAHA! We were guilty of the same. Hey, we were kids and let me tell you it was a fun pass time, unless your parents caught you and then no phone for a month.

[jon hynes]

The Jaguars Phil Nicotera-Guitar Jim Amusa-Guitar

Jon Hynes-Bass Louie Sportello-Drums

[bobbbiez]

Hey, I know Jim Amusa really well. He played with Tony Sheheen at many different occasions and parties. In fact. they played together, along with Tony Joseph, for my Mom's 80th birthday party at Club Monarch and for my 50th at Ventura's. ;D

Is that you on the bass? If it is then I have met you because you do look mighty familiar.

[frankcor]

I remember saying the 4-digit number to an operator and party lines. Dialing started around 1957 in Rome, I think.

Hey, no monitor speakers for the Jaguars? And where are the PA towers??? LOL, jonhynes, I love that old tube head on your bass amp. Was that an Ampeg?