By Mr. Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 05:19 pm:

Hello David,

My name is Lynn Bruce. I,ve just discovered your
web-site. Bob Babbitt and I first started playing together in a band in 1959. I played drums. The band was called the Del-Royals, we
were about 17 at the time. We would play teen clubs and back-up local do-wop groups. We had no idea that some would become ledgends, they were just like us trying to make money so we would not have to work a day job. We all wanted to make the big time so we would do any record-hop in the area as the DJ that put it on would mention our name on the radio. That band broke up and I went on the road with a band called the Gigalos (Jack Rainwater/guitar, Dave Kovaric/sax, Jimmy Van/key-board). After a few months we got an offer to come back home to Detroit to play at Rose's bar with Jamie Coe. I was there for about four weeks when Harry Balk and Irving Machanick? came in to hear me play. They liked what they heard and said that Bo Savich was leaving the group and would I like to play with Johnny and the Hurricanes. Well, it took me two seconds to gasp and say yes. So Bo went with Jamie Coe and I went with Johnny and the Hurricanes. I was tired of people like Johnny May Matthews and many others saying if we would back her up on a session that we could do our own songs at the last part of the session but funny how we would always run out of time for our originals. When I went with the Hurricanes we had to give Harry and Irving 20% and the booking agent 15% and pay our own expenses. But when your 19 and get to play with Bo Diddly,Fats Domino and Sam Cook and go on tour with Dick Clark and back up just about everyone that was famous in the early 60's, it was worth it. In 1964 I got tired of the road took a gig in Dearborn with a band that had the future guitar player for the Rare Earth (Rod Cox). That group in the early spring/summer of '64 had weekend singing groups come in for Friday's and Saturday's. We had Nolan Strong for a while, the Royal Jokers, Bobby Martin and the Martinques, and Barbara Adams. One night we had a girl group called the Supremes try out for the weekend gig, but the club owner said they did not do enough choreography to please the crowd! It wasn't but a few weeks later that Baby Love took off! That club owner was ready to hang himself. He would not have had to as the band would have gladly done away with him. After that band I worked again with Babbitt, that would be 1966. One day Babbitt called me and asked me if I would like to work with him backing up Chuck Berry. Man, I would have worked for free to work with Chuck Berry (good thing Chuck didn't know that as he watched his money closely). He would demand payment up front in cash before we would play. Well, I don't know how to type very well and my two fingers are getting tired. One thing more, my father was born in Dundee and my grandfather was killed in action fighting for the Cameron Highlanders and I'm so happy and proud that Scots are taking on this great thing! I was in Scotland last year for the first time and my heart swelled like a melon when I stepped on Scottish soil. I never expected I would be so emotional. We stayed at the Copthorne Hotel in Glasgow. I think near the bus/train station. My wife and I are coming over next year. Maybe we can quaff a few brews and talk about old times.

GOD BLESS SCOTLAND!!

SLAINTE VA!!

Mr. Lynn Bruce
E-mail LBruce23@comcast.com

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 05:30 am:

This is music to David's ears.
Graham

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Sunday, May 12, 2002 - 01:10 pm:

Coolcat,no offense in Andy Alonsos messages.I ju

st didn,t want to tie up his site.Ithink we did johnnie mae mathews sessions at fortune records.Ithink vern parker played guitar, bob babbit bass,me, Ican,t remember who was on piano as it was 1959.In fact I don,t remember what songs we did either . As for Mr.Bo &the Blues Boys,we had Fat Bob on sax,Chicago Pete on bass,aguy called Louie on organ,that was 1972,a kick-ass group.We didn,t record together at that time. A few times Bo would get some complaints about a honky drummer working with an African-American group but we all had so much respect for each other that we would put it out of our minds.There was one other group I forgot about(see Andy Alonzos site),again Babbit on bass Dave Sandy sax,Jodie on Guitar who later on became Willie Nelsons Guitar player and still is. We played at the Driftwood lounge.I remember John Lee Hooker comeing there on some weekends What a drag getting discoverd when your older nationaly as he sure could have used the bread when he was younger.Better late than never I guess. Slainte Va, Lynn

By acooolcat (211.78.28.79 - 211.78.28.79) on Sunday, May 12, 2002 - 04:00 pm:

Hi Lynn, and thanks for the reply. 1959! I'm wondering what was cut on this Johnnie Mae session and will check her discography to see the possibilities. I'll get back to you and will hopefully be able to jog your memory.
What can you remember about recording at Fortune's studio?
Graham

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.107.27.25 - 213.107.27.25) on Sunday, May 12, 2002 - 09:01 pm:

Hi Lynn

Welcome to the forum.

It would be fantastic to meet up with you in Glasgow.

Myself and Acooolcat were quaffing beers just around from the Copthorne in January.

It is a small world.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 03:58 am:

That's right, I know you'll have a great night in Glasgow with David , Davie G and Harry.
Graham

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 04:21 am:

Lynn, Here are 4 song titles from 1959 that may help to jog your memory;
Indian Joe, Mr Fine, Someday, and Dreamer.
Was Johnnie Mae the singer, or someone else?
Graham

By Andy Alonzo (63.96.230.174 - 63.96.230.174) on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 06:29 pm:

Hey Lynn, send me an email, andyalonzo@hotmail.com I've also been around a bit, and Lynn Bruce is one of the finest drummers around. Andy Alonzo

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 06:39 pm:

Ian, the fasinators that your thinking of is where we got our name from!! Verygood. Paul,Butch,Dave&I quit johnny&the hurricanes due to the way things were going recording wise(to sappy&dumb)un-like the hard driving reville rock,&cross-fire.Our managers Harry Balk&Irving M.had 100% control over what we recorded!!I had a friend (Joe Morreno)that sang occationaly with Andy Alonso that suggested that name.When we started playing under the Hurricanes name,Irving&Harrys lawyers said to cease using that name or be sued.Joe said that was a cool name&the group was really old at that timeI.E we hadn,t heard much of them lately.We recorded in newyork with Morty Croft useing that name but nothing much happened as far as a hit.
Slainte Va, lynn P.S Mike Murdza took Johnny,s place

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 07:02 pm:

Coolcat,Fortune studios was about the size of the Old Ship Inn in Perth Scot.Like a small living room.But it had that raw earthy sound that I loved and still do.Something like early motown,like the temptations singing the song Paradise.Sometimes when you improve things,you lose things, I guess thats progress!!!!
Slainte Va!!Lynn

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 04:04 am:

Lynn,
Yes, the sound in Fortune's studio was something special. I'm not sure how they did it though - from what I've heard it wasn't the most organized place. Talking of "earthy" - someone told me that the floor under the carpet was actual earth; They'd never put a real floor in! I'm not sure if this was the studio or the office.
What about those song titles (above)?

Graham

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 01:36 am:

Coolcat,1958 was the year started with the Del-Royals,It was so long ago that I screwed up the year!I do remember that we did some sessions with Johnnie Mae Matthews in the summer of that year as the car I had broke down in her drive-way as VernParker(guitar)&I almost had a heat-stroke trying to fix it. I don't think I would remember any thing we did then as I did so many free-bees like that.We were very young & foolish. We would go to places like Carmen towers& Stuart Gorlick would start his tape &say play all your originals,just to hear how you sound on tape(no copy-rights)and then feed them to who ever he wanted.But thats how all the bands did it then,sometmes you got lucky & it was released,other times you would hear another band doing your material under their name!!! Slainte Va,Lynn

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 05:05 am:

Hi Lynn, 1958! W're going way back aren't we? Do The Five Dapps mean anything to you?
Graham

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 01:49 pm:

WOW Lynn,
Carmen Towers. I had forgotten all about that place. The very young Sunliners were to back up some singer on a recording session for Stuart.Instead of paying us Stuart offered us studio time. We were so naive then. Naturally we never got the studio time. Flash forward many years and guess who is sitting in my office talking with me at Tera Shirma? Stuart came in with someone that day who was there to see me. He was out of the music business and was marveling at how long it had been since he had read Billboard magazine.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 02:04 pm:

Lynn and Ralph,
Carmen Towers? Where was it and did Stuart Gorlick have a record company/label and a roster of recording artists?
Graham

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 02:20 pm:

Lynn, I may need your help here, but wasn't Carmen Towers in Dearborn? And didn't Stuart have the Royaltones? Sorry Graham. I'm not much help on this one.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 02:52 pm:

Ralph&Coolcat Yes,carmen towers was in dearborn,on shaefer between mich. ave&ford road.It at one time was the carmen theater.Yes the royal-tones did record for Stuart. Lynn

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.6.75.13 - 62.6.75.13) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 03:14 pm:

George Katzakis took us down to the site of Carmen Towers but the building is gone.

He spoke fondly of that place.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 03:16 pm:

Ralph,the Five Dapps,sounds like I should know them, but I can,t recall them .Andy Alonzo,do you remember anything about them? Lynn

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 03:23 pm:

Lynn. I can't say that I know this group.Something way back in my memory tells me I might but nothing is coming through yet. Getting back to Carmen Towers Lynn. Was the recording studio located there? I barely remember the place but I know I was there more than once.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 07:39 pm:

Ralph,coolcat asked me about the dapps,sorry.What I remember about carmen towers was that it was up in the circular part of the ex-theater.When your a teen-aged musician that played mostly jimmy reed john lee hooker &rockabilly (I.E. we were not exactly playing Sam Buterra& the Witness,s type music)stepping into the towers was like really cool as the Royal_tones recorded there.And lets give our due respect to the Royaltones in the late 50,s as they were the best sounding band in my opinion that ever came out of the midwest or possibly all America in that era.If you ever heard them live at that time you would know what I mean.In those day,s you couldn,t hide your lack of talent with electric gizmos. You,d be walking the bar if you didn,t have tons of drive.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 08:40 pm:

Lynn,
I couldn't agree with you more regarding the Royaltones. That was the band that was the standard for all other bands to measure themselves.Generally, we all came up short. I had told George Katsakis in some earlier thread that he was one of my first musical heros. And he most definitely was.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 08:48 pm:

Carmen Towers was between Ford rd.&Warren on the east side of the street.Talk about forgeting things!!!! Lynn

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 01:27 pm:

The Count,speaking of old ratty hotels,once we were on a bus tour with Jan & Dean and we checked in a hotel in Ft.Williams,Ont. Canada.When I opened the door to my room there was a rope attached to an eye-bolt all coiled up next to the window and a sign saying FIRE ESCAPE. I went down to Jan's room,he had the same thing!! We had a lot of laughs imagining 80 year old women & men climbing down during a fire alert!!!! Lynn

By Andy Alonzo (63.96.230.199 - 63.96.230.199) on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 03:27 pm:

The Five Dapps wasn't that the name of the group that Johnny Mae recorded Do Wapa Wapa DO with ??
Andy

By acooolcat (211.78.28.73 - 211.78.28.73) on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 04:35 am:

Yes Andy, released on George Braxton's label.
Graham

By acooolcat (211.78.28.73 - 211.78.28.73) on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 04:39 am:

Andy - take a look at the "robin stone" thread - maybe you can add some info about Johnnie Mae and her Northern label?
Graham

By George Katsakis (152.163.201.84 - 152.163.201.84) on Monday, May 20, 2002 - 02:14 am:

Lynn,

I rember you well and I've often wondered what happened to you. Welcome to the Forum. I hope I get a chance to see you soon. Are you still playing drums and if so with who?

I enjoy reading your postings because you are speaking the truth and I know it is from on the scene experience. Do you have any pictures you can post from the Carmen Towers? I was never one to take a lot of pictures, they are all in my mind. We can thank Marilyn for taking so many, you won't believe her collection.

I don't know if you have seen the postings regarding a get together on September 6th at the Clawson Steak house but you are certainly invited to meet up with a lot of old friends. Hope to see you.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 02:21 pm:

Steve Fischer:Vern Parker passed on afew years ago.A big loss to the detroit bands.I worked in more than one band with him.I swear that if he would have had the breaks&luck he would have out played stevie ray vaughn as he could sing as well as play the blues really well!! Lynn

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 02:37 pm:

Ralph,the Hurricanes were in N.Y.C.to do some session work&we went over to the peppermint lounge to catch the band (Joey Dee&the Starlighters)it was before peppermint twist was released.Do you remember the bar next door as thats where dave kovarik was playing at that time.I wanted the guys to see a kick-ass detroit sax player,little did we know that the band next door would have a huge hit a few months later
Lynn

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 02:51 pm:

Lynn,
I think the bar next to the Peppermint was the Wagon Wheel.Do you know who Dave was playing with at that time? I think the term 'Kick Ass" is nearly an understatement when referring to Dave Kovarik.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 06:19 pm:

Ralph,thats it.The wagon wheel.Dave had Jimmy Van on key-board.I don,t know if you saw him as he played with us on the road in the early version of the gigalos,he played alot like johnny johnson chuck berrys man.The other members I don,t remember. A Harry Balk story!! When working shows or sessions in new york,we would usually stay around the corner from the Brill building on 49 st,the forest hotel, alot of times in the evening Harry would be talking to the same group of guys,(maybe they lived there also).This one guy he introduced me to had a black goatee and had a cane.we called him Doc,we,d talk about politics, music,women,just b.s.ing.It got to to be the thing to do before heading out for the evening.It wasn't until years later when I saw a picture of the famous Doc Pomus that I realized whom I had been talking to.I thought he was just an old pal of Harry,s! Lynn

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 06:47 pm:

Lynn,
I always appreciate a good Harry Balk story.
At the risk od sounding naive though, I'm not familiar with Doc Pomus. Care to enlighten me?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 07:06 pm:

Ralph

Doc Pomus was 50% of the Pomus-Shuman songwriting team, responsible for hits like Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Teenager In Love, Save The Last Dance For Me etc. I suppose you've heard the touching story about the origin of the latter song?

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 07:10 pm:

Thanks Ritchie. So what's the origin of Last Dance??

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 07:14 pm:

What am I saying...? Will You Love Me Tomorrow was Goffin & King (though they did model their teen-angst songs on the example of Pomus and Shuman.) Some Kind Of Wonderful - a song they wrote for the Drifters - was their attempt at a "Pomus and Shuman" song, Carole King later admitted.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 07:23 pm:

I understand that Doc Pomus was confined to a wheelchair, because of a childhood illness. The song is particularly poignant, as a man who cannot leave his chair, telling his partner to go off and dance the evening away with all the guys she chooses, but:

"don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you're gonna be. Save the LAST dance for me".

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 08:34 pm:

Ralph, Doc Pomus wrote some of elvis,s songs & alot more songs in the rhythm&blues era.Pick up Johnny Adams sings Doc Pomus C.D. Titled the Real Me,produced by Dr.John with him on piano&B-3 organ,Duke Robillard on guitar& abunch of soulful New Orleans musician,s. Man can Johnny Adams sing!It's on rounder records,C.D.2109 Lynn

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 08:47 pm:

Thanks Lynn. It sounds like something that would interest me.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 09:49 pm:

And - speaking of Johnny Adams - check out his superb "Reconsider Me" from 1969 - one of my all-time favourite Southern Soul-Blues tracks.

By DAVID KOVARIK (66.3.224.7 - 66.3.224.7) on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 03:45 am:

RALPH,
THANKS FOR THE GREAT COMPLIMENT. YES THE BAR WAS THE WAGONWHEEL AND THE NAME OF THE GROUP WAS FRANKIE AND THE NEW YORKERS.KENT PERRY ON DRUMS,
MYSELF ON SAX,JIMMY VAN ON KEYBOARDS,FRANK TRIOLA ON GUITAR, AND TERRY ON BASS.IT WAS DEFINETELY A KICK ASS GROUP.WE HAD SOME FUN THERE.I AM BACK TRYING TO GET IN THE GROVE AGAIN.I AM PLANNING ON SITTING IN AT THE CLAWSON ON THE 6 TH OF SEPTEMBER.SOUNDS LIKE LOTS OF THE OLD DETROIT BAR PEOPLE WILL BE DOWN THERE.
TAKE CARE,
DAVID KOVARIK

By DAVID KOVARIK (66.3.224.7 - 66.3.224.7) on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 03:55 am:

LYNN,
MAN I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY, AND DIDNT EVEN KNOW YOU HAD YOUR OWN DEAL ON HERE. CHECK OUT THE LETTER I SENT YOU ON THE GIGOLOS SPACE. I MISS YOU MAN, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN??? THE LETTER TELLS YOU ALL ABOUT QUANNER TO.
I AM IN FLORIDA STILL BUT LEAVE FOR HOME SATURDAY.READ THE OTHER LETTER I POSTED TO YOU, AND GET BACK TO ME.
DAVE
I HAVE BEEN JAMMING WITH NICK PALISE, GIL, GEORGE K, AND A BARI MAN BY THE NAME OF TIM KELLY.WE GET TOGETHER EVERY SUNDAY. WE ARE CATCHING UP ON OUR READING ABILITIES.GREAT TO BE BACK AND JAMMING AGAIN.YOU KNOW HOW IT IS WHEN MUSIC IS IN YOUR BLOOD.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 04:51 am:

Dave,
I'd love to see and hear this horn section.

By Lynn bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 07:12 pm:

DeeAnne,I saw your picture in one of the threads,didn't we work together with ron Baltusz in a group called the enchanters,somewhere on the west side,maybe greenfield or sheafer around 6-mile.I believe it was in 65.I can't remember the club,just that I really liked your singing.

Lynn

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 04:40 pm:

Marilyn:Jackie Wilsons thread:What I meant about Jackie sounding better in a black club was as a musician when I was playing,and another band walked in to hear us on their night off,the juices start pumping as your among your peers and you know that they are going to notice any little mistake,so you kick it up a notch.Jackie was a consumate performer so he always did great.BUT top black club audiences are very sophisticated as far as music goes(as I,m sure your aware of). So he was probably a little more pumped up playing for African-Americans as they knew what great soul singers sound like and suffered no mediocracy.I enjoy reading your comments as I can tell you,ve been there also.One can,t tell tales on this forum as someone will surely call you on it.
Tell us more of your experiences.
Lynn

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 03:37 pm:

Bo Diddley;;The more I'm on this forum the more the stories come back to me !!Stay tuned boys and girls!
In 1960 johnny&the hurricanes played at Cornell univ. in Ithica,N.Y. It was called Fall Weekend,put on by the frat.houses.On one side was the Isely bros.&on the other was Bo Diddley.We played the middle house.What a dream-gig for me getting to party with these people.
Sunay morning we left town in our v.w.bus.We got about 15 miles out of Ithica and the bus broke down.Out-side of town was all forest,no people.We sat there for an hour.Along comes this big black funeral hearse,we flagged it down and out steps Bo Diddley&his mates.I asked him why they traveled in a hearse&he said it was more comfortable&good for picking up women!!He took us back to a garage in town.Some of us caught a ride on abus home as we only had two days off.When your doing one-nighters you'll do anything to get home for a day.
I never got to thank Bo properly for Helping us, so I'm doing it publicly now.THANK YOU BO DIDDLEY.
More stories of life on the road to follow in the near future!
SLAITE-VA LYNN

By thecount (166.90.231.210 - 166.90.231.210) on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 03:36 pm:

HEY LYNN,crazy mam crazy.It was really kool to meet you lastnite at our KRUISE,it is so kool that we met so many times before and performed so many times and places together,and now after 30 or 40 years later,we formaly meet to say hello and make a friendship out of a friendship we shared about all our lives.It is so kool how our stories last night jived with all the things we said and done,so lets keep it going,and only now,it's with great pleasure and fond memories.We have to thank the FORUM for bringing us together and bringing you to our KRUISE nite,I hope you enjoyed yourself and the fine DOO-WOP,and ROCK AND ROLL music,and will continue to come on MONDAY nites.Thank you LYNN,and your lovely wife for your support.(I always said and will always say "it's,HOT RODS,HARLEYS,and DRUMS,") that makes GREAT HARMONY,but the best harmony,is the friendship.I remember long time ago in the early 60's hearing a line,A MANS WEALTH IS MEASURED BY THE FRIENDS HE KEEPS,SO I FEEL WE ARE A bunch of MILLIONARES. Keep in toutch,Steve"THE COUNT"

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.164 - 64.233.239.164) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 12:05 pm:

STEVE THE COUNT!!
The pleasure was all mine.I really enjoyed talking with you as you know the drums & anyone that loves do-wop as much as me is cool.I wish we could have had more time to talk about (use to be)but I can see you had your hands full keeping things running smooth.I think we could probably talk all night about music and related things.See you soon.
LYNN

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.164 - 64.233.239.164) on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 08:04 pm:

Life on the road: A short one.The Hurricanes (under our OTHER name)were playing at the Peppermint Lounge-south in Miami beach.we were working with Jerry Lee Lewis.My wife came down with our new-born baby.We had to play from 9 at night till 3or 4 in the morning,alternating sets with another local band.My wife came to the club one night and kept the baby in the dressing room so she would be safe.We wanted to dance on one of my breaks so I asked Jerry-Lee if he and his road manager would watch her for a few minutes.He said sure thing no problem.It wasn,t till a few years later that I found out he had a real bad amfetamine(speed)problem at that time and was wired to the max.I guess we wouldn,t have had to worry about him falling asleep while watching her.It was only for a couple ofsongs but MAN!!!!!

By thecount (63.212.151.163 - 63.212.151.163) on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 01:54 am:

Hey LYNN,good to see you again lastnite.Should of stuck around a little longer..Two chicks and some greaser got on stage with GEORGE,GUY, and DENNIS.Had a good time as a rythym section,also did some back up DOO-WOP.See you soon.Steve "The Count" PS thanx DENNY,GUY and GEORGE(The Kat)

By Guy Gillis (216.29.209.125 - 216.29.209.125) on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 01:52 pm:

Count:

Thank you, Lynn, Sue And Millie it was our pleasure. We appreciate you comming down.

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.164 - 64.233.239.164) on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 03:29 pm:

George,Guy,& Dennis.I enjoyed listening to the band,you guys are good! My hand still smarts from wailing on that tamborine,I'm going to have to get a spare set of drums for you guys,for times when wayward drummers come wandering in from the street!!

By detroit gal (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 04:34 pm:

Guy it was great fun meeting you guys -- what fun to see a place where a ton of people are dancing on a Saturday night ...to a live band!

By Guy Gillis (216.29.209.125 - 216.29.209.125) on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 08:06 pm:

Sue:

It was a pleasure meeting you. I'm glad
you and Millie had a good time. Once again
thanks and hope to see you soon.

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.164 - 64.233.239.164) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 12:47 am:

LIFE ON THE ROAD:The Hurricanes played one labor day week-end in Wildwood,New Jersey.the club was Tonys Mart.On the show with us was Chubby Checker.They had no seats,just circular stand-up bars all over the club.this was when the twist had just started to happen on the east coast only. Man, Chubby would have that whole club twistin their butts off,he really could work up a crowd!!
The day after labor day the club closed for the season.None of us were 21 exept Butch the bass player.So when the owner asked us if we wanted to buy some alcohol at cost,we jumped on it. We each had about five Ouarts of whiskey,gin vodka,apiece.From there we drove to Philly for a guest shot on Dick Clarks American Bandstand.You would drive right in to the studio and unload your instruments on the floor behind the curtain and set up on the otherside.
We played our songs and he came on to chat with us,that was cool,but then he asked the kids if they would like to see what we traveled around in,and asked the stagehand to open the curtain and walked over to the bus and flung open the door.Now in our haste to unload we had to do something with all 25 or 30 bottles of booze that we had tucked in around the instuments so we just left them scattered all over the floor.We had know idea that he would go in our bus.On national T.V the whole country saw Johnny & the Hurricanes with whiskey bottles laying all over the place up close,live T.V. I never saw a man move so fast as he did slamming that door shut.There was know way we could have stopped him as we were live.Fortunatly,Dick has a great sense of humor and thought it was hilarious.
Adios I,m off to Isla Mujeres, Mexico!!

By PAMELA KOVARIK (166.90.227.180 - 166.90.227.180) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 04:09 am:

LYNNE,
THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT TO REACH YOU TO NO AVAIL. DAVE WANTED ME TO EXPLAIN HIS CRAZY SCHEDULE TO YOU. HE IS NOT TRYING TO AVOID YOU, QUITE THE CONTRARY. HE REALLY WANTS TO TALK WITH YOU AND GO OVER ROAD STORIES AND OLD TIMES. HE GETS UP FOR WORK AT 1 AM AND WORKS 12 HOUR SHIFTS, SEVEN DAYS. WITH A TWO HOUR COMMUTE. IT DOESNT LEAVE HIM MUCH TIME. I TOOK YOUR MESSAGE OFF OUR VOICE MAIL BUT DAVE IS USUALLY OUT LIKE A LIGHT AN HOUR AFTER HE GETS HOME. HE WANTED TO KNOW IF HE COULD POSSIBLY CALL FROM WORK DURYING THE DAY AND REACH YOU???? ALSO IF YOU WOULD LIKE HE GETS HOME AT 4 PM AND IS USUALLY HOME ON SUNDAYS PRACTICING. HE WILL BE THIS SUNDAY. HE WANTS TO TALK OVER OLD TIMES WITH YOU. WE WILL BE GOING TO THE CLAWSON SEPT 6 TH. ALSO IF YOU E-MAIL HIM ON THE GIGOLOS WEB I ALWAYS FORWARD HIS MESSAGES TO FORDS FOR HIM
TAKE CARE AND HOPE YOU GUYS CAN REACH SOME SORT OF A MEETING OF THE MINDS SOON.
PAMELA KOVARIK

By michael (205.188.192.48 - 205.188.192.48) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 01:49 am:

Lynn,
I'm trying to put together a story on the early sixties Detroit soul scene and would love to have your input...you really zero in the microcosmic details that matter. I love your postings; you should really consider writing a book!!
I tried to email you but the address is expired?Please write to me at mikehurtt@hotmail.com, or give me a call at 504-822-3199. Hope to hear from you soon!

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.172 - 64.233.239.172) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 01:55 am:

Hey everyone,I just stepped off the plane from Mexico,and I,m so sick of little girl singing and disco sounding music that I could puke.I can,t understand it with thier great musical heritage they put up with that crap!! I,ll check in tomorrow when I,m not so spaced out.

By thecount (65.59.41.87 - 65.59.41.87) on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 04:31 pm:

LYNN,was so nice to see you again at our KRUISE MONDAY nite,and your wife and kids,very nice children.After we fineally got unbusy I came back on the patio to have a cold one with you and talk some more but you had must of left or were looking at the cars on display.Anyhow,I wanted to get your phone #.E-MAIL me your number if you could.We will be at the KRUISE again MONDAY nite,then I leave again for VEGAS for one week.Talk to soon.Steve "The Kount"

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.172 - 64.233.239.172) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 05:05 pm:

Count;Those were my grandchildren,as far as cold ones,it,s going to be 95 degrees in detroit today(so what,s new,hot time summer in the city,back of my necks gittin dirty&gritty)so I will be having a few!!I have some business to clear up in Tampa for about 5 or 6 days so I won,t be around tonight.My phone is 313-563-1881,E-mail me at LRB2774@hotmail.com--

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.172 - 64.233.239.172) on Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 07:43 pm:

LIFE ON THE ROAD:In the very early 60,s,the powers that be would contract johnny & the Hurricanes to play our hits and then back up everyone else on the tour.We were so used to doing that,that it seemed the normal way to do things.There,s a joke(Whats a drummer?A guy that hangs around with musicians.)Thats not far from the truth with some drummers, as far as reading music.So on these tours or sometimes just one show,the road managers would hand everyone the charts(music)except me.At the time I,d had two years of piano lessons,one year of vibe lessons,one year of music theory,four years of drum lessons,and played in the concert &marching band from age 12 till graduated high school.Most of the music was very basic so usually I did,nt need any.One show we worked with Dick Clark at the Cidadel(the west-point of the south)in charlston,S.C. We had Bobby Rydell on the show and his arrangements were not so basic.As usual everyone got charts but me.I kept having trouble with one of his numbers as I wasn't breaking in the right spot.His manager came over and tried talking me through it ,but no luck.I felt like playing with his head a little so I let him go on for a few minutes,and then innocently asked him if he wouldn,t just happen to have the drum charts.He said "oh I didn,t know you could read music".As soon as he gave me the charts it was a piece of cake.This happend quite frequently.
All & All I guess the joke is true as I did get to hang with a lot of cool musicians!!!!