By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

GREETINGS ALL: DAVID M. MENTIONED ON ANOTHER THREAD THAT "THE ROOSTERTAIL"...MUST HAVE BEEN "SOME KIND OF PLACE"!!!...YES IT WAS...AND PERHAPS I CAN JOG MY MEMORY TO GIVE YOU SOME KIND OF HISTORY!!!...SITUATED ON THE DETROIT RIVER...JUST NORTH OF THE BELLE ISLE BRIDGE...THE ROOSTERTAIL WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SCHOENITH FAMILY...FATHER... JOE...SONS... TOM AND JERRY!!!...THE NAME...DERIVED FROM THE WAKE OF THE UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE BOATS THAT USED TO RACE IN THE ANNUAL GOLD CUP RACES ON THE DETROIT RIVER (THE NORTH TURN OF THAT RACE...KNOWN AS THE "ROOSTERTAIL TURN...ADJACENT TO THE NIGHTCLUB)!!!...JOE SCHOENITH WAS THE OWNER OF "GALE INDUSTRIES"...A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN WHO OPENED THE CLUB..I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN...PROBABLY EARLY 60'S!!!...THE ROOSTERTAIL...ALONG THE WITH "ELMWOOD CASINO" IN WINDSOR, ONTARIO...ACROSS THE RIVER..WERE THE MAIN SUPPER CLUB VENUES FOR TOP NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TALENT...WITH THE "TOP HAT" SUPPER CLUB IN WINDSOR...AND PLACES LIKE THE 20 GRAND HOSTING SECOND TIER...OR GENRE SPECIFIC TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENT!!!...MY BROTHER BRUCE PLAYED IN THE ROOSTERTAIL HOUSE BAND...AND I BELIEVE THAT IS WHERE HE WAS DISCOVERED BY PAUL ANKA...IN THE MID-60'S...WHERE HE WENT ON TO BECOME PAUL'S GUITARIST...AND LATER MUSICAL DIRECTOR!!!...THROUGHT THE YEARS...INTO THE 70'S...THE ROOSTERTAIL BECAME MAINLY A RESTAURANT AND BANQUET VENUE..RETURNING AT TIMES TO BRING IN SOME TOP NAME TALENT!!!...OF COURSE...THE "FUNK BROTHERS" PREMIERE PARTY WAS ALSO HELD AT THE ROOSTERTAIL!!!...AS DAVID MENTIONED...BOTH "THE TEMPTATIONS" AND THE "FOUR TOPS" RECORDED LIVE ALBUMS THERE!!!...ANYONE HAVE ANY ADDITIONS TO THIS STORY...OR ANY MEMORIES OF "THE ROOSTERTAIL" THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE???...STU

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 01:14 pm:

Stu....
....wasn't Rare Earth the house band for a while, or did they just record an LP there?

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:02 pm:

DOUG: I DON'T KNOW IF RARE EARTH EVER WORKED IN THE CAPACITY AS "HOUSE BAND" AT THE ROOSTERTAIL!!...WHEN MY BROTHER WORKED THERE...IT WASN'T A CONTAINED GROUP...BUT JUST SOME OF THE BEST MUSICIANS AROUND DETROIT THAT BACKED UP THE TOURING ACTS!!!...MY BROTHER, AS WELL AS MOTOWN ARRANGER DAVE VAN DE PITTE, AND OTHER LOCAL MUSICIANS PLAYED IN THAT BAND!!!...PERHAPS BRUCE CAN FIND THIS THREAD...AND COMMENT ON SOME OF THE MUSICIANS THAT PLAYED THERE!!!...IF NOT...I'LL CALL HIM TO NAME SOME OF THE MUSICIANS THAT WERE IN THAT HOUSE BAND...THAT IS...IF HE'S NOT TOO BUSY WRITING MORE MUSIC FOR THE "EVENING GOWN" COMPETITION!!!...STU

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:08 pm:

I think the most interesting thing about the Roostertail to most people is that it hosted "Motown Mondays" -- broadcast live on WKNR with Scott Regen as host.

Not only would a different Motown act headline a show there each Monday, but the crowd would be packed with Motown execs and stars; Berry Gordy would usually be in the front row at the Supremes' table.

For those of us growing up in Detroit at the time, or teenagers, the Roostertail will always be associated with Motown.

Each year the Motown fundraiser is held at the Roostertail, in November...

By mc5rules (148.61.97.30) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:13 pm:

All I know is I felt like I was very A-list when I was there in November for the SITSOM event! Not only was the place gorgeous, but the company was fabulous, too.

By TonyRussi (68.18.225.134) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:44 pm:

On my & my brothers first trip to Detroit Martha Reeves took us to dinner at the Roostertail.It was so cool that the maitre'd knew who Martha was and ushered us right in to a great table.Seated close by was George Gordy who came over and talked to us for several minutes.We met the owners again at the VIP party at the opening of the Motown Cafe at Universal in Orlando...nice people.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:10 pm:

ROOSTERTAIL HOUSE BAND UPDATE!!!...CORRECTION ON BRUCE MILLER & PAUL ANKA...THEY MET AT THE ELMWOOD CASINO (SINCE I HAD EMERGENCY APPENDECTOMY THAT WEEK...PERHAPS MY OVERSIGHT CAN BE FORGIVEN)...SORRY BRO!!!...ROOSTERTAIL HOUSE BAND FROM THE EARLY-MID 60'S (CORE BAND)...BRUCE AND VAN DE PITTE...TERRY HARRINGTON ON SAXOPHONE...TRUMPETER JOHNNY TRUDELL...PIANIST AND FIRST BAND LEADER BEFORE JOHN T. TOOK OVER WAS CHUCK ROBINETTE...DRUMMER CHET FORREST...WERE THE MAIN MUSICIANS!!!...BURCE IS A LITTLE FUZZY ON SOME OF THE ACTS THAT THEY PERFORMED WITH...HE DID SEEM TO REMEMBER STEVE LAWRENCE & EDIE GORMET...AND SAYS HE'LL CHECK WITH SOME OF THE OTHER GUYS TO SEE IF THEY REMEMBER WHO SOME OF THE OTHER HEADLINERS WERE!!!...STU

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:28 pm:

I always think of the Roostertail as being EAST, not north, of the Belle Isle bridge...

It's an EASTSIDE place!

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:31 pm:

FURY: IT *IS* KIND OF SCREWY...ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT WINDSOR...LEADING DOWN TO LAKE ERIE IN CANADA IS ACTUALLY SOUTH OF DETROIT!!!...WHO WOULD IMAGINE CANADA AS BEING SOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES!!!...STU

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

During Motown Mondays, the house band was the Funk Brothers with Earl Van Dyke the bandleader.

Scott Regen told me that one time he was onstage announcing the next act, when a competing deejay, Joey Reynolds, jumped onstage just to be a jerk and steal some of his thunder.

Earl quickly moved out from behind his keyboard, said something like "That ain't right," picked Mr. Reynolds up and heaved him off the stage.

So Big Funk doubled as security when needed

By Jay (167.167.44.218) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 08:49 pm:

Stu

Don't forget the bass player who also doubled on violin with Chuck Robinette who also did so when the visiting acts brought their own rhythm section.

Jay

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 09:00 pm:

JAY PALMER: HOW RIGHT YOU ARE!!!...WHEN I TALKED TO BRUCE...HE WASN'T QUITE SURE IF THE "GREAT" DON PALMER WAS IN THAT GROUP...HE THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN...AND THEY WORKED TOGETHER SO OFTEN...THAT BRUCE JUST COULDN'T REMEMBER...HELL JAY...HE COULDN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT ACTS HE PLAYED FOR THERE...GOT PHYLLIS MCGUIRE MIXED UP...IN THAT HE ACTUALLY ACCOMPANIED HER AT THE "ACT lV"!!!...IS THIS KIND OF MEMORY WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN FIVE YEARS???...SO YES...DON PALMER...BASS AND VIOLIN...SORRY FOR THE OVERSIGHT!!!...STU

By sdl (208.59.125.175) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 09:38 pm:

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is any film of the "Motown Monday" performances? Could we fans be so lucky as to have not only the audio but the visual as well???

TIA

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:09 pm:

MC5 and StuBass - Don't forget going east down Jefferson, you pass the Belle Isle Bridge which takes you across water to Belle Isle (Island). The Roostertail being west of the bridge does not cross the Detroit River. Therefore, the Roostertail is north of Belle Isle, and east of the brige.

By STUABSS (206.135.204.2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:32 pm:

SIS: THERE MAY BE SOME TRUTH IN WHAT YOU ARE SAYING...HOWEVER...GET OUT YOUR COMPASS... AND I THINK THAT YOU WOULD FIND THAT JEFFERSON RUNS SOMEWHAT NORTH-EASTERLY...NOT DUE NORTH...NOR DUE EAST...AS IT ULTIMATLY ENDS UP IN THE LAKE ST. CLAIR AREA...WHICH IS NORTH OF DETROIT PROPER...AND CONTINUE ALONG...AND YOU WOULD END UP IN PORT HURON...WHICH IS CERTAINLY NORTH OF DETROIT!!!...IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME...BUT...IT'S ALWAYS A TREAT TO TALK WITH YOU SIS...EVEN IF WE ARE HAVING A SLIGHT DISAGREEMENT!!!...STU

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 01:24 am:

We don't disagree. We just have a difference of opinion. That's good and thought provocing.

Depending where you are on Jefferson. I've never been in Lake St. Clair. I am good to get to the Hart Plaza on Jefferson and Woodward. I don't usually go any further than the Roostertail. And when I'm riding in my friends Yacht, he is the captain, I won't allow him to go to the lake, I can't swim. "Whew." So, we don't want to go that far down to the lake or even to Anita Bakers' house. We just want to stay near Belle Isle and the Jeffersonian condos. :o)

By Jay (24.55.210.61) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 04:56 am:

I never could understand driving SOUTH to get to Canada!

Now Stu says "North of the Belle Isle Bridge" ? ? ? ?

It always looked East to me : - )

By David Meikle (81.135.32.74) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 08:28 am:

Having just looked at Mapquest, I can confirm that the Roostertail is perfectly North of Belle Isle.

Windsor is also perfectly South at that point.

We had a great afternoon at the R last April where we received a guided tour of the premises by Paul.

Should be able to run a half decent webisode, next year.

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 09:09 am:

GREAT INFO STU,I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT THE ROOSTERTAIL AND YOUR THREAD MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN THERE,THANKS MAN!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 10:21 am:

*The Roostertail is therefore "East" of the bridge, and North of the Island.

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:16 pm:

DO YOU GUYS MEAN THAT MY "A" IN HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY MEANS *NOTHING*???...

By lindajoy (207.65.215.24) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:28 pm:

I have never been to the rooster tail, sounds like I missed alot. I do remember my aunt worked there, but I was just a kid at the time.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Looking due North :-))

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:34 pm:

I think that, to most Detroiters, when you're talking Eastside/Westside, actual compass points shouldn't be taken too literally. I would bet that 95 percent of the people who live in Detroit would tell you that the Roostertail is east of the Belle Isle bridge. It's off of East Jefferson, therefore, it's Eastside, and it's east of the bridge. It may actually be northeast, but we don't think of it that way.

Windsor is south, yes, but I would guess that most Detroiters don't really think of it that way. When we go, we're just "going to Canada" - either through the tunnel or over the bridge.

Eastside/Westside: two different worlds... and rarely do they meet...

SR

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:37 pm:

Looking South West

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:42 pm:

Thr front entrance is between the pillars

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 01:34 pm:

THANKS FOR THE PICS DAVID!!!... THE OLD PLACE STILL LOOKS PRETTY GOOD!!!...ANOTHER VENUE...FURTHER UP JEFFERSON...IS "BROWNIES ON THE MARINA"...WHERE SOME GOOD LOCAL MUSICIANS ALSO PLAYED IN THE HOUSE BANDS...ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT A VENUE THAT BROUGHT IN TOP FLIGHT TOURING ARTISTS!!!...STU...PS TO FURY...ALTHOUGH WE WERE NORTHWEST DETROITERS AND NORTHERN SUBURBANITES...WE ALL KNEW MANY OF THE EAST SIDE VENUES...PARTICULARLY THOSE RUNNING ALONG THE RIVERFRONT!!!

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 02:43 pm:

Stu,
With all of those consecutive 80 degree days and smoggy summers, maybe the part of your brain that does geography got cooked.

Regards,
Ken

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 02:47 pm:

To understand Detroit, you have to understand the east-west thing. It's deep and transcends geography.

By Jay (167.167.44.218) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 03:50 pm:

http://www.roostertail.com/new.html

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 04:36 pm:

Stu
Any idea which street Brownie's was on?

We're interested in any small time venues BTW.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 07:07 pm:

Going into the link to the Roostertail, click on "Map." It shows the Roostertail north of Belle Isle. The small island, called "Belle Isle" is between the Roostertail and Windor. Detroit and Windor fought over ownership of that small island.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 09:23 pm:

KEN: YOU MAY HAVE A POINT!!!...DAVID: AS I RECALL...BROWNIE'S IS IN THE ST. CLAIR SHORES MARINA...JUST NORTH OF THE DETROIT CITY LIMIT THROUGH THE "POINTS" (ANYBODY PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M MISTAKEN)!!!...A FEW YEARS BACK...I VISITED DETROIT AND WENT OUT ON A BUDDIES BOAT FOR A FEW DAYS...AND WE STOPPED AT BROWNIES FOR LUNCH BEFORE HE PUT HIS BOAT BACK IN THE SLIP...BUT IT'S A MARINA KIND OF PLACE!!!

By STUBASS (205.188.209.38) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 02:50 am:

TEE'D THE THREAD UP JUST FOR YOU MOTOWNFAN!!!...NOW "GRIP IT AND RIP IT!!!...STU

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 12:41 pm:

I played at Brownies about 5 years ago. I was driving by about 2 months ago and it looked like Brownies is not located there anymore. I could be wrong, but I think another business is in it's place.