By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 02:52 pm:

Marge Schwartz sends in this pic which reminds me of the lovely evening we all spent on the lower east side.

This is Sinbad's which is next door to the Roostertail.

The food was amazing and the company even better!

From Left to Right : Millie Felch, George Katzakis, David Meikle, Harry Dhesi and Marge Scwartz.

Great to see George back to his old self.

By stephanie (64.63.221.31) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:07 pm:

This is a great picture
Stephanie

By M.McLeanTech (66.159.218.56) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:07 pm:

In 1968-69, I had a 23 foot cabin cruser which I used to take up and down the Detroit River on weekends. I made a number of stops at Sinbad's for dinner in those days. It was so neat to tie up at the dock and go in and sit down for dinner.

The food and service was always first class. I'm glad to hear that nothing has changed.

Harry Balk had a somewhat bigger cruser at that time, and he and his wife used to take it out. Sometimes we would see each other on the river.

Mike McLean

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 08:07 am:

Mike
It must have been magic on that river in the summer months.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 10:30 am:

Sinbads! Wow, I forgot all about that place. I ate there many times. Great pic also. Millie and Marge. My two favorite Detroit women.

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.59.116) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:14 pm:

David,

The part I liked the best was to go up to Lake St. Clare, which is only about 10 miles up the river from downtown. Once you got out on the lake, the water was very clean, and the swimming was fantastic.

Another favorite was to have dinner at a place across the river, in Canada, at Amherstburg.

When Shorty Long (Devil With The Blue Dress) drowned (while out fishing,) I went to the trouble to take my boat to the exact spot where it happened. That was quite a feeling.

A group of friends and I were out on a weekend in July, 1970. I huge scary thunderstorm came up. It was pouring rain, with lightning and thunder. We were scared, so we pulled up at the sea wall by the Ford Auditorium until the storm passed. When I got home that night, my Mother called me and told me that my Father had died (in the hospital) that very afternoon, during the storm.

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:58 pm:

Mike

Did Shorty die as a result of a collision with a cargo ship?

Did it happen quite a bit up river?

Also, it is strange, but true, that many people can relate to incidents at times of bereavement.

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.40.121) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

David,

As I remember, Shorty drowned downriver, somewhere in the general area of Bob-Lo island. It was not on the main channel where the big ships come and go, but rather in a little quiet fishing nook.

I never heard any explanation for his drowning. At the time it was a mystery. It was as if he fell out of the boat when he lost his balance, and hit his head on a rock or something. This might have stunned him and he drowned in shallow water.

This is speculation on my part based on the impression I have in my memory.

By RJ Spangler (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:55 am:

Sindbads? hell, I played there a few weekends ago. Being an eastsider, I grew up with the Blanke's that own it. The eastside used to be a real Belgian enclave. Great food, great service. My guitar player, Paul Carey, keeps his boat there. -RJ

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:27 am:

RJ,

Do you recall the name of the local band that Paul Carey played with during the seventies around Detroit. The name slips my mind, but I remember they definitely had a sound. We were on the same circuit and they were a measuring point for a lot of bands. I also recall sitting in on your gig at the music menu in the mid 90's. I enjoyed it quit a bit. I introduced my self and asked to sit in. You said "what kind of stuff do you want to play?". I said "it doesn't matter..Any kind of tune is cool". You then said: "I hate when anybody says that". It kinda brought a smile to my face because I had been free lancing playing all kinds of gigs and didn't lock myself to one genre of music. I still get a kick out of that when I come across your gig listings around town. Thanks for the opportunity to jam with the band. it was fun. Next time I catch up with you I will re-introduce myself.

Horse

By SteveS (209.219.207.3) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:40 am:

Horse - Air Condo?

By Horse (159.53.238.241) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:58 am:

SteveS,

THAT'S IT....!
For the life of me I couldn't remember that name. I remember Paul being an excellent player. The last time I recall hearing him was at a club on Ford Rd. somewhere between Telegraph and Middlebelt on the north side of Ford Rd. Steve, were you around the area at that time?

By SteveS (209.219.207.3) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 11:58 am:

Yes, I was in Detroit for much the 70's. I never saw Air Condo, but I remember hearing that they were quite good, and a cut above the average bar band of the day.

By Horse (159.53.238.241) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 01:33 pm:

This is true. They had an excellent mix from what I remember. I specifically recall hearing them play some Steely Dan quite well and the name Air condo was unique from the typical bar band.

By Horse (159.53.238.241) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 01:36 pm:

I also recall Guitarist Bobby Lewis with Stix and Stones at the Your Mustache lounge on Ford road in Dearborn. They had a pretty heavy sound for the time and you could tell the players were on the pro level sounding bigger than most.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.100) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 03:08 pm:

Hey Horse,
do you play a lot today?
mel.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

Horse, was Jimmy Hunter the drummer with Stix and Stoned at that time?

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:04 pm:

I'm not sure. I know it was after Marcus Terry. It was around 74'-75'. They were playing a Gary Wright tune as I recall.

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

Didn't Jimmy go on to some national gigs?

By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.194.229) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:17 pm:

Horse,
regards to Nomad by the way.
mel.

By SteveS (209.219.207.3) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:19 pm:

I could be terribly confused, but I think he left town to join Ray Manzarek and the (post Morrison) Doors back then.

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:25 pm:

MEL.....!

What's happenin'? I will pass on your regards to Nomad. I'm sure he will appreciate it. I'm still searching for that red 45 and a second for you. I didn't forget. I will definitely honor my word friend.

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:27 pm:

SteveS

Thanks for the info. I would imagine he went out west.

By MEL&THEN SOME9 (81.174.194.229) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:33 pm:

Cheers Horse.

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:38 pm:

Hunter did go out west to LA. He was with Manzarek in a group called Nite City. I think they only made one album. Hunter was a really great rock drummer as I remember.

By Horse (68.62.85.66) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:57 pm:

Thanks Fury

By RJ Spangler (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:59 am:

Horse, thats sounds like me! I always found guys played certain things better than others and I want to put them with cats will make the best music so its good for players and listeners. This specially true in rhythm sections -- some guys swing better than they funk etc.
Aircondo....I do remember the name but never saw them. Paul and I were in the Sun Messengers in the 70's. We have been friends for over 35 years (we're old), so I know the bands he played with pretty well. The Sun Messengers were on the same scene as The Urbations, The Suspects, The Regular Boys, Domino, etc. Horn bands.

By Horse (159.53.238.241) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 09:17 am:

RJ,

I definetly agree. Your outlook makes alot of sense regarding styles. I spent the 70's, 80s and early 90's between the east and west coast, so unfortunately I didn't get to catch those bands you mentioned during that period. I did spend some short spands during the 80's gigging around Detroit but headed back out west. I noticed someone mentioned your cd release on June 20th, Congradulations and best of luck. I'll make an effort to catch up with one of your gigs and introduce myself. Peace