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

[dgriffin]

Jon,
Was that the hearse I remember with a transmission that was louder than the engine? Probably before you were touring in it, I remember riding around with a kid from New Hartford who either owned it or had use of it. We'd pull into people's driveways, knock on the door and take turns telling whoever answered the door we "were here for the body." Or one of us would lie in the back and pop up at a stop light and wave to the driver next to us.

[jon hynes]

Different hearse Dave. The Chessmen hearse was my hearse and was bought in Herkimer after you left Utica. I seem to remember the hearse you are referring to but it wasn't used for a band.

I believe Tony Madonia was the first band in the Utica Rome area to use a hearse. Real old (I think it burned coal). Our band was the second. It was very low mileage and in tip-top shape (great transmission). Didn't come with a radio though. That cost extra.

There were a few other bands that started using hearses after us.

[frankcor]

Hi, Jon! That's a hoot. Was your hearse a Caddy? I remember bands with hearses but I was still just a kid.

[bobbbiez]

I remember Tony Madonia playing at the joints at Sylvan Beach. ;D Isn't that where he got his big start in the area?
Tony was pretty popular here. Had a good following.

Hey Frank, here in Constable our daily newspaper is delivered by a guy driving a hearse. I sh-t every time he pulls in our driveway and especially since I know he is also the local undertaker.

Not a sight I want to look at every day especially at 64 years old.

[jon hynes]

Hi frankcor

Yes that was a '53 Caddilac. Great for hauling all the equipment with two fold down seats in the back. Just right for a four piece band. And with gas at 25-30 cents for hightest gas, it was quite economical.

[jon hynes]

Hi bobbbiez

Tony Madonia was from Rome NY. Top shelf professional and played Lake Shore a lot which was the 'Big Time' back then. Really before Rock 'n' Roll. He also held the Golden Gloves as a boxer. If he lost a member of the band he quite often picked up someone on the street and would teach them how to play the instrument. He was just a little guy but a great entertainer. Died quite young. I learned a great deal about music from him while on the road.

The hearse thing wasn't very popular in the community. Except for the drummer's little sisters and the neighborhood kids who loved to lay down in the back and play dead when it was empty.

[bobbbiez]

Hi back to you jonhynes,

Yes, Tony was very, very talented and well followed by many. Is also remembered by many.

We had a camp up to Sylvan Beach and use to stop into Lake Shore, the Forrest Hotel and DeCastro's to listen to Tony and many other great bands in our area. Got to know alot of the guys then. Great times for sure. ;D

Can't remember, (Senior moment or Polish. Take your pick. ), if I read before if you knew any of the guys I became friends with.
I was around alot because I loved to dance and I worked many places as a bartender. Plus, I went to school with alot of the guys or their family members.

Did you know Johnnie Phoenix or Tony Sheheen? Tony was a very good friends with Guy Vivenzo. Just a few I'll mention. Don't want to bore anyone. They humor me most of the time.

Really enjoy when all you guys talk about the past bands and the members. As I said before. Great times for me. ;D

[frankcor]

It must have been 1966, my best buddy and I scrounged together $5 and we talked his old-man into letting us borrow his VW Beetle to take to "da Beach." We filled the tank (that took $3.50 at 35-cents per gallon) and we headed for the Forest Hotel to see Ronny Dio and the Prophets. We had plenty of money left over to keep us in beer for the night -- 10-cents at happy hour, 15-cents when the band started for a draft beer with the world famous Sylvan Beach head. My friend was 16, I was 17, but we knew one of the bouncers.

As I type this, there is a Google Ad for a 1959 Cadillac Hearse at the bottom of this page. I could be in some trouble here.

[Clipper]

Sunshine, wasn't Johnny Phoenix either married to, or had kids by Teepee Gal's sister?? I knew Johnny from the furniture moving days when he worked for Jones of Utica on Hotel St.

[bobbbiez]

Johnny has been married to the same woman for over 30 years now. Pretty sure her name is Sue. Don't know if she is Tepee Gal's sis.

They live near Clayville. Johnny still does karaoke in some local bars in Utica. Went to see him at Rick's Place on Mohawk Street last summer. Rick is my old boss and called me to let me know Johnny was working there. Had a great time with everyone. Lots of old school friends showed up that night. It was just like the old school day dances we use to go together at Kernan School. What a night!

Johnny isn't working at Rick's any more. He's going to call me when I move back to Utica and let me know where he is playing. He still has a great voice. Could listen to him sing all night. Great guy!

[Clipper]

Did Johnny have a brother that is about my age, that used to move furniture? The guy I have in mind was a big old bruiser, and mixed race, or light skinned black person. Very nice looking guy, and a real nice guy too. I am sure his name was Phoenix.

[bobbbiez]

Yes, that was John's brother Carl. Nice looking just like John. Yes, they are mulatto.
Carl got into drugs big time and died of an overdose years ago. Some thought it was suicide, but I didn't see Carl ever thinking that way. Very sad time for me. John and Carl both were my best friends from kindergarten and into adulthood.

Still think about him alot and always keep him in my prayers.

[Clipper]

Carl is the one I was thinking of. He was a big old teddy bear. Strong as an ox. Was Carl my age or a little older, maybe a couple of years?

[bobbbiez]

Carl was around your age and I know John is my age. Both were such good kids. Have alot of great memories with those guys. They were like brothers to me and always watched my back if I had any problems no matter how old we got.

I remember one night when I was bartendering at a local bar in Utica and a couple of rednecks came in and were causing me grief. Finally had enough and told him they had to leave. One of the a--holes came around the bar and I maced him down to his knees. The other started to do the same and Carl with one arm picked him up and threw him out the door and then came and got the other that was having a hard time seeing the exit door, so Carl helped him out too. Funny as sin. We made a good pair that night. ;D

Got lots of great stories, right from kindergarten, and all the way up till adults. That's why I love those guys.

[jon hynes]

Carl and I went to UFA at the same time. We hung around the South end of the Kemble Street part of the building. He helped me out of a jam at the Parkway Skating Rink one night for which I will be eternally grateful. My guess is that he would be 63-64 years old. I know John also but haven't seen him in years now. And yes he has a beautiful voice.