By Sue (63.85.105.20 - 63.85.105.20) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 11:31 am:

Folks,
George Katsakis unexpectedly had to have quadruple bypass surgery at Mt. Clemens General Hospital this week. He's expected to be moved to a regular room today; he won't be able to take calls until then, but word from the family is that he's on the mend and was sitting up yesterday. Phone number out there is (586) 493-8000.

Our favorite Royaltones saxophonist/merry prankster will appreciate all our good wishes ...

By Vickie (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 11:55 am:

Get well George,
I always enjoy your posts...
our thoughts are with you...

Vickie

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 11:57 am:

Thanks for the message Sue.

George is a wealth of knowledge on our favourite subject.

Get well soon George.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 12:39 pm:

Yes indeed. I was just mailing Tom (Pogo) on the subject of a Royaltones 45, so George is already in my thoughts at this moment. Please send him all our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

By thecount (199.178.209.4 - 199.178.209.4) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 01:07 pm:

I just got the news from GORDON MACHIENERY.Iwas to call GEORGE today and this was a "ROYAL TWIST"
of not good news.Yes he is doing good and he will make a speedy recovery because all here with get well wishes is a magical cure.Lets do this,all those who have "FLAMINGO EXPRESS",play it at the same time,at 8:00pm tonight.
DAVID,maybe you can play a ROYALTONE song on your radio show and send out well wish's to and for "GEORGE THE KAT"
HEY GEORGE,dont take the "JERAMIA PEABODYS,FAST ACTING,QUICK DESOLVING,PLEASANT TASTING,POLYUNSATCHERATED,GREEN AND PURPLE PILLS".I'll call you soon GEORGE.My prayers are with you."COUNT"

By Millie (207.148.197.36 - 207.148.197.36) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:26 pm:

Boy George, what a sneaky way of getting your vacation off with pay! NO MORE CONEYS AT 2AM!!!!
Take care, buddy, the Clawson's just not the same without you! We all miss you.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:39 pm:

Hi Count

George will be mentioned for sure on Saturday.

Hope you're gonna be up early!

David

By Sue (63.85.105.20 - 63.85.105.20) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:43 pm:

9 a.m. Sunday (Detroit time) isn't TOO early ...

By thecount (64.53.143.173 - 64.53.143.173) on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 07:20 pm:

thanx David,if I leave JAMIES FRIDAY night by 2am,and go straight home,I'll be tuned in by 9am SATURDAY. Hope I can record the show.It will be on r.to.r,then on to cd.
"COUNT"

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 04:43 pm:

I like this pic I took of George last April.

Count, i can't play any Royaltones records tomorrow but I can play a Northern Soul 45 which will intrigue our UK contingent.

It features George on saxophone and two other forum members on guitar and bass guitar.

Thanks for sharing your memories George. Get well soon.

By Sue (63.85.105.20 - 63.85.105.20) on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 05:02 pm:

Wouldn't you know George is pictured in front of a Coney Island!!

We're going to have to wean him off those dogs, Millie ...

By Millie (68.40.198.72 - 68.40.198.72) on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 08:24 pm:

That's just what I said when I saw the picture! George and coneys...sorta like love & marriage, rock & roll, abbott & costello...you get my drift! I did speak to him today; he's out of intensive care and sounded pretty weak on the phone. He's hoping to be home on Monday. I'm going to see him tomorrow and will have a report on his progress!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 06:12 am:

Get well soon George. Sue, we look forward to the progress reports!

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 08:41 am:

Hello everyone. I talked to George last night. He sounded pretty good. I think he is going home on Sunday. He has been my friend for many years. I'm glad he is doing better.

Dennis

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 12:17 pm:

Nice one Dennis please tell him we are asking for him.

David

By thecount (64.53.165.90 - 64.53.165.90) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 12:31 pm:

DENNIS,could you please send me your E-MAIL address? "COUNT"

By Sue (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 12:55 pm:

Thanks for the update, Dennis!

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79 - 12.245.225.79) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 02:17 pm:

George; good luck with your recovery. I'm STILL trying to hook back up with John Fraga.
Steve K.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 02:42 pm:

I just got off the phone with George. He is sounding good and hopes to be home by Monday. I read the forum messages to him and he was glad to hear from everyone.We had a great conversation and I was emotionally moved to be talking with a guy I probably haven't spoke with since the early 70's.Our mutual music roots go so far back it amazes me to think about it. George has always had my deepest respect and I'm proud to know him as a friend. Get well soon George.

By Sue (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 02:51 pm:

George also has the best, and most winning smile I know -- you just have to smile with him.


Plus I miss his morning check-up calls -- he must have a call-list of dozens of us he talks to, just to make sure we're OK.

By thecount (64.53.165.90 - 64.53.165.90) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 03:07 pm:

I just got off the phone also with George.As "RALPH" said he is doing real good and I could hear the sparkle in his voice when he said he talked with "RALPH".Keep up the spirts GEORGE,and like you said:we are fighters and will be back in no time.
"COUNT"

By MilliVanilli (68.40.198.72 - 68.40.198.72) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 05:23 pm:

George,
See how much everyone cares about you? Isn't it a good feeling to know that you've done something right in your life to have the love and respect everyone is giving you? You are definately "The Man", and I'll play the tambourine in your band anytime! Take care my little buddy.

By Eli bi-valve (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 05:36 pm:

Hi George, Eli Here.

I had a double bypass and a valve repair on July 8th and I feel terrific .( although the valve job would have been much cheaper at Pep Boys)
I was weak at first but I bounced back ra.ther fast. (probably due the extra padding)
Keep us informed of your progress and if ytou have ay heart related questions, please feel free to ask.

Eli

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 06:00 pm:

I may have told the forum about this before but what the heck?

When we visited Mike Terry in May, he told us about a book which is being prepared on "Great Sax Breaks".

Mike ran me off a copy but one of the pages he gave me was missing when we got back to the motel.

When George met up with us I gleefully told him that he was on the list...on a Royaltones 45.

Unfortunately I couldn't come up with the proof.

Thinking about it though maybe Dennis or Babbitt could give me their opinion on the track it may be?

We know that George is legendary on the sax, but which track stands out?

Thanks
David

By BOBBABBITT (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 04:24 am:

HEY GEORGE.......SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM,
JUST ANOTHER CURVE BALL LIFE THROWS AT US........
BUT KNOWING YOU, YOU'LL HIT A HOME RUN!!!!!!!!!!!
SEE YOU AT THE DETROIT PREMIER OF THE FUNK BROTHER FILM..........YOUR FOREVER FRIEND,
BOB BABBITT

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164 - 64.53.143.164) on Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 08:38 am:

George,I was out of town for two weeks and look what happens.I hope your feeling better.You must be a little sore now,so I,ll keep the jokes to a minimum.I,ll call you later this week when you,ve had a little time to mend.God bless!!
Your old bud Lynn